One would think that we all know to wash our faces before we go to bed at this point. And, if pressed, we all do, 100% of the time, plus floss twice daily. Except when we drink an entire bottle of wine and do a faceplant on the sofa instead. (Not that I ever do such things.) I had a roommate in my 20's who NEVER washed her face, and a friend who is quite a few years older than that who still doesn't wash her face. They both looked, and look, sort of fine. So what's the big deal?
The big deal is that pollution in the air gets stuck to your face all day. And if you wear makeup, triple the amount. Makeup itself can oxidize during the day, compounding the trouble. Prone to acne? You don't need me to answer this question for you. Plus, you're wasting expensive anti-aging products if you pile them on top of a layer of old makeup and dirt. They just won't work as well.
So what's the best way to wash your face? The way that gets your makeup off and doesn't leave a residue or a film on your skin. You can wash in one step, or two steps. Doesn't really matter as long as it works. If you're a dedicated one-stepper, Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser is pretty awesome: dissolves all makeup, even eye makeup, (without stinging!) and leaves skin clean but not dry. If you're a two-stepper, (I am), IMO you can't beat an oil for dissolving makeup. Shu Uemera makes the all time classic, but L'Oreal, killer of all cult brands, has pulled it from the US, and its now online only. A number of other brands have stepped up with their own offerings. Cetaphil, the warhorse of dermatologists' offices and drugstores, does a more than fine job of removing makeup in addition to being one of the best uber-gentle cleansers on the market. Love wipes? IMO, unless you're a two stepper, they're for washing your face only in the aforementioned faceplant situation.
The actual washing part (or, if you don't wear makeup, the only part) offers so many options that its almost dizzying. That should probably tell you how important it is to wash your face (J and C, are you reading this??) Use something with salicylic acid a few times a week if you're acne prone, but don't get crazy with it. Dry, red and peeling isn't a good sign. I have been using Shiseido Foaming Cleanser since I was 20, and haven't found a reason to switch yet, since one tube lasts about six months (!) and its thorough but still gentle. I also love Mario Badescu's Enzyme Cleansing Gel, which comes in a giant bottle, is priced right, and works for virtually every skin type. I know more devotees of the Clairsonic cleansing brush than I can keep track of, and I agree with the philosophy, but don't own one. I use a manual brush. The Clairsonic obviates the need for a manual exfoliating product (for another post), but does cost over $100. And for whatever reasons, users tend to abuse them, and are back to the lovely red, peeling skin issue. If you're not price sensitive, and can control yourself, by all means, knock yourself out!
The big deal is that pollution in the air gets stuck to your face all day. And if you wear makeup, triple the amount. Makeup itself can oxidize during the day, compounding the trouble. Prone to acne? You don't need me to answer this question for you. Plus, you're wasting expensive anti-aging products if you pile them on top of a layer of old makeup and dirt. They just won't work as well.
So what's the best way to wash your face? The way that gets your makeup off and doesn't leave a residue or a film on your skin. You can wash in one step, or two steps. Doesn't really matter as long as it works. If you're a dedicated one-stepper, Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser is pretty awesome: dissolves all makeup, even eye makeup, (without stinging!) and leaves skin clean but not dry. If you're a two-stepper, (I am), IMO you can't beat an oil for dissolving makeup. Shu Uemera makes the all time classic, but L'Oreal, killer of all cult brands, has pulled it from the US, and its now online only. A number of other brands have stepped up with their own offerings. Cetaphil, the warhorse of dermatologists' offices and drugstores, does a more than fine job of removing makeup in addition to being one of the best uber-gentle cleansers on the market. Love wipes? IMO, unless you're a two stepper, they're for washing your face only in the aforementioned faceplant situation.
The actual washing part (or, if you don't wear makeup, the only part) offers so many options that its almost dizzying. That should probably tell you how important it is to wash your face (J and C, are you reading this??) Use something with salicylic acid a few times a week if you're acne prone, but don't get crazy with it. Dry, red and peeling isn't a good sign. I have been using Shiseido Foaming Cleanser since I was 20, and haven't found a reason to switch yet, since one tube lasts about six months (!) and its thorough but still gentle. I also love Mario Badescu's Enzyme Cleansing Gel, which comes in a giant bottle, is priced right, and works for virtually every skin type. I know more devotees of the Clairsonic cleansing brush than I can keep track of, and I agree with the philosophy, but don't own one. I use a manual brush. The Clairsonic obviates the need for a manual exfoliating product (for another post), but does cost over $100. And for whatever reasons, users tend to abuse them, and are back to the lovely red, peeling skin issue. If you're not price sensitive, and can control yourself, by all means, knock yourself out!
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