Prepare the skin:
How often should I cleanse & exfoliate?
Cleansers and exfoliants – also known as the prepare duo in skincare! They both serve a unique purpose individually but also work in partnership with each other for maximum results and that smooth, glowing complexion we all desire! But what product do we use when? How often do we use both? How can we make the most of both to get that radiant and flawless skin? We’ve got your questions answered.
Benefits of cleansing:
A good cleansing routine is essential. From the moment you wake up, go about your day, to the time you go to bed again, your skin has formed a build-up of unwanted dirt as it’s exposed to different environmental stresses and pollutants throughout the day – even while we sleep too!
No one wants dirt and bacteria sitting on their skin, right? As this could lead to clogged pores, oiliness and even premature ageing. Which brings us to the importance of cleansing! Cleansing the skin helps get rid of not only dirt and bacteria on the skin but also the removal of make-up, so you don’t experience any unwelcome breakouts and clogged pores.
Having cleansed away those impurities to a fresh, clean face, your skin has had the ability to restore its natural balance and now has a much better chance at absorbing and reviving the deeper layers of the skin when you go in with your everyday skincare routine.
But let’s quickly hold that thought… because there’s an important step to take into account, that is choosing the right cleanser. When you’re using water-based serums, gels and creams in your normal regime, it’s best to steer away from using oil-based cleansers as this will hinder the absorption of the water-based products and stop them from reaching the deepest layers of the skin.
Try switching to a water-based cleanser, you’ll find this will work in partnership with the rest of your regime and that way, your skin receives the exact hydration and nutrients it needs.
How often should I cleanse my face?
Generally speaking, you should cleanse 1-2 times a day but ideally cleansing twice a day – morning and night – is highly preferable and most beneficial. This allows germs and irritants that’s built up overnight as well as during the day to be removed with ease, equalling very happy, healthy skin!
If you experience oily or acne-prone skin, you may find you have an urge to over-cleanse, but it’s important to stick to a morning and night cleanse to ensure you aren’t drying out the skin and stripping away its natural oils. This can lead your skin into working in overdrive to regain as much moisture as it can which can then cause more oil and acne than there was originally – nobody wants that! Using your cleansing routine to effectively morning and night is key in removing excess oil from the skin.
Should you have dry or sensitive skin, depending on your skin type, cleansing twice a day may prove to be irritating for your skin, so a night-time cleanse can be most beneficial, using a cleanser that has soothing botanicals and is hydrating and gentle on the skin.
To remove my makeup, can’t I just use make-up wipes?
No one likes going to bed with a face full of make-up, it’s uncomfortable and your skin certainly won’t thank you for it. It’s easy to want to quickly wipe that make-up off with a face wipe after a long day, but let me tell you, this will only do a part of the work and worse, irritate the skin. Though it may look like your skin is make-up free once you’re finished, it’s more than likely it’s left behind residue, leftover make-up resulting in clogged pores. These wipes aren’t designed to cleanse the skin, and which is another reason why introducing a cleanser is super important.
Lastly, if you’re in need of removing heavy make-up – a double cleanse in the PM is the answer! This will ensure any build-up is put to a stop and your skin is feeling thoroughly clean!
Benefits of exfoliating:
Let’s be honest, we all aspire to have that smooth, fresh and glowing complexion – it really is the best benefit of them all when you start incorporating an exfoliant into your skincare routine! Exfoliating is such an essential step in helping clarify and renew the skin’s surface, to clear any visible pores and impurities and manually sweep away dull skin for a more soft, smooth complexion and improved skin texture.
Little skin fact: your skin is always repairing itself and is constantly shedding dead skin cells, this is where an exfoliant can help do the extra work and get rid of any leftover dead skin cells laying on the surface. Just like cleansing, exfoliating makes a major difference in the effectiveness of your skincare products, having already removed the top layers of the skin and any dead skin cells, you’ve now given yourself a fresh base for the rest of products to revive the deeper layers of the skin, giving you the best possible results!
How do I know how often to exfoliate?
When talking about how often you should exfoliate, the recommended use differs for different skin types, whether you have normal, dry, oily, combination, acne-prone skin. Generally speaking, it is recommended to exfoliate 1-2 times a week but dependant on your skin type, this may change so a skin consultation can come in handy so you can tailor directly to your skins needs.
Should I exfoliate before or after the cleanse?
Now we know the benefits of both cleansing and exfoliating, you’re probably still wondering what comes first, the exfoliation or the cleanse. There are countless answers surrounding what order is best – understandably overwhelming, however the more commonly sought-after option is cleansing prior to exfoliation, here’s why…
Cleansing the face before exfoliating allows you to start with a fresh base, your skin is then makeup-free, sunscreen-free and completely product-free, and that way your exfoliant has fewer barriers to work through and can do its job effectively. Keep in mind that both products work in partnership together to give you overall healthy, glowing skin.
Perks of an enzyme exfoliant?
Hello and attention all skin types – especially those with sensitive skin! Enzyme exfoliants are a game-changer in the world of exfoliation in the way they are less harsh on the skin and still give you that beautiful polished surface – great for those with sensitive skin or the skincare beginner. Exfoliants that include natural fruit enzymes like papain (papaya) and bromelain (pineapple) help soften and smooth the skin by gently lifting away dead skin cells without damaging any layers of the skin beneath.
So, feeling prepared to cleanse and exfoliate with ease? Well then, get ready to say goodbye to dull skin and dead skin cells and say hello to a refined skin texture and reveal a more radiant you! Your glowing skin will thank you for it!