August 21, 2019

The Most Common Cleansing Mistakes You're Probably Making RN

Cleansing is one of the most important step in your skin care routine. However, even the best cleanser won’t get you the clear, glowing skin you want if you aren’t using it correctly! Below, we've highlighted some of the most common cleansing mistakes people make:

Mistake #1: You’re not washing your hands before cleansing.

Whether you want to hear it or not, here's the fact: Your hands are nasty! They're like sponges, picking up the bacteria and dirt from anything you touch, so it’s so important to wash them right before you cleanse (or touch your skin in any way).

Mistake #2: You’re not using an oil cleanser.

Your foam cleanser might get rid of water-based impurities like dirt and sweat, but what about all the clogged up oil-based impurities like sunscreen, makeup, or sebum? Like attracts like, so only oil – not water – will best break down oil-based impurities. This is why it’s crucial that you use a dedicated oil cleanser, like our all-time favourite Heimish All Clean Balm!

Mistake #3: You’re using "raw" or "natural" oils to cleanse your face.

We've seen it all over Instagram and Pinterest, but using a product made for cooking might not be the best idea for your skin. While these ingredients may work for some, oils like coconut oil cannot replace a proper oil cleanser. Firstly, these oils normally contain preservatives or additives that are not great for your skin. They also normally don't come with emulsifiers to ensure that they will rinse off your face, meaning your skin might be left with an oily, greasy film that can lead to breakouts or clogged pores!

If you're looking for a natural oil cleanser that does its job, check out the iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil. Formulated with only natural plant oils (Sunflower Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Calendula Flower Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil and Cananga Odorata Flower Oil), this cleanser will effectively deep cleanse your skin to remove blackheads, excess oil and other impurities from your pores.

Mistake #4: You’re applying oil cleanser on wet or damp skin.

Unlike your water-based cleansers, oil cleansers should be applied only on dry skin so it can properly remove all oil-based impurities. No exceptions here. Only after you massage it into your skin for a few seconds can you can then dampen your fingers with water to emulsify the formula and rinse it off.

Mistake #5: You’re not cleansing long enough / You're over-cleansing your skin

It often takes a bit of massaging to remove all impurities on your skin, so don't rush through your cleansing routine or worse, over-cleanse! We recommend cleansing with each type of cleanser for at least 20 seconds before moving on to the next step.

Mistake #6: Rubbing your face dry.

Repeat after us: Pat, don’t rub. Rubbing can tug at the skin, causing irritation, redness, or possibly even wrinkles and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation!

Mistake #7: Not locking in the moisture.

Don’t wait for your skin to dry after cleansing. Seal in any dampness left behind by applying toner or a hydrating face mist like the Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner immediately. By applying hydrating products when the skin is still moist, it helps maximise the effects of any active ingredients you're applying afterwards.

Are you guilty of committing any of these mistakes? Comment below with your confessions!