Overview

Hygiene is the practice of keeping oneself and one's surroundings clean in order to prevent illness or disease. Consequently, skin hygiene includes both skin cleaning and also taking care of its health.

Cleansing is the first step in a complete skin care regimen with a facial cleanser. Cleansing your face regularly is also an important factor in helping your skin maintain adequate hydration. Daily face cleansing removes all traces of dirt, excess oil, impurities and unwanted skin cells from the face.

Why is cleansing your skin so important?

Consider what your skin is exposed to throughout the day. From makeup and sweat to particles in the environment, your skin inevitably faces many external aggressors. Daily facial cleansing removes every last trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution and unwanted skin cells off of your face.

What is a facial cleanser?

A facial cleanser is a skin care product used to remove makeup, dead cells, oil, dirt, and other impurities from the skin, helping to keep pores clear and preventing skin conditions like acne. 

What type of cleanser should you use?

Finding the best cleanser can be tough given there are so many options. Knowing the differences between them will help you choose the best products for your skin.

Gel cleansers are clear with a gel-like consistency. Many have deep-cleaning and exfoliating properties—ideal for oily, acne-prone skin.

Cream cleansers are usually thicker and can be moisturizing, cleansing without stripping skin of its natural oils—ideal for dry or sensitive skin.

Foam cleansers are lightweight solutions creating a foamy lather when dispensed from a pump package. Foam cleansers are pleasant to use and remove excess oil as effectively as gel cleansers—ideal for combination skin.

How long should you wash  your face for?

Keep washing until all the make-up and dirt is removed, and your skin is clean. To check whether your face is clean use a dry cotton pad to wipe your face with and if the pad doesn’t lift any dirt, you’re good to go.

How many times a day should you wash your  face?

“Realistically, you only need to wash your face once a day — twice at the most," says Dr. Todd Minars ,MD, a dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine. “Most of us when we sleep have a clean face from removing the day's grime or makeup off, so we tend to think that in the mornings you don't need a thorough face washing outside of your normal showering routine. If you experience specific issues that require attention in the morning it's fine to do it then, but we see more benefits at the end of the day when you return from work or go to bed.”

What temperature water is best?

The temperature of the water matters too. Hot water doesn’t open pores and cold water won’t close them either. In fact, hot water can strip your skin of essential oils and switching water temperatures will only put skin into shock, so it’s best to rinse with water that is lukewarm or even cold to respect your skin and the integrity of the active ingredients of the skincare products used. Plus, colder water has a soothing and firming effect!

Can you wash your face with water only?

You can, but keep in mind that water alone won't wash away all the dirt and impurities that build up on your skin throughout the day, so it's best to opt for an effective yet gentle facial cleanser.

Takeaway

Cleansing is the first step in a complete skin care regimen with a facial cleanser. If you wash your face in a way that doesn't follow the advice of  experts, but you feel good and you have no skin problems (and you use sunscreen, which is not negotiable with dermatologists), you are doing great. and the best way to know if your facial cleanser is working is if you have any irritation, redness, or dryness.

DISCLAIMER   

Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.