HOW TO WASH YOUR FACE
How to Wash Your Face: A Beginner’s Guide
There’s a reason that cleansing is in every skincare routine: proper facial cleansing is the foundation of healthy skin. When your skin isn’t washed correctly, you can experience clogged pores, oiliness, dullness, and other skin concerns, not to mention find that your other skincare is less effective. In this beginner-friendly guide for all skin types, we reveal the right way to wash your face. Our face wash routine is so good that once you learn it, you’ll never want to go back to your old way of cleansing.
Benefits of Cleansing Face
When you cleanse correctly, dirt, oil, and other impurities don’t get much of a chance to cause breakouts or clogged pores. One of the other benefits of cleansing your face is that you create a clean canvas that ensures serum, moisturizer, and other skincare absorb into your skin as they’re supposed to.
6 Steps to Washing Your Face
Face washing shouldn’t be complicated, right? It isn’t! Ahead, we break down the steps to washing your face, so you’re clear on everything from makeup removal to moisturization.
1. Remove Makeup Before Cleansing
2. Wet Face With Lukewarm Water
3. Apply Facial Cleanser
First, select a gentle cleanser that’s compatible with your skin type. These guidelines can help:
- Acne-prone: Look for a cleanser with blemish-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid.
- Normal to dry: Opt for more hydrating formulas featuring ingredients such as snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid.
- Oily to combination: A pH-balancing toner will help balance your skin, whereas a blemish-clearing formula with salicylic acid will help control oil and prevent breakouts.
- Sensitive: Fragrance-free, non-stripping formulas will be kinder to your reactive skin.
Once you’ve chosen your gentle cleanser for your face wash routine, apply it in circular motions onto your damp skin for 30 to 60 seconds to effectively remove buildup.
4. Rinse With Lukewarm Water
5. Pat Dry With a Soft Towel
6. Apply Moisturizer
Optional Products to Incorporate Into Skincare Routine
Between skin cleansing and moisturizing, you can use other products to customize your routine.
Toner
Toner is a skincare product that rebalances skin pH, preps the skin for other skincare steps, and can help hydrate. Try any of Thayers’ alcohol-free toners, including our Original Facial Toner with witch hazel, that do everything from exfoliate to hydrate.
Serum
If you want to experience the benefits of a certain active ingredient, consider trying that ingredient in a serum. Serums deliver targeted ingredients, like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, for added benefits. Always use a serum before moisturizer for optimal absorption. Our Double Action Serum contains several active ingredients that work together to clear acne, minimize pores, hydrate skin, and fade post-acne marks.
Acne Spot Treatment
An acne spot treatment contains ingredients like salicylic acid or sulfur to shrink and prevent pimples in people with blemish-prone skin. If using an acne spot treatment, apply it after cleansing but before moisturizer for better penetration.
Face Wash Routine FAQs
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How Often Should I Wash My Face?
In general, you should wash your face twice a day (in the morning and at night) or, if you have dry or sensitive skin, just once daily. However, you can adjust this frequency based on activity level. On days you work out or play sports, you may want to fit an additional cleanse into your face wash routine. -
Should I Use Cold or Hot Water to Wash My Face?
You should use neither cold water nor hot water to wash your face. Hot water can strip oils, and cold water doesn’t cleanse effectively. Ideally, you should use lukewarm water, which is warm enough to soften skin and gently open pores. After rinsing off your skin cleanser, you can try a cool rinse to tighten pores and reduce puffiness. -
How Do I Choose the Right Cleanser for My Skin Type?
You can choose the right cleanser for your skin type by checking out our quick guide below, featuring Thayers cleansers:
● Oily or acne-prone skin: Try our Blemish-Clearing Cleanser, which gently controls excess oil, treats breakouts, and unclogs pores.
● Dry or sensitive skin: Our creamy and non-stripping Milky Hydrating Cleanser contains hydrating ingredients like snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid.
● Combination skin: Balance oil and hydration with our pH-Balancing Daily Cleanser.
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Which Ingredients Should I Look for in a Face Wash?
In a face wash, you should look for ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and lemongrass. Aloe vera is soothing, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating. Hyaluronic acid attracts and helps skin retain moisture, and lemongrass, a natural astringent, removes excess oil, minimizes pores, and has antibacterial properties. Avoid ingredients like harsh sulfates or drying alcohols.
