Could washing your face the right way be the secret the
better skin? According to Rebecca Tung, MD, chair of dermatology
at Loyola University Chicago, the simple skin care step is more
impactful than you might think."I've seen patients with really sensitive
skin who 'wash' their faces with just water," she says. "That
can lead to excess collections of acne-causing bacteria and yeast that result
in seborrhoeic dermatitis—sort of like dandruff on your face." Here, Tung
demystifies the perfect clean.
"At the minimum, washing your face before you go to bed
is critical," Tung says. Yes, that's even if you're not wearing a smidge
of makeup. To ace face washing, suds up morning and night. And always wash or
use a wipe after a workout to fend off sweat-induced breakouts.
That long-wear eye makeup and foundation isn't going to come
off with cleanser alone. Use an oil-based makeup remover. Or keep a pack of
face wipes like Neutrogena Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes on your
bedside table so there's no excuse.
Not
sure how to choose the best face wash for your skin? You can't go
wrong with a soap-free cleanser, which is gentle enough to use on any skin
type. One to try: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. Wet your face, and use circular motions to
massage it onto your skin. Aim for at least 30 seconds of washing to let the
cleanser do its job. If you tend to break out in your T-zone or get blackheads
on your nose, take care of those trouble spots with an acne treatment
that contains either benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Those ingredients
need to stay on your skin for about one minute to be effective. The truly
acne prone can use a treatment wash all over, but overuse on any skin
type can lead to redness and peeling.
"A
lot of patients want to use hot water. They feel like they're almost giving
themselves a little steam treatment, but it can be very irritating to
skin," Tung says. Stick to lukewarm or cool water. Post-workout, try
Tung's trick to cut down redness and flushing: Splash your face with cold
water, which constricts blood vessels.
When
it comes to getting the most intense clean, a powered cleansing tool such
as Clarisonic does a more thorough, uniform job of
cleaning off surface dirt than your hands or even a washcloth. Need more
incentive to try one? "A tool tightens pores and increases the cell
turnover of your skin. It'll help reduce acne and even minimize sun
damage," Tung says. Plus, seeing it on your bathroom sink is better than a
sticky-note reminder screaming, "Wash your face!"
6. Gently pat dry:
You're
at the finish line: Gently pat skin dry with a clean, dry face towel.
Source :http://www.elle.com
