MissLJBeauty

1. Remove Any Makeup

If you wear a lot of makeup, consider adding a dedicated makeup remover to your routine as the step before cleansing. This isn't technically considered washing your face. Still, particularly sensitive skin may need to add this step (using a makeup remover for sensitive skin, of course) to ensure that you remove every trace of debris. Many excellent makeup-removing washes are available, but a true staple for many is the Garnier Micellar Water. You might need to double cleanse, depending on how much makeup you use.

2. Use a Hydrating Face Wash

One of the most important things you can do is to choose the correct face wash. Correct is a relative term depending on the climate you live in, how much dirt or pollution you're exposed to on a daily basis, and your skin type:

• If your work or many of your regular activities put you in dirty situations or cause you to sweat a lot, or if you have naturally oily or blemish-prone skin, you’re going to need a face wash that deep cleanses daily to keep your pores from becoming congested.
• If you live in a very cold or arid region or have naturally dry skin, you’ll need to select a hydrating face wash like the Soy Hydrating Wash by Fresh to give your routine a nourishing first step. Even oily skin needs hydration, and this wash is an excellent way to add it from step one without overloading the skin and still being gentle yet effective.

Choosing the proper face wash will give you a good base for the rest of your routine and build a balanced skin from the first step onwards.

3. Use Lukewarm, Not Hot or Cold Water

Somehow, the myth that warm water opens pores and cold water closes them has become a beauty belief, but it's not true! Steam or warm water relaxes the skin, which helps to loosen and more easily remove dirt, and cold water causes the skin to contract, which gives the illusion that pores are “closing,” but there is no more truth to the rumor than that. I advise lukewarm water because very hot water can stress out and inflame your skin. Stick to the middle ground for the best effect and highest comfort level.

4. Wash Gently

Do so gently when you begin to lather the face wash and apply it to your face. You may be tempted to scrub if you’re trying to cleanse lots of dirt or makeup or have a breakout, but this is the worst thing you can do, especially in the last case or if you have particularly sensitive skin. Use a soft, natural washcloth like The Body Shop Luxury Flannel Facial Washcloth — an excellent choice even for the most sensitive skin. Lather the product over your whole face and neck and do so slowly, giving the wash and the warm water the time it needs to loosen and cleanse away dirt and debris properly.

If you feel that your first round of cleansing hasn't done the trick, the answer isn't to rub harder but rather to double cleanse — just wash your face one more time! Rubbing too harshly can remove the good natural oils that your skin needs to keep it hydrated and blanched and can do much more harm than good.

It's imperative to remember to wash your jaw and neck as well, not just your face. If you wear foundation products, you should blend them out over your jaw and onto your neck, so that area requires a thorough cleansing as well! If you don't, dirt, oil, and sweat don't just stay on your face! Don't skip any areas.

5. Rinse Properly

When you're done, rinse your skin with clean, lukewarm water. Then, use a face cloth to gently wipe down your face and neck, getting into all the nooks and crannies, like the sides of your nose and around your eyes. Removing all the products after washing is essential because any left behind can become cakey or, in some cases, cause skin issues like breakouts and sensitivity.

6. Pat Dry, Don't Air Dry

Using a clean, soft towel (bonus points for an adorable print or cute color scheme), gently pat your entire face, jaw, and neck completely dry. The towel you use to dry your face should be exclusively for your face and not used on any other areas of your body. It should also be soft and made from natural fibers. Leaving your skin to air dry can cause more dehydration than drying it entirely with a towel, so don't leave any spots of water behind.

Scrub a Dub Dub (Just Not Too Hard)

Now you’ve got all the details you need for a flawlessly cleansed face ready to take on the rest of your routine and the world! A cleansed face is a happy face, so enjoy your fresh face and stunning skin.