How (and When) to Wash Your Face

Face washing. It’s a few easy steps, right? Water, soap, lather, rinse. As easy as it is, it’s a very important part of your skin care routine; and how you do those steps (and when) is just as important. Here is an easy guide for making the face wash task as beneficial to your skin as possible.

Step 1

Okay. This first step might be a little controversial but, don’t wash your face in the mornings. I know, I know. Some (all?) of you might be saying “What?!?”, but hear me out. There are a couple of different reasons for this.

Firstly, you washed your face before bed, right? And all you did was sleep, right? So, unless you’re coal mining in your sleep, or sleepwalking through a sand storm, your skin hasn’t “collected” enough dirt while you slept to warrant its needing to be washed again when you wake up.

Not only that, your skin has absorbed the moisturizer you applied the night before, and if you’re a side-sleeper, some of that moisturizer will have been rubbed off onto your pillow. So your skin is actually dryer in the morning and it’s not a good idea to strip even more moisture from it by washing it.

And, over-washing your face can also lead to breakouts. So, give this unusual step a try for a week and see if you notice an improvement in your skin tone.

Step 2

You’ve skipped the morning face wash; you’ve gone through your day; you’re getting ready for bed and now it’s time for the actual first step of proper face washing . . .

Wet your face with lukewarm water. Not cold, not hot. Hot water will obviously dry out your skin by stripping it of natural moisture. And surprisingly, when it comes to washing your face, cold water isn’t that great for it, either. Sure, splashing your face with cold water tightens your pores, but it’s exactly that reason it isn’t recommended for washing your face. Bacteria and dirt can get trapped and isn’t as effectively “cleaned out” as with warmer water.

Step 3

You’ve wet your face, so now it’s time for the real work. Lather up a small amount of face wash between your palms. (You already knew how to do that, but I gotta be official here). Using a circular motion, gently massage the face wash onto your face. Some people, like me, also wash their mascara off at the same time; while others use a separate makeup remover. This is entirely up to you, but if you use something all-natural, like farragio's All-Natural Essential Foaming Face Wash, you can do it all at the same time. But, just like with any product, be sure to avoid getting it into your eyes.

Step 4

Rinse again with lukewarm water. (This one is pretty self-explanatory)

Step 5

When it comes to drying your face off, it’s important not to rub your skin. It will strip the moisture from your skin, and it can lead to irritation. Using a soft, absorbent towel, gently pat your skin dry. Personally, I don’t completely dry my skin. I like to leave a little bit of water on my skin, that way when I moisturize it helps lock in the water on my skin, providing extra moisture.

Step 6

Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer. Believe it or not, this is the most important step of face washing. Even for oily skin. Maybe even especially for oily skin. The most potent way to avoid and minimize wrinkles is by keeping your skin moisturized. And if you have oily skin, drying it out too much will cause your skin to overcompensate by creating more oil. Using a moisturizer will help keep your skin tone balanced.

And, you’re done! Follow these steps each night and your skin will feel and look more refreshed, toned, and supple, and your skin will thank you for it.

Oh, and let me know if you try skipping washing your face in the mornings!