Facial cleansing: The best tips from an expert.
Yes, humans are creatures of habit. Some routines have become so familiar over the years that you could just keep doing them forever. This makes it all the more difficult to suddenly break through it. As a beauty editor, I am of course always open toand current research results in the industry.
Nevertheless, I am also convinced that I am already familiar with some topics. For example, I know exactly how to care for my long hairneeded for the optimal shine effect. MineI have now perfected it. And if I'm honest, I believed that tooto know how to do it right. Ultimately, I spend a lot of time distinguishing between healthy and problematic ingredients. But that's obviously not all that needs to be taken into account. Now Tiffany Masterson, the founder of the beauty brand Drunk Elephant, has proven me wrong. BecauseI made a crucial mistake, which fortunately can be easily remedied.
According to experts, you should avoid this mistake when cleaning your face
Do you always cleanse your face diligently in the morning and evening? You are not alone in this. It has been touted for many years, and at first glance it sounds very logical. Finally, in the evening, the face should be freed of daytime make-up, dirt, sebum and sweat. And in the morning? Sebum, sweat and dust residues that have accumulated overnight must also be washed off.
No wonder that, like clockwork, we all reach for cleansing gel, foam or milk in the morning and evening. I have those tooFacial cleansing twice a day has been firmly incorporated into my care routine. In the morning I always wash and cleanse my face thoroughly first in the bathroom. Then follow toner, skincare and – depending on your motivation – make-up. In the evening I remove my make-up and use a moisturizing cleanser afterwards. That sounds exactly like the rules of the beauty textbook, doesn't it?
Cleansing your face: This is what you should pay attention to, according to the expert
Skincare expert Tiffany Masterson sees it differently: “The key to healthy cleansing is always balance.” Ultimately, the goal is to remove dirt, pollution, sunscreen, bacteria and makeup without compromising the integrity of the skin barrier. “One of the most common reasons for dry and sensitive skin is the“, emphasizes the beauty professional. Because if your skin care products actually contain healthy lipids, antioxidants and soothing ingredients, repeated cleansing takes away too much of it.That's why Tiffany Masterson strongly advises against cleansing your face twice a day. “Especially when the skin is tight and dehydrated – such as in winter – it is worth avoiding double cleansing,” says the expert.
So when should you ideally use cleaning products – morning or evening? “In the morning, just rinsing your face with water is enough to retain these skin-friendly substances,” says Tiffany Masterson. Cleansing is more important in the evening because our skin is exposed to significantly more pollutants throughout the day than at night. “A single cleanse in the evening protects the acid mantle and the microbiome,” says the expert.
This is how you find the right cleanser for your face
Over-cleansing can trigger stressed skin: “And stressed skin is vulnerable, dangerous skin – no one wants that,” says Tiffany Masterson from her own experience. She eventually founded the active ingredient brand Drunk Elephant to finally get her own skin problems under control. None of her products contain what she called the “Suspicious Six”, which she blamed for her impure skin. The “Suspicious Six” include: essential oils, dry alcohols, silicones, chemical UV filters, perfumes and dyes as well as SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate).
What is important when choosing the right cleanser? “When it comes to cleaning products, you should especially avoid those with fragrances, essential oils and harsh cleaning agents that contain the skin-irritating SLS, i.e. sodium lauryl sulfate, as well as soap-based formulas with a high pH value,” explains the expert.
Her tip: “Don’t be confused by how brands define skin types. Because that can mean whatever the respective brand wants it to mean.” For Tiffany Masterson, there are no skin types, only skin problems. She says it's more important to pay attention to and avoid ingredients that can actively harm your skin's health, rather than artificially pigeonholing yourself into "oily skin" or "dry skin." BecauseMany skin problems actually arise from the use of problematic ingredients.
“Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser” von Drunk Elephant
Clean your face properly: The water temperature is so important
It is said that it is healthier to wash your hair with cold water - including the extra shine effect. What role does water temperature play in facial cleansing? “Regardless of whether it’s a shampoo or a cleanser: the temperature of the water basically influences the performance of the surfactants contained in cleaning products,” says the expert. “These surfactants are designed to work best in warm water. This is the best way to loosen and bind oils, dirt, make-up, etc..” Cold water, on the other hand, reduces the effect of the surfactants, so that residual products and bacteria on the skin cannot be removed as well. So that means:Cold water weakens the cleaning effect. Tiffany therefore advises: “Use lukewarm water to cleanse your face. Just don’t use anything hot, please, as you risk irritating your skin.”
Another tip from Tiffany Masterson: “It's the same with hair: the “shine effect” that is attributed to washing with cold water is due to the hair not getting properly clean because the shampoo doesn't work at these cooler temperatures worked well.” Where does the shiny effect actually come from? From the oils left on the hair. They do give a shiny look, but only for a short time.
The expert summarizes: “All you need for a really good clean is: clean hands, lukewarm water, a cleanser without harmful ingredients and a soft, clean towel.” All of this is already part of my routine, but from now on I'll save the third point for the morning!
