5 Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Your Face

You'd think that washing your face was the simplest of things to get right.  Yet you may be surprised at how many people are doing it wrong!

Here are the 5 cleansing mistakes to avoid when washing your face

1. Don't Over Cleanse:

The general rule is wash your face with a suitable cleanser before you sleep and wash with tepid water when you wake.

Washing more often will strip the natural oils from your skin which could cause your skin to become  dry and more sensitive.

Use Moon Haven's Herbal Cleansing Milk with rose geranium for mature, dry and sensitive skin or Herbal Cleansing Gel with Bergamot for unbalanced, acne prone and oil skin.

2.Don't Use a Foaming Facial Wash

The bubbles in a foaming facial wash strip away all your natural oils in your skin- leaving it feeling tight, dry and exposed

The natural oils produced by your skin are precious.  Not only do they naturally moisturise your skin, they form part of the body's protective barrier. 

3. Don't Scrub

When washing your wash there is no need to scrub your skin.  Treat your skin as if it were a baby's.  Gentle soothing strokes.... pat dry with a soft towel is what is required.

Scrubbing your skin, as if you were sandpapering, will only cause mini abrasions, gouges and sensitisations. 

4. Don't Use Hot or Cold Water

Washing your face with hot water will open up the capillaries (blood vessels) near the surface of our skin.  The heat may even cause some to break creating mini bleeds just under the surface of the skin.

On the other hand cold water can close the pores on your skin so that any impurities are not released causing clogged and blocked pores.

Warm tepid water is the way to go when washing your face. Your pores remain open, the blood vessels intact and your skin remains comfortable. 

5. Don't Use a Washcloth/Face Cloth/ Face Brush etc

There is so much conflicting advice out there on how to cleanse your skin. 

All manner of tools, scrubbers and cloths are available that we're told are invaluable for skin health.

But let me tell you... they're not needed ...in fact and in most cases... can do more harm than good.

As we read above scrubbing the skin is often counter productive.  It stresses already stressed skin.

Cloths and brushes can harbor nasty bugs, yeasts, fungi, bacteria which can infect your skin - especially if it has been broken.

As long as you wash your hands first...your finger tips with your favourite cleanser and a little tepid water are perfect for applying and washing away the dirt, dust and daily grime from your face.

I hope this information is helpful.

Warmest regards,

Leonie - moonhaven's aromatherapist, founder & creator of good things

Always seek qualified medical advice regarding your own individual situation

Please note: Information in this article and on the moonhaven.com.au website represents the opinion of the author and as such is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.