Your face is one of the most delicate parts of your body. It needs special care in order to maintain its beauty. So, you can’t clean it with any and everything. But the product you use isn’t the only thing to consider when washing your face.
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Have you ever thought about the water temperature? Considering whether cold or hot water is best for your face is key. Keep reading to find out if you’ve been cleaning your face correctly.
Washing Your Face With Hot Water
Who doesn’t like a nice hot shower after a long day? While this may be soothing, it is not a good choice pertaining to your face. When hot water meets your face, it has some harsh effects.
If you have sensitive skin, hot water can raise that sensitivity after you clean it. Plus, it can cause extreme dryness. For those who have oily skin, the result is having even more oil emerge due to the extra dryness from the hot water. So, at all costs avoid using hot water to clean your face.
Washing Your Face With Cold Water
Though cleansing your face in cold water is the better option of the two because it is a natural astringent, it is not the best. Astringent is derived from the Latin word to bind fast: adstringere. So, cold water actually tightens your skin by creating more blood circulation in your pores. This causes your skin to keep a youthful look. As you get older, stress and other factors can bring along bags beneath your eyes. A natural way to reduce this is by using cold water. So, after cleansing your face or at the end of the day, use your hands to splash some cold water on your face.
The benefits of cold water can be appealing but don’t get confused. You shouldn’t use cold water alone when washing your face. It needs to be used in moderation. It can dry out your skin and can cause redness when used often.
The Best Option: Warm Water
No one’s asking you to get an exact temperature reading to wash your face. However, getting the water in between cold and hot is the ideal temperature to wash your face with. Using cleansers with warm water takes away enough oils to get your face clean while leaving enough oil so your face doesn’t dry out. Using this option will make your face look younger and cleaner than either hot or cold water. This is the best temperature to use daily.
What’s The Best Way To Wash Your Face?
Now that you know the correct temperature to wash your face in, what is the best way to do it? Here are are few top tips for washing your face correctly.
Slow and Steady
First, no matter what cleanser you use, you’ll need to ensure you are not harshly washing your face. That will not make your face any cleaner or clearer. If you are too harsh, you will notice redness and possible irritation as a result.
Instead, use your fingertips to massage the cleanser gently into your skin. Afterward, a rinse with warm water is key to getting the cleanest skin. Also, remember to not harshly dry your face, either. This can have the same effect as it does when cleaning abrasively. Patting your face dry is safer and still effective in drying your face.
Don’t Overdo It
Most cleansers direct you to wash twice a day and that is definitely something to follow. When you overwash your face, it can severely dry your skin. You are essentially washing away the oils on your face. Some of the oils are needed to maintain hydration.
So, if you are washing more than twice a day, you are doing more harm than good. An exception to this is after a workout. It is perfectly fine to wash your face after this because you are creating more oils and bacteria from the sweat you are producing.
Keep Your Skin Moisturized
Your skin, especially your face, needs moisture. You cant skip this step in the facial cleansing process. directly after you clean your face, you should be reaching for a moisturizer. This is a preventative method toward battling the again process.
You don’t want to look older than you are, so keep your face moisturized. The best time to do it when your face is slightly wet. Don’t dry it completely. The moisturizer will absorb better into your face.
Wondering what is the best type of moisturizer for your skin? Learn the difference between gels and creams.
Morning and Night
Washing your face twice a day is optimal. You should wash it once in the morning and once at night. Nighttime facial washing is critical because it washes away all the excess dirt and grime you’ve acquired throughout the day.
Exfoliate Weekly
Some products boast their exfoliating properties embedded in their facial cleansers. However, you shouldn’t be using an exfoliate daily. It is recommended to spread it out during the week to two or three times.
How To Use A Facial Cleanser?
The biggest mistake people make is an overapplying facial cleanser. You should only be using a small amount to prevent clogging your pores. Apply a small amount into your palm. Start at your forehead and work your way down, rubbing the cleanser in through a circular motion with your hand and fingertips. Clean around your eyes, on your cheeks, and chin.
Conclusion
Washing your face with cold water is ok in moderation. It is not meant for use in your daily facial cleansing routine. Instead, warm water will give you a better result. Always be gentle when washing your face and moisturize following the wash.
As you get started on your journey to great skin, you may also find interest in our DIY articles such as How to Use Potato on Your Face and How to Make a Primer for Oily Skin.
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