It's Time to Come Clean on Cleansing.

You need to clean your face. I thought this one was a no-brainer but apparently not! Both of my teens love skincare (probably no surprise) however one of them constantly argues with me about cleansing their face. It doesn’t make sense to me, why would you put other lovely products on top of an unclean surface? There are many reasons why cleansing is a fundamental step in your skincare routine but one that is especially relevant for teens is about your sebaceous glands. These glands sit in the deeper layer of your skin (the dermis) and produce oils (sebum) that help to protect your skin and stop it from drying out. The highest concentration of these glands is found in the skin of the face and scalp, followed by the chest and back – the same places where acne is often found. These glands are under hormonal control and go into overdrive during puberty which is why teen skin can lean oily (but not always). Even if you don’t have oily skin, wear makeup or sunscreen (*gasp!*), just having your face exposed to life means you need to cleanse at least once per day (before bed). These and more reasons to cleanse daily below!

1. Removes Dirt and Impurities

Your facial skin is in contact with the air around it for most, if not all day. Throughout the day, our skin is exposed to various environmental pollutants, dirt, and bacteria. Studies have shown that environmental pollutants can be absorbed by the skin and cause accelerated skin ageing, inflammation, and mess with your skin's moisture levels. Cleansing your face helps to remove these impurities at the end of the day, reducing the time spent on the skin and also preventing them from clogging your pores and causing breakouts. By keeping your skin clean can help you maintain a clear and healthy complexion now, but also for the future.

2. Prevents Acne and Breakouts

Acne and breakouts are often caused by the buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria on the skin's surface. Cleansing your face once or twice a day will help to unclog pores, reducing the likelihood of acne and breakouts. There are so many different cleansers on the market so if you are acne-prone or have sensitive skin, spend some time finding one that suits your skin. Using a cleanser with a mild exfoliant can help remove those dead skin cells and clean out your pores but remember, over-cleansing can cause as much grief as not cleansing at all!

3. Enhances Absorption of Skincare Products

Applying skincare products on unclean skin can hinder their effectiveness (and waste your money!). Cleansing your face creates a clean canvas for your skincare routine, allowing the products to penetrate deeper into the skin. This maximizes their benefits and ensures that your skin receives the full potential of the active ingredients. This is also true if you like to wear coverage products like foundation, concealer, skin tint or a BB cream – you will find the finish so much nicer if you have cleansed and prepped your skin well first.

4. Promotes Skin Hydration

When your skin is clean, it is better able to absorb and retain moisture. By cleansing your face, you remove any barriers that may prevent your skin from staying hydrated. This is especially important for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin (these are different - story on this coming soon), as proper cleansing can help improve the skin's moisture levels. If you do have dry skin, you may like to go for a non-foaming cleanser with lots of hydrating and nourishing ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and ceramides or natural oils. Those with dry skin are also probably going to be the once-a-day cleansers (evening) with a splash of lukewarm or cold water in the morning enough to kick off their skincare routine so as not to over strip the skin.

5. Maintains Skin Health

Cleansing your face is not only about removing dirt and impurities; it also helps to maintain overall skin health. The act of massaging your cleanser into your face promotes blood circulation, which contributes to a healthy and radiant complexion. On that note, don’t be in too much of a rush when cleansing. Take a good 60 seconds to massage your cleanser onto your skin to really get the most out of the ingredients in your cleanser of choice, and enjoy the massage!

Cleansing your face is a crucial step in any skincare routine, whether it’s a 2-step or 10-step. I hope I have convinced you of that, even if I can’t convince my child! Cleansing removes dirt and impurities, can help prevent acne and breakouts, enhances the absorption of skincare products, promotes skin hydration, and maintains overall skin health. I don’t see any point in using other skincare (except sunscreen always!) if you aren’t cleansing your face (and if you are using sunscreen and NOT cleansing, your skin will let you know about it eventually…).

Happy cleansing 😊

References:

1. Makrantonaki E, Ganceviciene R, Zouboulis C. An update on the role of the sebaceous gland in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermatoendocrinol. 2011 Jan;3(1):41-9. doi: 10.4161/derm.3.1.13900. PMID: 21519409; PMCID: PMC3051853.
2. Araviiskaia E, Berardesca E, Bieber T, Gontijo G, Sanchez Viera M, Marrot L, Chuberre B, Dreno B. The impact of airborne pollution on skin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 Aug;33(8):1496-1505. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15583. Epub 2019 Apr 26. PMID: 30897234; PMCID: PMC6766865.
3. Mayo Clinic. (2021). Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237
4. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Face washing 101. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/face/face-washing-101
5. WebMD. (2021). The importance of washing your face. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/beauty/why-wash-your-face