Washing your face is something you've been doing every day for like, forever. But how well are you really cleansing your skin? There's more to it than just lather and rinse. With the recent launch of our Rael Beauty Oil to Foam Gentle Cleanser, we were intrigued to learn the best way to get our skin squeaky clean, straight from a pro. Keep reading to learn some face washing dos and don'ts from a dermatologist.
1. Wash your face morning and night
We hate to break it to you but washing your face once a day won't cut it. To keep your skin looking its best, board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Adebola Dele-Michael recommends washing your face twice a day—once in the morning and once at night. Also, make sure your hands are clean before you begin. You don't want to transfer any bacteria and dirt onto your skin.
2. Use a gentle cleanser.
A gentle cleanser is key for effective face washing. Dr. Dele-Michael says harsh soaps and abrasive loofahs can dry and irritate the skin. Specifically, she recommends looking for cleansers that contain antioxidants, which will help prevent sun damage and wrinkles.
Rael's new Oil to Foam Gentle Cleanser, for example, not only leaves your skin feeling super clean and purified; it contains Chinaberry extract, which is rich in antioxidants. The cleanser also features olive oil and vitamin B5 that hydrate, soften, plump, and soothe skin. Plus, watching the oil transform into foam upon contact with water makes for a fun face washing experience.
Not sure if your cleanser is too rough on your skin? Notice if your face feels tight and dry after washing it or throughout the day. Dr. Dele-Michael says this is an indicator that your cleanser is too harsh and can potentially damage your skin.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water
"Cold water doesn't effectively remove all of the dirt and residue from your face as many would think," Dr. Dele-Michael says. "[And,] hot water actually damages your skin as it causes it to tighten and dry out." So, lukewarm water is definitely the way to go when it comes to washing your face. It'll cleanse your pores without over-drying your skin.
4. Wash for at least 45-60 seconds
How much time you spend over the sink lathering up your skin will depend on how dirty your skin is. If, for example, you're not wearing any makeup and need a quick wash, Dr. Dele-Michael says washing your face for 45-60 seconds should do the trick.
If you're wearing heavy makeup, however, you'll likely need to wash for a little bit longer to get it all off. You can also double cleanse, which is a fancy wash of saying you lather, rinse, and repeat, but only if you're using a gentle cleanser.
Or, better yet, before you wash your face, you can remove all makeup and impurities using the new Real Beauty Calming Cica Cleansing Water. It's more than just a makeup remover. It contains three weights of hyaluronic acid that penetrate deeper layers of the skin for mega hydration, as well as Centella Asiatica, which is rich in vitamins that brighten the skin and prevent premature aging.
5. Use a soft face towel to dry your skin.
Once your face is all nice and clean, it's time to dry it. Since the skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on the rest of your body, using a regular body towel isn't a good idea. "Normal towels for the body are a little tougher and harder, and using that on the face can scratch and damage the skin," Dr. Dele-Michael says. Instead, dab your skin with a soft towel, preferably one that's made specifically for your face. And voila! You've got clean skin.