At the end of a long day, nothing feels quite as good as cleansing your face. Removing every trace of dirt, sweat and makeup allows the skin to breathe, repair, and renew itself. Having a spotless surface also helps your other skincare products to penetrate your skin more deeply and perform their tasks more efficiently. As the first step in your skincare ritual, it’s important to nail this part before even before thinking about your serums and anti-aging creams or face oils.
Cleansing your face and removing all makeup and dirt before bed is paramount but surprisingly enough, surveys have shown that almost 50% of women skip the bedtime cleansing routine.
Maybe we work too hard or play too hard and we just can't be bothered. But it's really important if you want beautiful, healthy, glowing skin.
Why you should never go to bed without an evening cleanse
At night your skin's not actually resting but working overtime during your beauty sleep. The skin's having a little party on your face, releasing hormones such as melatonin and cortisol. These hormones assist with nighttime repair, fighting off free radicals and the oxidative stress of the day. Because the skin's working 24/7, its job is a little less stressful if it has a clean surface to deal with during its most active period - nighttime!
Your skin loses moisture at night, so having a layer of built-up grime, makeup and sebum aren’t really the sorts of nutrients that your skin is desperately requiring when the air is squeezing hydration from its surface. So firstly removing eye make-up followed by a second cleanse (based on your skin type) will help create a clean canvas to help the skin detoxify at night and to increase your follow-up skincare's absorption.
Its vital to start your day with a morning cleanse
In the morning, a full cleansing routine isn't necessary, especially if you've cleansed thoroughly the night before or if your skin is sensitive. A rinse in the shower or a splash of warm water with a gentle cleanser is really all that's needed to remove the nighttime waste and prep skin for your morning routine.
About once a week, and sometimes more frequently if your wear daily make-up or living/travelling in polluted cities, give the skin a good, deep cleanse by using a gentle AHA Peel before shower or use a deep cleanse antioxidant masque. It balances the skin by resurfacing dead skin cells, soaking up excess sebum, decreasing inflammation - all essential in keeping your complexion in pristine condition.
The different types of Face Cleansers, decoded:
With so many cleansing options available, and with each one touting different benefits, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and get swayed by false marketing claims. Knowing the difference between each type allows you to filter your options based on your skin's needs and makes the hunt for the perfect cleanser a whole lot easier. Here's my guide to picking the right cleanser for your skin type:
1. Gel Cleansers
Gel cleansers are clear and, as the name suggests, have a gel-like consistency. Generally designed for deep cleansing, they are effective at decongesting clogged pores, removing excess oil, and killing acne-causing bacteria, thanks to their antiseptic and exfoliating properties.
Ideal for: Oily and combination skin
2. Cream Cleansers
Cream cleansers are usually thick, creamy, and contain moisturising ingredients like botanical oils. They gently cleanse your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. Cream cleansers can also come in the form of “milk” or “lotion.”
Ideal for: Dry and sensitive skin
3. Foam Cleansers
Foam cleansers are lightweight cleansers that start out as cream or gel and burst into a rich, foamy lather. This type of cleanser removes excess oil as effectively as gel cleansers.
Ideal for: Oily and combination skin
4. Oil Cleansers
Washing your skin with oil or balm cleanser may sound like a recipe for breakouts, especially if you have oily skin, but most experts disagree. An oil cleanser is a gentle way of removing pore-clogging debris—including waterproof makeup—without drying your skin.
Ideal for: Most skin types
5. Micellar Cleansers
Originating in France, micellar waters feature “micelles”—or tiny oil molecules suspended in soft water—that attract oil, dirt, and makeup. Another great thing about them: You don’t need to rinse them off with water. Good for the first cleanse, though I suggest following with a 2nd cleanser to get a deeper clean.
Ideal for: Dry and sensitive skin
6. Powder Cleansers
Powder cleansers are nothing new, but they are certainly having a big moment right now. These cleansers—powdery soft when dry—dissolves into a creamy concoction upon contact with water, thoroughly cleansing your skin while providing gentle exfoliation. Unlike old-school physical exfoliants like those containing beads, powder cleansers can contain ingredients like rice starch or chickpea flour, which are kinder to the environment.
Ideal for: Oily and sensitive skin
7. Bar Cleansers
After years of staying out of the skincare spotlight, bars are slowly sneaking back in. This new breed of bars—some contain very little soap, others have none at all—are just as skin-friendly and luxurious as their liquid counterparts. They also offer more skin-friendly pH levels in addition to nutrient-rich, highly moisturising ingredients, such as glycerin and essential oils. Extra points for being a greener choice than liquid soaps because the packaging materials—primarily paper and cardboard—break down more easily in landfills than plastic packaging.
Ideal for: Oily and combination skin
8. Cleansing Cloths, Mitts, and Sponges
There are cleansing wipes, and then there are cleansing cloths, mitts, and sponges. These cleansers are made with special fibers—some are plant-derived and don’t typically require the use of any traditional cleansers—to thoroughly remove impurities while also sloughing off dead skin cells. A few examples are muslin cloths, Kassa mitts, and konjac sponges.
Ideal for: Oily and combination skin
I am so excited to welcome you all back for London Facial treatments at The Dorchester Spa, be hands-on, and connect face-to-face (and hands-to-face) with you all over again.
Each month limited London dates are released. Spaces are limited so if you can’t find the slot you’re looking for we are happy to place you on the waiting list and contact you as soon as a space becomes available.
For Bookings:
BOOK ONLINE to check for availabilities. Openings are updated in real-time.
For further information or to make an inquiry email us:
hello@adeelacrown.com
Be skin smart. Be Skincredible™
words by Adeela Crown
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