By beginning  your morning right you reduce the risk of sabotaging the rest of your skincare that you will slather & smooth on throughout the day.

CHOOSE YOUR CLEANSER INTELLIGENTLY

The wrong cleanser has the ability to totally throw your skin's pH balance out of whack. Selecting one that suits your skin type is necessary.

If you have oily or combination skin, try a gel based formula. Ingredients like salicylic acid will rid any dead skin cells holding onto oil & dirt without damaging fragile layers.

Do you suffer from dry skin? Avoid foaming face washes. The ingredients that create the mass of small bubbles can also break down your natural oils. A creamy lotion, milk or oil, is much kinder to your skin’s natural hydro-lipid barrier.

USE THE RIGHT METHOD

Just like your body & training plan, there is a no one size fits all method when it comes to face wash. Different cleansers call for different methods, so make sure you are using the right one.

Your skin needs to be wet before applying a gel or foam cleanser & to give the ingredients time to work you let the lather sit on your skin for at least a minute.

If you are using a creamy lotion or oil, rub it into completely dry skin for a few minutes. This gives the cleanser a chance to break down the oil & dirt in your skin before applying a little amount of water with your fingertips to blend the product.

SKIP THE WASHCLOTH

Not only are regular washcloths too abrasive for your skin, they are also a breeding ground for bacteria. If you must use one, use a muslin cloth, which is soft on the skin. But keep in mind, it has to be laundered every time.

TURN DOWN THE TEMPERATURE

Hot water is one of your skin’s biggest antagonist. It can over-dry your skin by stripping it of natural oils, cause redness due to dilated blood vessels & capillaries & promote excessive sebum production by messing with the balance of your skin.

Test the temperature of the water on the inside of your wrist where the skin is its most sensitive. It should feel lukewarm to touch.

WASH YOUR FACE OUT OF THE SHOWER

We are all for time-saving measures, but there are 2 reasons why you should not wash your face in the shower:

1) Your shower is in general going to be too hot for the skin on your face, so you risk stripping it of its natural oils.

2) Any residue from washing your hair that ends up on your face has the power to clog your pores.

IF YOU NEED TO WIPE, RINSE AFTER

Face wipes are suitable to get rid of surface debris if you are camping or (literally) on the run, but they are no alternative for a good cleanse. Instead of taking off the day’s grime, they usually move it around your face, but if you totally have to use them, make sure you rinse your face with water afterwards to remove any dirt you might have dislodged while wiping.