We all had those days where we go home exhausted after a long day to an extent that we skip the cleanser step and just roll between sheets. or when we wake up in a hurry thinking we can skip cleansing our faces.
Well, once in a while is okay. But if you missed this step daily your skin will get hurt badly. We’re speaking irritated skin, acne, and dryness.
Many of us look at their tiered skin thinking how to fix the problems, we tend to think of expensive products that should help. Even though the real solution is through going back to the simplest skin routine step that we all forget. the cleanser.
Why it is vital to use a facial cleanser?
Think of the number of things your skin is dealing with every day. From makeup to debris. Using facial cleanser daily gets your skin rid of all the dust, excess oil, and dead skin cells.
This raises the main question; What happens to your face when you leave it unprotected?
What happens when you stop using facial cleanser?
1_ your skin will get drier
Using cleanser regularly has a big role in helping the skin retaining its moisture. Since it has a role in managing skin PH, keeping it in neutral levels to trap water between the layers. Stop using the cleanser and you will notice how dry your skin can get.
2- More acne
The oil glands in the skin secrete oils that can coat the outer layer of the skin. This can protect your skin from bacteria and debris.
In case you stopped using the cleanser, these bacteria will accumulate clogging your pores and preventing oil to reach the outer layer. in turn, this lack of layer will make the skin more prone to bacterial infection and breakouts, acne, blackheads, pimples, and continuous inflammation.
3_ domino effect
Your skin is like your home. if dust and debris piled up on the surface, they will form a rough layer that prevents it from skill regeneration as well as clogging the pores. This will create irritated skin with itching urge, acne, and flakes. Yes, we’re talking about the domino effect.
Why spend thousands on fixing a problem you can simply avoid using a cleanser?
4- Impact the rest of your routine
Many would look at cleanser as a secondary step for it doesn’t fix any damage, dedicated only to clean the skin. While this might be true, but you should know that you need the cleaner to make your whole routine works.
The reason is that the accumulated layer formed as a result of neglecting cleanser can create a thick barrier over time that prevents your skin’s absorption of any products. Not cleansing can also mean that each can't-live-without skin-care product won't do squat. "They may not work effectively because they have to penetrate through a layer of impurities.
How to use cleanser according to your skin type?
- it’s crucial to know your skin type so you can pick the proper cleanser. if your skin is dry you need to avoid alcohol-containing products. If you have oily skin, go for low PH cleansers. If sensitive stick to water-based free of fragrance cleanser.
- If you work out, and by nature, you sweat a lot. go for clogged pores dedicated cleanser.
- If you have sensitive prone skin, go for a neutral cleanser.
- If you have acne-prone skin, you need a cleanser containing salicylic acid in its components as it will clear out excess oils without causing dryness.
why cleanser, not soap?
have you ever noticed that whenever you see girls with clean, bright skin, your mind goes directly towards asking them what products they are using? while the real answer is not about the products, rather, it's about the skin balance.
healthy skin is all about creating a balance between acidity and alkalinity, normally, the skin is acidic. to achieve the bright skin you’re dreaming of, you need to create that balance.
how? by neutralizing it with some alkalinity.
However you should know that too much alkalinity will dry it, too much acidity will irritate it.
While it is true that soap is alkaline, it's too alkaline with level 10. that would give you clean skin, but it will also strip it of its essential oils creating some problems starting from skin flaking and not ending at its irritation.
It will also boost the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which will result in clogged pores, acne, wrinkles, and fine lines.
How to use the cleanser?
while it’s a piece of cake, recent studies have shown that, in the USA only, 80% of the population use skin cleansers incorrectly.
Here, we summed up some tips on how to cleanse your face.
1- wash your hands before applying the cleanser so you don’t mistakenly infect your face with your hand bacteria.
2- wet your face with water before applying the cleanser.
3- be gentle on your face, avoid rubbing it with a rough towel. massage your face with the cleanser in circles.
4- wash your face with lukewarm water, as hot water will strip your skin of its oils.