An Introduction to cleansing your skin

Cleansing the skin is a critical step in your skincare routine. We have been told for many years about the importance of a good cleansing routine but maybe not the reasons why so this is to explain why it is so important with some handy tips and lots of advice for you to choose the correct cleansing routine.

Tiny glands under the skins surface (sebaceous glands) produce natural oils known as sebum. These oils travel to the skins surface along the hair follicles and give the skin a natural barrier from bacteria and other harmful agents which in turn would cause irritations and breakouts on the skins surface.

It is equally important not to strip all the natural oils from the skin by cleansing with harsh products as this will also damage the skin.

Cleansing the skin will do many things:

• Maintain a healthy looking and feeling skin.

• Remove dirt, pollutants, bacteria and viruses from the skin.

• Help to remove and prevent a build-up of dead skin cells.

With Cleansing the skin correctly, you will prevent breakouts, maintain the hydration levels, balance the PH of the skin, reduce the appearance of dull skin and increase the results from your skincare products like serums, oils and moisturisers.

There are so many cleansing products out there that it can become confusing so let’s break it down and make it simple.

Knowing what skin type you are dealing with is key to choosing the right cleansing products.

(see identifying skin types)

If your skin tends to be dry then cream cleansers, oil cleansers and balm cleansers will be more suitable. For an oilier skin avoid anything that is too rich in its texture and use gentle cleansers so as not to over stimulate the skin.

Here are some of the different types of cleansers:

Cleansing balms

Balms are a blend of oils and waxes which are usually a little more solid in appearance and will melt and emulsify onto the skin and great at removing makeup and dirt. Balm cleansers are best removed with a warm damp cloth.

Cleansing creams

Creams are a thicker creamy texture and work their magic when massaged into the skin to cleanse. The massaging of the cream will increase blood flow to the skin and increase the oxygen giving a brighter appearance, Cream Cleansers are best removed with a warm damp cloth.

Cleansing lotions

Lotions are more fluid in texture and lighter in feel to a cream. Massage the lotion/fluid over the skin to increase blood flow .A lotion cleanser can be removed with cotton pads or a warm damp cloth.

Micellar cleansers

Micellar cleansers are usually a clear liquid/water texture and are great for easy quick cleansing and they will attract and grab dirt particles off the skin. Best used onto cotton pads and swept all over the skin. Micellar waters are great when used as part of a double cleansing routine. Micellar cleansers don’t add much back into the skin but are effective cleansers.

Face wash cleansers

Face wash or foam cleansers are used with water and usually create a foam like texture on the skin and get washed away with water, Face washes can occasionally be a little stripping on the skin so use with care.

Cleansing oil

A Cleansing oil is as the name suggests an oil which will in turn remove dirt of the skin and also nourish at the same time often resulting in a glowing skin. They are best massaged into the skin to remove any makeup, dirt or pollutants and then wiped away with a warm damp cloth.

Cleansing wipes

Wipes will contain cleansing agents within the cloth. These should only be used occasionally when there is no other way of cleansing. Wipes should never be your normal cleansing routine but are good for travelling or on the go cleansing.

Paul’s advice on cleansing

• It is important to cleanse morning and night. Your morning routine of cleansing does not need to be as thorough as your end of day cleanse, but it is still imperative that its done.

• If you are using products that contain sunscreen or a separate sunscreen in your routine this needs to be more thoroughly cleansed and usually benefits from a double cleansing routine which will be explained later.

• The best removal of cleanser in any routine is with a face cloth and warm water.

• To get the very best from your cleanser apply it to a dry skin to begin your cleansing routine.

• Always use clean running water in your cleansing routine rather than from a filled bowl or basin as this will only put dirt back onto the skin.

• Cleansing wipes are not high on my list but better than not cleansing at all. Keep wipes for those times when no other cleansing routine is possible.

• If you struggle to cleanse when you are tired and need your bed cleanse your skin earlier. This will also assist in the efficacy of your serums, oils and moisturisers.

• Don’t stop your cleanse at the jawline. By taking your cleansing products down onto the neck and chest area you notice a difference.