WASHING your face seems pretty simple, right? However, there is a lot to consider when it comes to this vital part of your skincare regimen.

Making sure you get the most out of your daily cleansing routine takes a little care and consideration. It’s not only how you wash your face that makes the difference, but when, how often, and what type of face wash you use.

Proper facial cleansing prevents acne breakouts, slows down the ageing process, improves skin tone and elasticity, as well as diminish skin discolouration.

To make sure you’re putting your facial cleanser to good use, here are some face-washing faux pas to avoid:

1. Forgetting to wash your face before bed

Washing your face at night is a hard-and-fast rule when it comes to caring for your skin, and it holds true even if you don’t wear make-up.

During the day, natural oils and sweat accumulate on the skin. We are exposed to the environment, which means that dirt and pollution build up on our outer skin layer. Not removing all of this dirt and gunk at the end of the day can cause skin irritation, inflammation and acne breakouts.

2. Skipping the morning cleanse

You might think cleansing your skin before bed is all you need to wake up fresh-faced, but another rinse in the morning is a good idea. Germs from your pillowcase can move to your face as you sleep. But even if you wash your pillowcases often, an AM cleanse is best practice.

While you’re tossing and turning at night, bacteria from your saliva and oils from your hair are easily transferred to your face and eyes. Even a quick rinse in the morning is enough to freshen your skin and allows for the best absorption of the other skincare products you apply.

3. Turning up the water temperature too high

Hot water is no friend to your skin, especially an area as sensitive as your face. It might feel good in the shower, but you’re messing with the way your skin protects itself and possibly causing damage.

Extreme temperatures such as hot, steamy showers or hot water can cause dilation of blood vessels and breakage of delicate tissue. Further, the hot water naturally strips skin of the necessary oil barrier that helps maintain skin integrity. This means your skin will dry out faster and become more itchy and flaky over time. Instead, use lukewarm water to wash your face.

4. Using your face cleanser to remove make-up

You probably know the perils of falling asleep with a full face of make-up (that is acne and dullness). Another thing to note: Your cleanser shouldn’t double as your make-up remover.

Many make-up brands are smudge-proof or waterproof, so basic cleansers will not remove them thoroughly. For this reason it’s important to use a gentle make-up removing wipe, micellar water, or oil-based make-up remover before you wash — especially when removing long-wear make-up.

5. Using only a

Cleaning your face with a cleansing cloth is not good enough. The cloths are formulated with many preservatives that allow them to be shelf-stable and sit in your bathroom without growing bacteria and fungus.

Although they remove make-up and dirt, they also leave behind a residue. Use them first to remove make-up if needed, then rinse away residue and residual oils and bacteria with a gentle cleanser.

6. Using the wrong cleanser for your skin type

That cleanser your best friend keeps raving about that’s totally transformed her skin might not do the same for you. This is why so many skincare companies create product lines for every skin type and skin concern.

If you have sensitive skin, stick to a hydrating, gentle cleanser.

If you have oily skin or are acne prone, use a foaming or salicylic acid-based cleanser to remove excess oil and dirt.

If your skin tends to be more on the dry side, you’ll fare better using a cream cleanser that can help your skin’s top layer retain more moisture.

7. Using a bar of soap to wash your face

If you’re lucky enough not to have sensitive skin, you might reach for a random bar of soap, lather up and start your day. But these harsh cleansers strip the natural hydrators from the skin, which can leave your face inflamed and red from broken blood vessels.

Instead, use gentle cleansers that respect the pH balance of your skin.

8. Reusing dirty washcloths

If you use washcloths to cleanse your face, refrain from reusing the same washcloth on a daily basis. Reusing the same washcloth over and over again is spreading more bacteria and mould to your face.

Instead, invest in a cheap set of basic white washcloths, that can last you through an entire week’s worth of washing (including day and night).

9. Wiping your face off with a shower towel

When you hop out of the shower, do you wipe your face and body with one towel? Even though your entire body is freshly washed, you don’t want to spread the bacteria from your body to your face (different micro-organisms live in different areas of your body). Instead, have a separate cloth for your face.

10. Scrubbing

The length of time you lather does not correlate to how well you cleanse your face. You want to aim for about 20 or 30 seconds, but any more than that could do more harm than good.

Over-scrubbing, especially when using an exfoliating wash, can quickly lead to irritated and red skin. It’s best to wet your face with lukewarm (not hot) water and using your fingertips to apply cleanser in a circular motion.

Once you’ve built up a nice lather, rinse, and carefully pat dry with a soft, clean towel.

11. Exfoliating more than once a week

This rule is especially important if your go-to cleanser is a scrub. Exfoliating can help remove dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the skin to improve skin radiance, but over scrubbing can lead to microscopic tears in the outer skin layer leading to inflammation and irritation.

Generally speaking, most people do not need to exfoliate more than once per week.

12. Washing too often

Ideally, you should be washing your face twice a day — once in the morning and once at night — with the exception of after workouts and excessive sweating.

Washing your face more than twice a day to remove germs is not a real necessity for people, unless they are prone to skin infections. Not only does too much washing lead to dry, irritated skin, but it can actually lead to the skin paradoxically producing too much oil.

Bottom line: If you didn’t wear make-up, work up a sweat, or use heavy sunscreen, stick to the twice-a-day routine.

13. Washing your face

Most face masks and peels instruct you to wash your face before using their product. This is because skin treatments require a completely bare and cleansed face so that the ingredients can fully penetrate.

You don’t need to cleanse again after you’ve washed them off your face — sheet masks included. Masks are able to deliver key ingredients 300 per cent stronger than serums, so let your skin enjoy their hydration and repair benefits long after you’ve taken it off.

14. Misusing a toner

For some reason many of us are still confused about the role toners play when it comes to cleansing. Toners help to restore the skin to its normal pH after using cleansers. It’s crucial in replenishing the skin’s pH to its normal acidic state. This ensures that bacteria do not flourish.

Start out using your toner only once a day to make sure it doesn’t cause breakouts or dry out your skin before upping your use to twice daily after cleansing.

15. Not moisturising right after cleansing

When you moisturise it makes a big difference. In fact, experts recommend applying moisturiser right after washing your face. If you wait even a few minutes, the surface cells dehydrate and are actually harder to moisturise.

Moisturisers provide key nurturing ingredients to your skin, leaving you with a clean and hydrated surface.

If your daytime moisturiser doesn’t have a SPF, apply a sunscreen on top. The SPF will help protect all the hard work you’ve been putting into your skincare.

Michelle Vernon is a phlebotomist medical aesthetician who operates the Body Studio Skincare, located at 20 Constant Spring Road, Mall Plaza, Kingston 10, and Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. She may be reached at telephone 908-0438 or 684-9800; IG @ bodystudioskincare; E-mail: bodystudioskincare@gmail.com; Website: www.bodystudioskincare.com.