Double Cleansing to get rid of Makeup

As you all would already be aware, makeup is terribly drying for skin. But, not to worry since there are lot of cleansers and other products available to wash off the makeup from your face. But, with make up, it is always better to cleanse your face twice. This is called Double Cleansing. First round of cleansing would be to get rid of the makeup and all the dirt in your face and second round would be to clean your face properly to free it of all traces of the product.

Why should everyone do double cleansing?
Double cleansing can be done even if you do not wear make up. It is especially useful for people who spend a lot of time in sun or dusty areas. Everyone uses sunscreen now a days. Sunscreen has the same chemical structure as does the other makeup products because of which a simple cleanser will not be able to get rid of the sunscreen completely from your skin. This applies even if you prefer either chemical or physical sunscreens. Thus, a need for double cleansing.

Ways to remove make up from face:

• Double Cleansing (which I am going to explain shortly)
• Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) 

How to Double Cleanse your face?

• Use a makeup removing cleanser to wash your face first. You can instead use any makeup removing gels or cleansing milk or cleansing oil which ever suits you best. Generally, oil + water is the best way to go for double cleansing. You can also start with removing makeup with wiping tissues first.
• Cleansing should be done in circular motions with upward strokes just like a facial massage. Do not forget the delicate eye area, the area around the lips and the ears, your neck and the upper part of your chest. Cleansing should be done wherever you have applied sunscreen or any body part that has remain exposed even if it is feet. And, an area which tends to go ignored most is along the hairline.
• Wash off the cleanser thoroughly with cold water splashes. Let your skin relax a bit and let it dry. Now, check for the dirt and grime in your skin. If your skin is completely clean, you can proceed with a minimal amount of cleanser for the next wash. If not, a little more with a little of massage would be necessary. So, it is always advised to devote time and clean your face first time diligently removing all the makeup from everywhere otherwise you might need to wash your face 3-4 times which is never advisable. 
• Follow with washing your face next time and you are done. 

Some precautions to take care of:

• Never try to scrub off your makeup. This will instead cause your makeup to get into the pores. So, if you are planning to scrub, remove the makeup first and then follow with the cleansing and then use the scrub. 
• Do not be too harsh on your skin. Use gentle products which are not drying. Cleansing oils are very much available these days. Making use of them would be much more sensible for any skin type even oily and sensitive.
• Do not over wash your skin and body. And, moisturize well after removing the makeup. And, no double cleansing would not be too drying for your skin unless you are over doing it.

Homemade Cleanser
In a bowl, pour adequate amount of milk and add 5-6 drops of almond oil. Almond oil is best at removing make-up and lactic acid in milk aids cleaning of the skin moisturizing it simultaneously. Mix them. Refrain from adding anything else because you want to clean your face. At max, I would suggest you to add only lemon juice in case of oily skin as it controls the oil production. Take a wash cloth or sponge, dip it in the mixture and apply it to your face in circular motions as advised above. Follow with your favorite cleanser or with milk again and you would get a glowing skin.

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Instructions on washing your face and body

Yes, it is something you have been doing since time unknown but are you sure that you are washing your face correctly? It is possible that you are over-using your cleanser or your hair is peeping on your face when you are washing your face. Similar to washing your hair, washing your face is no big deal but changing little things about your routine will show amazing changes in your skin texture. And, the same principles apply when you take a shower too.

What is the correct way of washing your face? I have elaborated on some steps in the routine which should be given attention.

• First step will always be to remove the makeup. 
• Pull all your hair back from your face using a hair band. Do not pull it too tightly otherwise it will damage your hair. 
• Splash water on your face. Do not use too cold or too hot water. Neither will do your skin any good except for drying it. Room temperature water is fine even for closing the pores.
• Take a little amount of cleanser in your hand. Keep it at the bare minimum. The aim is not to get more lather but to clean your face without drying it. You would notice that in case of some face washes, a very little amount produces more than enough of lather. More lather producing products would be more drying for your face.
• Rub your palms together and apply the cleanser or face wash to your face in circular motions. Do not press to hard. And, see if you can get the circular motions with upward strokes as in case of facial massages. This action would ensure a gentle massage for your face and prevents, in the long run, your skin from hanging down. 
• Be very gentle near the eyes. Sometimes the foam enters the eyes and causes irritation so take care to avoid such a situation as it is not good for the eyes. 
• Do not forget to get the grime out of your eyelashes and eyebrows, behind the ears, on the curve of the ears, creases along the nose and edges of the eyes. These places, often, get very dirty.
• Do not exceed the time limit of one minute. Excess washing is again not good for skin. Splash lukewarm water first on your face to wash off all traces of the cleanser or soap. And, then conclude with room temperature water splashes on your face. Make sure your face is squeaky clean and no layer of cleanser or face wash is left behind. In case you feel a greasy layer on your face after washing it, get rid of the face wash or cleanser you are using and try a new one. 
• Now, you can proceed to tone your face using green tea or any other toner of your choice. You can even skip this step if you do not want to do it. But, if you do not want to invest in costly chemical laden products, then splashing green tea on your face regularly keeps it looking fresh and dewy. It is a natural toner and without chemicals and full of anti-oxidants. Give a minute for green tea to sink in to your skin before washing it off.
• Pat your face damp. Do not let it dry completely. Do not rub your face to dry it. The friction from the towel causes the skin to get dry. Or, if you have time, let it air dry. It takes only a minute. Moisturize while your face is still damp.It locks the moisture in.

Same routine should be applied while taking shower. Use as less soap or body wash as possible as they lather a lot. And, do not keep on lathering your body for unlimited time. Instead, finish off as soon as possible. Using lukewarm to little warm water is best for your skin. You would see the difference in your skin within a week of following these strictures to the 'T'. Do not forget to moisturize your body as soon as you are out of your shower. Best place to moisturize your skin is inside the bathroom. The heat and humid atmosphere will make sure you lock in more moisture and keep your pores open.

Finally, I would wind up this post by stating some tips and precautions:

• If you use a loofah or flannels in your shower, to get better results, soak them in a mug full of warm water 10-15 minutes prior to your shower. They would become soft and give better lather and are not too harsh on the skin. 
• Do not use dry brushes, loofahs and other exfoliating accessories in the shower more than thrice a week. It can seriously damage your skin. 
• Do you have sensitive skin? Stay away from using any kind of brushes or flannels in the shower.
• Do not exfoliate your body more than once or at most twice a week. 
• If you take bath twice a day, limit your baths to not more than 5 minutes. And, accordingly reduce the water temperature too.
• Do not buy a soap which makes "bubbles" in your bath. It strips off the oils from your skin. 
• Always use a non-soapy cleanser.

READ MORE - Instructions on washing your face and body