Beauty routine: cleansers

I used to not give a big deal on cleansing my face. I would go to sleep with my make-up on (say what?!) for countless nights and invest the least in cleansing products. Big mistake, if I could turn back the time, this is the first thing I’ll change in my routine. I am 29 now, with years to recover. I have a dry skin, that has improved by trying lots of products.

Today, I’ll share with you the basic in cleansing your face. It is the most important part of your basic skincare routine that should get rid of dirt, dust, make-up, bacteria, dead skin cells and keep skin pores free of clogs. A proper cleansing prepares your skin to receive nutrients and lipids. I found some tips from the 5000 year old healing tradition of Ayurveda that I will leave with you at the end of this post.

Now, if you have dry skin as I do, I found out, after so many products tried, that creamy, milky lotions suit best our skin type. Currently, I am trying and loving Avene cleansers. The Gentle eye make-up remover, is a fluid-gel specially formulated for make-up removal of the eyes. It is somewhat efficient, it does sting if you rub it in too deep and too hard, so you need to be patience. It is not really my favorite, in search of another one.

The gentle milk cleanser is very rich, specially formulated for dry and very dry sensitive skin. I massage it deep and gentle on my face, then remove it with a tepid washcloth. It doesn’t sting, smells clean and leaves your skin soft and ready for the next step. I gently moist my face in the Guinot Refreshing Toning Lotion (Lotion Hydra Fraicheur) with flower extracts that refreshes the skin. It is alcohol free, really important and has lots of nutrients. Then, I spray a fine mist of Avène Thermal Spring Water onto my face and leave it to dry. I have also discovered LANGÉ cosmetics, I will dedicate an article just for them. I am using LANGÉ Botanical Tonic Lotion specially formulated for dry and mature skin. It has regenerative and energizing properties and smells divine.

I’ve been using a sample of Liz Earle cleanse and polish and it is absolutely perfect for eye and face make-up remover, leaves your skin so soft and hydrated, I don’t even feel the need the put some moisturizer on. This is on my shopping list. Also, I used to have the Avene Micellar Lotion that has been specially formulated for all types of sensitive skin and eyes. It gently cleanses and removes all traces of make-up from the face, eyes and lips, I recommend it. The same does La Roche-Posay Micellar Solution, which has soothing, softening and anti-irritating properties and it is renowned for its dermatological efficacy.

After two months of following this cleansing routine, treatments and creams I will be featuring in another post, people have noticed a big difference in my skin. It is much cleaner, hydrated, luminous, haven’t had one spot and my old acne is almost gone.  I can not emphasis more the importance of finding the perfect cleanser for your skin type, that many times doesn’t come cheap, and the necessity of having a routine that should become a part of your life. Consider it as an investment in the future self.[box type=ok] Cleanse twice a day: morning and evening. Cleansing too often can strip your skin of natural oils, cleansing less, leads to eruptions and blemishes. I used to have a blemishes free teenage, but a few years ago I developed some because of my chaotic lifestyle. Now, with this cleansing routine, I have no problems (except of some hormonal imbalance I am treating).

Choose a cleanser appropriate for your skin type. If your skin is dry, use a cleanser that contains herbs and oils. If you have oily skin, use cleansers with herbs that balance oil production.

Always cleanse with tepid water. Too hot, it will damage your skin, too cold and it won’t remove the dirt.

If you use sponges or washcloths, make sure they are clean and soft. You can cleans with your fingers too.

Wash your hands well before cleansing your face. Use a headband to secure hair away from the face.

Start by splashing tepid water on your face and neck.

Apply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, use gentle circular strokes, move to the neck as well. Do not scrub too much.

Rinse with lots of water.

Gently blot off excess water with a soft towel. Do not scrub dry or drag towel along skin.

Follow immediately with a water-based toner and a moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface moisture and offer nourishment when skin is receptive.[/box]