Washing your face may appear to be the simplest and least talked about topic on earth, but if done properly, it can promote a healthy glow. A face speaks volumes about one's self image and a well looked after face can attract attention and foster confidence in a person. Therefore, cleansing your face properly is basic to a good body care routine. A good face cream (like an oil-free acne wash soap), can really help your face and clean out your pores.
Steps
- Tie your hair back from your face. If you have bangs wear a headband or use a hair clip. Make sure you can see and access your entire face, including your ears and neck.
- Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap to clean them.
- Wet your face with warm water or steam to open your pores.
- Put a small amount of face cleanser on your hands, about the size of a nickel. Rub some on your wet hands. Use a product that is gentle enough for your skin. Something too strong will just dry the skin out and stimulate the oil glands to produce more oil. You are trying to remove oil and retain moisture at the same time. Please do not use soap.. It is too strong, and can't be rinsed easily.
- Work up a good lather by rubbing both hands together and applying it on your face.
- Using your fingertips, massage the cleanser all over your face removing any dirt and oil. Take 30 seconds or so, concentrating on first the hairline, then paying special attention to the "T-zone"; forehead, nose, nostril area, then around the mouth and chin, then cheeks. Cleanse the neck using upward strokes. You have oil glands behind your ears, so don't neglect that area. It's messy, but do it anyway. When you're 50, you will be glad you went to the trouble to help your mature skin look its best.
- Rinse your face and neck with clear, tepid water. If it is too cold, it could break capillaries.
- Pat your face dry with a clean and soft, absorbent towel; linen is a good choice. Make sure you pat it dry gently. Always treat your face with respect.
- If you have large pores, a toner, or astringent, is a good idea to help tighten the pores. It will also clean away the last of the cleanser.
- Moisturizer is a very good thing. You have just washed off dirt and oil, and a moisturizer will help keep the water in the surface cells, which promotes a more youthful look. Plus it feels great!
- Don't forget eye cream. Use one that says it is for eyes only; otherwise it won't be rich enough. The area around your eyes has no sweat or oil glands, and must be treated differently than other skin.
- Check your face everyday and night to see if your treatment is working, if it is not see a doctor and get a facial cream to see better results.
Tips
- Use grapes as a facial cleanser. Search google for "juice grape facial" for details on this natural home remedy. But don't go crazy with food facial remedies.
- Use a soap that suits your skin type: oily, normal or dry.
- If soap gets into your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with water.
- Washing your face twice a day should be enough. Washing too much will irritate and dry out your skin more, even if you use lotion to moisturize.
- If your skin is too dry after washing, use water only and pat dry, or apply a moisturizing lotion afterward. Make sure the moisturizer is oil free or it may cause acne.
- Wash your face twice if you have been wearing makeup. The first wash removes the makeup and the second cleanses the skin. Or you can use makeup removing towlettes instead of the first wash.
- Talk to your doctor about possible dermatological issues if you have chronic skin problems. They may very well stem from things you put on your skin: like soap!
- For some people, washing their face with soap can dry their skin out. If you are one of those people, try using a gentle face-wash.
- Don't scrub your face too hard, it'll do more harm than good.
- If you have flaky skin, try using a face brush instead of your hands. It gently exfoliates your skin and improves circulation.
- Warm water opens up your pores and cold water closes them. Make sure you rinse your face with warm water before using cleaning products, and cold water after.
- Use a mask and exfoliant once a week to get rid of dead skin and deep oil and dirt.
- Steaming your pores before hand is good. Let a pot of water boil and hold your head over it for 5-10 minutes to open pores so the cleanser gets deep down to wash away hidden toxins.
- If you have acne, instead of closing your pores with cold water when you rinse, use warm water and apply an acne cream immediately after washing so that your pores absorb the product. Benzol peroxide and salycic acid are good acne fighting ingredients.
