Common mistakes you make while washing your face

Washing your face seems to be one of the simplest things on this planet, yet many of us make mistakes in the process and the worst part of it is that we don’t even know or realize that we are washing it the wrong way. Washing the face is not as simple as you may think because, when you wash your face the wrong way, it can lead to a serious skin issue. So many may start wondering there is any right or wrong way to washing the face? Well, the answer is yes. It is very true that the way you wash your face can have a negative effect to your skin. Most of us have our various methods of washing the face, while others just wash it any how they like. Whichever way you chose to wash your face is ok if the method does not harm your facial skin.

There are some common mistakes you are most likely to make in the process of washing your face, which can cause more harm than good to your skin, this harm can include, breakouts on the skin, irritation, dryness and excess oil.

Here are a few simple tweaks to help you in your face cleaning routine;

Not Washing Hands Before Cleaning or Washing the Face – You can imagine all the things you touch throughout the day. From sunrise to sunset, your hands accumulate germs, so any time you wash your face without washing your hands, you are transferring the germs on your hands to your face. Therefore, before washing your face, start by washing your hands with soap any time you want to wash your face.

Not Removing Make-up Before washing the Face – The important thing about cleaning the face is to clean out pores. So if makeup is in the way, remove it with a face wipe or with a gentle cleaner. Mind you, after cleaning your face with face wipe, follow it up with your regular cleanser because wipes will only give you a superficial clean but for a thorough clean-up of your pores, always follow up with a face wash.

Using Hot Water to Wash Your Face – As the harmattan approaches, I'm sure most people will be scared to wash their faces with cold water. The truth is, washing your face with hot water is very wrong; any time you wash your face with hot water, you are doing more harm than good to your face, especially when your skin is more prone to dryness. Hot water dries up the skin and increases the chances of wrinkles. So always wash your face with lukewarm or cold water.

You Rub your Face Instead of Patting it – Rubbing the face with a towel can tug the skin, causing irritation, redness, and even worse, wrinkles. The skin is too delicate, so always pat it dry and while doing so, make sure you use a clean towel to avoid pressing bacteria into your skin. This is the most common mistake and most, if not all, are guilty of committing it. Rubbing the face rigorously after washing with a towel will do a whole lot of damage than you can imagine.

Over Exfoliating – Exfoliating helps in cleaning your pores, so do that once a week, it’s not too much to ask and see the change in your skin within a month. Exfoliating will free your skin of those dead skin cells that are giving you a dull complexion. Always do it with a mild cleanser and do it gently. Remember the skin is delicate, so do it gently.

Massaging Your Face in the wrong Direction – This is applicable to all the times when you are applying face wash, face scrub or moisturizer; make sure your movements are in a circular motion and directed upwards. Pulling the skin downward reduces skin elasticity causing it to sag.

Not locking in the Moisture – After washing the face it is important to seal in any dampness in the skin by applying moisturizer or any special treatment immediately. Don’t wait to give your skin a chance to dry out completely. Any time you apply moisturizer when the skin is still moist, it allows for extra adsorption, maximizing the effects of the active ingredients.

Now that you know the wrong ways to washing your face, make sure you stop them as soon as possible and take corrective steps to rescue your face from damage, when washing it from now on. 

By: Mercy Kukah