Your skin is your largest organ, and many people would agree, the most beautiful. Keeping your largest organ clean is especially important because it is exposed to so many pollutants every day. External pollutants, including pollution from the environment and harmful products we apply to our skin, cause blockages and prevent our skin from breathing. Internal pollutants from other organs that detoxify the body come to the surface in the form of sweat and oil. That is why it is so important to clean the superficial layer of the skin. It is becoming more and more important as our environment gets harsher.
To avoid pimples, skin disorders and ultimately wrinkles, it is necessary to clean the skin frequently. It is especially important to clean at night. The morning wash will wake you up and is good too, but if you don’t cleanse your skin well at night, the time when your body is repairing itself, it won’t be able to detox. Before you retire for the night, make it a habit to wash your face well.
Many soaps claim to be mild and non-irritating. Most soaps won’t irritate most of the skin on your body, but your face is a different story. The skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive than the skin that covers other places. If you have very sensitive or very dehydrated skin, you may want to avoid cleansers altogether, except for a few times a week. Soap has a high PH and will irritate and prematurely age your skin if you are susceptible. A little water and the juice of one lemon is a natural way to cleanse the skin. The acid in the lemon will remove dirt and is not harsh like soap.
Skin that is “normal” to dry can be washed with a moisturizing cleanser with an emollient (lotion). It is still better to look for products that are gentle. Regular soap leaves a residue that essentially defeats the purpose of cleaning in the first place. Avoid drying your face or blot it dry with a clean cloth when you’re done washing so your emollient doesn’t rub off.
For oilier skin, sometimes it’s good to look for a product classified as milk. These products clean well and do not add moisture or clog material when washed. Oily skin needs to be washed more frequently to keep it clean. Adding the lemon juice regimen between cleanses is one way to keep oily skin in check.
Exfoliation is an often overlooked aspect of clean skin care. In addition to the wide variety of pollutants we already talked about, the skin produces its own clogging factors. It is a living organism and reproduces and regenerates. Dead skin cells also clog our pores. That’s why exfoliation is important. Exfoliation, or the sloughing off of dead skin cells, is easy and effective even once a week. Too much will cause undue stress and irritation. Dry exfoliation is done with a natural bristle brush. You firmly “brush” your skin in a circular motion to increase circulation and detoxification. Exfoliating cleansers, or facial scrubs, are applied with the same circular technique followed by a good rinse.
We learned to wash our hands in preschool; washing your face can be just as easy. For the practice to become a habit, it is advisable to take into account a routine when washing. First, wet your face, apply the cleanser to your hands and work into a lather. Then, using your fingers, gently massage the product into your skin. Rinse with a spritz or washcloth being careful to remember the personal characteristics of your skin. Check that you don’t feel any residue on your face and then air dry or pat dry with a clean cloth. Remember that after washing you are not protected from UV rays and you may need to apply a product with SPF to protect yourself. Your largest organ is ready to take on the world.
