10 Rules How to Wash Your Face Properly to Prevent Acne

You might wash your face every day, or you probably have more than 10 skincare steps for “glass skin”, but somehow, your skin does not improve at all. The question is, are you using the product correctly and according to your skin type? Are you washing your face properly and not just splashing water over it?

Social media aesthetician star, Nayamka Roberts-Smith went viral for her tutorial on doing the 60-Second Rule for washing face. A minute of washing your face might be too long for other people, but this works much better than just splashing and slathering the products mindlessly.

In this article, we’re going to share the 10 rules on how to wash your face properly to prevent acne. In this way, you can be mindful of how you treat your skin and what kind of products work best for your skin type.

1. Use a gentle facial wash

The very first rule on preventing acne is to use a gentle facial wash. Stop using products that are either too acidic or alkaline – which may cause irritation on the skin.

A good balanced facial wash has a pH level that ranges from slightly acidic to neutral. Also, refrain from using any facial wash that strips off too much of your natural oils. After washing your face and your skin feels tighter – that means that the product is too harsh or too drying for your face.

Using a gentler facial wash not only prevents dryness but also helps your skin to stay supple. Look for a facial wash that can remove makeup or sunscreen but doesn’t dry out the skin. Looking for anti-acne ingredients such as Salicylic acid and glycolic acid helps prevent oil build-up on your face that might lead to acne and blackheads.

Another good tip is to look for a water-based facial wash. Oil-based facial wash and skincare products can be too heavy on the skin and might cause acne for people with oily and acne-prone skin.

2. Wash your face every day and night

Some people think that washing every night is enough to maintain a squeaky clean face. Well, that might be true for some people, but for the majority… not so much. Dust and other dirt that has accumulated on your pillow can transfer to your skin. Also, sweating at night when you sleep can clog your pores that can also cause acne or blackheads if they don’t wash off in the morning.

By washing your face every morning and night, you can prevent too much dirt from piling up on your skin. You can also help your skin stay clean and fresh by removing oil build-up, dirt, and other bacteria on your face that have accumulated throughout the day.

3. Don’t over-exfoliate

Using products with BHA, AHA or PHA can miraculously help your skin. After all, these divine ingredients are made to keep your skin healthy and free from any dirt and oils while promoting faster skin cell turnover. But using them too often can also lead to irritation and possible skin damage.

Using products with active ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol should be introduced to your skin slowly. Let your skin build tolerance first before using it every day or more frequently.

4. Use lukewarm water

Using lukewarm water when washing your face helps open up your pores. This way, your facial wash, and other cleansing products can easily penetrate deep inside those pores. It also helps your skin stay supple. Lukewarm water is also gentler than using hot or cold water.

Using hot or cold water on your face can cause flushing or redness of the skin. It is not recommended for people with sensitive skin or those with rosacea. Remember, treat your skin with the utmost care.

5. Apply the 60-Second Rule

Most people splash their face, use their facial wash for 15 seconds, and wash the product off. But according to Nayamka Roberts-Smith, famously known as Nai on social media and who is also a certified aesthetician, using the 60-Second Rule on washing your face helps the product penetrate and clean your pores thoroughly.  She added that massaging the product on your face for 60 seconds helps in softening the skin, dissolving sebum blockages, and improving the texture of the skin!

However, not all skin types are equal. Those with oilier and acne-prone skin can generally benefit from the 60-second rule. This will ensure the products penetrate deeper on the skin and remove all dirt and pollution on top of the skin and help other products and ingredients to penetrate more into the skin, such as salicylic acid.

If you have sensitive skin, it’s always best to be mindful. Stop washing if the product stings, causing redness or irritation.

6. Pat, don’t rub

If you’re one of those people who rub their face towel vigorously after washing, then please stop it NOW! Rubbing your face with a towel can exacerbate inflammation and irritation on the skin. It also distributes germs and bacteria on more parts of your face.

The best way to dry your face after washing is to gently tap it with a clean towel. Tap with less force. This way, excess water will be wiped out and your face will not look red or flushed from rubbing.

7. Replace your face towel frequently

Speaking of spreading bacteria on your face, it is recommended to replace your face as much as you can. It is advisable to use different and newly laundered face towels every time.

The thing with a face towel is that it remains in a damp environment, like the bathroom, where germs and bacteria thrive. If you keep on using the same towel every time, you can transfer the dirt and bacteria on the towel to your freshly cleansed face. All those steps and cleaning might be put to waste.

8. Hydrate your skin

After washing your face, it’s best to hydrate it first before using other products. You may use hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid to help with hydration. Using toners with active ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can also help in killing bacteria on your face that isn’t cleansed by your facial wash.

This step can vary depending on your skin type. For those with oily skin, it is also recommended to hydrate your skin to minimize the production of sebum. Using a toner also helps in preparing your skin to absorb the ingredients in other skincare products you’re using after.

9. Be consistent

Just because you don’t see any improvements within a day or a week doesn’t mean it’s all for nothing. The most important thing about doing a skincare routine is being consistent. Keep taking care of yourself and refraining from using comedogenic products can greatly improve your skin texture.

Great things take time and this includes your skincare routine. By washing your face every morning and night, using the right products for you and your skin type can show visible results in a few weeks or months. Be patient.

10. Don’t be afraid to customize skincare routine

If you keep having new acne or your face is getting worse, there must be a culprit in your skincare products. Either the facial wash, toner, or serum has ingredients that trigger your inflammation or cause an acne breakout.

If that’s the case, it’s okay to change a product when you think it’s not working for you. You can try new products and be mindful of the ingredients on your next purchase.

Having a skincare routine is not one size fits all. Feel free to customize and change it once in a while and see how your skin reacts to certain products. It’s also important to not use too many new products at once.

Build a tolerance first before introducing new products to your routine. This way, you can easily point out which product causes irritation and stop using it ASAP.