So many of us have gotten into the routine of absentmindedly washing our faces each morning and night, but are we really taking into consideration a few tiny tricks that can make all the difference in a more effective wash? As model Angela Lindvall said, one major component of a deep and effective cleanse is including some type of massage. It's important to stimulate your lymph system to get much needed oxygen and blood circulating in your face. Also, be sure that you are using the correct cleanser for your skin type and please try to avoid bar soaps at all costs — they can really dry out your skin.
The goal of face washing is to unclog pores and to dissolve dirt, makeup and remove excess oils. You may not realize that this is also a great opportunity to slough off dead skin cells by exfoliating.
Lastly, have you considered the route you take? Begin washing your face starting at your forehead and work your way to your nose, then outwards to your cheeks and eventually down to your face and neck. A proper face wash is a really simple way to maintain the health of your skin.
To read my easy four-step process and tips on how to wash your face, read more
- STEP 1: Begin by washing your hands. (You don't want all of the grease, grime and germs from your hands on your face, do you?) And, if you have on any eye makeup, remove it before you begin to cleanse.
- STEP 2: Wet your face completely with tepid water. Anything too hot will shock the skin and could even burst capillaries, resulting in those sensitive red marks usually found around the nose and cheeks. Next, squeeze a dime-sized amount of cleanser onto your fingertips and rub them together. Use your fingertips to massage the cleanser into your skin (anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute) in small and gentle circular motions.
- STEP 3: One of the best ways to ensure that dirt and makeup are removed is by using a muslin cloth when you rinse. In addition, if you gently scrub in small circles, the cloth also acts as a light exfoliant! Also, don't forget to rinse your hairline, your neck and the nooks on either side of your nose.
- STEP 4: Finish by splashing your face two to three times with cool water (not freezing cold—again, you don't want to shock your face) to close your pores and then pat your skin dry with a clean towel.

















Decleor
Take-Two
Jimmy Choo
This is great; it's so wierd. Just now whilst I washed my face I wondered if I was doing it right and hoped you could write an article on it; Boy- talk about fate!
1I love your "How To's" and "Beauty reviews"!
I check Bella everyday for them; they really make my day, thanks again Bella!
I just do mine in the shower usually because over the sink makes WAY too much of a mess!
2Wow, other than starting at the top and using the muslin cloth, I am doing everything right!
3Aw, thanks, Candyhunnie! I'm trying to plow through a pile of products, so hopefully, I'll have more for you sooooon!
4Muslin cloth??
Nah I'll pass-I'll keep things the way I do it.
5thank you! i don't read product reviews because i cannot find them in my country but i really love How To's , i search your website sometimes to find posts that i can use
6I want your job, Bella! hehe
"Oh no, I have to try this large pile of awesome products.. darn!"
The best advice I can give about face washing is: Your face is not the bathroom floor...stop scrubbing! (from Dr. Hauschka's website). I really love their method, which is to press and roll in addition to the circular motions. It's a lot easier on the skin and is supposed to help de-gunkify your pores as well.
I'm obsessed with clean, well moisturized skin. That is one thing I definitely stay on top of in my beauty routine!
7I use this handmade tea tree soap BAR on my face and love it! It is only slightly drying that my previous product, but my face is so much clearer. I just moisturize afterwards and I'm set.
8Also, I'm all about the massaging of the face when washing and I too do it in the shower. It's really rather relaxing.
(Alliterate much?)
ashcwebb-
I have the same problem! I am the only person I know who can't help but get water all over the sink/counter. I have no clue how people keep the water "tidy." LOL. Nothing I've tried helps because it involves weird contortions, LOL.
9Its not really how to wash it, its what cleanser to use. I used over ten different types of cleanser before I found the right one for my combination skin. For good skin, you always have to drink water as well.
10I get water all over the sink counter too, Foudini!!
I don't use a "muslin cloth", but I do always use a washcloth with my Cetaphil.
11I usually wash my face in the shower, but when I have to wash it in the sink, I usually just put as much as my face under the faucet that can fit. It still makes a mess, but not nearly as much. Plus I don't like it when the water runs down my arms.
12I use the Dove BAR of soap and I love it.
It is the only product (seriously the Only thing) I have ever used that does a fantastic job of cleaning my skin - without any irritation.
I have very sensitive skin when it comes to cleansers, and Dove is the #1 brand I would recommend.
I have seen a skin specialist, a dermatologist, & gone to a Dr. at an acne clinic and it comes highly recommended from all of them.
Also, washing with any sort of soap/cleanser in the morning isn't 100% necessary. If you feel like your skin is a little dry/tight, it is ok to just a water only wash in the morning before moisturizing!
13Thanks, it's so easy to get lazy and forget how to really pay attention to what you're doing.
14I use a Clarisonic Brush! And if I'm in a hurry, I use a Pond's Clean Sweep Exfoliating Cloth.
15i actually do that innately
16People always hate when I say this, but I never wash my face.When I shower, I might rub my face a bit, but never use soap or anything. I moisturize when I get out and that's it. I do wear make-up on an almost daily basis (foundation etc). Whenever I do get all crazy and try to wash my face, my skin gets SUPER dry and feels bad for the next day. So I don't wash. I never break out, I don't tan so I don't have wrinkles and it works for me
17i like this. nice avice for thoes girls who dont know anything and dont take pride in hw they look.:]
i use shu uemura cleansers. they are amazing! esp if you have dry skin. try them :]
18also i know this is me probs just being fussy but i never use water straight from the tap when im doing my daily skincare morning and night, i use water from my brita filter lol. makes a difference actually.
19The cloth really makes a difference...I just started using one about 3 weeks ago....I used to just use the cetaphil...
20Right.
21I have tried all sorts of cleansers and use Dove Bar soap. It's the best! I have ultra sensitive skin and don't break out at all anymore (don't hate me, I paid my dues!). The soap and water approach works best for me, and saves me money.
One more thing to add to the tips...don't forget your neck! Your neck ages quicker than your face, so treat it well. Always moisturize and clean with the same products you use on your face.
22For acne/blemish prone skin, my dermatologist actually told me never to use any kind of wash cloth. Just a tip.
23With hearing about how awful parabens and sodium laurel sulfate is I've given up on drugstore brand skin care products altogether. Plus, nearly every brand out there - Neutrogena, Oil of Olay, Ponds, etc - all test on animals which I think is ridiculous.
I have incredibly sensitive, break out prone skin, and I thought I would never find a cleanser that would work (even Cetaphil, with only 8 ingrediants, is completely synthetic!). So if any of you are looking for an all natural gentle cleanser I HIGHLY recommend the Clearly Natural Glycerin soaps
I started using the one with vitamin E in it and I'm obsessed! They are inexpensive and, if you go on their website, you can save money buy buying a soap kit to
make them yourself.
24i do what Renees3 does i rarely wash my face cuz it dries it out wayy too much to the point when even my good moisturiser isnt enough. Althought i dont wear any foundation, i rarely get any blemishes, and no rinkles so far its workign for me.
25By the way for those of you with really dry skin ive tried everything and i finally got HYDRANORME LA ROCHE-POSAY and it works soo good. i recommend it to everyone i know
26everyone knows that cold water doesn't "close your pores"... pores don't open and close. but the point of hot water is right... warm water is best. any dermatologist will tell you, though, that cold water won't do anything to "close pores"... or shrink them, for that matter.
27i have to say i completely disagree with all of this. my derm recommended washing my face with just dove bar soap years ago and it wasnt until 7 months ago that i finally listened. that coupled with washing my face for TWO minutes (per kinerase instructions) hasmade my skin finally look flawless. ive tried everything in the book to make my skin not break out and simple dove bar soap and light moisturizer. and i have normal skin..
28Thanks for the tips
29Woohoo, thanks for the tips
30I'm gonna go wash my face in that exact manner right now xD
I was expecting something groundbreaking, bit I do the massage and the other stuff anyway.
31great tips bella.
32I do almost all of the steps, but some of the steps i didn't even think to do. Thanks for the tips.
33Thanks for confirming that I wash my face correctly. Now if you could only tell me how to correctly treat break outs lol! I break out even though I wash my face morning & night. It's pathetic. My once peaceful teenage skin has turned on me. I need some tips about good acne medications (non prescription).
lots of ♥
34topazgrll
wow, thanks for this information.
35good tips!
36actually pores don't open and close since they're not a muscle. When you splash cold water on them, it just slows down the pores producing oil.
37just be gentle-not tugging or pulling
38Wow, thank you Bella!!! I really need this!
39what cleanser do u recommend for normal type skin??? and where do i get muslin cloth?
40Baby Wash Cloth in the baby section of Target or any store will work to substitute Muslin Cloth.
41One thing that works great for me is washing my face last in the shower. The hot steam from the shower softens the skin and opens the pores, and after washing, my skin feels much cleaner and fresher, looks much clearer, and seems to absorb moisturizer much better. One steam treatment a day (that doesn't take any extra time out of the day anyway) can't hurt, right?
42I agree with Renees3 -- am 58 years old and have not touched my face with anything -- cleanser, toner, moisturizer, eye cream -- for the last 2 months -- even in this cold Chicago winter. However, do not wear any makeup, so that has a lot to do with it, and my face feels fine to the touch -- not tight at all. But, if and when I do wear makeup, I use a mousse cleanser at night to wash the makeup, then Clinique mild soap, w/their toner following, then a moisturizer. But only when I wear makeup.
43Thanks! =]
44I really like this tip!
45I use baby washclothes too! Essential for getting sunscreen off at the end of the day.
46Make sure to use a clean cloth everytime you cleanse. Bacteria can collect on damp towels.
47Sounds easy enough.
xx-Morena
48Cleaning your face properly really does prevent break outs.
49It's all about using the wash cloth/muslin!
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