Should I Use Soap on my Face?
This may seem like a simple question, but it is one I answer most every day. I am often surprised when speaking to patients as to how varied the answers are regarding their face washing habits. The most perplexing answers are
- I don’t wash my face at all.
- I don’t use soap.
- I don’t know what to use.
Oh, dear! Well, here is my take on proper face washing.
1-Wash your face! Twice a day, morning and night, more often if you are visibly dirty.
2-Use SOAP! Or some kind of cleanser for heaven’s sake! Here are a few of my favorites.
Oily skin – Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash, Prescription Sulfur, and Sodium Sulfacetamide wash, ZO Exfoliating Cleanser, Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser
Rosacea prone skin – Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar Soap, Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash, Prescription Sulfur, and Sodium Sulfacetamide wash, ZO Skin Health Gentle Cleanser,
Dry Skin – Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Wash, Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar Soap, ZO Hydrating Cleanser , Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
3-Use your fingers! Generally, I recommend wetting the face with your hands. Apply a small amount of cleanser to your palms, lather in your hands a little, and then massage into the face in a circular motion. Use your hands to rinse off the cleanser with water. Then use a washcloth to remove any residual cleanser and pat dry.
4-Use a Clarisonic or other spin brush if you have one. Since clarsonic is off the market now, I often recommend the Facial Cleansing Brush by Olay Regenerist.
5-Don’t overdo it. Over scrubbing can aggravate acne, rosacea, eczema, and more. Be gentle, and don’t overdo it.
I hope that helps! Happy washing, everyone!
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