Over the years I have met numerous clients that spend a fortune on the latest trending makeup, hair care and beauty gadgets and yet fail to invest in a good cleansing routine and often resort to make-up or baby wipes. Even after nearly 15 years the facialist in me still gets the Heebie-jeebies hearing someone say they use wipes regularly for cleansing or even worse go to bed with their make-up on.
You may wonder what all the fuss is about and here’s why.
Firstly, the skin on your face is considerably thinner and more delicate than your body, therefore, needing more care. Secondly, your cleansing routine is essentially the building blocks the rest of your skincare routine is built on. If your skin isn’t properly cleansed of impurities from your day and balanced, none of the lovely face oils, serums or moisturisers you use are going to be able to penetrate your skin cells and work effectively.
Why cleanse in the morning?
Believe it or not, our skin can accumulate environmental debris while we sleep. Dead skin cells, sweat, and allergens that may have been collected on your pillowcase can be transferred to the facial skin during the night.
Your morning cleanse should be light, hydrating and balancing to help your skin throughout the various environmental aggressions it may be exposed to.
I always start my morning with a gentle face wash in the shower. I use a balancing 3 in 1 cleanser by Casmara for sensitive skin which is suitable for the face and eyes and does not require a toner. However, if your cleansing facewash is not specifically designed this way it should not be used around the eye area and you will need to use a toner after cleansing and before applying your moisturisers.
How important is an evening cleansing routine?
One of the most important skincare routines my mother taught me as a teenager was to always cleanse at night and never go to bed with my makeup on. No matter how late it was, or how tired I was I have never slept with makeup.
Ideally, you want to end your day with a double cleanse, especially if you wear make-up. If you wear very light or no makeup at all you can get away with a single cleanse. Your first cleanse will help to get off any makeup on the surface and your double cleanse will help to get rid of any makeup residue and clean deeper into the pores helping to get rid of dust, and dirt that may be blocking them. Double cleansing also goes a long way in helping to prevent the build-up of bacteria that can cause breakouts.
If waterproof eye makeup is a regular part of your wardrobe, it is extremely important to either invest in a separate bi-phase eye makeup remover that can break waterproof makeup down or a cleanser that is specifically created for face and eye make-up removal. Eye makeup cleansers can also be used to take off lip colour as it is suitable for delicate areas.
Why should I avoid wipes?
Many of the chemicals used in wipes aren’t particularly skin-friendly because they contain strong, drying chemicals that strip the skin of its natural oils, and alter the delicate pH of the skin’s acid mantle. This can lead to inflammation and irritation. Face wipes also tend to smear what’s on the surface of the skin rather than properly cleansing, and the rubbing action with a wipe can be irritating to the skin’s barrier and potentially cause irritation.
Are toners necessary to my cleansing routine?
Quite often toners tend to get forgotten in a cleansing routine but I assure you they play an important role, and unless your cleanser specifically is designed to work without a toner it is an essential part of your routine. If in doubt always ask your chosen brand’s skin specialist for advice as they have been trained on how the product works best. Today however many modern brands are designing facial cleansers that don’t require a toner so it may be well worth researching one of these if you prefer fewer steps to your routine.
A toner is usually designed to remove the last traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores after your cleanse, help tighten pores, balance the PH of your skin and prepare it for your serums and moisturisers. Toners designed for oily or combination skins may also contain ingredients to help minimise breakouts.
Choosing the right cleansing routine
Finally, the most important tip of all is don’t simply invest in a brand just because it works for your friend or because it’s been advertised all over. Do your research, make sure it is suited to your skin type and if you tend to be sensitive to products ask for a sample you can test for a few days before investing. Remember we are all different and our skins have their own unique needs. If you are unsure of your skin type or which product to choose your facialist will be able to guide you.
Here are my top 7 favourite cleansing products of all time
- Casmara 3 in 1 balancing cleanser
- Enlighten Through Nature Geranium Skin Wash for face and body
- L’Oreal Paris Absolute Biphase Waterproof Make-Up Remover for Eye & Lip 125 ml
- Casmara 3 in 1 deep cleanser
- Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash
- Liz Earl Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
- Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm
