How do you wash your face?

How to Wash Your Face

The best practices for working with a facial cleanser depend on the product you choose. For a rinse off cleanser, Garnier consulting dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes recommends washing with lukewarm water and using fingertips to spread your facial cleanser in a circular motion starting in the center of your face and working outward. A rinse-free facial cleanser like micellar cleansing water only requires a few swipes of a cleanser-coated cotton pad across your face. Whichever facial cleanser you choose, make sure you to use it daily.

When Should You Wash Your Face

Twice a day is the ideal number of times you should cleanse your skin. During the night our skin accumulates sweat, oil and dirt so it’s important to refresh and cleanse your skin when you wake up. This will help your skin look energized and also create a clean foundation for an SPF moisturizer and makeup.

During the day dirt, oil and particles called free radicals can attach to our skin which makes it important to clean at night. It will also help you remove foundation, concealer, eye makeup and more from your skin. Not removing makeup can cause your pores to be clogged which results in blemishes such as blackheads or pimples.

Consult with your dermatologist as to which skin care products you should use to wash your face and how often. Your skin should feel clean and refreshed after cleansing, not tight or irritated. To avoid instances of your skin getting aggravated by your cleanser, opt for a gentle facial cleanser. “Gentle facial cleansers are capable of cleansing our skin from dirt and pollutants while maintaining an intact epidermis,” says Dr. Madfes. “The top layer of our skin doesn't get stripped. Micellar cleansers are an excellent example of gentle facial cleansing. They trap dirt and dead skin cells without drying.”

Types of Facial Cleansers

1. Micellar Water

As mentioned before, micellar water is a gentle and effective way to cleanse your skin. It can be used on all skin types and is easy to use on the go as it doesn’t require any water. Micellar water is made up of micelles which are oil particles suspended in water. They attract makeup, dirt and sweat like a magnet and lift any impurities from your face. To use, simply saturate a cotton pad with micellar water and gently wipe your face to remove makeup and any impurities. Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Waterproof Makeup Remover & Cleanser and Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Waterproof Makeup Remover & Cleanser both contain micellar technology that can thoroughly cleanse your skin without harsh rubbing or drying it out. The waterproof version can lift even the toughest mascaras easily from your lashes and skin. Micellar water is great on all skin types, even sensitive.

2. Gentle Facial Cleanser

Facial cleansers can be drying, but with the right ingredients you can wash your face without irritating it. Garnier SkinActive The Gentle Sulfate Free Cleanser gently foams to remove oil, impurities and makeup for soft, healthy-looking skin and is gentle enough to use both morning and night. Formulated with no sulfates, no alcohol, no dyes, no fragrance and no parabens, it’s powerful cleansing that’s gentle to even sensitive skin. Rich in glycerin, the foaming lotion softens as it cleanses so it leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean, never tight or dry.

3. Rinse-off Facial Cleansers

If you like to actually wash your face with water, there are a plethora of rinse-off facial cleansers that exist in the market today. Look for a product that suits your oily, combination, normal, sensitive or dry skin type and then go from there. If you have oily skin, look for a refreshing and pore-purifying facial cleanser such as Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Shine Control Cleansing Gel which contains salicylic acid and charcoal extracts. The daily gel facial cleanser dissolves oil, dirt and makeup and helps to make your skin feel deeply clean and shine-free. Over time your skin will become clearer and large pores will become minimized.

4. Facial Cleansing Wipes

Cleansing wipes are perfect for travel, the gym or whenever you need a quick cleanse, like at the end of the work day when you want to touch up your makeup on clean skin. There are a variety of facial cleansing wipes formulated for every skin type so no matter whether your skin is oily, dry or normal, there’s a makeup remover wipe out there for you.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Makeup Removing Towelettes instantly removes face, lip and eye makeup while feeling soft and gentle to skin. The All-in-1 cleansing and makeup removing power of micellar water now in an ultra-gentle wipe. Specially formulated with silk fibers for an extra soft clean, these make makeup removal easy. Like a magnet, the micelles in these makeup remover wipes capture and lift away dirt, oil and makeup without harsh rubbing, leaving skin feeling clean and soft.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Refreshing Remover Cleansing Towelettes are super refreshing cleansing towelettes to help remove any makeup and sweat off your face after a long day. The formula is infused with grape water extract which refreshes your skin and makes it feel radiant. They also smell great and make cleansing your skin at the end of the day a pleasant experience.

Oilier skin types should opt for Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Purifying Oil-Free Cleansing Towelettes which are formulated with charcoal and removes excess oil and impurities. The breathable cleansing towelettes can help remove makeup and make cleansing your skin a breeze even if you are strapped for time. You’ll wake up with refreshed and radiant skin.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Soothing Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes is best for sensitive skin types with a formula that contains calming plant extract and Vitamin E which soothes and comforts skin. Some cleansing towelettes may be too harsh for skin that is prone to break outs but this skin care product is perfect to remove any excess oil or makeup without damaging your skin’s barrier function or making your skin irritated.

5. Exfoliating Face Wash

Many face washes and facial cleansing products contain ingredients that can help exfoliate your skin. These often come in the form of gel beads, finely ground nut shells, sugar and other exfoliating ingredients. Exfoliation is a great way to ensure that you remove dead skin cells and purify pores on a regular basis. It can help refine the look of your skin by making it look more youthful and also by making it feel softer to the touch. As we get older our skin also becomes duller so exfoliating skin can help it look more energized and luminous. It can also make fine lines less visible as it promotes surface skin cell turnover.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Blackhead Eliminating Scrub is great for oily skin with blemishes. Small gel beads in the facial cleanser’s formula help to tighten pores, cleanse skin and make your skin complexion appear smoother. Its formula with charcoal draws out blackhead-causing dirt and oil which helps to keep your skin clean and blemish-free. Say goodbye to excess oil and bumps on your skin.

Garnier SkinActive Clean+ Invigorating Daily Scrub has a refreshing formula with peppermint and gently exfoliating jojoba beads. It revitalizes and smooths skin so that you can have a glowing skin complexion. Use it daily to have soft and refined skin that is free from excess oil and sebum.

With the right facial cleansing products, you can lift dead skin cells, remove makeup and remove excess oil from your skin. This will help your skin look more youthful, more refined and also helps prevent blemishes such as blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. Daily facial cleansing also helps lift free radicals from your skin which accelerate our skin’s natural aging process. Make sure to cleanse your skin every single day so that it can function optimally and look its best. Whether you are a teenager or in your 70s, facial cleansing is always essential to have beautiful skin.