A Guide to Cleansing Your Skin

A GUIDE TO CLEANSING YOUR SKIN

It’s no secret that looking after your skin is paramount - and it all starts with cleansing. You may think simply washing your face is enough, but the truth is, there is more to it than just lather, rinse, repeat.

As the first step of your skincare routine, it’s worth understanding why cleansing is so important and what you need to do to ensure you’re doing it just right. In this eBook, we take a closer look at the cleansing process and how incorporating this as part of your daily beauty regime could seriously improve your skin.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANSING YOUR SKIN Cleansing your face may seem like a chore, and you may even be tempted to skip this step altogether - but the truth is, taking the time to cleanse is an essential part of your daily skincare routine, and here’s why.

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Clear, clean and beautiful-looking skin There’s no denying that cleansing is a must if you want to achieve and maintain clear, clean and healthy looking-skin. A good, high-quality cleanser offers you a quick, easy and effective way of removing makeup. In turn, this can help to rid your skin of any dirt or excess oil that may have built up throughout the day by unblocking the pores.

As a result, this will prevent you from breaking out, leaving your skin feeling fresh and hydrated.

Cleansing will also remove any pesky dead skin cells and wash away any traces of sweat - a must if it’s a particularly hot day or if you’ve been working out.

Prepped and primed to perfection When you cleanse, you’re effectively prepping and priming your skin for the rest of your beauty routine. Recently cleansed skin will soak up your moisturiser more effectively, helping it to absorb into your face and giving your complexion a hydration boost. It also provides a clean surface free from oils or other traces that could reduce absorption of nourishing or ‘active’ ingredients in serums used as extra steps in a more targeted expert skincare regime. At night, clean, unclogged skin is also beneficial given the increased cellular activity of skin repair and the renewal cycle that occurs during sleep.

A youthful complexion Did you know that cleansing can help fight some of the signs of ageing? There are many environmental factors, including pollution particles, that can lead to signs of ageing. Regularly cleansing can help get rid of environmental build-up on your skin that may collect over time and cause a dull, lacklustre appearance or contribute to increased sensitivity and irritation.

There’s no denying that cleansing your face is a vital part in your daily skincare regime, so if you want a fresh, healthy complexion, make sure you don’t skip this step morning and night. Your skin will thank you later.

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CLEANSE YOUR SKIN THE RIGHT WAY Since cleansing is such an important part of your skincare routine, it’s vital that you’re doing it just right. To ensure that you’re cleansing correctly, here are some top tips.

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Temperature check Washing your face with water that’s too hot is not only uncomfortable for you, but it could be bad news for your skin too. If the water temperature is too hot, it could wash away more natural oils from the skin barrier, causing your skin to dry out and become more easily irritated, so using luke-warm water is your best bet when it comes to cleansing.

However, some cleansers don’t need to be used with water, so check what is best for the product you’re using.

Be kind It’s important that you’re always kind to your skin.

The truth is, some parts of your skin are more delicate and sensitive than others, like the face and décolletage, and especially the area of thinner skin around your eyes, so you should be extra gentle when you’re applying your cleanser. Avoid being too aggressive and instead use soft, circular motions, like you’re giving your face a well-deserved massage.

It’s especially important to be extra gentle if you’re using an exfoliating cleanser so you don’t cause any damage to the skin barrier which can leave the skin at increased risk of dryness and open to external sources of irritation.

Do the double cleanse After you’ve cleansed your skin once, why not do it again? The double cleanse means just that cleansing your face twice, with the idea that the extra lather will work down even deeper into the pores to remove dirt and excess oils, helping to prepare your skin for moisturising. While doubling up on cleansing can really help clean your skin, it’s worth noting that it’s not always necessary.

A simple, minimalist skincare routine is just as effective, especially if you are using the right, balanced products for you and your skin.

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From morning to night It seems like a no brainer to cleanse your face of an evening. It gives you the opportunity to properly remove your makeup, leaving you with a fresh, clean complexion that’s ready for bed.

But did you know you should be cleansing in the morning too? Cleansing your skin when you wake up is a great way to refresh and revitalise your skin, washing away any overnight sweat, excess oils and dead skin cells, providing you with a clean, refreshed canvas on which you can moisturise and apply any makeup ready for the day ahead.

Make time Even when you’re on the go and stretched for time, don’t forget to cleanse. If you find it difficult to fit in a fullon skincare routine in the morning or before bed, the good news is that simple, stripped back minimalist skincare routines can be just as effective as lengthy multi-step ones, especially where sensitive skin is concerned. Another time-saving hack is to look out for multi-use cleansers that can also be used without water. Simply apply the product, gently massage it into the skin to melt away daily grime and wipe it away with a clean pad or soft cloth.

It’s that easy.

The ‘squeaky clean’ skin myth If your skin feels tight right after you’ve cleansed, you might just assume it’s that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling - but did you know that this isn’t actually a good thing? A tight, dry feeling could mean that the skin’s protective barrier has been stripped away that usually keeps it moisturised and healthy, leaving your skin feeling irritated and dehydrated.

After cleansing, your skin should feel clean, but still soft and hydrated, so it might be worth changing the products you’re using.

Pat dry and you’re done After you’ve finished cleansing and you’ve rinsed off any remaining product, simply grab a clean, dry towel, or a soft cotton pad if you’d prefer, and pat your face until it’s dry. Rubbing your face can quickly lead to red, irritated skin, so simply patting the skin is best.

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CLEANSING: WHAT YOU NEED In order to cleanse your skin, you’ll need to make sure you find a facial cleanser that’s right for you. But, with so many out there to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one will be the perfect fit for your skin.

It helps to understand your skin type first, so that you can pick a cleanser that has been specially formulated to target any specific skin problems you may experience.

At Cetaphil, we offer a range of cleansers designed for specific skin types, from oily to dry or redness-prone. All our cleansers are dermatologically tested, soap-free, non-comedogenic and suitable for sensitive skin.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Our Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is our global best-seller, dermatologist recommended and the skincare secret of many celebrities around the world. It is designed to be ideal for dry, sensitive skin. Not only does it gently cleanse the skin, but it helps keep it hydrated too.

Designed to help skin retain moisture, it’s delicate, soap-free and fragrance-free micellar action formula is gentle enough to be used on both the face and body. It has the added bonus of being two cleansers in one - either use it as a rinse off face wash or a wipe off cleansing lotion.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser If you have particularly oily skin, our Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser could be the ideal fit. It works to remove excess oil without being harsh and drying out the skin, with its lightly foaming soap-free and skin pHfriendly formulation with glycerin and panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5).

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Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser Designed for those with normal, dry or combination skin, our Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser rinses away dirt, oil and makeup. This instantly foaming yet soap-free formula is gentle enough for daily cleansing and contains skin-loving glycerin, panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) and Vitamin E.

Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser Try our Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser if your complexion is dull, and in need of some smoothing for a healthy-looking glow. Gentle enough to be used everyday, and even on sensitive skin, this light scrub can help unclog the skin’s pores and lifts dead skin cells with its ultra-fine bamboo exfoliating particles and Pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol).

Cetaphil PRO Cleansing Facial Wash If you suffer from sensitive, or redness-prone skin, then our Cetaphil PRO Cleansing Facial Wash might be the one for you. This effective gentle daily cleanser removes makeup, impurities and excess oil. Containing caffeine and allantoin, it has been dermatologically tested on sensitive and rednessprone skin.

So there you have it - the ultimate guide to cleansing your skin. We hope you’re now suitably clued up on how you can make your skincare routine work better for your skin, and ensure you’re on your way to a healthy-looking, clear and fresh complexion.

For more tips and tricks about all things skincare, why not join us over on Facebook or Instagram? Get involved using the hashtag #CetaphilSensitiveSkincare.

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