Tips for deep-cleansing skincare

 We all know how important skincare is, but how much time do you really spend on it? It's quite possible you don't have time for the long, deep-cleansing rituals some of us are lucky enough to make time for. To help, we've put together a brief skincare guide with some great tips and tricks to help you get the best skin you can!

The benefits of deep cleansing

• It removes all kinds of dirt, including makeup and excess oil.
• Deep cleansing prevents the development of irritating clogged pores, which can lead to acne.
• It's an especially important step in your skincare regimen if you have a hectic lifestyle or spend a lot of time outdoors.

How to deep-cleanse your skin

Try skin steaming.

To steam your face at home, you will need a bowl of hot water, cotton pads or a soft towel, and a clean washcloth. Fill the bowl with boiling water and place it in front of you on a safe surface. It's important to make sure that your skin is not too close to the water; keep about 10 inches between your face and the rim of the bowl. You can also add soothing essential oils to the water for extra relaxation and healing benefits.

Drape a large towel over your head to create a tent over the steam. Close your eyes and relax as you inhale deeply for 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to burn or overheat yourself! After steaming, splash cold water on your face before cleansing with lukewarm water.

Use a hot compress.

To get an even deeper clean, apply a hot compress before you begin to remove your makeup. The heat from the compress will open up the pores and allow for better removal of makeup, oil, and dirt. To make a hot compress you can use a clean washcloth or towel soaked in warm water. You may also use a heated gel mask that is designed for this purpose. Just remember to wash your face afterward!

Wash off makeup with an oil cleanser.

Oil cleansers are the first step in your double-cleansing routine. You can use a store-bought oil cleanser, or you can make your own. Some oils to try include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil. The purpose of an oil cleanser is to break down makeup and other impurities on your skin, including oil-based dirt. To use it, massage the cleanser into dry skin with clean hands for 30 seconds to one minute. You can then rinse it off using warm water or remove it using a face cloth soaked in warm water.

Make sure you don't reach for any old bottle of oil when making your own face wash—some types of oils aren't safe for the face and can actually clog pores or cause irritation (coconut and castor oils should be avoided). If you're not sure about a certain type of oil's safety level, look up its comedogenicity rating before using it on your face!

Exfoliate the right way.

To remove old skin cells, you need to exfoliate. However, you shouldn't over-exfoliate. Use a gentle exfoliator just once a week if your skin is normal, and less often if your skin is sensitive or irritated. Avoid the sensitive areas around your eyes. Instead, focus on the forehead, nose, and chin where most dead cells collect due to excess oil production. To avoid making the situation worse, don’t scrub harshly: use gentle circular motions with light pressure instead of straight-up rubbing the product in. If any part of your face starts hurting after using the exfoliant – stop!

Mask up.

Let's be honest, people—sheet masks are awesome. The essence-soaked paper or cotton cloth hugs your face like a warm blanket on a cold night, and the result is hydrated smooth skin. Try using it daily for a week; you'll never go back to being maskless again. If that level of commitment is too intimidating, twice-weekly might work for you instead. Another great time to don one is before bed (or after a shower). While you're curled up under the sheets or zonked out in front of the TV, let the sheet mask do its thing!

Reduce inflammation with aloe vera.

Aloe vera is one of nature's best healers. It has naturally soothing, anti-inflammatory properties that will help calm skin down. You can find aloe vera at most drugstores as well as online. To apply, just squeeze out some gel from the center of a leaf and rub it on your face, focusing on problem areas (but don't skip anywhere). Leave it for about ten minutes before rinsing it off.

It's important to start with a clean face before putting on makeup.

You may be wondering why cleansing is so important for preparing your skin for makeup. After all, you might be thinking, I’m just going to put makeup on now anyway.

Well, it’s important to start with a clean face before putting on makeup.

When you don’t wash your face before applying makeup, you're trapping any dirt and oil on your skin under layers of foundation and concealer. This could lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Yikes!

Washing your face thoroughly before applying makeup will also help your foundation look more natural and go further, as the surface of your skin will be smooth and even-toned after cleansing instead of rough or patchy.

Conclusion

As with any worthwhile endeavor, you should expect to put in a little bit of work before you get the results you want. Consistency is key: if you follow this routine faithfully, you will be rewarded with better skin. Whether or not that reward comes in a couple of weeks or months will depend on how deep your skin issues are, but it's worth it.

We're pretty confident that if you've made it to this point, your future self will thank you! Healthy skin is not always easy to maintain, and it can get expensive—but we know firsthand that there are inexpensive ways to take care of your skin and keep it healthy for life. Once again: the most important thing is consistency. You can have the most luxurious face cream in the world and use it just once a week; that's not going to do much for your skin. It all comes down to taking care of yourself every single day so that your future self doesn't suffer from unaddressed skincare problems like acne or wrinkles. If you're diligent about taking care of your body inside and out, those things won't be as big a concern for many years down the line (if ever).