1. Time It

You should wash your face twice a day: once in the evening to remove impurities, dirt and make up which have built up while you’ve been going about your business, and once in the morning to refresh skin and get rid of oils which have been secreted during the night.

2. Stimulate

Experts suggest that you begin your facial cleansing routine by soaking a clean washcloth in warm water until it is saturated, ring out the excess moisture and then, using both hands, massage your skin in gently circular motions. This will stimulate circulation, open up your pores and gently exfoliate away dead skin cells leaving your skin ready to be cleaned.

3. The Right Cleanser

It is important that you pick the right cleanser to suit your skin type: there is no point using one directed at oily skin if yours is dry – you’ll only end up with problems. If you are unsure about what kind of product to buy, don’t be afraid to ask the sale assistant in your local cosmetics shop or, better still, your beauty therapist.

4. Quantity Control

Experts suggest that many of us are too enthusiastic with out cleansing lotion. Applying too much can be damaging (not to mention expensive) so we need to try to take care to use only a small amount. Apparently the ideal amount ranges from a pea sized dollop to one with about the proportions of a hazelnut.

5. Light Touch

With your finger tips, gently dab the cleanser along your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, around your jaw line and onto your forehead. Gently work into a lather, again in circular motions, and take care that the cleanser covers the whole of your face.

6. Temperature Matters

It is very important that you never bring your skin into contact with very hot water. Instead, make sure that you rinse your face using water that is just luke warm. Before you move on to the next step in your skincare routine, make sure that there is no cleanser remaining on your skin; if left, it will dry and block your pores.

7. Tone

After patting your face dry with a clean towel, soak a cotton ball in a good quality toner gently wipe all over your face. This should shut down your pores and prevent dirt from getting in and blocking them. Pay special attention to areas where your pores tend to block – around your nostrils, your nose, and perhaps your forehead

8. Moisturise

Making sure that you haven’t taken too much, gently apply a good quality moisturiser all over your face. Again, you will see the best results with a product that has been especially designed to suit your skin type.

A good skincare ritual is so important: without it, we can’t enjoy a healthy, well maintained complexion. This list of 8 steps to an effective cleansing routine should help to set you on the right track: do you have any suggestions to add to it?

Top Photo Credit: A6U571N