Skincare’s #1, most important, you-need-to-do-this, skincare step is cleansing! No surprises there! But wait! Before you click out, there’s more to know about a cleanser than the obvious cleansing! 

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But really, who knew that for years I’ve been doing it all wrong! This whole time I could have cured my breakouts faster and minimized my skin’s random mood swings! 

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That’s why I felt that I must share the knowledge! Here’s what you REALLY need to know about facial cleansers and how it actually matters what kind of cleanser you use~ 

pH level matters

Let’s quickly visit our science classes for a bit. A pH level measures how acidic or how basic a solution is. The best pH level for a cleanser is around 5.5 because it’s similar to our actual skin’s pH. Anything else can potentially mess with your skin, causing breakouts, excessive oils, and even excessive dryness! Yikes. So, the main point: always find a cleanser that works to help support your skin and not damage it. 

 Beware of lazy cleansing

Trust me, I get it. Some days you just don’t want to go through your whole skincare routine. What’s wrong about grabbing a makeup removing/ cleansing pad and going to town with it? Well, because that right there can potentially mess your skin just like an unbalanced cleanser would! Plus, you may even feel discomfort as you use them. Cleansing and makeup removing wipes are not going to act the same way a good’ol cleanser would. I recommend staying away from wipes as much as possible, and if you do have to use them, do your research and check in with how your skin is feeling!

Also, don’t rub your skin with a wipe or cloth for that matter! Trust me, it will do you no good. You always want to be gentle with your skin. After using a cleanser, gently pat your skin with a towel or cloth. Do not rub harshly!

Harsher is never better

If you’re struggling with breakouts or acne, maybe you gravitate towards a cleanser that has acne-fighting ingredients on the label (like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide). If that’s the case then I would recommend reconsidering. The main point of a cleanser is to cleanse. So chances are that those acne-fighting ingredients won’t do much since you’re washing it off immediately.  Instead, incorporate a serum or another treatment product with those blemish-fighting ingredients. That way you can concentrate it on specific areas and it has time to sink into your skin!  

Also, side note: you want to beware of SLS/SLES (sulfates) because those ingredients may also be too harsh for your skin and end up stripping your face of moisture (which could potentially lead to excess sebum and acne, just sayin’).

There you have it! Now you have a little more insight on how you can choose the best cleanser for your skin! Remember, being gentle and patient with your skin is necessary for a healthy skin barrier.  

Thanks for reading and see you in the next Tory Time blog post!

Love,

Tory <3