July 12th, 2011 / News, Skin Care

Written by, Malaika Thompson, Licensed Esthetician

Skin cleansers work as emulsifiers to remove dirt, excess natural skin oils, bacteria, cosmetics and exfoliate the surface skin cells.  Which in turn helps your skin breathe and attain the correct nourishment if followed by toning and moisturizing.

When considering a cleansing agent for daily use determine your skin type and pick a cleansing agent suited to your skin – a good cleanser will not disturb the ph balance of your skin and keep it feeling nourished and fresh.  If you’re unsure of your skin type consider booking a facial appointment and consult with an aesthetician.

For those with oily skin, the importance of cleansing is doubled, as they may want to remove excess oil from oil glands but not the fat that waterproofs the skin. Therefore, cleansers meant for oily skin have a certain amount of astringent present instead of an oil-base that helps rid the extra oil and prevents clogging of sebaceous glands that can lead to skin disorders like blackheads and acne.

Those with dry and sensitive skin need to choose a cleanser that protects the oil content of their skin since the extra foaming variety suited for oily skin will only strip the skin of natural moisture and dry it. Such persons need to pick a cleanser that has oil-balance properties to re-hydrate and moisturize the skin after the ritual.

Cleansing and Skin Care tips

• The best way to begin cleansing your face is by washing your hands thoroughly to prevent transfer of bacteria to your face
• Begin with the hairline and work your way down with gentle sweeping movements over the face, lips and down the neck
• Massage the cleanser gently onto the face with light movements of the fingertips and leave on for absorption and deep cleansing for about a minute
• Next, with the help of a clean cotton makeup pad, wipe away the visible dirt and pollution with your hands and if there is any cosmetic residue, wipe it downwards towards the neck
• Rinse your face using cool water to splash it. The temperature of the water is very important, as too hot or too cold water can cause flushing and increase broken capillaries, if such exist on your skin

Additional ideas from beautytips.ygoy.com

• Be sure to cleanse at night! Skin cell regeneration (the process where fresh, new skin cells replace old, dead skin) happens at a faster rate at night so the simple act of cleansing before going to bed will ensure that this process occurs in a healthy and optimal manner

• Cleansing and skin care tips are meant to increase the lifespan of beautiful skin and help in detoxification of unhealthy toxins in the body. Always follow up with a good toner and moisturizer. Cosmetic brands that are sure to provide promising results include Alchimie Forever’s Excimer Purifying Gel Cleanser for normal to oily skin and Alchimie Forever’s Exciser Gentle Cream Cleanser for normal to dry skin