During a skin consultation the second most important area to chat about after SPF is cleansing. A step in your routine that when done correctly can transform your skin. Cleansing in the morning and twice at night has so many benefits. Daily cleansing is needed to remove all traces of pollutants and excess oils while encouraging cell renewal. It also boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage feeding your skin with oxygen and nutrients that it needs to stay healthy. For these reasons it’s an important morning step in your routine! Water alone will not remove excess oils and overtime this can lead to breakouts – blackheads/milia/inflammation/under the skin spots.
Cleansing is a ritual, one that I feel very strongly about! Take time to massage your cleanser into your skin before removing it with tepid water and a soft face cloth. If after you cleanse you reach straight for your serum/moisturiser to get rid of a tight feeling, that’s not a good sign. Your skin shouldn’t feel tight. If it does it’s a sign that the PH balance has been disrupted. This will lead to sensitivity/redness and dehydration. If you have spots and are using cleansers that regularly strip your skin, it will send a message to the sebaceous gland to produce more oil – not ideal. For oily skin choose a face wash with salicylic acid, allow the cleanser to sit on your skin for 20/30seconds before rinsing off. Healthy skin has a balanced oil production.
Makeup and SPF are designed to stick to the skin and stay put all day. For this reason cleansing twice at night will make sure to fully remove them. Even if you don’t wear makeup, always cleanse twice. The first cleanse will remove dirt/pollution and the second will clean your skin allowing it to benefit from the ingredients in your chosen product. At night a pre-cleanse oil or balm is great to remove heavy makeup. Then choose a second cleanser depending on your skin type. You don’t necessarily need two seperate cleansers, using a small amount of the same one twice is usually perfect. Watch out for how your skin feels after – like we mentioned above if it feels tight it’s too harsh.
My favourites are: Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm (dry skin), Alumier Acne Clarifying Face Wash (2% Salicylic Acid) (oily skin), Alumier Hydraboost Cleanser (dehydrated skin), Avene Gentle Milk Cleanser (sensitive skin), Cleanse Off Mitt (all skin types to be used with cleanser)
I’m not a fan of micellar water. Daily use disrupts the PH balance of your skin, impairing the protective barrier. It also leaves a residue on the skin which will block pores. I see so many clients that use it because it’s quick but the cons outweigh the pros in my opinion! Photosensitivity and dehydration are a common concern. It’s not only micellar water, face scrubs and face wipes will also do the same.
A skin consultation is advised – online or in person (www.ciaradarcyskincoach.com)