There’s A Better Way To Wash Your Face Than With Just Soap And Water
Don’t take being clean for granted. Most of us follow the rules: an invigorating shower first thing in the morning, a quick rinse at the gym after a workout, a splash of water on your face before bed. But there’s more to getting the dirt off than just water and soap.
Why You’re Washing Your Face Wrong
It might seem like a good idea to wash your face in the shower. Two birds, one bar of soap, right? But it turns out that’s not a good idea at all. You should always wash your face at the sink, for two reason: pressure and heat.
You don’t want water blasting into your face, because that can irritate your skin. And you don’t want the water too hot – comfortably lukewarm is what you’re after – because scalding water will dry out your skin, which can be dangerous and antitetical to whole washing process in the long run, searing away all those natural protective oils. And, in the short term, hot water dilates your blood vessels, make your face bright red – which, you might have noticed, stop going away the older you get.
Also, and this might go without saying, but make sure your towels are clean if you want to reap the benefits of a clean face.
What To Do Instead
1. Exfoliate
Baxter of California Facial Scrub ($23)
Exfoliating is an important part of the washing regimen — and one that we often forget. Use this deep-cleaning scrub once a week to remove dead surface cells and tone your hard-worked skin.
2. Actually, you know, wash
Musgo Real Men’s Body Soap ($10)
The Portuguese brand Musgo Real has been making no-nonsense soap for more than 100 years. The classic body soap is formulated specifically for men, using walnut oil for a creamy texture, and an oak moss scent that’ll make you smell like an old Portuguese dude. In a good way.
3. Pull out your wife’s cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($18)
Every woman you have ever known has a bottle of this stuff in her arsenal — and that’s why you should, too. Cetaphil is good for all skin types, and prides itself on not being overly harsh (you only have one face, after all) and preserving natural oils (which is what makes you shine). Plus, you can buy it at the drug store.
4. Treat yourself
Hermès Eau D’Orange Verte Body and Hair Shampoo ($42)
Sometimes, simple Ivory won’t do. On those occasions, reach for this green bottle of Hermès body wash, scented to match the brand’s signature cologne and formulated to leave your skin transcendentally soft.
5. Cleanse, again.
Malin & Goetz Grapefruit Facial Cleanser ($42)
Picking a face wash can be an overly finicky proposition. This one is an easy solution: neither too abrasive nor too gentle, it uses glycerine to hydrate and grapefruit extract to wake your skin up, naturally exfoliate, and keep you looking refreshed.
