Common Mistakes We Do When Washing Our Face: Here’s How To Do It The Right Way

In any skin care regimen, washing is considered to be the most important step. We all wash our face to keep it free from duct dirt, and other particles. Though it is the simplest part of the beauty routine, most of us do not do it correctly.

Skin problems such as wrinkles, acne, irritation, dryness, oiliness, breakouts and premature sagging can be caused by washing your face in the wrong manner.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Washing Your Face

Washing With Dirty Hands

Washing your face with dirty hands enables dirt to transfer to your face.

If you wish to have healthy and flawless skin, wash your hands first before washing your face. Use a good quality soap, then wash your face.

Rubbing With Towel

Rubbing your face forcefully after washing can create constant friction and abrasion which can strip your skin’s natural oils. This leads to dryness, irritation and sagging.

Have a separate soft washcloth to pat dry your skin.

Using Dirty Washcloth

A dirty washcloth can redeposit dirt and impurities back onto your skin, thus leading to problems like blemishes, pimples, and acne.

Always use a clean washcloth for your face. Wash your washcloth every day using a mild detergent and dry it under the sun. Avoid keeping it in your bathroom and do not share it with others.

Not Removing Makeup First

Remove your makeup before washing your face in order for your cleanser to work deep into your skin pores without mineral powder getting in the way.

You can use a homemade makeup remover or wipe off all the makeup residue by soaking a cotton ball in olive oil, coconut oil or whole milk and then, wiping it gently on the face.

Rinsing With Hot Water

Especially during the winter, rinsing your face with hot water can dry out your skin. Meanwhile, water that is too cold can also irritate your skin and break the capillaries.

It would be better if you use lukewarm or room temperature water to keep your skin healthy.

Not Exfoliating Properly

Exfoliating improves skin tone, gets rid of dead skin, encourages skin cell renewal, and makes the skin look younger and healthy.

However, only a few people exfoliate their skin in the right manner.

You need to exfoliate once or twice a week using a gentle scrub. It’s best to exfoliate your skin at night, since when you go to sleep your skin is in “renewal mode,” generating new skin cells.

Making your own scrub at home can be a good idea. Simply mix equal amounts of sugar and honey, and add a few drops of olive oil. Using your hands, gently scrub the mixture on your face. Wait for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this on a weekly basis.

Wrong Cleanser

Different skin needs different types of cleanser. If you were not able to choose the one that suits your skin, then you may end up doing more harm on your skin.

A cleanser that perfectly suits your skin can completely help remove dirt, grime, and makeup without stripping away too much of the skin’s natural oils, thereby making your skin feel moist and healthy. Opt for those mild, non-soap cleansers or with calming ingredients such as green tea.

Incomplete Rinsing

If the cleanser is not rinsed off properly, it can be harmful to your skin as its residue can clog the pores and dry out the skin, and also will attract more dirt. Rinse it thoroughly, especially those along the sides of the nose, hairline, and neck.

Unable To Moisturize Immediately

Since cleansing removes moisture from the skin, applying a moisturizer is really necessary to help your skin retain its natural moisture. A good moisturizer will create a protective barrier which can prevent water from evaporating and drying out your skin.

Immediately apply a mild moisturizer after you have cleaned and patted your face dry. If you have an oily face, go for an oil-free, water-based moisturizer.

When you apply a moisturizer, just use light, even pressure, and move your fingers in upward strokes from your neck to your forehead.

Over Washing

If you are not cleaning your face, there would be a yeast buildup which can result in many skin problems. Due to this, most people wash their faces at regular intervals throughout the day.

However, too much washing can promote oil production, irritation, and age your skin. It is recommended to wash your face twice a day – in the morning and at night. But if you really need to wash your face between those times, you may use facial wipes instead of water, but don’t use them excessively.