12 Steps To Wash Your Face The Right Way For A Healthy Skin

To reduce possible infections, cleanliness is crucial; therefore, ensure you wash your hands before touching your face.

Rub your hands with some soap that has antibacterial properties for at least twenty seconds. Don’t forget the areas between fingers and under nails.

Instead of using whatever towel is within reach, opt for a clean cotton towel. With clean hands and proper drying, you’re ready to begin the proper face-washing routine.

The term "face co-wash" comes from "conditioning wash," referring to a gentle cleansing method that hydrates the face without scrubbing or stripping away its natural oils.

Make the process even more efficient by using the right tools and equipment. Here's what you need to know about those essentials:

• Gentle Cleansing Brush

It assists in cleansing the skin as well as eradicating dead skin cells on it and still retain skin moisture.

• Microfiber Cloths

These are soft cloths that are reusable and used to wipe cleansers or masks off. Their quality is suited for sensitive skins as they are non-abrasive and are thus environmentally friendly.

• Silicone Scrubber

Used for face massage while cleansing, allowing some parts of the skin, which are deeper, to be cleaned firmly without being touched harshly.

It is obligatory to prepare before washing your face. Only then you will know; how should you wash your face. 

Start by removing makeup, especially if you use long-wear or waterproof products.

For gentle removal, micellar water is an excellent choice as it dissolves makeup and impurities without harsh scrubbing.

For heavier makeup or sunscreen layers, consider using cleansing oils or balms.

These products effectively break down stubborn residues while remaining gentle on the skin, leaving it clean and ready for the next steps.

Splash the face with lukewarm water prior to cleanser use. This step serves two purposes:

One, it preps the skin by loosening dirt and opening pores slightly for deeper cleansing. Next, it prevents over-drying or irritation.

Therefore, it’s important to use a balanced temperature- neither too hot, as it strips natural oils, nor too cold, which can hinder effective cleansing.

Proceed to the cleansing process once you find a cleanser of your skin type.

In oily skin, a foaming wash/gel product with salicylic acid or tea tree oil should be used as it will control excess sebum and pimples.

Choose a cream-based or water-based item containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid, for dry skin.

But if you just happen to have combination skin, this indicates that you should use a balanced cleanser, one that would neither strip nor leave any oil residue, like glycolic acid.

Here’s a catch; how long should you wash your face? Wash your face for a full 60 seconds.

This helps in reducing pores and makes the complexion much brighter. 

Additionally, in some case, you might also be required to double-clean your face.

Begin with a gentle cleansing milk or oil first to remove all of the grime that sits on top of your skin and use a cleanser that suits your skin type.

Similar to the face, the neck also comes face to face with corresponding environmental stressors like pollution, UV rays, and dust.

Not cleaning the neck could mean dirt, oil, and bacteria being trapped and potentially leaving your skin with clogged pores, breakouts, and uneven skin tone. 

Furthermore, differences in moisture levels or application of products used in the face and neck can also create a marked difference in texture and tone of skin between the two.

Proper cleansing helps maintain uniformity between the facial and neck skin, enhancing product absorption and promoting a balanced complexion.

It is necessary to rinse the face properly and gently with warm water after applying the cleanser and with circular finger motions.

If not washed properly, residual elements can cause skin dryness, irritation, and potentially lead to acne.

Use cupped hands to splash water or a soft, damp washcloth to thoroughly remove the cleanser.

Pay special attention to rinsing around the edges of the hairline, sides of the face near the ears, neck, and nasal region to ensure complete removal of all product.

Rinse again until the skin feels clean to the touch, but avoid over-foaming, as this may indicate excessive removal of natural oils.

Patting ensures minimal friction while leaving the skin slightly damp, which aids in better absorption of subsequent skincare products.

What you should avoid is using a towel that has been used multiple times.

Here’s the thing: especially when it concerns your face, you can’t take a haphazard approach and simply use whatever is available.

Be cautious- using the wrong towel can damage your skin texture.

Now, to answer your query: what kind of towel should you use for pat drying? Here are two suitable options:

• Microfiber Cloth

This type of  cloth is extremely soft and smooth.

It can be used for longer periods of time and can withstand even repeated washing without losing softness and effectiveness. 

However, it may not be suitable for sensitive skin or breakout-prone skin.

• 100% Cotton Cloth

 A natural, gentle material ideal for sensitive or irritated skin types.

While it absorbs water well, it may not be as quick as microfiber and could leave behind small lint, which may irritate the skin or clog pores after multiple washes.

Toner acts more as a second phase of cleaning and assists in stopping skin’s pH level from going too low from washing.

Thus, it is useful for pore diminishing as well as for removing any residue on the skin prior to the application of moisturizer.

However, not all toners are suitable for every skin type. They vary based on their unique properties. Here are some examples:

Oily Skin: Toners containing witch hazel extracts, clay, alcohol-free formulas, and those with salicylic acid are ideal.

Dry Skin: Opt for gentle toners like aloe extract, rose water, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and other nourishing, cooling options.

Combination Skin: To balance skin, use toners with niacinamide, green tea, lactic acid, or balanced formulations.

The skin should be properly hydrated to ensure that it has enough moisture to maintain its outer layer’s functioning barrier .

Therefore, after some toning, use that immediately afterward to apply a moisturizer that caters to your skin type.

A light-feeling gel or water-based moisturizer would be suitable for oily skin types, as these will help prevent excess oil without clogging pores.

On the other hand, dry skin responds better to entry into more intense, cream-based formulations with much more hydration and nourishment.

People with sensitive skin require gentle products that contain very few components that increase the probability of worsening the skin condition.

This moisturizer should ideally be spread on the skin using a massaging movement that is in an upward circular motion.

It has been well explained that hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the lipid barrier, leading to dryness, redness, and sensitivity.

Therefore, cleansing should primarily be done under lukewarm or cool running water.

This practice helps maintain skin elasticity and comfort during the cleansing process.

How many times should you wash your face? The importance of routine and practice cannot be overemphasized, especially for sustainable skin health.

Follow your cleansing routine every morning and evening.

Whenever you wash your face, pay extra attention to areas prone to acne, such as the T-zone, hairline, jawline, and cheeks.

Using a face towel should align with your skin type, as well as your texture preference and environmental conditions.

Lastly, always conduct a patch test before applying any new product, as even formulations designed for a specific skin type can sometimes cause irritation due to health or other skin concerns.