The Right Ways to Cleanse Your Face
Everyone knows that during the summer, moisturizers must contain SPF, and skincare products should have lighter textures. However, when it comes to cleansing the skin on hot (and sometimes cool) summer days, many people still struggle. We spoke with Clarisonic expert Anna Ezhova about how to choose an effective cleansing routine tailored specifically to your skin type.
Article contents:
Facial cleansing is a key and essential part of any skincare routine, but this is precisely where we often make mistakes.
The main secret to skincare is balance. To effectively remove impurities without disrupting the natural hydrolipid layer, cleansing must be both gentle and delicate, yet sufficiently effective. It’s important to find the approach that’s perfect for your specific skin type.
Combination skin
This is the most common skin type. Typically, the T-zone (forehead and chin) tends to be oily, while the cheeks remain more normal. This skin type is relatively easy to keep in good condition. For daily care, you can choose products that are suitable for all skin types or specifically formulated for normal skin. If your skin feels tight after washing, you should consider switching your cleanser: it may contain alcohol or another ingredient that isn’t suitable for your skin. In such cases, it’s recommended to counteract dryness with moisturizing serums and masks.
For combination skin, it’s also helpful to use gentle exfoliants 1–2 times a week to prevent blackheads in the T-zone without over-drying the drier areas.
Oily skin
In the summer, oily skin tends to appear excessively shiny. In such situations, mattifying wipes can help by quickly removing excess sebum throughout the day. For cleansing, it’s best to choose gels or foams that regulate sebum production and leave your skin feeling refreshed. For deep cleansing, incorporate weekly exfoliating masks—they promote cell renewal and leave your skin velvety smooth.
It’s important to avoid over-drying your skin, as this can cause your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Use light moisturizers with a mattifying effect, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen, even if you have oily skin.
Dry Skin
Even in hot weather, caring for dry skin requires the use of rich, nourishing ingredients such as almond, rose, or rosehip oil. Take special care when cleansing—hot water can dry out the skin by stripping away its natural lipids. The use of soap or alcohol-based products is not recommended, even if they are marketed as natural. The best choices are a nourishing cleanser or micellar water specifically formulated for dry skin.
In addition, for dry skin, it is recommended to use night masks and oils that will restore the hydrolipid barrier and prevent flaking. Don’t forget to protect your skin from UV rays and wind to avoid further irritation.
General tips for all skin types
Although skincare routines for each skin type have their own specific features, there are general recommendations that everyone should follow.
- During hot weather, it’s helpful to use a thermal spray—it refreshes and moisturizes the skin throughout the day.
- Removing makeup and simply cleansing the skin are two different tasks. Oil-based, two-phase products are suitable for removing waterproof makeup.
- Use cool water when washing your face. Hot water strips away natural oils, while cold water doesn’t cleanse effectively enough.
- Modern beauty gadgets remove impurities much more effectively than washing by hand. A compact device, such as the tiny Mia Fit from Clarisonic, is easy to carry with you and will help quickly remove excess oil, especially after intense workouts.
- Don’t forget to change your pillowcases and towels regularly—this will reduce the risk of bacteria and inflammation.
- Avoid washing your face too often with harsh cleansers so as not to disrupt the skin’s protective barrier.
- Use cleansers with natural ingredients that maintain the skin’s balance and do not cause irritation.
Three popular questions about skin cleansing
How often should you wash your face?
Ideally, wash your face twice a day—in the morning and in the evening. Even for oily skin, don’t fall for the myth that frequent washing will reduce oiliness. On the contrary, over-cleansing stimulates the sebaceous glands to work harder. The exception is after exercising.
During workouts, you sweat profusely and your pores open up, allowing bacteria to penetrate deeper. Before starting your workout, it’s important to remove oily moisturizers, primer, and heavy makeup from your skin. You can leave on waterproof mascara, lipstick, and non-comedogenic moisturizers. Be sure to cleanse your skin after your workout, and if that’s not possible, at least wipe your face with cleansing wipes.
Should you use toner?
In the past, cleansers left an oily sheen, so toners were designed to remove any residue. Today, most products rinse off completely, and using toner is a matter of personal preference. If you’re used to using toner to remove excess oil or tighten pores, choose alcohol-free options. Don’t rub your skin until the cotton pad is completely clean: what looks like dirt is often dead skin cells and the skin’s protective layer. If the pad becomes completely clean, you’re likely over-cleansing.
Toners with soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera or chamomile, will help calm the skin after washing and prepare it for moisturizers.
Are steam baths an effective way to deeply cleanse pores?
Steam does indeed open up pores and helps remove impurities that are difficult to eliminate with regular skincare. However, if you don’t remove makeup and impurities before the procedure, there is a risk of pushing bacteria deeper into the skin and causing inflammation. Additionally, hot steam can irritate dry skin or increase sebum production in oily skin. The best solution is to have a steam cleansing treatment at a salon, where a professional will prepare your skin and provide additional hydration during the procedure using a cooling mist.
For home use, steam treatments should be used no more than once a week, and it is essential to apply moisturizing and soothing products after the procedure. People with sensitive skin or rosacea should avoid this procedure to prevent aggravating their condition.
1. Cleansing Milk, Oriflame; 2. Micellar Oil Makeup Remover, Vichy; 3. Makeup remover wipes, Artistry; 4. Alcohol-based toner, Klapp; 5. Two-phase eye and lip makeup remover, Cholley; 6. Skin care device, Clarisonic Mia Fit; 7. “White Queen” Cleansing Foam, L’Occitane; 8. Refreshing Toner, Lush; 9. Toner for All Skin Types, Nairian; 10. “Bamboo” Mattifying Lotion for Pore Minimization, Erborian
