Before You Wash Your Face Tonight, Read This

Get your hands off your face to keep things clean. (Photo: Gallery Stock)

Many of us, myself included, use our hands to wash our faces. Personally, I use a washcloth or my Clarisonic Mia Fit at night to ensure I’m removing all makeup and general New York City grime from my face. In the morning, though, my hands are all up in my face as if I were an extra in Madonna’s “Vogue” video.

But I recently learned from dermatologist Debra Jaliman that this is practically an engraved invitation for bacteria to establish residency on my skin. “Most people wash their face with their fingers, and their skin never really gets cleaned,” she tells Yahoo Beauty. “The reason is because bacteria can lurk under the fingernails. Fingers also don’t offer enough exfoliation.”

So, what can we do to ensure we’re not exacerbating the problem? Here are some expert tips on how to make sure you’re correctly cleansing your face.

Wash twice a day, every day
Just like brushing your teeth twice a day, Jaliman says it’s important to wash your face every morning and night. “Standing under the shower is not enough,” she says.

Don’t forget your hairline
Jaliman hears from a lot of patients who don’t want to mess up their blowouts, so they avoid washing their foreheads carefully. She advises donning a headband that won’t wreck your style, or even using a clip to pull hair back.

Use the right tools
Clean your face using cotton rounds, baby washcloths (they’re softer than regular ones), or a sonic cleansing system, Jaliman recommends. “If using cotton rounds, make certain that they are 100 percent cotton,” she notes. Many are actually made of rayon, which can irritate sensitive skin. As for sonic cleansing systems, Jaliman suggests changing brush heads every two to three months. “Also, choose the appropriate brush head for your skin type, such as acne, sensitive, or gentle,” she says.

Choose the best cleanser for your skin
Wash your face using lukewarm water — not hot or ice cold — and don’t scrub, Jaliman suggests. Instead, rub gently, particularly around the nose. The right cleanser for your skin is key. “Sea Radiance Gentle Cleanser is gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive skin, as it contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin,” she says. Created for all skin types, it’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t block pores. “Of course, if someone is really oily, they may want to choose a cleanser with salicylic acid or glycolic acid,” she says. Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is a good option for those with acne-prone or oily skin. If salicylic is your pore-clearer of choice, try Bioré Complexion Clearing Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser.

Dry gently
The first order of business is to make sure your towel is clean and not shared among others in your household. “When drying your face, do not rub with the towel vigorously, just pat gently,” Jaliman says.

With these tips, here’s to beautiful, bacteria-free skin this summer that’s more pretty and less petri dish.

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