Biggest Face-Washing Mistakes to Avoid

What can be complicated in washing ones' face part of beauty regimen? I say, a lot! Some common washing and lathering habits that we have been repeating since a long time can cause some very annoying skin woes such as irritation, breakouts, oiliness and dryness. Here is a list of some of the biggest face-washing mistakes we are committing every day and how to overcome them.

The first and foremost mistake that we can do to our face-washing regimen is to pick up the wrong product. What can be more wrong than picking up a creamy greasy cleanser if you have an acne-prone skin? The right cleanser should remove the dirt, dust and grime only, without stripping the face of its natural oils. Thus, you need to find a cleanser that is made for your skin type and does the job.

Washing your face twice a day to the max is a good protocol. You do it more and the skin is bound to get dry and itchy. Washing your face multiple times will strip the skin of all the natural oils and healthy cells. This will irritate the skin and make it overproduce oil. Giving your face a break from products is a good idea from time to time. If you have not applied makeup or have not sweated much, just wash your face with tepid water.

Another biggest face-washing mistake that we commit is to use the wrong temperature of water. It is a myth that hot water opens the pores and cold water closes them. Pores do not have muscles to open or close. Instead of using hot water on your delicate facial skin, always use lukewarm or cold water to wash your face. This will save you from stripping your skin of natural protective oils and over production of sebum or over-drying.

Exfoliation is a healthy process that removes the accumulated dead skin cells. However, it should be done in moderation. Grainy exfoliators sometimes scratch the delicate skin on the face, which leads to pulling and tugging of the skin. Keep it to max twice a week to exfoliate your facial skin with mild exfoliating agents such as fruit acids or sugar scrubs. Use your fingers instead of the whole palm to make the action gentler.

Always remember to rinse out the product completely, be it your cleanser, scrub or any product that you are using. Not washing properly will lead to residue build-up, which in turn will clog the pores and dry out the skin. Show some love to the neglected jawline, nose and hairline.

Many cleansers contain irritating ingredients such as colorants, fragrances, alcohol and synthetic preservatives such as parabens. Do a favour to your skin and choose a cleanser devoid of all these. Always read labels carefully and select a gentle formulation to avoid any allergic reaction and irritation.

One common mistake almost everyone does after face washing is to rub your skin hard with the towel, in the hope that all the dirt and grease will come off. Rubbing can feel good but it actually pulls and tugs your skin. Keep a clean soft face towel aside for yourself and at dry your face the next time.

These are some of the common yet most biggest mistakes of face-washing, which, if avoided can save you a lot of skin woes.