THE BASICS OF CLEANSING
BEAUTY
THE BASICS OF CLEANSING
The world of beauty is a complicated one and so is skincare. There is so much information out there, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start. So I will be compiling the information I gather on the basics of skin care in this new series ‘ The Basics’ in hopes of helping you and I to determine what’s right for our unique skin.
Here are a couple tips I’ve picked up so far to make sure we are cleansing effectively and with the right products. (all sources are linked at the bottom of the article)
the basics
why do we cleanse?
We cleanse to maintain clean and clear skin. When dirt builds up on the surface of the skin it can cause blockages in the follicle, trapping sebum, sweat and dead skin cells.
Properly cleansing the skin clears pores of debris and prevents dirt buildup. This allows the sebum oil to reach the skin surface unimpeded; decreasing the chances of a breakout.
what is sebum?
Sebum is an oily, waxy substance that coats, moisturizes, and protects your skin. It’s also the main ingredient in your body’s natural oils.
If you have very oily skin, your body may be producing an excess amount of sebum.
how your skin should look and feel after cleansing
Your face should look clean, even-toned. Dirt and makeup should be removed. After cleansing, skin should feel soft, smooth, hydrated and not greasy or tight.
when should you cleanse?
Your should cleanse your face in the morning and at night before you go to bed.
simple tips
wash your hands first
Before cleansing, always wash your hands first.
how long should you cleanse for?
According to aesthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith we should be cleansing our face for 60 seconds at a time. She recommends we do this because it ‘allows the ingredients in the cleanser to actually work’. The results should be brighter and more even skin. (those with acne should really benefit from this rule).
what temperature should the water be?
It’s a myth that hot water opens pores and cold water closes them. It’s best to use luke warm water as it helps ensure that your facial cleanser gets the right amount of foaming action, removes dirt from the surface of your skin and balances your natural oils appropriately.
ingredients
pH level is important
The pH value of your cleanser is important. Our skin is naturally between 4.7 and 5.75 on the pH scale so our cleanser should be too. Why does this matter? Because sensitive and acne-prone skin types can have more vulnerable acid mantles. ... Feeling squeaky clean isn’t actually good for your skin. After cleansing, your skin should feel clean but also moisturized and nourished.
avoid alcohol
Alcohols can cause dryness, irritation and breakouts.
avoid fragrance
It actually has a lot of unknown toxic chemicals that can be harmful. Fragrance can irritate skin, have toxic hormonal effects and more.
That’s all for now, but I’ll be updating this blog as I learn more and as I’ve had a chance to try out multiple cleansers that I think are worth of being used on your skin.
I recommend listening to this podcast as well: breaking beauty
sources: healthline , Paula’s choice , allure ,
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