Cleansing your skin is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. Clearing away dirt and bacteria, cleansing opens up the pores and gently exfoliates the surface skin cells.
If we don’t cleanse our skin, dirt and dead cells will build up causing congestion and making any other products we apply less effective. The beauty industry is well versed on the benefits of cleansing, which means there are many different ways to cleanse and a variety of products to try.
To help navigate the cleansing jungle, we look at some common cleansing questions:
Do I need to use an electric device to cleanse?
Electric facial cleansers are having something of a moment right now. Rotating thousands of times a minute, they offer a deep cleanse. A good facial brush will be suitable for all skin types, but those with sensitivity may find them irritable. We think they are especially useful for those with congested skin or those who live in highly polluted areas.
Do I need to double cleanse?
Double cleansing is recommended for people who wear make-up regularly and again, those who live in polluted areas. The first cleanse will dissolve make-up, and then the second cleanse gets to work on the skin. Here at Beauty Resource we tend to use our usual creamy cleanser to remove make-up and then follow up with micellar water – you’ll be surprised how much residual make-up comes off with the second cleanse! Do this before you go to bed as your skin repairs itself overnight. In the morning you can stick with a simple one-step cleanse.
Some experts have started to recommend triple cleansing – where a third exfoliating step is introduced. We think this may be a step too far – an occasional exfoliating treatment is useful, but not as an everyday step in your cleansing routine. Over cleansing and over exfoliating can irritate the skin and lead to dryness.
What should I look for in a cleanser?
Normal/combination skin: Look for products that say they help to balance the skin’s natural oils, offering a gentle cleanse.
Dry skin: Avoid products with drying ingredients like alcohol or sodium. Opt for a cream cleanser or a cleansing oil.
Oily skin: Gel formulas are ideal for oily skin. Pick a gentle formula, anything too harsh can actually cause your skin to produce more oil.
Sensitive skin: Choose fragrance-free products specially designed for sensitive skin. Keep skin hydrated with an oil or moisturiser.
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