We are always telling patients and customers what products are best to use for their skin and needs, but what about how to use these products. Many patients go home with a new product and have no idea how to properly use it for the best results. One of the simplest and most widely used products is face wash. It is easy to assume you know how to wash your face, you’ve been doing it your whole life, however you may be surprised to know there really is a correct, effective, way to wash.
We love these 6 steps to correct washing from our friend, Dr. Jessica Wu, Hollywood.
1. Remove eye makeup. If you don’t, it will smear all over your face, work its way into your eyes, and ruin your towels. I use Lumene Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, available at drugstores. If you wear contacts, take them out first.
2. Splash with lukewarm water. This will help your cleanser spread over your skin, so you won’t have to use as much. Avoid hot water, which can dry your skin and aggravate rosacea and redness.
3. Use a liquid face wash. Many bar soaps contain sulfates and other strong detergents that make a lot of suds — great for removing grime from dirty hands and feet, but irritating on delicate facial skin. If your skin is dry or sensitive, use a creamy or milky cleanser, like Boscia Soothing Cleansing Cream or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. For normal to oily skin, try a gel or foaming wash, like Olay Foaming Face Wash for Oily/Combination Skin, Orlane Purifying Gel Cleanser, or Clinique Wash Away Gel Cleanser (for very oily skin).
4. For sensitive skin, massage cleanser onto skin with fingertips. For oily, acne-prone, or sun-damaged skin, squeeze cleanser onto a facial sponge (like a konjac sponge) or cleansing cloth to help unclog pores and remove dead, dull skin flakes. (If you’re not familiar with them, check out my article on konjac face sponges next week.)
5. Rinse with lukewarm water. Then pat dry with a soft towel; rubbing can redden your face and aggravate breakouts and rashes.
6. If you use a skin-cleansing brush, rinse the brush, detach the head, and let it air-dry between uses. Many of my patients can only use their brush a few times a week, or else they break out in a rash.