Washing your face... It sounds so simple, doesn’t it?

The truth is there is more to cleansing than one may first think - but why is it so important?

During the day, dirt, grime and excess oils can build up on the skin through touch, airborne bacteria and environmental pollutants. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure you are cleansing your skin properly to get rid of every last trace of make-up or grime that could clog your pores. 

If you didn’t wash your face and left bacteria to build up on the skin, it could contribute to skin concerns and early signs of ageing, so it's important to get your cleansing routine right.

It’s not just about how you cleanse either. It’s also important to think carefully about which products you use and get into good habits to make sure you're taking good care of your skin.

 In this post, we share our top do’s and don'ts for cleansing to help you establish  a great cleansing routine. Keep reading to find out more!

Pictured: ARK Skincare's Age Intelligent Cleansers

DO'S

DO Choose formulas that are free from harsh cleansing ingredients 

When choosing your cleanser, don’t just reach for a bar of soap. Instead, make sure you choose a product which contains high-quality ingredients made for delicate skin. Believe us, your skin will thank you in the long run!

All ARK Skincare cleansers are made with sensitive skin in mind and use a blend of natural ingredients to cleanse and nourish. All of our cleansers are also Sulfate free, meaning that they cleanse skin gently and effectively without any harsh chemicals.

DO Select a Cleanser suited to your skin's age-related needs

It’s always best to choose a cleanser that is suited to your age. Young skin needs balancing, but not over stimulating. Mature skin needs to be nourished with ingredients to rejuvenate and repair. 

Skin changes with age and needs to be treated accordingly which is why ARK Skincare offers three Age Intelligent Cleansers, specifically formulated for each age group.

To learn more about your Age Intelligent Cleanser, click the links below to head over to our product pages. 

Age Protect Skin Clear Cleanser

Formulated for your teens & 20s

  Age Defend Conditioning Cleanser

Formulated for your 30s and 40s

 Age Defy Brightening Cleanser

Formulated for your 50s and onwards

DO Take your time massaging the cleanser into your skin 

Give your skin some TLC. Make sure that you massage the cleanser into your skin for at least 30-60 seconds to allow the active ingredients to absorb into the skin and lift away any excess dirt and grime. Use the pads of your fingertips & work in gentle circular movements to work the cleanser into your skin before washing off. 

DO Use a fresh muslin cloth or flannel everyday. 

It may seem excessive, but it is important to use a clean face cloth every day to avoid spreading bacteria. Re-using the same wash cloth over and over again will spread more bacteria to your face which could contribute to skin concerns. 

Top tip:  Make sure you have a couple of high-quality face cloths so that you can pop them in the wash after each use, while still making sure you have a clean one to use the next day.

DO Keep to a consistent routine. 

Caring for your skin takes time and persistence, but it is time worth spending. Consistency is key. By taking good care of your skin and keeping it clean, it will look much brighter, healthier and also help you to avoid skin concerns in the future.

It’s important to note that it takes time for your skin to regenerate, so try to avoid switching up your routine too often. You will see the best results by practicing an effective cleansing routine with a few high-quality products which you consistently.

DONT'S

DON'T Wash your face under the shower

 The water you use in the shower will most likely be too hot. Hot water strips skin of its natural oils & can exacerbate sensitivities, so it is always best to cleanse your face over the sink with lukewarm water instead. Lukewarm water helps to loosen the dirt and grime, but preserves your skin's natural hydrating oils.

DON'T Use face wipes

Although face wipes may seem like a convenient option, they do not cleanse your face anywhere near as well as a high-quality cleanser as they are not able to breakdown the dirt and excess oils on the skin. 

Not only are wipes poor at cleansing the skin, they often contain lots of chemicals which are responsible for leaving skin dry and irritated - especially as you have to rub and pull at your skin.

The extra couple of minutes it takes to cleanse properly is most definitely worth it and you will certainly see a difference.

DON'T Ever sleep in your make-up.

When you go to sleep, your skin works hard to regenerate and repair. During the skin cell turnover process, new skin cells push to the surface while your skin sheds old cells. 

Leaving make-up on overnight can trap the dead skin cells, preventing the skin from regenerating. This can cause buildup of dead skin cells, excess oil and bacteria which can lead to a number of skin concerns and leave the skin looking dull and aged. So, no matter how late it may be or how tired you are, make sure to always cleanse before bed!

DON'T Avoid using a cleansing oil if you have oily skin

Pictured: ARK Skincare's Skin Essential Pre-Cleanse & Make-Up Remover

If you suffer from oily skin, don't shy away from using an oil based cleanser. It will not produce any more oil on the skin. In fact, the cleansing oil helps to attract the excess oil and carefully balances and nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling clean and comfortable. 

DON'T Skip the double cleansing step from your evening routine

If you haven’t heard of double cleansing before, it may come as a surprise that you should actually be cleansing your face twice. Double cleansing is essential for removing daily grime and ensuring the skin is left properly cleansed. 

For your first cleanse, choose an oil based cleanser. Oil cleansers are very efficient ways of removing make-up, dirt and excess sebum from the skin. Cleansing oils also prevent congestion and shine without stripping away natural oils needed for healthy balanced skin. 

For your second cleanse, opt for an age specific cleanser with high-quality ingredients. The second cleanse will help to ensure your skin is left thoroughly clean while the active-ingredients help to nourish your skin.

To learn more about double cleansing, click here to read our double cleansing Q&A with ARK Skincare's CEO, Tamsin Styles

We hope these tips can help you to put together an effective cleansing routine. Should you have any questions or need any product advice, please do get in touch via office@arkskincare.com or reaching out to us on socials! @arkskincare.com

For more information on the ARK Skincare Cleansers and the rest of our product range, click here to visit our website!