Unless since birth you’ve been blessed with a perfect complexion, taking good care of your skin is key, and good skin always starts with your cleansing routine. But have you been doing it wrong this whole time? If like me you love a bit of ritual when it comes to your skincare, then this easy cleansing guide is the one for you. Sure, we all know how to wash our face at the end of a long day, but if your idea of clearing out the daily grime is a slather of soap and water, I’m here to tell you you’re doing it wrong. To set you on your path to a glowing complexion we’ve teamed up with Caudalie to talk face washing 101. Even the most seasoned of cleansing pros might learn a thing or two…
By Liz Hambleton
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1 Step 1: Makeup removal
First things first. If you follow just one of these steps in your cleansing routine, removing your makeup should be it. From blocked pores to congested skin – failing to remove makeup before bed can really mess with your complexion and is just asking for a breakout the next day. To help speed up this (admittedly arduous) process, I use Caudalie's Cleansing Oil. This product helps to dissolve makeup (even the waterproof stuff) and lift away dirt and grime fast. Simply emulsify it in your hands with a little warm water and rub it into your skin with your fingers or a warm cloth.
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2 Step 2: Cleanse
If you’re only cleansing once, you’re not cleansing. Fact. Double cleansing is the best way to really clean your skin deeply. The first cleanse is to remove excess makeup, and the second is to really clean the pores. I prefer two different types of cleansers for this bit – a micellar, gel or cream cleanser for the first cleanse (Caudalie's Micellar Cleansing Water is perfect for this, and ideal for all skin types), followed by their Foaming Cleanser for the second. This soft soap-free formula purifies and instantly refreshes without feeling heavy on the skin. A hot flannel between these two stages opens the pores and helps get things squeaky clean.
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3 Step 3: Tone
Toners often get overlooked but the right product can really add to your routine. I always go for one that helps to remove any last traces of makeup and grime, but most importantly has an alcohol-free formula to stop it from stripping my skin. Caudalie's Moisturising Toner tops my list here. And to keep my skin boosted with radiance throughout the day, their Beauty Elixir is my ultimate go-to. You'll find it in pretty much every Beauty Editor's handbag as well.
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4 Step 4: Scrub
Don’t take this literally, the best and most effective scrubs are often left on as a ‘peel’ and not actually buffed into the skin at all. A great example is Caudalie’s Glycolic Peel. Anything with Glycolic acid will really help to remove dead skin cells, brighten the skin and improve skin tone. But for anyone who likes a good old fashioned scrub down, a pro tip would be to mix their Foaming Cleanser with the Deep Cleansing Exfoliator for a soft yet deep cleaning sensation that's much more gentle on the skin. Make sure you apply to a damp face and gently buff with your fingers. I like to do it in my eyebrows as well, and would recommend use of this type of exfoliation 2-3 times a week.
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5 Step 5: Mask
Masks are always best done in the bath in my opinion; the steam just opens the pores and helps it to penetrate the skin more deeply. It’s also more of a ritual. Oilier skin will benefit from detoxifying ingredients like clay and mud (cue their amazing Instant Detox Mask), and drier skin can drink up nourishing formulas that often don’t need to be washed off. Remember to always spread your product down the neck as well.
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6 Need-to-knows
- Steam – bring as much into your skincare regime as possible
- Introduce regular acids – to cleansing or exfoliation
- Massage as much as possible when cleansing and moisturising
- You shouldn’t need to scrub the face when cleansing – this can cause irritation. Opt for an oily or creamy texture that will allow your fingers or a cloth to glide over your face with ease
- I like to spritz Caudalie beauty Elixir on my face several times during the day to keep it fresh and hydrated
- To help get you started on your cleansing routine of dreams, why not just begin by booking yourself in for a facial at Caudalie.They'll set you on the right path in no time…