The Art of Facial Cleansing

Man Washing His Face

Most people take facial cleansing lightly. Everyday, one may just grab any soap, massage their face with it for a few seconds and rub their skin with towel to dry. This is a big no-no.
Washing the face is crucial in maintaining its health. Normal skin is vulnerable to dirt and allergens to which it is exposed everyday. Proper cleansing will unclog the pores and will ensure that your face is free of acne.
Preparing your pores
First, make sure that your hands are clean. Prepare by washing them with antibacterial soap. To make the cleansing more effective, you must also widen the pores of your face. Pre-washing it with warm water will open the pores. Steaming will do the trick too.
Massaging with the cleanser
Put cleanser on your palm, with about the size of a nickel. Wet it and massage it gently and evenly to your face. Use your fingertips to reach for every corner. Be gentler on the regions around the eyes for the skin here is very thin.
Removing the cleanser
Wash you hands and rinse your face with lukewarm water. Avoid very cold water because it can crack your skin and damage the capillaries. You can also use cotton wool or a damp flannel to remove the remaining cleanser.
Using a toner
After patting your face dry with a towel, you can use a toner. Apply it on your face with cotton wool. This will close the pores and remove traces of the cleanser. Avoid alcohol-based toners because they can strip the moisture from your skin.
One must wash his/her face at least 2 times a day—one in the morning and another before sleeping. This is just enough for the normal skin type. However, oily and dry skin requires more attention. It may need 4-5 times of washing everyday. It also requires specially formulated cleansers for their respective conditions.
For oily skin, there are oil-based cleansers that interact with it best. Dry skin, on the other hand, is more fragile. Choose gentle cleansers that have moisturizing agents.