3 Steps Cleansing: Everything You Need to Know About!
Cleaning your face after a day at work is very critical as the longer you let these pollutants stay on your skin, the more damage and ageing it can cause. But have you ever heard of 3 steps cleansing? Yes, washing your face maybe require more efforts than you think!
STEP 1: CLEANSING WATER/ CLEANSING OIL
Korea is famous for its double cleansing technique. This method involves using a cleansing oil or cleansing water to break down all make-up, dirt and impurities on the surface of your skin first, then following with a deeper face cleanser. Two round of face wash will clean much deeper into the pores and draw out all the trapped gunk you might never see by your eyes.
If you enjoy playing around with a lot of makeup, oil-based cleansing is a good choice to remove all the stubborn waterproof cosmetics layers - and they do so gently without disrupting the oil balance in skin.
If you follow light, casual makeup routine, cleansing water might be for you as it still removes a variety of makeup products and excess sebum from your skin, leaving it feeling soft and looking beautiful.
STEP 2: CLEANSERS
Okay, are you ready to move on?
Korean approach to skin is very gentle – at every step, that’s why it’s key to hydrating, low pH cleanser to not disrupt the skin barrier.
There are hundreds types of face cleansers in the market but taking into account your skin type—sensitive, oily, dry, or combination—and factors including your age and climate will help you choose a cleanser that will bring out the best in your skin.
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Dry skin: Cream and oil based cleansers are excellent for this type of skin as it add moisture and hydration
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Combination skin: Let’s try gel/foam based cleansers. They give the skin a good clean and a nice balance without being to harsh or drying
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Oily skin: Gel or foam based cleansers work well to remove excess oil, avoiding pore clogging
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Sensitive skin: Let’s be really gentle with your skin by using fragrance free, natural ingredients cleansers
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Normal skin: Congratulation, your skin can suit any kinds of cleanser texture.
STEP 3: EXFOLIATORS
Exfoliating helps clean pores and remove dead skin cells and thus, brightens and smoothens your skin. Try get rid of them and you expose the newer skin underneath.
There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical exfoliation.
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Mechanical exfoliation face scrub physically removes the dead skin cells.
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While chemical exfoliators, on the other hand, use ingredients salicylic acid or glycolic acid to dissolve cells. Chemical exfoliators can get inside the pores, unclogging them from within (wow).
Despite of its importance, any exfoliation method should be used properly or you could be harming your skin. Here are some cheat sheets for you:
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Normal skin: you can try out both and choose the one works best
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Oily skin: physical exfoliator
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Combination skin: physical exfoliator or light chemical exfoliator
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Acne-prone skin: chemical exfoliator
Exfoliating too much or too often always leads to irritation. With chemical exfoliator, you can try exfoliating two, three times a week. With Mechanical exfoliation, once every two weeks is a good start.
Okay, now you may get why we need 3 steps of face washing. This special routine will allow serums, moisturizers and other products you use afterwards to penetrate and work their magic much more efficiently. It’s like building a good foundation to your skin care routine house! ;)