Cleansing your face is the cornerstone of beautiful, glowing skin. Cleansing removes dirt, impurities, grime and make-up so your skin regimen, eye cream, moisturiser, serum or oil, can have maximum effect.
But is cleansing really that difficult? While cleansing your face can seem pretty straightforward there are things we can tell you about how to properly wash your face that can make all the difference. Plus, read on to discover our tips and tricks to help you perfect your morning and evening cleansing routines.
How to wash your face in 3 steps
Cleansing should always be a part of your morning and evening routine, no matter your skin type or lifestyle.
Step 1: Remove your make-up
Thoroughly wash your hands and ensure they’re clean before touching your face.
The first thing to do is always remove any make-up. Opt for a micellar water or oil based make-up remover before cleansing to remove the days’ make-up.
Double cleansing is a very effective way of removing make-up and grime where an oil based cleanser, balm or cleansing milk is first used to remove make-up and this is followed by a water based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt.
Don’t forget to cleanse your neck and jawline too. Dirt can build up on the soft sensitive skin of your neck and jawline. With a cotton pad clean your jaw and neck with upward motions to remove dirt and help keep your skin tight and lifted.
Step 2: Cleanse your face
How to clean your face may sound obvious, but it can actually be quite tricky. Always use a gentle non-abrasive cleanser without alcohol when washing your face. Use lukewarm water, not hot water when washing your face, as hot water can cause your skin to dry out.
Cleanse with a sponge or washcloth, or with clean fingertips. Massage your cleanser onto a wet face and neck, but not for too long to prevent skin becoming dry. Avoid scrubbing your skin as this can cause irritation. Always rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water and pat dry, rather than rub dry to protect skin as much as possible.
If you are wondering what cleanser does for your face and if you should use it, here’s what you should know: Facial cleansers help remove make-up, oil, dirt and pollution from your skin to reveal a brighter, more refreshed complexion. They are an essential product to use in your face cleaning routine. Don’t forget that water resistant make-up may require extra cleansing beforehand.
MAKE SURE TO USE THE RIGHT CLEANSER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE
If you have oily skin, try and avoid from face cleansing products containing wax or oil, as those only make your skin even more oily. If you have dry skin, face cleaning products with added moisturisers can prevent it from drying out even more.
If you're aiming to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion, we recommend trying Olay Cleanse Detox & Glow Daily Polish Cleanser. Designed for daily use, this gentle cleanser boasts touch-activated exfoliating particles that effectively purify, refine skin texture, and visibly diminish pore size. Enriched with vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5, it actively removes dull and dead skin cells, unveiling a luminous, beautifully glowing complexion. Embark on a journey to gentle exfoliation that rejuvenates your skin, leaving it feeling smooth, purified, and radiantly alive every day.
If you’re unsure which skin type you have and you want to know which cleanser or exfoliator to use, then check out our guide on normal, oily, dry and combination skin types to find out which type you have.
Step 3: Exfoliate your skin
When you exfoliate, you help boost your skin’s glow by getting rid of dead skin cells. Depending on the exfoliator you choose, you may not need to exfoliate every time you cleanse your face. In some cases, if you use a face exfoliator too often, you risk irritating your skin so follow the instructions carefully.
NEXT STEP: MOISTURISING
After cleansing your skin is prepped for moisturising. Hydrating with a moisturiser is an essential part of any skincare routine as it helps to replenish lost moisture and keep your skin hydrated.
Depending on your preferences and skin needs you can add eye creams, serums and moisturisers to your morning or evening routines. If you want to go hard on moisture, you can choose a face mask for extra hydration and softer skin. Choose a mask that’s best for your skin type and enjoy some pampering.
In the morning, use a face moisturiser containing SPF, to help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Try Olay Collagen Peptide with SPF30 for lightweight and quick absorbing skin protection.
During the night your skin’s ability to repair itself is more active compared to the day. A night cream containing retinol, is can help to boost skin recovery when skin is more receptive to active ingredients, helping counterbalance the increase in moisture loss while you sleep.
Learn more about the benefits of retinol and get the most out of your moisturiser at night.
Morning cleansing vs. Evening cleansing
Evening cleansing should always be your main face cleaning time, since during the day the combination of your make-up and air pollution can cause a build-up of oil, dirt and grime on your skin. Make sure you’re thorough when you cleanse the day off your face to prime your skin for the moisturisation that follows.
Morning cleansing routines do not need to be as vigorous as at night, as skin is not exposed to the same dirt and pollution as during the day time. Always ensure to cleanse your face properly every morning as this resets skin, so you can be ready to kickstart your day feeling fresh.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you wash your face?
Generally, you should cleanse your face at least twice a day in the morning and at night. Morning is the time to cleanse away the build up of oils and dead skin from during the night. Your night time cleanse is the time to remove make-up and clean your face from dirt, pollution and the sebum produced by your skin during the day.
How many times your wash your face every day depends on the type of skin you have and to what elements it is exposed. In general cleansing twice a day is enough to keep skin clean and moisturised. Washing more than that can remove your skin’s protective oil barrier which can actually dry out skin. Over washing can be very harmful to skin especially for those with sensitive 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.
In what order should you wash your face?
Do you cleanse or tone first, cleanse or exfoliate first? Skincare steps can be confusing. To help dispel any confusion here is the order you should use in your cleansing routine:
Wash
Cleanse
Exfoliate
Tone
Moisturiser with SPF
If you follow this order then you’ll be able to remove dirt and impurities from your face and leave yourself on your way to clearer, healthy looking skin.
When should you cleanse your face?
When you cleanse your face really depends on the type of skin that you have. Oily skin requires more cleansing, so cleansing twice a day, once in the morning and once at night is a must.
For dry or sensitive skin the emphasis is on gentle. Cleanse once in the morning, only using water and cleanse again properly at night time to remove the day’s grunge and prime your skin for your body’s natural repair cycle.
Can you wash your face with water only?
Yes, but bear in mind that water alone will not be able to wash away all the dirt and impurities that build up on skin throughout the day. Your best option is to choose an effective, but gentle facial cleanser for all the cleaning power without drying out your skin. Perfect for those with sensitive skin.
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