Cleansing the Skin

Cleanse - [transitive, intransitive] cleanse (something) to clean your skin or a wound

Cleansing the skin, isn’t only a routine of washing off the daily grind (mentally and physically) but it also has a host of other benefits:

• It helps to stimulate the cells, nerves and blood vessels - improving the metabolism of the skin and aiding removal of toxins
• It prevents fine lines, wrinkles and premature ageing by increasing collagen and elastin production
• It leaves skin looking fresh and clear
• It boosts hydration
• It helps the skin help itself – removing dirt, oils and allergens reduces stress to the skin enabling it to perform optimally

Not a lot of people realise, once they’ve stood under the shower and allowed the water to wash over them, washed with some sort of soap or shower gel, used a cleanser, and then sometimes a toner, you've actually cleaned your face in four different ways!  Wow!  Problem skin anyone?

Keep.  Things.  Simple.  Less is definitely more.  There are those out there who successfully care for their skin by washing in water only.

Before we do anything to our skin we need to consider our current skin phase.  Throughout our lives our skin changes, not only due to age, diet etc. but throughout each year due to the seasons, through each month due to hormones, and even daily.  Have you ever noticed your skin slightly more oily in the mornings?  Or remember when, at school, you were forever desperately trying to cover up those pimples?  I bet things aren’t the same for you now.  So when looking for a product to clean our skin we should go with one that complements our current phase.

First things first though, a little skin care housekeeping:

Luke warm water - I repeat myself, I know, but this one is sooo important.  If your water is too hot it will strip the skin of its vital natural oils.  Too cold and pores won't relax to allow dirt to be removed.

Don't use harsh exfoliants or scrubs - a clean face cloth will do the job.  Anything abrasive will not only remove the dead layer of skin on top but will damage the healthy skin underneath.  This then leaves the skin open to dirt ingress and infection and here starts a vicious circle.  Given the chance and correct care skin will naturally exfoliate itself.

Don't cleanse too often.  Skin will overproduce sebum; 1. to compensate for the loss of oils and, b. to try and protect itself and thus will have a tendency to breakouts.

It is widely believed that breakouts mean you have oily skin.  This is not strictly true.  If you suffer from regular breakouts and nothing seems to be working you may need to be treating a dry skin condition.

If your skin feels tight and dry after washing you're either over doing it, your water is too hot or you've got the wrong product, or maybe all three.  Take a step back and review the situation.

There are so many options where products are concerned; it’s difficult to know where to turn.  Even if you opt for good old fashioned soap, which one would suit your skin the best?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question lies in knowing your skin phase, a little research and maybe some trial and error.

As above, start simple.  Maybe try washing with just water to start with and see how you get on.

If just water isn’t enough though, what’s next?

As a general rule, I will always recommend a cleansing product which is made from natural ingredients, as organic as possible and non toxic.  Preferably with no alcohol (where situations require it though, always go for a “good alcohol” like cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol or cetearyl alcohol).  Take into account the texture of the product.  Do you like an oil cleanser?  Do you prefer a foaming cleanser?  Or a cleansing lotion?  Do you prefer to remove your cleanser with water or do you use cotton pads or a cloth?  And always choose in line with your current skin phase.

It is worth remembering; the skin has roughly a 28 day cycle.  This means that it takes around 4 weeks for the new cells on the bottom layer of your skin to travel to the surface of your skin and then die.  So any new routine should be carried out for at least that time in order to witness the full results.  Unless of course, you are experiencing any kind of redness, irritation or adverse results, in which case stop what you are doing and reassess.

If you would like more information on the cleansing options available from Bubbles & Squeak and/or help choosing one that’s best for you, don’t hesitate to drop me a line and I’ll be glad to help.

Take care x