The 7 Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes You’re Probably Making

Washing your face doesn’t get any simpler. All you have to do is massage in your cleanser and then rinse it off, right? Well, that’s not exactly true. As easy as this daily task may seem, there’s a good possibility you’re making one of these key mistakes every day when you’re washing your face…

1. Washing too frequently.

It’s a common misconception that washing your face a lot keeps your skin cleaner and clearer. The truth is, washing more than twice a day can actually lead to irritation and cause more problems that you bargained for. If you wash too often, you can strip the skin of its natural oils, which ultimately forces your body to produce more oil. This can occur more frequently if the cleanser you are using in not the right one for your skin care needs. This is not the result you want!

You should only wash your face twice a day: morning and night. Because your body produces oil overnight, washing your face in the morning cleanses the skin of that excess oil. It also gets rid of any bacteria you may have picked up from your pillowcase. Nighttime washing is essential, of course, because you need to remove the day’s makeup, as well as any dirt, oil, and environmental pollutants that your skin has picked up. And don’t forget to cleanse the skin with a face wipe after workouts to remove any sweat and bacteria, too!

2. Using the wrong cleanser.

There are two main jobs your cleanser needs to do, which you should keep in mind when shopping for skincare products. First, your cleanser should actually do as its name suggests and cleanse the skin. A good cleanser will remove traces of dirt, makeup, oil, and bacteria. The next time you wash your face, check to make sure your cleanser is doing its job. Check your washcloth after drying your face to see if you notice any traces of makeup. Or you can follow-up with a makeup remover wipe to see if it picks anything up.

Secondly, the formula of cleanser you choose should be based on the type of skin you have. Is your skin oily, dry, sensitive, or acne-prone? For those with dry skin, you will want a thicker, creamy cleanser that provides moisture to the face. Got oily skin? Try a foaming cleanser such as Yon-Ka’s Gel Nettoyant, which will help to absorb excess oil. For sensitive skin, be cautious of the ingredients you put on your face. You don’t want to use anything too harsh that could cause irritation.

3. Cleansing with hot water.

It’s a myth that cleansing with hot water will open your pores. Your pores don’t open. So, cleansing with hot water can actually irritate your skin, leaving it looking red and splotchy. Yikes! Try using lukewarm water the next time you wash up.

4. Over exfoliating.

We all know that exfoliation is important in a good skincare routine because it helps to remove dead skin cells. However, it is possible to exfoliate too much. Don’t use scrubs more than twice a week because you risk irritating your delicate skin. You don’t want to leave your skin looking red and feeling raw, do you? Instead, limit exfoliation to twice a week and use a gentle scrub such as Guarana Scrub For delicate skin Gommage 305 will gently polish and hydrate the skin. Plus it’s a completely grain free gel texture!

5. Missing a spot.

It’s important to make sure you’re doing a thorough job when washing your face. When we are in a hurry or not paying attention to what we are doing, it’s easy to overlook places such as your hairline and jaw when cleansing. Take your time and make sure you’re cleansing everything and removing every last trace of makeup and dirt!

6. Drying with a dirty towel.

You may be thinking that reaching for that dirty towel to dry your face just this once is perfectly fine. But you’d be wrong! That towel likely has much more bacteria living on it than you realize. Bacteria can lead to blemishes and clogged pores. Make sure you use a clean towel every time you go to dry your face. And you should also use a specific towel for your face, not the same one you use for your hands or body.

7. Not following with moisturizer.

The best time to apply your serum and moisturizer is right after cleansing for best absorption. So, instead of waiting an hour after washing up, apply your serum and then follow-up with moisturizer while your skin is freshly clean and damp.

Which of these face-washing rules have you been breaking? Let us know in the comments section below…