5 Cleansing Mistakes You Need to Stop Now!

It’s Time to Rethink your Cleansing Routine!

Cleansing is arguably the most important step in your skincare routine. A thoroughly washed and cleansed face means that any products applied afterwards will sink into the skin and work more effectively. Many of the products we invest in are pricey, and list incredible ingredients with promises to rejuvenate our complexions, so it seems like a no-brainer that we want them to work optimally. A perfectly cleansed complexion means that the products you apply can work to their best ability; you can get away with using less product each time, but still getting the same great results from your skincare regime.

We all know the importance of washing our face, but there are ways to super-charge your skincare routine. Here are some tips on rethinking your cleansing routine to save you time, save your products and my advice on how to avoid cleansing mistakes that we all make time and again, to help you achieve a fresh, glowing and healthy complexion every day.

Double Cleansing

Double-cleansing is certainly a big trend right now, but experts say that one cleanse, is sufficient if done properly. It’s a bit of a cycle – when your cleansing routine is effective, you’ll need to use less makeup to achieve a flawless-looking base;If your makeup is beingused to enhance, rather than hide behind, so removing it with one cleanse is easy.

To help supercharge your cleansing regime, I recommend investing in the way you cleanse, and choosing a tool to help you tailor your cleansing routine to your skin’s needs. A product I’ve been using for over a year now, and recently relaunched a Limited Edition model in vibrant red, is the Braun FaceSpa. The 3-in-1 cleansing brush comes with 3 different brush heads, a skincare or makeup beauty sponge and a precision epilator; allowing you to adapt your routine to your skin’s needs. For example, I use the pink Extra Sensitive Brush around the delicate eye area, and the blue Exfoliation Brush to slough away dead skin cells and a deeper, pore-deep cleanse around my nose and chin which tends to get congested. This is known as Multi-cleansing; rather than cleansing twice you are adapting your cleansing routine to the different needs your skin has, which is why I love this multi-tasking tool.

It is so important to ensure you’re looking after your skin effectively. Cleansing refreshes tired skin, helps reduce the signs of aging, fight the effects of air pollution on the skin and leaves us feeling pampered and ready to face the day. The Braun FaceSpa Limited Edition cleanses the skin six times more effectively than manual cleansing alone and allows you to personalise your multi-cleansing routine.

Here’s a few of my top tips to ensure you’re getting the most your of your regime and avoiding common mistakes:

Not Cleansing Twice a Day

A lot of us thoroughly cleanse the day away at night, but a morning cleanse is key too. An evening cleanse removes the oil, dirt and debris from your skin as well as makeup from the day, but cleansing in the morning works to awaken the skin, increase circulation and clear away dead skin cells. The purpose is to prepare the surface of the skin to effectively absorb your daytime products, so a massaging technique is an effective please to boost the circulation, and work product into the skin. For a thorough and yet gentle cleanse, I opt for the Extra Sensitive Brush head on my FaceSpa device, using a gentle lightly foaming cleanser to prepare my skin for the day ahead.

Being too Rough 

Cleansing and exfoliating are entirely different. Your skin does not need to be scrubbed twice a day, and being too abrasive can cause problematic skin. Using harsh products is not necessary when you use a gentle cleansing tool and excessive washing can actually irritate skin and worsen breakouts and redness. Once or twice a week, I use a normal, gentle cleanser with the blue Exfoliating Brush head on my FaceSpa, concentrating on the areas of my skin that need extra attention (around my nose and chin), as opposed to using a strong product or harsh exfoliants which may irritate my skin. Once my routine is complete, I pat the skin dry gently, absolutely no rubbing.

Getting the Temperature Wrong 

The water temperature is really important. I used to think I needed hot water to open the pores during a cleanse, and splash my skin with cold water afterwards to close the pores, but skincare experts say it’s not true, and lukewarm water is best for our skin. Water that’s too hot can lead to dry, irritated and red skin.

Using the Wrong Cleanser For Your Skin 

Of course, the cleanser you choose is very important, and vary depending on your skin type. For me, a gentle gel or foam cleanser works best strong creams or balms can leave a little residue behind, irritating the skin and upsetting the natural moisturising processes, and any product left on the skin after your cleanse will reduce the skin’s ability to absorb the products you apply post-cleanse.

 
Time to invest in a Skincare Device 
A cleansing device is a real game changer for your skincare, and can make a wonderful addition to your cleansing routine. For those of us living in an urban environment, their power to gently but effectively deep cleanse is crucial for thoroughly removing fine particles from pollution especially. Working or living in a city, or even just exercising outdoors exposes the skin to harmful pollutants which can drive signs of skin aging, and remove a glow and lustre from the complexion – so this is just another reason why using my FaceSpa to thoroughly cleanse my complexion is an important part of the routine.The Braun FaceSpa Limited Edition creates a personalised skincare experience thanks to the multiple brushes, and as well as this it comes with a precision epilator to remove fine, downy hairs for a beautifully smooth complexion. There’s even a beauty sponge which you can use to apply your skincare or makeup, for a perfectly buffed finish.

Have you been making any of these skincare mistakes?

Do you have a facial cleansing brush in your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Thank you to Braun for collaborating on this post!