I am so pedantic about cleansing- even if i am home at 4am in the morning after a big night i will stagger to the bathroom and do the whole thing! I cleanse morning and night and if i've been out and then have to go out again during the weekends usually- I'll do a cleanse inbetween to keep fresh! I do a thorough wipe-away of all makeup, I do a light exfoliation, a cleanse then use an exfoliating prep toner, replenish serum, moisturiser sun-block (day) and a lightening serum which combats sensitiveness and decreases likeliness of splotchiness.
I actually used to have a skin problem because I was introduced to using pressed powder and the likes at the tender age of not even yet 10!! Combined with a lack of education in the cleansing department.
..my skin's natural process of replenishing had slowly depleted.
..so because i have olive skin.
..even though i had only light acne.
..i had terrible pigmentation.
So now that the treatments i've had have worked their wonders to reveal the skin i once had all over again- I pay alot of attention to my skin and it's needs. If my skin decides it doesn't want a certain product..
.I will skip it..
.etc. Nobody believes i've had a problem!
At least that's a good thing. Posted by: Missy at July 10, 2007 10:45 AM In the last few decades, I can't recall specifically cleaning my face. I just shower regularly, and the face gets clean in the process, mostly through the water that goes over the face when I shampoo.
And it seems to work. I complexion is ok. I get the glowing complexion from eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
I think a lot of the must-clean-twice-a-day crowd might be horrified by my comments, but the proof is in the pudding. I am in my 40's, and I don't have any crow's feet (yet) on my eyes, and I don't have any lines under my eyes. In fact, unless I scrunch up my face, I don't have any lines on my face.
Perhaps, just maybe, all the daily washing is doing something unnatural to the face, getting rid of natural oils. Posted by: Sturtz at July 10, 2007 11:20 AM What are we talking about when we say 'cleansing'? Just a splash of water or do you mean with a cleanser specifically, because if so I disagree.
The level of cleansing you need depends on your skin and your routine - if you have skin that isn't particularly oily and you don't wear makeup then once a day is plenty. More and you start interfering with the natural oil balance of your skin - I wash my face with water only in the morning and I only cleanse at night - and not every night. If I do my skin dries out completely.
I don't wear makeup on my skin (foundation, concealer, etc) just usually on my eyes and as long as that's washed off properly that's all the cleansing I need. You can't say cleansing twice a day is an absolute must for all women. There are no universal rules and your friends have obvioulsy figured out what works for them.
Posted by: Lally at July 10, 2007 11:41 AM I can't be stuffed with beauty routines. I don't use any cleansers or masks or anything else - I wear make up daily, and scrub my face vigorously with a hot washer morning and night as my mother taught me and that is all I do to cleanse. I went to a dermatologist one time about something or other, and told her a little ashamed that that was all I do and she said, "probably the best thing you could do" which surprised me, I thought she would say Oh you should do this and that.
...
I also pat my face with cows milk every night (Yes as my mother taught me!). I have a product called LidCare (from chemist) which takes all remaining traces of eye makeup off which lasts ages and is very good and completely benign (I don't use waterproof mascara which I dislike very much, might not work with that) .
I wear a really good quality night cream day and night. I try to drink up two litres of water a day, don't smoke and take four caps of fish oils and flax oil a day. I eat a pretty good diet and just stay away from pretty much all processed food.
I don;t go without my chocolate butter and steak. My skin is always clear and no clogged pores. I do face exercises to stop muscles sagging daily - here's one - get your index fingers and pull your eyes up at the corners firmly - now squeeze the eyes shut, count to five feel the muscles resist, repeat daily.
There's others on the net. I'm 48 and look much younger. I think this is definitely partly genes and I know not everyone can get away with not treating their skin with more tender loving care but if you have a pretty robust skin you might be wasting a lot of time and money on products and regimes you don't need.
Posted by: parrot at July 10, 2007 11:56 AM I cleanse morning and night with Clinique cleansing bar. I've used this product for about 10 years, and found that I'm happier with it than with anything else I've tried. But now I'm concerned - Is this soap?
Should I be worried that this is too harsh for my skin? Posted by: simbo at July 10, 2007 12:32 PM Well, I have to cleanse morning and night (with Cetaphil lotion, which is the best-kept secret in skin care, and cheap too), or I feel horribly dirty/greasy, etc. Mind you, I used to work for a guy who for years only ever rinsed his face with lukewarm water, never used soap or anything else, and he had the most beautiful skin I've ever seen on a man .
.. Posted by: sig at July 10, 2007 12:41 PM All this excessive cleansing is crazy.
My dermatologist told me skin is like a self cleaning oven. All I do is rinse in the morning under the shower, and cleanse at night, if and only if, I have been wearing makeup. We have all bought into marketing hype, and it seems we need to wipe, clean, scrub and expunge every molecule of "dirt" from our bodies.
The result is we strip our bodies of oils and upset the PH balance. Cetaphil is the best thing ever, any dermo will tell you - both cleanser and moisturiser. Posted by: Louise at July 10, 2007 1:22 PM I don't have time to cleanse morning and night, and don't bother with any routine unless I've got a cut or similar which needs taking care of - I do tend to be prone to random attacks of corners of furniture at all levels as I zoom around.
I eat breakfast at work because I don't have time for food otherwise - going through some weird cleansing routine when I shower regularly just seems peculiar. Besides, the bathroom and water are freezing and dark at that time of day - it's a shivery, miserable experience! I grew up with tank water in a rainforest, and a shower every day plus washing your face was a very wasteful indulgence, and the habit's stuck.
Posted by: Azure at July 10, 2007 2:01 PM No way do all skin types have to wash with a cleanser twice a day. My skin is fine with just water and then a very gentle exfoliator every 2 days or so. Better than cleansing your face twice a day stop wearing make up that would be heaps better for your skin Posted by: Kate at July 10, 2007 2:26 PM I can't believe that some women don't cleanse their face at all regardless whether they wear make-up or not.
It's one of those places that gets dirty so easily, where we are exposed to all sorts of conditions outside. Honestly, can you imagine yourself not showering everyday or simply just wipe yourself down with a towel and water? I think not.
...
.it's the same concept as to cleansing one's face. Posted by: Karen at July 10, 2007 2:31 PM I had real bad acne and my dermo suggested (whilst on Roaccutane) to remove eye make up with cream and wash my face with hoy water (open the pores)quite few splashed then with cold water (to close the pores) then moisturise when needed.
. i continued to do this after my Roacc treatment and have not looked back..
. i used to hate stripping my face with all those chemicals..
. is that why toner is needed? Posted by: Ell Wolf at July 10, 2007 3:07 PM I think its different for everyone and to say that 'cleansing is essential' is not the truth.
I'm pretty lucky I don't wear make-up and I just wash my face with water in the morning and night and that is it. Please don't write that people that it is 'essential' there is just no need. Posted by: ruth at July 10, 2007 4:12 PM I agree with Lally - everyone's skin is different and to say we should all be scrubbing twice a day is like saying everyone should condition their hair everyday - if I did that my skin would dry up and peel right off my face and my hair would be so slimy and limp I wouldnt be able to do anything with it.
Its not just a matter of finding a "gentle" product either - some people's skin just doesn't like having the life washed out of it! I cleanse using a soap-free cleanser when my skin feels dirty, otherwise I just use water and then a witchhazel toner. My mother uses actual soap (gasp!
), and has done all her life. She has beautifully clear skin, never had acne as a teenager and looks much younger than her 58 years. It's all relative!
Posted by: Amy at July 10, 2007 4:14 PM I've just got into exfoliation again - toning with witchazel when I remember or after a long hard week of partying. Posted by: boingbounce at July 10, 2007 4:20 PM I find the serious tone of your post on this subject pretty ludicrous. Yeah, washing regularly (your face, your bum, your feet, whatever) is generally considered a healthy practice and it makes you feel and look nice.
But let's not get carried away. Also, the word "cleanse" is ridiculous. Posted by: Lesley at July 10, 2007 4:35 PM I have to say after checking back all day for other people's posts, I'm amazed by some of the responses.
Of course you need to wash your face and body, some maybe more or less than others, but I have to ask why so many people who have no interest in a beauty regeime are reading a beauty blog? Posted by: hayley at July 10, 2007 5:45 PM whether you wear make up or not, the stuff that gets on your skin (all over, not just on your face) is really yuck. A freshly cleaned and moisturised face feels so nice!
I used to perform consults for friends on what types of products they should use -- some would say they would just scrub their face with soap and a face cloth...
oh dear! Glad to have helped them, and they've all had much better skin since! Posted by: sas at July 10, 2007 6:57 PM Hayley, I ask the same thing of the naysayers: this is a Beauty blog, if you don't like or do beauty, then got off this blog!
:) Is it a mere coincidence that I made the first post, then the pic to this article changed to a 'kitty' cleaning itself! hmmm..
. I must say, I actually have a few kitties and they are constantly cleaning and preaning, yet they do not check any blogs to seek affirmation of their ways, they just get to it and clean..
. Posted by: Kitty at July 11, 2007 1:51 AM I wash my face with water when I take a shower. I wash my hair when I take a shower.
I take a shower every other day (unless I actually get dirty or smelly). I rarely wash my makeup off, mainly because I don't wear alot, and I figure it wears off during the day. You certainly can't tell that I have any on when I'm home from work.
I have no interest in a beauty routine, but I read this blog because I read somewhere that we're all overcleansing ourselves, and I wanted to see what everyone else had to say. Posted by: trace at July 11, 2007 6:37 AM I put a towel over boiling water in a bowl and then wash with cold water and moisture straight away. I wonder though, is it best to wipe off excess moisture instead of washing off with cold water?
Posted by: fi at July 11, 2007 8:08 AM Posted by: hayley at July 10, 2007 5:45 PM good question, I only looked at it because I thought it was about cats. Posted by: parrot at July 11, 2007 8:57 AM By golly gee! Haha!
I wish the simple routine suited me...
my mum has normal skin and washes her face every morning using the same soap she showers with! When I was going through the pigmentation problem I had a woman I used to study with swore by Sorbolene. I gave it a go and it didn't solve my problem.
Obviously though when/if i have kids and especially if they develop a similar skin type to mine (that is where puberty kicks in about 3 years earlier than expected!!!
)i'll be showing them what the SHOULD be doing in the first place to prevent any further probs. SKIN is a SERIOUS topic..
.if your liver had an infection- would you not want to fix it? I really don't like the attitude of people i've come across in the past who try and makeout that ppl who take care of themselves are all *roll the eyes* .
..i mean really for crying out loud.
..get over it and get a facial!
:P teehee...
Posted by: Missy at July 11, 2007 9:20 AM The only reason you Women need to "Cleanse" is because you trowel on that shite all over your face in the first place! Men do not need to "Cleanse" because they refuse to be sucked in by the beauty myth peddled by the cosmetic companies. They do not cover their faces with pore-clogging chemicals so that they may look "Beautiful".
Like Parrot, I was attracted by the pic of the kitty-cat. My cat does not Cleanse, moisturise, exfoliate and put on night creams. Like me, he scrubs himself up once a day and looks great!
Get real girls, and ask yourself WHY do you do this? Don't do it for men, most of us hate the taste, smell, and feel of yukky skin-clogging makeup. Posted by: Hanging Judge Jeffries at July 11, 2007 9:27 AM I've never really cleansed or toned (never been taught to do it), shower every second day and wash my hair 2 maybe 3 times a week.
I don't wear a lot of makeup and most days don't take it off (which is apparently a big no no). I only have problems with my skin when I'm run down. I have to confess that last night I was shopping and decided that I'd give cleansing and toning a shot.
So I bought some stuff, was running late this morning so I guess tonight will be my first time. Posted by: kate at July 11, 2007 9:56 AM I'm a man in my early 40's and I've just recently found it necessary to use 'products' for my skin tone. I've been very fortunate in that I've only ever used water or sorbolene to 'cleanse' my face (wouldn't put soap anywhere near my skin, anywhere on my body) and have maintained a youthful countenance.
I don't 'cleanse' every day, but I do protect my skin from damaging UV with a combo moisturiser/sunscreen and follow a 'routine' that includes daily massage and a light glycolic peel once a week. I use L'Oreal's men's range exclusively as I've done my research but all in all the best way to moisturise and maintain healthy skin is by drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fruit. btw yes girls I'm gay Posted by: Simon at July 11, 2007 10:32 AM Hanging Judge Jeffries; the girls do it for themselves not the blokes, same reason I do, to maintain a healthy appearance and increase the amount of pleasure in the world Posted by: Simon at July 11, 2007 10:35 AM Guys, get a life.
Cleansing skin is hardly a life altering routine. This is the sort of stuff that gets women worked up and makes them believe that taking care of skin and one's looks are the most important things--all the more reason to buy that vitamin c enhanced, wrinkle clearing, anti ageing, radiance causing, 'bring out the inner you' cleansing cream that hit the market last week. And the week before last.
Oh, and is priced at a mind boggling premium. As long as we are hygienic, its all good. Like a practical 40 something woman said in an earlier entry, eating healthy food like fruits, veggies, etc is the key.
I say, stick to the basics. Posted by: D at July 11, 2007 10:51 AM Well what a load of hog wash. Every morning and every night I use parmolive green on my face to clean the little makeup I wear off and it really cleans my face, followed by a rinse in hot water.
Posted by: Annie at July 11, 2007 11:38 AM Again, a lot of naysayers! lol I must admit I probably take more care of my skin than I should or most people do, but there is good reason for that..
. 2 years ago I purchased my then holy grail moisturiser from an international company and got suckered into one of their 'complimentary' facials..
. basically the facial ruined my skin because the 'consultant' (and I use that term loosely!) used products that were too strong and too rich for my my skin type (I'm sensitive/combo, the products were for very dry).
End result it cost me about $3000 to try and correct and I actually have a few small scars from the experience...
I recently found out that this 'consultant' was asked to leave the company as she did the same thing to a few other people, again using the same range of products she used on me, and again they were too strong for the other clients...
there was also some speculation that the products used were contaminated as each victim, including myself got a staph infection that required antibiotics. I tried to seek compensation from the company just to reimburse the money I spent 'correcting' the problem, but they got their lawyers to intimidate me..
. hence, I won't spend a cent with that company any more! be wary of 'complimentary' facials is the motto of the story!
and yes, a basic routine and a healthy lifestyle go a long way...
Posted by: Kitty at July 11, 2007 12:27 PM It seems that those with non-oily skin that doesn't break out can get away with not cleansing, just rinsing. I have just discovered Paula's Choice which is sensible skincare without all the hype - I wish I had found it years ago - made by someone with a healthy scepticism of the beauty industry. I have my mother's skin tone so look younger than my age but breakouts would only get worse if I didn't wash with a real cleanser.
Posted by: Lizzy at July 11, 2007 1:46 PM I "cleanse" in the shower of a morning with Castile soap and then put on sunblock and light makeup - mostly eyeliner and mascara. I have recently started washing the mascarra off of a night but that's it. My skin is pretty good.
It's a bit sensitive and oily but doesn't cause me many problems, and I think the oilyness is a blessing when as I get older. Posted by: Deebee at July 11, 2007 2:36 PM I am so pedantic about cleansing- even if i am home at 4am in the morning after a big night i will stagger to the bathroom and do the whole thing! I cleanse morning and night and if i've been out and then have to go out again during the weekends usually- I'll do a cleanse inbetween to keep fresh!
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