Let's talk about why you need more than just "water" to cleanse your face winter, spring, summer or fall.
Yes, I have heard a few, and I do mean a FEW people that are using "water only cleansing" to cleanse their skin. They are saying cleansing with just water leaves your skin glowing. Even some dermatologists are getting in on this "water only cleansing" process! I will forever say, "you do you", but hear me out when I say "water only cleansing" is honestly just not enough.
Let me tell you a story about my skin and the first job I had in a lighting and plumbing store, then you can make your own decision if "water only cleansing" is the best way to cleanse your skin.
I was a junior at Montgomery High School (Santa Rosa, CA) and a friend told me about this job opening at a lighting and plumbing store. I thought great, this could help me pay for my gas since I lived way up on Sonoma Mtn. Rd, not too far from Glen Ellen, Kenwood, St. Helena and Sonoma/Napa, wine country! Living so far out also meant I used a lot of gas going back and forth from home to school.
I started at Yardbirds" (don't judge :)), filing in the office, also stacking shelves, learning how to assemble the hanging lights, then putting them up on hooks in the front door area of the store, plus training as a checker. Yes, I was taught a little bit of everything!
Yardbirds is where my skin dilemma started!
My skin was always clear except for an occasional breakout (mom and gma taught me well about skin care thankfully). So after about one month of working at Yardbirds, my skin started breaking out like crazy, and I don't mean just a little, I mean flat out, full blown, red, inflamed acne!
Mom really took notice!
She thought about my dilemma then put 2 and 2 together! She said lovingly, you always come home with a dirty face. Yes I did, an oily, dirty face! Then she asked, are you putting your hands on your face during the day? She knew the answer to the question already. I was a very shy child and had my hands on my face a lot, so yes, my hands were on my face on and off ALL during the day!
Together we made up a plan to conquer my skin breakout problem...
First, I had to become hyper-aware of this habit of putting my hands on my face and stopping it! Trust me, this was easier said than done.
Second, I had to wash my face with this crème cleanser (oil based) my mom had, both morning and evening. Actually as soon as I got off work and walked in the door!
Third, I had to change my pillowcase every morning when I woke up to help this process of keeping my skin clean. I also had to wash off the steering wheel in my car every evening because of all the dirt I had on my hands, even though I washed them at work! Like I said, I had to be hyper-aware with this new skin care regime.
Did all this due diligence payoff?
YES! Within two weeks my skin was almost clear again! I had to continue this process the whole time I worked at Yardbirds and beyond!
How does this story have anything to do with cleansing your face with only "water" Water alone does NOT and will not cleanse your skin. Graphically speaking, cleansing with "water only" will not take off the makeup, old sebum, dirt, grime and dead skin cells (just to name a few). Water will only smear all this gunk around your face, helping it to do a deep-dive into your pores and aging your skin unnecessarily faster.
There is a very good saying about cleansing your skin with oil or an oil based crème cleanser, "good oil takes off bad oil".
Here is a dermatologist that does believe in oil based cream cleansers and why cleansing properly with them is the best way to cleanse your skin!
"When massaged into the skin, oils in the cleanser bind to surface impurities (pulling out dirt without clogging pores) and allow them to be comfortably rinsed away leaving the skin clean, soft and hydrated, explained Dr. Diane Walder, a Miami-based cosmetic dermatologist."
Some Q & A about cleansing your skin properly.
According to dermatologist, Dr. Kang Seung Hun, skin sebum and sweat production increase by 20 percent during summer. During this period, the skin also produces more dead skin cells to protect itself from UV rays.
To ensure that our skin stays in tip-top condition, we’ll need to be extra aware about our cleansing routine when the temperature increases to prevent clogged pores, acne, and other possible skin issues under the warmer climate.
So how do we get our cleansing routine down pat during all four seasons? Here are some professional tips according to Dr. Hun based on some common cleansing questions.
Question #1. Can you wash your face using only water if you don’t use makeup?
Tip:*You should always wash your face with a gentle crème cleansing product morning and evening like Dr. Lucy's Gentle Crème Cleanser, even if you haven't applied makeup.
Why?
Even if you haven't applied makeup, your skin still has bodily wastes and sebum caused by sweat and dirt remaining on your skin. Water alone can’t wash them off. So you’ll need to use cleansing products like an oil based crème cleanser to aid in the gentle, deep cleansing process.
Question # 2. Is it beneficial to use an electronic facial cleansing brush if you have a lot of dirt and makeup on your skin?
Tip: Facial cleansing brushes can do a good job of cleansing your skin thoroughly, but it can also irritate your skin. Some women swear by their Clarisonic. Others reported skin allergies and rashes after using the brush.
Why?
According to Dr. Hun, the key is in how you use the brush on your skin. You should never use strength to exert the brush on your face. Always be gentle to ensure the brush feels soft on your skin.
I am personally using only a soft, warm washcloth on my face. I have less Rosacea flare ups this way.
Question # 3. How should you cleanse if you only wear sunscreen and no makeup?
Tip: You should double cleanse even if you only wear sunscreen and no makeup.
Why?
The higher the amount of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide in sunscreen, the harder it is to wash them off. You will definitely have to double cleanse. In fact, you should be worried if your mineral based sunscreen can be washed off relatively easily because it might not have withstood your perspiration and did not last as long as you’ve desired it to.
I personally do not use a waterproof sunscreen on my face. Hynt Beauty Broad Spectrum SPF25 is what I use.
I hope that gives some food for thought about the "water only" cleansing method.:)
With Love and Blessings,
Rebecca
"One of the most important things a father can do for his children is to love their mother and God." -Rebecca Siegfried
