Face Wash

For a very long time, we have all been told that cleansing your face is the first and most crucial step in skincare. It helps remove dirt, grime, sweat, and makeup, allowing your skin to not only breathe but also rejuvenate itself. In fact, having clear and dirt-free facial skin helps you apply your favourite skincare products in a more effective way. Therefore, it is very important that you get the face cleansing part of your skincare routine right before going ahead with other makeup products.

Face Wash — How to Use it?

Yes, you read that right, there is a way to use a face wash. Getting it wrong will do more harm than good.

When to Wash

Knowing when to wash your face is half the battle won. We wash our face to remove impurities and dirt that block the pores of the skin. Wash your face with a face wash from reputed brands, preferably, organic ones. A routine of morning and evening wash should suffice in keeping the natural oils of the facial skin. However, if during the middle of the day you feel icky, you can always wash your face with cold water minus a face wash or use a face mist.

Clean Hands

Most of us have a habit of rubbing our face with our hands. A very unhygienic habit. However, in case you are not able to avoid it, the least you can do is to ensure that your hands are clean. You wouldn’t want to rub your face with dirty hands, would you? Before going ahead with a face wash, wash your hands with a mild cleanser and then apply the face wash onto your face.

Wet, Apply, and Massage

Always wet your face with lukewarm water. Ensure you wet your entire face before applying any form of face cleanser. Apply a coin-sized amount of face wash on your palm and rub your hands to form a lather. Massage this onto your wet face in a circular motion. Keep massaging the face for a minute and a half. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry your skin. Try not to bone dry the skin as a little dampness goes a long way in helping the skin absorb serums and moisturisers a lot better. 

What to do Before a Face Wash

Remove Makeup

Believe it or not, a face wash is NOT a makeup remover. Therefore, it is very important that you use a good makeup remover. Post the usage of the makeup remover, using a face wash should be the second step. Even a simple face wash such as a neem face wash would do the job of cleansing your face off the dirt and grime.

Chin and Beyond

Always wash the face beyond the chin, i.e. include the neck area too. The neck is equally susceptible to pollutants and dirt.

Pick The Right Wash

Using the right face wash is always a challenge. Choose a face wash that suits your skin type and condition. Look for a face wash that not only nourishes your skin but also creates a protective barrier on your skin against dirt and other external pollutants.

Right Face Cleanser + Right Skin Type = Happy Skin

As mentioned earlier too, the right combination of face wash and your skin type can do wonders in keeping your facial skin healthy and glowing. Face washes for men and women generally fall under three broad categories — gel-, foam- and cream-based. 

Gel-based Face Wash

These types of facial cleansers work well with almost all skin types, be it oily or a combination skin. These cleansers clear up the sebum from the skin, leaving it fresh and healthy. However, a thing to note is that these face cleansers tend to dry out dry skin. A patch test is advisable before usage.

Foam-based Face Wash

Some of the best face washes for women are foam-based. Although quite popular for their ease of use, these cleansers are most beneficial to people who have a combination or oily skin types. With natural ingredients such as rose extracts and more, they also work well with sensitive skin too.

Cream-based Face Wash

Perhaps the best skin cleanser for dry skin, a cream-based face wash helps your facial skin get rid of impurities without stripping it of essential natural oils. However, if you are someone who already has oily skin, best keep away from such cleansers.

Now that you know the different types of cleansers, let us also take a look at what goes best with what skin type.

Dry Skin

This skin type is characterised by red, irritated skin, as the protective barrier of the skin gets compromised due to various factors. The most appropriate face wash for such skin type is a non-foaming face cleanser with a milky texture. Ensure the cleanser you buy has hydrating agents such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera extracts. Other ingredients that can work wonders for a dry skin are coconut oil, shea butter, or even avocado oil. They tend to keep your skin moist and leave it softer.

Oily Skin

Look for a salicylic acid face wash that comes with foaming. These can do wonders to the skin. Avoid cleansers that have oil or alcohol in it, as such cleansers tend to amplify your oily skin type and might lead to an outburst of acne too. The salicylic acid content in face cleansers unclog skin pores and also help get rid of excess oil, leaving the skin healthy and glowing.

Combination Skin

A combination skin or a sensitive skin can benefit from a gentle cleanser. Look for ingredients such as tea tree oil, rose or aloe vera that would help keep skin redness and flare ups at bay. Choose a face wash that is fragrance-, soap-, and paraben-free so that your skin won’t be irritated when you use it on your face.

How to Choose a Face Wash

Understanding your skin type and its concerns is the key to choosing the right face cleanser. Let us take a look at how you can pick the right face wash.

Formula

It is important to understand the formula of your face wash as that would help you make an informed decision as to whether it would suit your skin or not. For example, if you are someone with an oily skin texture, a charcoal face wash is a life saviour. This combination face wash helps reduce the secretion of oil and helps mattify the skin texture.

Ingredients

Just as how you opt for a formulation, you should also look up the ingredients for a face wash while choosing it. For someone who has oily skin and might be prone to acne outbreaks, look at a face wash that has tea tree oil, clay, niacinamide, BHAs like salicylic acid and aloe vera. These ingredients help decongest the pores and keep acne at bay. If you have dry skin, opt for a gentle cleanser with Vitamin E, honey, milk, and more. These help keep your skin retaining moisture.

What to Say NO to

Try avoiding products that are chemical-laden. Always opt for natural products and avoid face washes formulated with sulphates, artificial fragrances, parabens, and alcohol. These ingredients tend to irritate your skin and make them prone to inflammation and acne.