02/07/2014
Cleansing:
Simple is key here. You need to find a good cleanser that your skin responds well to, and stick with it: See the best cleansers for your skin type.
You can find a good cleanser at the drugstore. There's no need to spend $40 on a fancy wash. Avoid bar soaps as they tend to dry out the skin. For you organic types, you can cleanse skin with milk or yogurt (who knew?).
Here are some tried-and-true cleansing tips:
Be careful not to cleanse too often or you risk over-cleansing skin, see signs you are over cleansing your skin. You really only need to wash your face at night to remove makeup and sunscreen, which can clog pores.
If you have dry skin, consider cold cream like Pond's, which the French use or make your own organic cold cream using this simple cold cream recipe. Simply apply cream, then wipe off, no water needed (if you have hard water, it can be especially harsh on skin).
To cleanse skin, most women prefer the water method: Use warm water to loosen dirt and clogged pores. Use a dime-sized bit of cleanser, then rinse with cool or lukewarm water.
Skin purists believe tap water is bad for your skin because it contains harsh minerals and additives like flouride and chlorine. If this stuff freaks you out, find out how to wash your face without tap water in How to Cleanse Your Face the Expert Way.
I personally swear by my Clarisonic Mia, as does pretty much everyone I know who has one. The machine does all the work for you.
Make sure to remove eye makeup with a proper makeup remover. The area around the eye is delicate so don't pull or rub too hard. You can also use olive oil as a natural eye makeup remover. Find out more in Use Olive Oil as an Eye Makeup Remover.
In the morning, a splash of lukewarm water is all you need (I find it's great for removing excess oils from your nightly moisturizing). Never wash your face with hot or cold water (both can cause broken capillaries).