Break Up with the Wipes!

BREAK UP WITH THE WIPES AND WASH YOUR FACE! 

We’ve all been there. You’re tired or get home late, collapse into bed and are about to drift off when your inner esthetician reminds you to remove your makeup. Before you reach for the makeup wipes, even the “organic” ones, think twice.

While makeup wipes may be convenient, they are packed with harmful ingredients that do not eliminate enough impurities to substitute as a cleanser.   Makeup wipes don’t break down face oils, makeup, bacteria and gunk that you’ve accumulated on your skin.  Instead, wipes move the debris around and into your pores, leaving a sticky residue of chemicals and preservatives (includes the bad stuff like formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, solubilizers, surfactants, and emulsifies), thus leaving a trail of irritated skin in their wake.     

In addition to being inadequate when it comes to makeup removal, there’s the mechanics of scrubbing your face with wipes, which can leave the skin red, irritated and angry.  Just thinking about rubbing off mascara with a makeup wipe, freaks me the heck out!  Rubbing can cause low-grade inflammation that, over time, can promote hyper-pigmentation or even early wrinkling. 

As you’ve probably already figured out, I loathe makeup wipes.  If you have cleansers sitting in your bathroom, there’s no reason not to walk, crawl, stumble or drag yourself to the sink and wash your face.

Now that I have you at the sink, let’s talk DOUBLE-CLEANSING, even if it’s haphazard rounds, it’s better than the alternatives.  Double-Cleansing is a trendy topic.  In esthetics school we were taught to get the skin free of debris and double cleanse.  Double cleansing is a must at night after makeup, but in the morning, cleansing once will suffice.  In my practice, clients, especially those that suffer from breakouts, who incorporate this technique adapt quickly and make it routine and some even call it “their nightly ritual”.

In a double-cleansing routine, the first cleanse breaks up makeup and debris that has accumulated on the skin and is rinsed down the drain.  The second cleanse is deeper and more effective because it doesn’t have to work as hard plowing through the debris and makeup and can really get the pores rinsed out.

Generally, I suggested a gentle cleanser such as an oil or creamy cleanser first. I use Green Envee® Purify Botanic Cleansing Oil as my first cleanse to efficiently remove makeup and debris without stripping skin of its natural oils.

You may have already heard about the benefits of oil cleansing as part of a double cleansing routine. As they say, “like attracts like”, which is why emulsifying oils are so good at removing excess oil, makeup and dirt from your skin.   The second cleanse is a suitable cleanser designed for your skin type and any conditions that your may have.  After the second cleanse, your skin should feel clean, refreshed, and hydrated.  If your skin feels tight, then you need to visit your esthetician and reevaluate your home care products.

Moral of the story?  Embrace the beauty of double cleansing, always removing your makeup properly no matter how tired you are (your skin will thank you for it) and save the cleansing wipes for the direst of emergencies (like plane rides and camping trips).

Beauties, it goes back to just taking the time to give your skin some TLC.  It doesn’t take much time, but it does take the right steps and products to have healthy skin.  It’s all worth it!