August 1-7 is National Cleanse Your Skin Week. Washing your face seems easy, right? It’s a part of your skincare regimen morning and night, but are you doing it correctly? We're here to offer tips and tricks on how to avoid common mistakes.

Here are the face washing-mistakes you never knew you were making:

Using The Wrong Cleanser:  

If you want to achieve squeaky clean skin, the first step is all in what you use. You must pick the right cleanser for the job. Did you know that most people have admitted to using water, shampoo or conditioner, or regular hand soap instead of a gentle cleanser? These methods, however, do not promote clear, healthy skin. Looking for vital active ingredients that match your main skin concerns will help in determining which cleanser to pick.

Relying On Wipes Only:

‍Face wipes may be more convenient, but don't rely on the wipes to detox your skin. Yes, wipes remove makeup and dirt, but they also leave behind a residue. Use them first to remove makeup if needed, then rinse away residue and residual oils and bacteria with a gentle cleanser.

Washing Your Face Too Often:

Generally, washing your skin once or twice a day is a good standard to follow. Any more than that will lead to irritated skin and usually an overproduction of oil as you will strip the natural barrier of the skin.

Washing With The Wrong Temperature:

‍The secret to achieving radiant skin might be as simple as changing the way you wash your face. Here's the truth: Rinsing your face with cold water won't tighten your pores, and using hot water, though it may feel good, can dehydrate the skin. Cleansing your face with lukewarm water leaves the PH  level of your skin beautiful and even, making this temperature the best for gently cleansing your skin.

Exfoliating Too Often:

‍ While exfoliation is a needed to remove dead skin cells, the key is not to exfoliate too regularly. Exfoliating a maximum of two times a week is plenty to remove dead skin cells, but not irritate your skin. Skin is delicate and needs TLC, so vigorous scrubbing will strip the face of its natural oil and cause more breakouts.

Using Dirty Hands Before Cleansing:

Before you give your face a gentle cleanse, be sure to wash your hands. Take a moment to think about all the things your hands have touched during the day; door handles, computer keyboards, and cell phones. All these things carry bacteria on it, and you don’t want those transferring over to your skin.  

Rubbing Your Face When Drying:  

Too much rubbing or friction can dry your skin out. All that is needed is soft blotting with a clean towel to complete your cleansing step.

Washing your face is the most important step in your skincare routine. Now that you have the right steps to avoid common face-washing mistakes, you can finally say goodbye to breakouts, oily skin, and more.

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