Cleansing: 101
The skin is the largest organ and while we increasingly use skincare products to improve the health of our skin, we seem to rush or even skip the most important step in our skincare regime. Cleansing is one
of the most essential steps to get a health looking skin.
Taking the time to remove your makeup and thoroughly wash your face will ensure that you see visible improvement day after day, cleanse after cleanse.
Why is cleansing important?
Considering all the external factors our skin is exposed to on a daily bases from makeup and sweat to particles in the environment. Ensuring that we thoroughly clean our skin at
the end of a long day we can remove all traces of dirt, excess oil and pollution.
Cleansing is the first step of all skincare routines and is beneficial in a number of reasons. If we do not cleanse our skin properly, dirt and pollution accumulate at the surface of the skin and could potentially contribute to breakouts, dehydration and ageing.
Maintaining a clear skin
Our skin produces natural oils that we call sebum to help protect itself from environmental damage. While sebum is beneficial to your skin, if left on the skin for too long without being washed off, it can become a feeding ground for bacteria to grow.
Excessive oil on the surface of the skin combines with any existing dead skin build-up leftover on your skin. Resulting in enlarged pores and creating blockages in the follicles. Trapped sebum and bacteria penetrate the skin, which leads to inflammation, acne, and eventually leading to an uneven complexion
Boost hydration
Daily cleansing also plays an important role in helping the skin maintain moisture. Dehydrated skin looks and feels rough, wrinkled and aged. Cleansing helps to keep the skin at a healthy pH level of 4.5 - 5.5. This ensures that our skin’s barrier function is sufficient, allowing better water and product retention.
We always recommend that our clients cleanse their face twice daily, morning and evening. If you wear makeup on a daily bases you can also consider doing a double cleanse.
How to cleanse your skin
Most of us rush the cleansing process, not giving the cleanser enough time to properly break down the sebum and dead skin build-up. Apply a pea-size amount of cleanser in your hand and with luke warm water massage the product into the skin and rinse. We recommend you always follow the one-minute rule when cleansing, ensuring for a proper cleanse.
The temperature of the water matters too. Hot water doesn’t open pores and cold water won’t close them contrary to the myth. In fact, hot water can strip your skin of essential oils causing your skin to be more prone to dehydration.
A double cleanse is essential if you wear makeup, this is the best way to ensure your skin is free from foundation and pollution particles.
The first cleanse acts as a makeup remover and is normally a milky or oil type cleanser this will depend on your skin type. The second cleanse is to remove sebum, bacteria and dead skin build-up, this step can be repeated if necessary.
How to choose the right cleanser
We recommend you use a cleanser indicated for your skin type to ensure you get the best results. The best way to find out what skin type is, is to book a Visia skin analysis with one of our aestheticians.
Normal to Dry skin
ZO Hydrating cleanser is indicated for normal to dry skin types. This cleanser has a rich and creamy formulation that effectively removes sebum and dead skin build-up, without striping the skins from essential oil. The skin is left hydrated and soothed after.
Normal to Oily skin
ZO Exfoliating cleanser is indicated for oily skin types. The purifying gel formulation give both a chemical and physical exfoliation that helps to keep pores free from sebum and dead skin build-up preventing the breakouts and blackhead formation.
Dry and Sensitive skin
Lamelle Serra cleanser is indicated for more sensitive skin that is prone to dryness. This soap-free cleanser is a very gentle product that cleanses the skin without causing any irritation or striping the skin. This product is also safe for eczema or reactive skin types.