We are accustomed to seeing ads for various skin care products that emphasize cleansing and “washing away dirt and oil” to achieve clean, healthy skin. While it is true that washing your face is important to wash away oil, make-up and dead skin cells that clog pores, too much of anything is never a good thing. Washing your face more than twice a day can actually irritate the skin by stripping the natural moisture leaving it overly dry. Furthermore, the ingredients in the cleanser used are important as some ingredients used in popular cleansers are harsh chemicals that do more harm than good. So what should we do to get that fresh clean face we are always wanting?
First, choose a cleanser. There are many options available for all different skin types, but the truth is that we should all be using a gentle cleanser with all natural ingredients. There are many ingredients such as parabens, petroleum products, and sodium laureth sulfate that are used in popular cleansers regardless of the fact that studies show them to be harmful carcinogens. Why would we want to use that on our skin, our largest organ?
Natural cleansers work wonderfully and without the health risk. Since washing your face removes some of the natural oils, look for a moisturizing cream cleanser with ingredients that replace lost moisture such as jojoba, sesame oil, and shea butter. Also look for antioxidants such as green tea and algae extract to help fight free radical damage while cleansing.
Next, wash your face…and do it right! Washing your face should loosen up the makeup and dead skin cells, but it should also get the blood circulating so remember to incorporate some light massage to get the blood circulating and the lymph system stimulated. Start with washing your hands well, and then wet your face with warm water, not hot. Hot water can burst capillaries causing sensitive red marks while warm water just opens the pores so that you can easily wash away blackheads, comprised of sebum and dead skin cells which clog pores. Lightly massage a dime sized amount of cleanser on your face for 30-60 seconds using a small circular motion paying special attention to the areas where most oil forms such as the creases by your nose, your forehead and chin. And don’t forget your hairline! Next rinse it all away with cool, not cold, water to close the pores. Now pat skin dry with a clean soft cloth or towel and enjoy the fresh face feeling!












