The Best Face Washing Routines For All Skin Types

Good cleansing is the foundation of any skin care program. Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive or combination skin, knowing the right facial cleanser is essential to ensuring the rest of your skincare routine works as well as it should.

Although it may seem simple, washing your face is not a routine for everything. Your skin type, specific concerns, and age can affect the effectiveness of your skin care regimen, but when it comes to facial cleansing, one thing stands out even more. we talked to dr. Emily Trumpetti, licensed esthetician, skin care specialist and founder of Skin Properties Virtual Aesthetics, tells us that you should pay attention to your sebum activity when washing your face. "The main goal is to cleanse the skin of dirt, debris, dead skin cells, makeup, etc., and to remove as much oil or sebum as is necessary to keep the skin barrier strong and intact," she says.

If your skin is consistently too dry, too oily, or just not as fair as you'd like, it's time to take a look at your facial cleansing routine.

How do you determine your skin type?

Before you spend a lot of time and money on products for your new face wash routine, it's important to know your skin type. Sometimes it's easy, for others it's not so cut and dry. One of the best ways to find out your skin type is with a simple peel test. Cerave recommends washing your face with a gentle cleanser, patting dry, and then waiting 30 minutes to self-assess. If your skin is shiny, you probably have oily skin, and if your skin is tight or flaky, you have dry skin. If your T-zone is shiny but the rest of your face is tight, you probably have combination skin. If you don't really have visible discomfort, you have normal skin.

There are many variables that can affect your skin type, such as hormones, age and environment. The better you know your skin type, the better equipped you are to discover the skin care regimen that works best for you.

What do you look for in a cleanser?

A woman taps the detergent with her hand

According to Emily Trumpetti of Skin Properties Virtual Aesthetics, "Cleansing is the foundation of all good skin care" and "one of the most cost-effective steps in skin care." A good skincare routine creates the perfect base for anything you put on your skin, whether it's a full skincare routine or regular makeup, but if you don't do it right, it can wreak havoc on your face. Knowing your skin type is one of the most important aspects of using the right products. Once you know this, you can decide which cleanser is best for you.

Trumpetti told Glam that a good cleansing routine shouldn't strip your skin of excess moisture, and you should avoid using products that contain alcohol, as it dries out the skin drastically. She suggests looking for a gentle, non-abrasive product. If you have oily skin, you should avoid oily products.

Why is your cleansing routine so important?

While it may be tempting to skip your usual bedtime routine or reapply your tried-and-true beauty products in the morning, a good cleansing routine can set the stage for how effective your other skin care products will be. Cleansing your skin with the right products will help gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells that have accumulated throughout the day. Besides keeping your skin glowing and healthy, it prevents acne and helps treat wrinkles and fine lines.

If you don't cleanse your skin properly, you are prone to dryness and cracking, resulting in dry and dull skin. Starting a skincare routine will help you maintain skin care habits that you'll be thankful for as you age.

oily skin

While dewy skin is always the goal, no one wants to look oily or shiny. Oily skin can be frustrating as it can clog pores, which can lead to pesky wrinkles. As tempting as it may be to try to dry out your skin with facial cleanser, Trumpetti adds that your skin needs a certain amount of oil to stay healthy. She recommends investing in an oil-controlling cleanser, and when in doubt, talk to an esthetician for specific recommendations. "If you're acne-prone, I recommend using a cleansing gel with 2% salicylic acid to control oil and bacteria and help with inflammation," she says. "Can be drying on some skin types, so use with caution."

According to Dr. Pimple Popper herself, Sandra Lee, founder of SLMD Skincare, you should also wash your face twice a day. "While most people should wash their face morning and night, it's especially important for people with oily skin to thoroughly cleanse their face in the morning," she explains (via Healthline ).

combination skin

Combination skin can be especially frustrating when it comes to finding products that can solve every skin problem. Using the right products is key to finding the balance between oily and dry skin in certain areas. However, Trumpetti (Default Skin Cosmetics) still tells us that combination skin is an unbalanced skin that can often be caused by using the wrong products.

She explained that combination skin is often the result of seasonal changes, with the winter months drying out the skin and the summer leading to oily skin or even wrinkles. "The problem is that when we use the wrong products or have an unbalanced microbiome, sometimes our bodies try to compensate by producing oil." Fight changes in your skin's hydration and hydration. You can also work with a gentle, lightweight moisturizing cleanser to see if you need a boost."

dry skin

It may seem like the solution to dry skin is simply to moisturize, moisturize, and then moisturize some more, but that doesn't always work. The truth is that by starting your cleansing routine, you can help your dry skin become more hydrated and nourished. Because there are so many different types of dry skin, Trumpetti recommends speaking with an esthetician to find out which formula is right for your specific skin concerns.

"But in general, dry skin types have smaller sebaceous glands and produce very little oil in the pores," she says. “However, dry skin is more prone to irritation and inflammation because its barriers are generally weakened, especially during the winter months. At this time, the skin should be cleaned with oily mixtures or cleaning and care products.

Dr. Taylor Dickerson of American Dermatology Associates notes that consistency is key to creating a regimen for dry skin. "Caring for dry skin is all about sticking to your morning and night skin care routine and using gentle, non-drying skin care products to keep your skin healthy and hydrated." Dickerson recommends limiting your skin's exposure to hot water, instead washing your face with cold water and applying a moisturizer to keep it hydrated after cleansing.

Sensitive skin

"Sensitive skin, like combination skin, is not always sensitive ," says Trumpetti. This means that the skin barrier is severely compromised, damaged and prone to inflammation.” To first determine if your skin is sensitive or sensitive, a skin care expert recommends first feeling if your skin is too dry.

If you try to strengthen your protective barrier with products designed for very dry skin, you will notice a change in your skin's oil production. She recommends doing this at least 30 days before the test to see if your skin is still active. If so, then you have really sensitive skin. "If so, it's usually a good idea to choose products for sensitive skin that don't contain strong fragrances, essential oils, or other potential irritants," she advises. According to Trumpetti, products marketed for sensitive skin are best because they don't contain alcohol or other irritants.

Best practices and techniques

Now that you know what to look for when choosing a cleanser for your skin type, Trumpetti has some tips for implementing a good cleansing routine. She recommends keeping a special towel to dry your face (make sure it's always clean and dry to prevent bacteria growth). He also advises reading the cleaning product instructions and not assuming it will do the same thing. "I clean at night. "I like to use a cotton pad and a hydrating toner to remove the last traces of makeup and prepare my skin for the next step," she says, adding.

While these makeup remover wipes may seem very convenient, she suggests avoiding them altogether unless you're in an area where water isn't readily available. "They just turn things upside down." You want to be gentle when cleansing, but you want to make sure you spend at least 20-30 seconds washing your face. You've seen people screw up their faces on social media, but Trumpetti warns against it. "Avoid steam, it's not good for you and can be very drying," she says.

And when it comes to buying cleaning products, better doesn't get better. "While it's important to choose the right formula for your skin type, you shouldn't overspend," she says. “It has one main function and washes off pretty quickly. Contains vitamins, minerals, etc. don't worry about it. Just make sure it suits your skin type."

When should you moisturize?

In fact, one of the most important parts of your skin cleansing routine is not the cleansing itself, but what you do after cleansing your skin. Most experts agree that regardless of your skin type, applying a moisturizer to damp skin after cleansing is an important step in keeping skin hydrated and healthy. Dr. Carlos Charles, a dermatologist based in New York City, explained to The New York Times: "Basically, moisturizers prevent water loss through the outer layers of the skin." like ceramides."

The University of Tennessee Medical Center recommends that you choose a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 that is "oil-free, non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores), allergy- and dermatologist-tested." As with the cleanser, you can choose a moisturizer based on your skin type and specific skin needs, such as acne or aging skin. Moisturizing is not only important for hydrating new skin cells, but the massaging effect of applying moisturizer helps stimulate new cell growth and increase blood flow.

Are soap and water equally effective?

Many people ask themselves this question. Is simple soap and water as effective at cleaning your skin as a professional cleanser? The answer is not as simple as you might think. “Conventional soap means things need to be cleaned regularly. Her skin is not normal," Rachel Nazarian, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, told Insider. However, if you choose to use soap, Healthline is free of harsh chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, parabens, synthetic colors (FD&C yellow, etc.), and artificial fragrances. recommends using natural or homemade soap that is free from ingredients.

Patience can be difficult when starting a new business, but this is one area where you need to be patient and confident. Unfortunately, you won't see any drastic changes after implementing a new facial cleansing routine. While your skin may feel instantly clear after using a new product, you need to follow a consistent regimen for at least a month before you notice any real changes in your skin.

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