Skincare Favorites & Routine: Facial Cleansers & Face Washes

If there's one step you don't skip in your skincare routine, let this be it. If you make the effort to properly cleanse your face in the shower or before bed, you will notice a drastic improvement in your skin. It's all about mastering your face-washing technique and choosing the right face wash.

How to Properly Cleanse Your Face //

Believe it or not, many people don't know how to correctly wash their faces. Just make sure you're not one of them! ... and if you are, you don't have to be anymore. Here's everything you need to know about washing your face the right way.

1. Apply warm water to your face using a clean wash cloth. The warm water will open open up your pores so the cleanser can work its magic. Use a clean wash cloth because you don't want to add dirt or bacteria back to your face.
2. Deposit your preferred cleanser or wash into clean hands. If possible, get the cleanser foamy in your hands. You may have to add a bit of water of get it to sud up. Some cleaners will not foam, which is completely fine.
3. Dampen the same wash cloth with warm water again, and gently remove the product on your face.
4. Squeeze out the wash cloth to rinse out of excess warm water and soap. Run the cloth under cold water and pat your face. This will close your now clean pores. 
5. Pat your face with a dry, clean towel or wash cloth.

This is a similar concept to deep conditioning your hair. To open up your hair's cuticle, you douse it in warm water; to seal the cuticle and trap in moisture, you run it under cold water. To clean your skin, you open up the pores with warm water to remove dirt and oils; to minimize your pores and help prevent dirt from getting in, you pat with cold water.



Facial Cleansers & Face Washes //

Now that you know how to properly wash your face, I want to let you know about my favorite cleansers and washes. I used to buy all of my skincare at the drugstore - specifically face washes, but I wasn't super happy with my product picks. They would strip my skin of its natural oils and dry it out even more. The products that claimed to "add back moisture" just didn't do a great job of cleaning my skin. I decided it was time to invest in better face washes. This goes without saying, you only need one cleanser for a given wash. Please don't think you need to use all three at once.

 

MICHAEL TODD True Organics - Honey and Oat Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser

This has been my go-to cleanser for quite some time now. It gets my skin really clean without taking away any moisture. Although the name suggests otherwise, it smells light, tangy, and citrusy... Maybe of grapefruit? Don't get me wrong, it smells so good I want to eat it, but I'm not picking up honey or oat in the scent.

Skin Types: sensitive, dry

Key Ingredients: aloe, Vitamins A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, sulfate-free
{For those of you with Siliac's Disease, this product is NOT gluten-free.}

REN Clean Bioactive Skincare - Ultra Moisture Cleansing Milk

I use this when my skin is so dry that it's painful or when my skin is looking particularly dehydrated. Not only does it cleanse, it adds unparalleled moisture. It feels like you're cleansing with face cream, like it's a cleansing lotion. If your skin is dry to a fault (like mine often is), this is definitely worth purchasing.  
This product was formerly called Moisture Protect Comfort-Plus Cleansing Milk.

Skin Types: dry

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid

SUNDAY RILEY - Ceramic Slip Cleanser

I received this as a sample and was able to get enough use out of to know this cleanser is top of the line. My skin felt incredibly clean, looked clearer and less red, and was hydrated.  At this point, I'm not sure if I'd fork over the money for it at full price (especially considering I've found more affordable options that work well enough), but I'm hoping there's a great sale on this product and soon.

Skin Types: all, normal to combination

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C

After you've completely washed your face, you'll want to follow up with a toner before applying oils & serum and face cream.

Now that you know mine, what are your favorite facial cleansers and face washes? Have you ever used any of these? Do you plan on trying any of these out? Let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you.

If you haven't already follow me on BlogLovin' and Twitter @DrtyBlndAmbtn to keep up to date with my latests posts and more from this Skincare Favorites & Routine series.

xx Lauren


Click the categories below to navigate through posts and products. If they're not yet clickable, hold tight! New posts are coming soon. 
Overview //

Makeup Removers & Toners //

>> Facial Cleansers & Face Washes <<

Serums & Oils //

Moisturizers //

Facial Scrubs //

Facial Masks //

Other Skin Solutions //