Washing Your Face: Top Things You Need to Know

One of the first things kids learn while growing up is how to wash their faces. Daily face washing is so automatic that most of us have been doing so the same way for years. And, it may have never crossed our minds that there is a wrong way to wash our face.

However, face washing, like most things, has a proper technique to optimize results. Below we will show you what you need to know about daily face washing, especially the dos and don'ts.

When and how often should you wash your face?

Ideally, it's best to wash your face twice a day. But, at a minimum, you will need to wash your face once a day at night. This will wash off the day's grime and keep dirt away from your pillow.

How should you wash your face?

First, choose the right cleanser, one that doesn't contain harmful or drying ingredients like alcohol. Using an ample amount of an all-natural foaming cleanser like Prep U’s Daily Face Wash will work well on your skin because it's effective and gentle enough for all skin types.

Furthermore, there are a few items about face washing you may not have known.

Dos

• Do make sure to use lukewarm water. Lukewarm water helps loosen dirt but at the same time stays cool enough to keep your skin's naturally hydrating oils intact.
• Do make sure to wet your face before applying a cleanser. Though Prep U's Daily Face Wash is already frothy and foamy, a bit of water beforehand can enhance the lather.
• Do use your fingertips to wash your face instead of a washcloth. This prevents additional irritation to your skin.
• Do make sure to clean your chin and neckline as well. Because dirt from these areas can build up and migrate back to your face after cleansing.
• Do rinse off with cold water to help shrink pores.
• Do pat dry with a clean washcloth. Letting the water evaporate could dry out your skin.
• Do apply moisturizer (as needed) and be gentle with the skin around the eyes as it is delicate.
• Do apply sunscreen. It’s important to protect your skin (and health) at all costs. 

Don'ts

• Do not wash your face with dirty hands, yuk.  Make sure your hands are clean before touching and washing your face. If not, you can add more dirt and oil.
• Do not use hot water. Washing your face with hot water might damage your skin because it strips the skin of oils. That leads to dryness, irritation, and sometimes inflammation. Furthermore, it may be tempting to wash your face while in a hot shower but skip that. Though our bodies may like hot showers, the water is too hot for facial skin (see above.)