Is it possible to wash your face with soap? Experts tell us how to wash your face to really clean out your pores, and not just smear dirt. Normal skin is a gift of fate

Healthy facial skin is the key to youth and attractiveness. Therefore, every woman tries to carefully take care of her face. Cosmetics and care products undergo inevitable quality control. The first place in the series of testing products for the care of delicate skin is occupied by soap.

To wash or not to wash your face with soap - that is the question!

Toilet soap is intended for personal hygiene. It is selected individually, according to skin type. The skin of the face is delicate, sensitive to external irritants: weather conditions, low-quality cosmetic products. There is an opinion that the fragrant briquette dries out, so many women doubt whether it is possible to wash their delicate face with soap and do not use it when washing their face. But modern market offers a large number of types of soap, including those produced exclusively for facial hygiene.

How to choose the right product for your skin type

There are several types of soap:

hard: neutral or extra (composed of 78% fatty acids; produces little foam and does not become soggy from water, suitable for oily skin);
baby: baby’s skin is very delicate and sensitive, it is susceptible to allergens, so only natural ingredients are suitable for babies, with the addition of skin-softening glycerin, lanolin, and decoctions medicinal herbs: chamomile, celandine, oak bark, calendula, string, baby soap are often used for faces with sensitive and allergy-prone skin;
cream soap contains a complex of moisturizing elements, due to which it becomes soft and “meltable”, is well suited for flaking on the face and provides winter care;
liquid has a liquid consistency, is easy to use and has a pH close to the normal pH of the epidermis; you can wash your face with this soap without fear of drying out the skin;
handmade product consists only of natural ingredients; thanks to the ability to independently select the combination of ingredients that best suits individual requirements.

It can be made at home, all the ingredients are available to any housewife: the soap base is added to an infusion of herbs or plain water, the mixture is heated in a water bath. When the soap base has melted, remove the mixture from the heat, pour in the aromatic oils, stir, then distribute, if desired, into molds and allow to cool.

Skin type:

Dry. For this type, a soft, moisturizing cream soap with the addition of beneficial plant extracts and essential oils;
Fat. For oily skin, use a high-quality neutral solid without alkali, which gently cleanses, moisturizes and does not destroy the natural protective layer of the epidermis.
Combined. It is more difficult to find soap for this skin type, because... different areas of the face can be either oily or dry; in this case, choose a hypoallergenic one with vegetable oils.

What kind of soap do they use in other countries?

Soap is not only an element of personal hygiene, but also a progressive cosmetic product. In many countries, cosmetologists pay great attention to the production of this product from natural ingredients, enriched with beneficial minerals, vitamins, and herbs. Preference is given to exclusively handmade products.

There are even special soap factories owned by family businesses. All necessary ingredients are grown on private plantations or, less commonly, purchased from suppliers.

In addition, today, cosmetics without preservatives, foaming agents, surfactants, phosphates and animal fats are popular.

Instead of animal fats, use herbal extracts and vegetable oils: in addition to palm, coconut, and olive oils, flaxseed and shea butter are added.

In Morocco, for example, an entire cosmetology industry has been developed for the production of body and face products using gifts from local nature. Among them it is necessary to highlight the so-called "Arabic black soap» for face. It is brewed from ground olive fruits with the addition of aromatic essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and argan. It is olive paste that gives the black color.

Turkish women use laurel, rose, and pistachio. Bay leaf tones, rose and pistachio nut extract have softening properties and give the face a healthy appearance.

Greece is famous for its olive soap pomegranate juice, which has a tonic and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as with honey, aloe, oatmeal, sage and lemon. Citrus soap is beneficial for oily skin. The basic component of Indian clay is healing clay; it corrects the functioning of the sebaceous glands, eliminating skin problems.

Among Chinese women, volcanic ash soap containing bamboo charcoal and volcanic shogou is considered very popular. It functions as a soft scrub, deeply cleansing pores from acne, enriching cells with minerals, and is suitable for daily washing, as it does not cause peeling, thanks to its unique composition.

In Thailand, they produce a soap product with snake egg extract for rejuvenation. It is used not only as a cosmetic, but also as medical product. An exotic product with snail mucus helps against wrinkles and stretch marks on the face.

Italian elite cosmetology is famous for its unusual soap line. The exclusive fragrant bars contain gold particles.

Is it necessary to wash your face with a cleansing gel in the morning, are surfactants harmful, is it necessary to wash off the “micellar” and why is it better to refuse sponges and washcloths for the face? Cosmetologist of the Beauty Time clinic Teona Tsertsvadze answered the question about how to wash your face in the morning and evening for BeautyHack.

Teona Tsertsvadze dermatocosmetologist at the aesthetic medicine clinic “Time of Beauty”

Do not exclude either morning or evening

There is a myth that you only need to wash your face with a cleanser in the evening, and in the morning it is enough to rinse your face with water. This is wrong!

In the evening we wash off makeup, dust and toxins. During the night, the skin exfoliates on its own and produces even more sebum and sweat than during the day. Theoretically, in the morning it is even dirtier - at night the skin actively worked and regenerated. Therefore, be sure to use a cleansing gel or foam twice a day.

Don't be afraid of surfactants

There is no need to be afraid of surfactants (surfactants) and look for products that do not contain them. Without surfactants, you will not be able to effectively cleanse your skin - cosmetic residues and pollution caused by the environment have a much worse effect than cleansing ingredients.

Do not keep cleanser on your skin

A cleanser is not a mask. If you lather your face and want your makeup to dissolve, do not leave the foam on for more than 20-30 seconds. Advice: it is better to lather the skin 2-3 times and wash it off immediately rather than leave it on for a long time.

Always rinse off with micellar water

All hydrophilic oils and micellar water must be washed off! And not just water, but cleansing foam.

If a product dissolves mascara and foundation, imagine what it can do to your skin! Micelles are lipids (oily substances) that will not wash off without the help of foam or gel. A simple comparison: if you wipe a dirty plate vegetable oil, the food that has stuck to it will become soggy and come off, but the surface of the plate will still remain greasy. Same with skin!

Scrubbing - no more than 1-2 times a week

Be sure to exfoliate your skin - you should help it renew itself. But if you scrub or peel more often than 1-2 times a week, instead of removing dead scales, you can damage the top layer and protective barrier.

Cleansing sponges - absolutely not

I am strongly against sponges and sponges for the face - they are a breeding ground for bacteria, you will never be able to rinse them properly. The only option is to wash your face with a new sponge every time.

If you use a brush, boil the nozzle

Electric brushes like the Clarisonic are a good way to cleanse, replacing scrubs. I recommend using them no more than 1-2 times a week. But like sponges, brushes quickly become dirty - you can’t imagine how much bacteria remains between the bristles even after washing with soap. Therefore, my advice is to pour boiling water over the nozzle before each use.

After washing, use toner

Many girls believe that tonic is not a necessary step in their beauty routine. This blunder. Tonic is the final step of your cleansing; it normalizes the Ph balance disturbed during the washing process. Also, after toner, you may not need moisturizer - it may be enough.

Text: Nino Takaishvili

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Washing is, at first glance, the simplest part of skin care. Yes, but not so, especially if there are acne, redness, inflammation and other troubles on the face. It is very important to know and follow the rules of washing.

Before washing

First you need to pin your hair so that it does not interfere with washing. Also, before washing, be sure to wash your hands, otherwise germs from them will get on the skin and can cause irritation.

Removing makeup

Not many cleansers can completely remove makeup. Therefore, you first need to cleanse your face using a special makeup remover, and then start washing.

Number of washes

During the day, dust settles on the skin, it sweats, and an oily sheen appears. However, you should not wash your face often, twice a day is enough - in the morning and in the evening. Due to frequent washing, the skin loses its natural protection.

Water

Water for washing should be clean and soft. If hard water flows from the tap, it can be softened by boiling and adding soda. Melt water is ideal for washing. You can freeze it in the freezer.

Water temperature

Washing should be carried out in two stages:

to open the pores, you need to start with warm water;
then rinse your skin with cool water to close the cleansed pores and invigorate the skin.

Cleansers

For greater effect, you can wash your face using special cleansers. They should be applied not to dry skin, but to moisturized skin. For washing you can use:

baby soap;
cream soap;
foam;
lotion;
gel;
scrub (use from time to time);
solution sea salt if there is no damage or inflammation;
camomile tea.

Funds first in small quantity rub in your hands and then apply with gentle circular movements. They need to be distributed evenly over the skin for 1-2 minutes, without the need to rub. After which you should immediately wash off the foam without keeping it on your face. After washing, you need to make sure that the cleanser does not remain on your face.

After washing

After washing, do not rub your face with a towel. You can damage the skin by causing microdamage to it. You need to gently pat your face dry with a clean, dry towel, or better not wipe it at all, but let your face dry on its own.

The cream corresponding to your skin type is applied to damp skin.

Immediately after washing your face, you should not go outside to avoid chapping and drying out your skin.

Rules for washing your face for sensitive skin

There are more and more complaints about the deterioration of facial skin, dryness, burning and allergies. Such dermatological problems are primarily related to our reaction to external factors. An innovative method of cleansing sensitive facial skin will help solve this problem - waterless. This method will reduce the number of facial contacts with water.

Cosmetologists believe that micellar water and cosmetics such as milk, cream, tonic, and lotion are best. In the absence of makeup, it will be enough to cleanse your face with a cotton ball moistened with micellar water, additionally refreshing it with non-chilled thermal water. To properly remove makeup, you need to use a two-phase product, then carefully apply a layer of cosmetic cream or milk. The cosmetics will quickly dissolve and can be removed with a cotton pad.

When choosing a cleanser, those with sensitive skin should choose ones that do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. This allergen, which is the strongest for humans, can cause undesirable consequences and is harmful to health. If you choose a waterless method of washing, you can use scrubs and peels once a week. If you have no contraindications or significant skin problems, you do not need to refuse them. The scrub can be removed from the skin with regular non-carbonated mineral water or weak green tea.

The waterless method of washing does not leave unpleasant discomfort and a feeling of skin tightness, and does not contribute to increased production of sebum. Does not cause rashes or subcutaneous pimples. This way - good remedy protect skin from additional stress and irritation. This is especially true with the onset of autumn to restore the skin after exposure to summer sun rays.

With the systematic use of a waterless method of washing, you can achieve good result, make your skin healthy and fresh. This cleansing is very useful and is more effective than the usual method. It can also be used for normal facial skin. Take care of your face, always be well-groomed and beautiful!

And no cold washing!

In summer, you should forget about peeling and whitening the skin, and wash your face only with lukewarm water (at about room temperature).

In summer, peeling is undesirable, since after the procedure the stratum corneum is removed and the rate of cell division in the upper layer of the epidermis increases. As a result, sun exposure may cause side effects, for example, age spots. Strictly prohibited in summer. After all, not only small pigment spots may appear after it, but strong pigmentation of the entire cleaned area will occur. And getting rid of this will be very difficult, and in some cases even unrealistic. That is why peeling is done only in the autumn-winter and winter-spring periods. And after the procedure, you should definitely use sunscreen.

You shouldn’t generously “paint your face” in the summer. In the heat, the sebaceous and sweat glands work very intensively, and the pores on the face expand. A rough layer of cosmetics can lead to clogged pores, and subsequently inflammation. To prevent makeup from “floating” in the heat, it should be minimal. The best thing to do is to use a mild tinted moisturizer. If your face is tanned, then only a simple moisturizer. For some reason, many people give up powder in the summer, but in vain! Light summer powder protects your face from dust. In hot weather, it is best to replace regular mascara with waterproof one; it will protect your eyelashes well from fading in the sun. But it is best to use crumbly shadows, and you should discard the pencil because the wax that is in its composition will flow.

Under no circumstances should you wash your face too much cold water. After all, it makes the skin very dry. You need to wash your face with water at room temperature, using mousse or foam for washing. Cold water sharply narrows the pores, leaving all the bacteria in the middle, and hot water greatly speeds up the work of the sebaceous glands. This is why saunas and steam baths are contraindicated, as well as hot shower and bath. The scrub should be used once a week.

The mistake of many women is that in the summer, they cleanse their skin with lotion several times a day to get rid of oily shine. But the trick lies in the fact that the skin, with frequent cleansing, turns on a defense mechanism - it increases the activity of the sebaceous glands. The more often you cleanse, the more often the glands produce fat. The result is oily, dehydrated skin.

Very often you hear advice: do not wash your face with soap! It is even proposed to completely eliminate contact of facial skin with water. Are these types of tips helpful? How to properly cleanse your facial skin so that it is not only healthy, but also remains young and beautiful for a long time? Dermatologist-cosmetologist Elena Ovsieva told Pravda.Ru about this.

Without purity, any effort to improve appearance will be doomed to failure - this is an axiom. Proper cleansing of the facial skin can eliminate the need to use many creams, and a fresh and radiant face almost does not need decorative cosmetics. Cleanliness is also a requirement of civilization: for those who live on a desert island with pristine nature and do not go down to the subway every day, you can refuse to wash your face. Everyone else will have to take facial skin hygiene seriously and responsibly, otherwise they will end up with a stale complexion, acne, “blackheads,” and early wrinkles.

Is it possible to wash your face with soap?
It is widely believed that soap is main enemy skin beauty. Let's figure it out. “Soaps are made from a chemical reaction between fat and lye,” explains "Pravde.Ru" dermatologist-cosmetologist Elena Ovsieva. – Having an alkaline base, soap can disrupt the acid balance of the skin. And it is necessary for the “life” of beneficial microflora, which protects the skin from dangerous microbes. Frequent washing with soap can actually make your skin prone to infections. In addition, this can cause dry skin due to an imbalance in the hydrolipid balance.”

But it turns out that not everything that we are accustomed to consider soap is such. As the cosmetologist notes, the lion's share of the soap that we buy in cosmetic stores is solid synthetic syndet. They are more “delicate” than ordinary soap, they have an acid-base balance of pH 5.5 - just like our skin, which is why they are often advertised as cosmetic soaps and beauty soaps. Their task is a thorough and tonic cleansing. To reduce the risk of irritation, you can choose products labeled “for sensitive skin” - these syndets are more gentle on the protective hydrolipidic film of the skin.

Are they suitable for facial cleansing? “It’s still better to cleanse your face with a special lotion or milk, depending on your skin type,” advises Elena. – But if you, for example, are very tired and you do not have the strength to reach cotton pads, it is better to wash your face with soap and water than to sleep in cosmetics, dust and dirt that have accumulated during the day. If you feel tight after washing, simply apply a moisturizing or nourishing cream. I will add that the feeling of dryness can appear not only due to the use of soap, but also from hard water.”

In general, it is better to cleanse your skin not before going to bed, but as soon as you come home from the street. During the day, decorative cosmetics mix with sebum and dust, and this environment is a real paradise for the growth of bacteria. Free your skin from impurities, allow it to breathe and recuperate.

Do you need to wash your face after a day at home? Your apartment is not sterile, the sebaceous glands are not lazy to work, bacteria do not sleep. If you do not pay attention to this, after a few days the surface of the skin will become uneven, the pores will become greasy and very noticeable, and the face will become dull. And a simple evening wash with soap, foam or gel accelerates cell renewal at night, so in the morning you wake up refreshed and prettier.

cleanliness
· If you just need to wash your face after sleep, it is better to use water without soap.
· Dry skin – for daily cleansing and makeup removal, choose a product in the form of a cream or emulsion.
· Oily skin – a cleansing gel that does not contain oils is suitable, which foams when interacting with water and is easily washed off.
· Normal skin – there is a wide choice: cleansing mousses, gels, creams, foams, emulsions. The cleansing procedure should be pleasant and comfortable, focus on your feelings.
· Sensitive skin- be especially careful. If your cheeks become red, irritated and flaky from the slightest contact with water, not to mention soap, Galina Ovsieva advises contacting a specialist who will recommend products and preparations that are suitable for comfortable and proper cleansing of your delicate skin.
· Every skin type needs deep cleansing from time to time. But, as the cosmetologist notes, in Lately these procedures have become so popular that many have become overzealous with them

Get involved. “Frequent exfoliation leads to the opposite effect: the skin begins to flake and may become oilier,” warns Ovsieva. Conclusion: scrub dry skin once every two weeks, normal skin once a week, and oily skin every three days. Curdled milk, whey, natural juices of fruits and berries, if the skin tolerates them well, can become natural substitutes for cosmetic scrubs.

To have clean and healthy skin, you need to wash your face twice a day - after waking up and before going to bed. The morning procedure is performed in order to wash away settled particles of dust, bacteria and sweat after a night's rest. Evening manipulation is carried out immediately after an active pastime. This way you will get rid of applied cosmetics and settled fine dirt. The skin will breathe again, reducing the risk of unwanted acne.

How to soften washing water

Use purified or boiled water. Dilute in 2 liters. liquid 25 ml. boric acid. Or add to 1 l. water 20 ml. glycerin, 10 ml. lemon juice and 5 gr. baking soda. Stir the mixture and let it sit for a day.
If you value your skin, avoid using running water. It contains a large number of heavy impurities that have a detrimental effect on the dermis. Also avoid washing your face with ice water.
Cold liquid significantly constricts blood vessels, as a result of which the skin does not receive enough nutrients and blood circulation worsens. The dermis begins to peel off, loses its former elasticity, and becomes sluggish.
Hot water is also bad for the quality of the skin. The vessels dilate and weaken. The result is the formation of sagging and spider veins.
Therefore, you need to use water for washing at the optimal temperature (room temperature). This liquid will help to moderately open the pores and clean them of impurities.

Features of washing

Wash your hands with soap. The rule is considered basic, because it is on the palms that a large number of harmful bacteria accumulate. They can cause acne.
Removing cosmetics. If you come home after an active day, remove your makeup. Use a cotton swab and foam to remove makeup. After the manipulation, moisturize your face with cream.
Face massage. 5 minutes after waking up in the morning, soak cotton pads in cold water and massage around the eyes and nasolabial folds. Then proceed directly to washing. Try to use purified, slightly warm water.
Water temperature. Do not use a contrasting method. If there is a sharp change in water temperature, you risk bursting capillaries. As a result, redness of the skin cannot be avoided.
Do not hurry. Before the procedure, be sure to moisturize your skin with water. After this, apply a special cleanser. Try to follow the dosage of the product each time. Distribute the foam over your face with massage movements.
Rinse thoroughly. If you do not wash off the remaining product properly, this move will lead to clogged pores and peeling. To avoid skin irritation, thoroughly rinse the areas of your nose, neck and hairline.
Peeling and scrubbing. Using cleansers helps remove deep impurities and even out the skin. It is worth considering the fact that frequent use of such cosmetics can seriously harm the dermis. Use scrubs and peels based on the characteristics of your skin type. If necessary, consult a cosmetologist.
Skin care products. Do not overuse frequent and intense drying of your face with a towel. Skip the leather sponge. Such products can greatly harm the dermis, stretching and scratching it. As a result, cracks and creases will occur. It is best to use your fingertips for cleansing.
Maintaining moisture levels. Systematically apply nourishing cream or hydrogel (serum) to your facial skin after washing. This move will allow you to retain the required amount of fluid in the cells, and you will be able to avoid dry dermis.
Frequency of washing. Not worth carrying out water treatments faces more than 2 times a day. Otherwise, substances contained in cosmetics may disrupt the natural balance of the skin. Subsequently, acne cannot be avoided.
Sleeping mode. Make it a habit to thoroughly cleanse your skin before going to bed. Don't relax with makeup on your face. Thus, the pores become clogged and do not receive the required amount of oxygen. As a result, inflammation of the skin, ulcers, and complex neoplasms appear.

After applying the cleansing cosmetic, rinse your face thoroughly. Apply to the hairline, neck and chin area.
Give yourself a separate terry towel for your face. Try to change it at least 3 times a week, this way you will protect your skin from various bacteria.
Use facial toner systematically. If you have slight redness and pimples, resort to the help of any citrus juice. It copes well with swelling and inflammation.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before any manipulation. Choose targeted cosmetics based on the characteristics of your skin. Clean the dermis 2 times a day. Do not wash your face with simple bath soap, it dries out the dermis.
Forget about using hot water when washing your face. After this, the pores expand greatly, losing their own moisture. As a result, the skin begins to peel off.
Maintain good sleep hygiene and remove all makeup. Don't wash your face too often unless necessary. This removes the protective layer, and the skin becomes oily many times faster.
Be careful when using new cosmetic products. Apply the product to an invisible area of the body. Wait 15 minutes, then wash off. If no traces of redness remain, feel free to apply the facial composition.

To keep your facial skin toned, you should follow the rules of washing. Always practice simple hygiene before using cleaning products. Carry out the procedure twice a day, not more often. Find the right products for your skin type.