This week: Cleansing, toning and moisturising
We know it’s boring but the best routine for all skin types, including sensitive skin, really is to cleanse, tone and moisturise. Twice-daily! No skimping! No wipes! You really will feel virtuous afterwards and your skin will feel soon start to benefit.
You may think it’s just a ruse by companies to get you to buy three of their products instead of one but beauty therapists, make-up artists and skin specialists will tell you the same thing. If you are a fan of cleansing wipes, just try cleansing, toning and moisturising and see how much better your skin looks and feels. Go on, I challenge you.
So, why is cleanse, tone and moisturise the most commonly heard beauty mantra?
Whether or not you wear make-up, your skin still gets grimy (a horrid word, sorry!) during the day. If you do wear make-up, every last shred needs to be removed before you go to bed. Otherwise, your pores will get clogged, leading to spots and blackheads, and rough skin and dead cells will leave your skin looking dull and lifeless. Not to mention the state it will leave your bed-linen in! Unless you are washing your pillow cases every night, just think what your poor face is lying on if you haven’t cleansed. Not a pretty thought.
By the way, sensitive skins should never use exfoliating scrubs or masks. Even the most gentle (and it must be gentle for sensitive skin) cleansing will work to exfoliate dead, rough skin so there is no need for harsh or abrasive scrubs.
At night too, your skin picks up dirt particles and, as your skin is trying to repair itself as you sleep, it will be shedding old cells during the night and these need sloughing off. This is why the morning cleanse is so important. As well as making sure your skin is scrupulously clean, it prepares your skin for moisturiser and for make-up. There is nothing more horrible than putting creams and make-up on dirty skin.
As for toning, this removes the cleanser residue to ensure your skin is left really clean and without a trace of greasiness. Unfortunately, toners do not, as many companies claim, close your pores but they do refresh your skin and provide a temporary feeling of tautness.
Finally, get moisturising. Moisturiser is THE most important part of any skin care routine. Even young and oily skins should use a moisturiser. Skin will only produce more oil if it doesn’t get some outside help.
Moisturiser has a number of essential functions: it helps our skin retain its own moisture, it hydrates the outer layers of the skin and it acts as a protective barrier against the elements and the environment. As you know, there are also products which help to slow down the effects of ageing, to minimise wrinkles, provide a sun protection factor etc etc. Whatever works for you, use it and use it liberally.
Next time…..how to cleanse, tone and moisturiser.
January 16, 2009 at 3:26 pm |
[...] our detailed post on how to cleanse and tone here. For removing eye make-up without pulling at or irritating sensitive eyes, see here. You can also [...]