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We absolutely love having great skin and any great skincare routine includes facial cleansing. Clean skin is the foundation of having a clear, youthful, and glowing appearance. The benefits of facial cleansing include removing dead skin cells, excess oil, dirt, and makeup from the surface of your skin. It also helps to unclog pores, prevent acne breakouts, and can even improve the appearance of your skin tone.
The skin’s surface is constantly bombarded with environmental pollutants, dirt, and makeup. If these impurities are not removed, they can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, dull skin, and an overall lackluster appearance1. Facial cleansing helps to remove all of these impurities and leaves the skin feeling refreshed and looking radiant.
Daily exfoliation occurs during the cleansing process. The main skin barrier is the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells2. When you cleanse your face, you are actually removing these dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This process allows new and healthy skin cells to be revealed (this is also known as cell turnover).
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13 benefits of facial cleansing
1. Creates healthy skin
Healthy skin begins with deep cleansing. Skin pores are like tiny openings in the skin that can easily become clogged with dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities. This can make the skin look dull and lifeless. When these pores become clogged, it can lead to breakouts, blackheads, and an overall dull complexion3. Facial cleansing helps to remove all of the impurities from your pores and leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
2. Prevents acne breakouts
One of the main benefits of facial cleansing is that it helps to prevent acne breakouts and reduce skin irritation. When you cleanse your face, you are removing all of the dirt, oil, and makeup that can clog pores and cause breakouts. By regularly cleansing your face, you can help keep your pores clear, reduce the chances of developing dark spots. and minimize the chances of breakouts. Even sensitive skin types can benefit from regular cleansing.
3. Aids in collagen production
As we age, our skin begins to produce less collagen. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of elasticity. A thorough cleanse can help to increase collagen production by removing the dead skin cells that inhibit its production. When you cleanse your face regularly, you are actually giving your skin a mini “facelift” and helping to keep it looking young and radiant.
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4. Brightens skin tone
Facial cleansing can also help to brighten your skin tone by removing dead skin cells and revealing the healthy, new cells beneath. The skin surface receives gentle exfoliation with every cleansing, which helps to brighten and freshen your complexion. Blood circulation is also increased, which gives your skin a healthy “glow”.
5. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
Regular cleansing can also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. When you remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, you are actually smoothing out your complexion and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. The best way to prevent premature aging is to maintain a clean face, hydration, and protect your skin from the sun.
6. Unclogs pores
Pores can become clogged with dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities. This can lead to blackheads, breakouts, and an overall dull complexion. Facial cleansing helps to remove all of the impurities from your pores and leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed. Different skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema can also be improved with regular cleansing.
7. Helps to control oil production
Skin’s natural oils can become imbalanced, which can lead to an overproduction of oil. This can cause the skin to look shiny and greasy, and can also lead to breakouts. Excess oil can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and acne breakouts. Cleansing your face regularly can help to control the amount of oil that your skin produces and keep your pores clear.
Skin produce oil to protect itself from becoming dry. Oily skin types have excess sebum in their skin pores. This sebum can mix with dirt and dead skin cells to cause irritated skin and a lumpy skin texture. This can lead to fungal acne which is harder to combat even with the right cleanser. To learn more about fungal acne, check out my journey with fungal acne.
8. Keeps skin hydrated
The skin is the body’s largest organ and it is constantly losing water. This can lead to a dry, flaky complexion. When you cleanse your face, you are actually hydrating your skin and preventing it from becoming dry and irritated.
Related: 9 Impressive Hydrating Facial Benefits For Skin
9. Minimizes the appearance of pores
Large pores can be a major cosmetic concern for many people. Pores can become enlarged due to genetics, age, sun exposure, and other factors. A good facial cleansing regimen can help to minimize the appearance of pores and keep your skin looking its best.
10. Keeps skin free of toxins
The skin is our body’s largest organ and it is constantly exposed to the environment. This can lead to the accumulation of toxins on the skin’s surface. The benefits of facial cleansing help to remove these toxins and keep your skin healthy and free from damage. Lymphatic drainage is also increased, which helps to detoxify the skin and keep it looking its best.
11. Reduces stress
Stress can have a major impact on the health of our skin. When we are stressed, our cortisol levels increase and this can lead to breakouts, wrinkles, and other skin problems. A good facial cleansing routine can help to reduce stress levels and keep the skin looking its best.
12. Removes makeup
Many people use makeup as a way to cover up their flaws. However, wearing makeup all day can actually have a negative effect on the health of your skin. Makeup can clog pores, cause breakouts, and lead to other skin problems. When you cleanse your face, you are removing all of the makeup and impurities that can damage your skin.
13. It’s relaxing
Let’s face it, we all lead busy lives and we don’t always have time to relax. However, taking even just a few minutes out of your day to cleanse your face can be a very relaxing experience. The benefits of facial cleansing itself are soothing and it can help to reduce stress levels. Facial cleansing is also a great way to wind down before bedtime.
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There are many methods of facial cleansing and an important factor is to find what works best for your skin type. Different methods of cleansing will work better for different people. Some of the most popular methods of facial cleansing include using a facial scrub, using a face wash, using a cleansing balm, using oil, and using a sonic brush, silicone brushes, clay cleanser, or exfoliating cleanser.
- Facial cleansing brushes are a great way to deeply cleanse your skin and improve your skincare routine. Facial brushes move in a circular motion to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your pores. They also help to exfoliate your skin and improve circulation.
- Micellar water is a popular cleansing method for those with sensitive skin. It’s made up of tiny molecules called micelles that attract dirt and oil, making it an effective way to cleanse your face without harsh chemicals or soap.
- Oil cleansers are another popular cleansing method, especially for those with dry skin. An oil cleanser can help to dissolve makeup and impurities without stripping away the natural oils in your skin.
- Gel cleansers are a good choice for those with normal to oily skin. Gel cleaners help to remove dirt and oil without over-drying your skin.
- Foam cleansers are often used by those with combination or oily skin. Foam cleaners help to lift dirt and oil from your pores without stripping away the natural oils in your skin.
- Cream cleansers are a good choice for those with dry or sensitive skin. Cream cleansers help to hydrate and nourish your skin while cleansing.
- The oil cleansing method is a popular way to cleanse your skin. It’s a two-step process where oil dissolves oil to cleanse your pores.
Choosing the right method of facial cleansing also depends on your skin type. There are different skin types and unique needs. Knowing your skin type can help you select the right facial cleanser for you.
- If you have dry skin, you may want to use a cream or oil cleanser.
- If you have oily skin, you may want to use a gel or foam cleanser.
- If you have sensitive skin, you may want to use micellar water or a cream cleanser.
- If you have acne-prone skin, you may want to use a gel or foam cleanser.
- If you have combination skin, you may want to use a gel or foam cleanser.
The benefits of facial cleansers go beyond clean skin though. Many skincare products contain ingredients like essential oil, vitamin c, or other active ingredients that can help improve the health of your skin.
Now that you know all about the benefits of facial cleansing and how to choose the right method for your skin type, it’s time to get started! Try incorporating facial cleansing into your skincare routine and see the difference it makes in your skin’s appearance.