How to wash your face

Washing your face on a daily basis is an important part of any good skin care routine. Read on to learn how to properly cleanse your face and how to choose the right facial cleanser for your skin’s unique needs with Eucerin®.

The skin on the face is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on the rest of the body, and it’s also an area of the body commonly exposed to the elements like sun exposure, wind, environmental pollutants, and extreme weather temperatures. All of these factors and more can contribute to the skin on the face getting dry, irritated, or dirty. Add this to the fact that skin on the face also contains a high concentration of oil-producing sebaceous glands¹, and it’s easy to see why keeping skin cleansed and cared for is important.

Cleansing your face also helps prime your skin for makeup application.

Here is a step-by-step guide for properly cleansing your face:

Splash your face with lukewarm water to moisten it. This helps prepare your skin for cleansing and avoids exposing your skin to extreme temperatures, which can cause irritation².

Apply an appropriate amount of your chosen facial cleanser on your hands as indicated on the packaging and gently massage it over your face using your fingertips³, making sure to avoid getting any product in the delicate eye area, in your nose, or in your mouth.

• How long should cleanser stay on your face?
  Sources vary on how long to cleanse your face, with recommendations ranging from aligning face washing with the CDC’s handwashing guidelines of at least 20 seconds, to up to 60 seconds with many beauty sources citing the “60 second rule”. Be sure to follow instructions on the packaging of the facial cleanser you choose.

After massaging the product onto the skin, simply use lukewarm water to rinse all of the cleanser off the face and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

After you’ve cleansed, rinsed, and dried your face, apply a facial moisturizer appropriate for your skin type to help replenish moisture in the skin and support skin’s delicate moisture barrier.

It’s important to find a cleanser that meets your skin’s needs and leaves it feeling clean and refreshed. When choosing a facial cleanser, consider your skin type.

When looking for a facial cleanser for dry skin, look for products that specifically state that they’re formulated for use with dry to very dry skin. Look for words on the packaging like “hydrating” or “moisturizing” and look for formulas containing emollients and nourishing oils.

If your skin is oily, look for facial cleansers with formulas that use words like “non-comedogenic”, meaning that a product won’t clog pores. Certain facial cleansers are specially formulated for use with oily skin and will specify the skin type(s) they’re meant for on the label.

For sensitive skin, look for a soap-free facial cleanser specially formulated for use with sensitive skin. Look for wording on packaging like “hypoallergenic” and “fragrance-free”, and for formulations free of phthalates, or other harsh ingredients.

A good facial cleanser for normal skin will be a product that is gentle on skin, and that rinses clean without drying the skin.

Whether you are dealing with uneven skin tone or dry skin, Eucerin® can help you face your skin concerns with confidence.

Eucerin® Gentle Cleansing offers a range of mild cleansers purposefully formulated for all skin types, including sensitive, that provide a refreshing cleanse that doesn’t leave skin feeling tight and dry. Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid, these products are designed to simultaneously clean and hydrate the skin.

For a gentle gel cleanser appropriate for all skin types including sensitive skin, try Eucerin® Gentle Cleansing Hydrating Cleansing Gel. This gentle cleanser is also formulated with Hyaluronic Acid to help support skin’s moisture balance and is also enriched with Eucerin®’s APG Cleansing Complex to help remove dirt, oil, and makeup without drying out the skin. Free of oil, alcohol, soap, parabens, and fragrances, this low-lather face wash provides a refreshing cleanse that leaves skin soft and feeling hydrated.

Do you have dull skin or an uneven skin tone? Eucerin® Radiant Tone Cleansing Gel cleanses and gently exfoliates skin. Enriched with 2% Exfoliating AHA Complex combining Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid, this gentle exfoliating facial cleanser is purposefully formulated to leave your skin instantly looking and feeling smooth, refined, and radiant. Its clinically proven formula helps to gently remove built-up layers of dead skin and is gentle enough or daily use and suitable for all skin types and tones

Follow up your facial cleansing with other products in the Radiant Tone collection to help visibly reduce the look of persistent dark spots due to sun exposure, aging, and imperfections when used regularly.*

*excludes Radiant Tone Cleansing Gel and Radiant Tone Eye Cream.  Limit the collective use of Radiant Tone products to no more than four times a day.  Do not use on active acne breakouts or irritated skin.

1. Always use lukewarm water – Hot water can strip skin of its natural oils and damage the moisture barrier⁴, leading to dry skin on your face.
2. Be gentle – Don’t scrub while washing your face or rub vigorously with a towel to dry, as this can irritate your skin³.
3. Avoid over-cleansing – Resist the desire to wash your face more often than necessary. Cleansing your skin twice a day and as soon as possible after heavy sweating is sufficient³.
4. Don’t use skincare products containing harsh chemicals – Bar soaps, for example, unless specifically formulated for the face, are generally not recommended for facial cleansing as they often contain harsh surfactants and can cause dryness and irritation⁵.
5. Moisturize – Always be sure to follow up with a facial moisturizer. 

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face twice daily, once in the morning and in the evening, and after sweating heavily³. This has been shown to be particularly effective if you have oily skin prone to breakouts⁶.

When it comes to frequency of washing your face, more does not necessarily mean better. While it may be tempting to wash your more than twice a day, over-washing or scrubbing can irritate the skin and strip it of its natural oils.

Here are eight common mistakes that occur when incorporating facial cleansing into your skincare routine:

Water on its own doesn’t have the ability to remove oil-soluble substances like makeup and excess sebum. For effective facial cleansing, use a gentle facial cleanser appropriate for your skin type.

Gentle exfoliation can be a helpful way to address dull skin by sloughing dead skin from the skin’s surface to support a radiant-looking complexion, but too much exfoliation can cause more harm than good. Start with exfoliating just once a week and then increase to up to three times a week depending on your skin type⁷.

Regular bar soap that’s not specifically formulated for facial cleansing can cause tightness, skin dryness, and irritation⁵.

While it is important to ‘wash off the day’ from your face before bed, this can sometimes lead to the misconception that washing in the morning isn’t also important. Cleansing your face in the morning helps to address any sweat or impurities that have collected on your face while sleeping.

Oils, residue, sweat, and dirt can build up on your face throughout the day, so cleansing your face before bed is important, particularly if you also wear makeup.

Overly hot water can dry out skin and compromise its delicate moisture barrier. Use lukewarm water during your face care routine.

Make sure to use a cleanser that suits your skin type – dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin all have different needs.

Wanting to maintain clean skin is an admirable goal, but over-washing can actually cause problems as it can strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to dryness or irritation.

The information provided herein is not intended to be medical advice. Nor is it intended to treat the underlying skin disease or condition. The information is provided solely to:

1. Moisturize, soften and smooth dry skin 
2. Improve the appearance of the skin 
3. Achieve healthier-looking skin