Errors in Facial Cleansing

Cleansing is the foundation of skincare. Without it, there's nothing. Therefore, get to know the principles of cleansing in skincare, and in reality, the most common mistakes many women make. Unfortunately, many of you still improperly cleanse your skin and damage your face. Micellar water and cotton pads, oh horror, are still reigning! You've been using them for years under the principle of "because it works." You see no point in changing habits. And it's high time.

Here are the biggest mistakes

1. Lack of regularity, which means "I'll START TOMORROW" or "I'm too tired today, so I'll go to bed with makeup on." Cleanse daily—no exceptions. Whether we wear makeup or not. Sleeping in makeup is an absolute sin.

2. Washing the face with MICELLAR WATER, only using water, and, oh horror, using cotton pads. Remember, most such waters should be rinsed off with water, which few people know. We do not leave such a product on the face. It's best not to use micellar waters at all. If not rinsed with water, micellar water leaves dirt and dissolved makeup on the skin, and rubbing with a cotton pad unnecessarily stretches and damages facial skin—you have no idea how much! Micellar water on a cotton pad works great for cleaning jacket collars stained with foundation. On the face, we say NO to micellar waters.

3. Cleaning the face with MAKEUP REMOVAL WIPES only. The same as in point

2. Unnecessary friction of the skin and a lack of awareness of the need to wash the face with water after such cleansing with wipes.

4. Washing the face with DIRTY HANDS. There's no deeper explanation needed here. First, wash your hands, dry them—this is important—then wash your face. If you don't wash your hands, you'll leave all the germs from doorknobs, light switches, or whatever else you've touched before entering the bathroom on your skin.

5. Washing the face with BAR SOAP or shower gel used for the whole body. We don't use anything with "soap" in the name. Soaps have an alkaline pH, which is very bad for facial skin. Not Aleppo, not black soap, none.

6. Washing the face TOO OFTEN. Cleanse once in the morning. In the evening, definitely twice because: we remove makeup and cleanse. Even if you don't have makeup, remember about sebum, impurities, applied skincare, and creams with filters. Those need to be washed off too. There's no need for more frequent washing. Frequent washing doesn't benefit facial skin.

7. Keeping cleansing products on the face for TOO LONG. Massage your face, neck, and décolletage (schools differ—30-60 seconds, so let's assume 40 seconds), then rinse. Note: with retinol or treatments enhancing its action, e.g., when using acids, reduce cleansing to a maximum of 30 seconds and do it very gently.

8. Not rinsing off cleansing oils... we rinse off EVERY cleansing product. Always. With water.

9. Applying step 1 cleansing products to a WET FACE—those in balm or oil form. Try it sometime, and you'll see why I'm saying this. It will be hard to clean the skin this way. First, cleanse dry with dry, clean hands—massage, then rinse with warm water (not hot). Best with a towel, and if not available—with your hands.

10. Scrubbing the face. One wash, a second, maybe EVEN a third, plus a cleansing brush every day, etc. Or a brush every day. Such care won't serve you well—you'll most likely observe a worsening of your skin condition! You're supposed to wash it, not beat it. Therefore, we do not use cleansing brushes at all. Unnecessary purchase.

11. Rubbing, stretching the facial skin, excessive rubbing during cleansing. Have more respect for your skin. It's NOT ABOUT removing a stubborn stain from a carpet. Massage gently, and everything will clean beautifully. Cream is gently patted with tenderness. We don't scrub the skin like shoes on a doormat… sigh.

12. Washing the face in the morning with ONLY water. Or not washing at all. Use dedicated products. Water alone won't remove skincare and nighttime impurities. Cleanse once with a product.

13. Using toners for makeup removal. The same as with MICELLAR water.

14. Inaccurate face washing. Skipping various nooks, AROUND the nose, mouth, eyebrows, near hair, near ears, and the neck and chest area. You need to reach there too!

15. Drying the face with a BATH TOWEL. It's not about the towel but rather that we dry the entire body and face with the same towel, and surely your kids or partners have, "by accident," wiped their hands on it. The face towel must be fresh daily. Both morning and evening.

16. Rarely CHANGING PILLOWCASES. They hold all the skincare from the previous evening and several before that. So change to a clean one every 3-4 days—remember to flip the pillow. The pillowcase is sacred; take care of it.

17. Washing your face, then washing your hair, applying a hair mask, etc. This is a point for ladies who can't overcome imperfections near the hairline. This might be the cause of your PROBLEMS. Try reversing the order—wash your face after washing and masking your hair to avoid dirtying your clean face with shampoo or conditioner.

18. Using products NOT INTENDED for cleansing. Many were mentioned above—soaps, shampoos—but also, for example, just kitchen oil (olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, etc.), and heaven forbid, coconut oil. Blackheads guaranteed. You can add such oil to body lotions or baths—it will work great here. For cleansing, use products dedicated to this purpose.

19. Not drying the face with a TOWEL before applying skincare. We dry it. To avoid diluting the skincare and ensure it works properly.

20. WASHING MAKEUP BRUSHES or sponges too infrequently. This is a MAJOR SIN!!!This is the MAIN SIN!!! Wash sponges after or before each use. Better to use your hands if you don't feel like washing the sponge. A clean (and of course used wet) sponge will beautifully spread foundation. Without bacteria. It's better not to pretend we have accessories if we can't handle them. Waste of money. Brushes don't need daily washing. But once a week is the minimum. Why bother with super skincare if we're applying makeup with the same brush or sponge for a month?

Rubbing, scrubbing, stretching - avoid not only when cleansing. This also applies to skin care products - toners, essences, serums, creams. Use gently. Why stretch your skin like that? You don't want stretched socks.

Think of your face as the most precious part of your body. Treat it gently and tenderly. Gently massage, gently press in toner, essence, serum, and cream. You can place your whole hands on your face or neck for a moment, gently pressing and moving to other areas. Look in the mirror during this time. If your face doesn't change shapes during cleansing or skincare application, you're on the right path to beautiful skin.

Don't be indifferent to mediocrity. Pay attention when you see a friend or daughter doing it incorrectly. You're not there to embarrass someone, but to explain how to care properly.