Almost every person has to silently suffer the acne atrocities, bothersome blemishes, oily skin and myriads of other skin problems as a part of the process of growing up. Many of you would have tried every skin product on the shelves to get rid of these vexing skin anomalies. It’s time that the myths like spotless skin being passed down in genes and being the result of leading a rigid lifestyle, are busted. The secret to having a flawless, radiant skin may lie in something as simple as washing you face the right way.
Is Washing Face with Cold Water Good?
No, cold water irritates your skin. Lukewarm water is best. Extremes of temperature harm the skin. Be gentle to your skin and avoid washing face with cold water. You might have been told since you were a child that using ice cold water to wash the face causes the pores to close up, a myth that has no factual ground.
The opening and closing of skin pores is not controlled by muscles. Using excessively cold water only serves to wreak havoc on your skin by causing the tiny blood vessels supplying the skin to rupture, causing intense skin irritation.
What your skin needs is lukewarm water to stay hydrated. If your skin is inflamed and red, rinse your face with cool water that helps your skin capillaries to constrict, soothing the redness.
The hardness of water can also have adverse effects on your skin and can lead to skin irritation after prolonged use. This problem can be tackled by using water purifiers to get rid of those minerals that cause hardness.
Excellent Face Washing Tips for Glowing Skin
Now you know that washing face with cold water is harmful for your skin, you may wonder about the correct ways to clear and take care of your facial skin. Here is your ultimate guide for healthy, radiant skin.
1. Start With Washing Your Hands
What people often tend to overlook is the fact that what resides on your hands is bound to stick to your face when you wash your face. Always wash your hands first lest you want all those nasty microbes, dirt and grease on your hands to be transferred to the sensitive skin of your face.
2. Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating your face thoroughly once or twice a week works wonders to whisk away all those dead skin cells and accumulated grime, revealing the clean skin underneath. It also increases the blood flow to your skin and imparts a rosy glow that makes your skin shine from within. The best results are obtained from gentle scrubs comprised of sugar or fruit base. Again, resist the urge of washing face with cold water.
3. 
Be Gentler Around the Eyes
The skin surrounding your eyes is more vulnerable to harsh soaps and cleaners as compared to the rest of the skin on your face, so go easy on it. Instead of splattering water directly on your face, wipe the under-eye skin and the eyelids with gentle fingertips. Extra care should be exercised to avoid harsh soaps and makeup removal products.
4. Wash Your Face Regularly
Make it a habit to wash your face first thing in the morning to wash away the oil, dirt and bacteria that accumulate on your skin overnight, and before going to bed to wipe off the pandemonium caused by smoke, dust, germs and other contaminants on your skin during the day.
5. Wipe Away That Makeup First
When the labels on your foundation, concealer and mascara read that they are water-proof, they truly are resistant to water and no amount of rigorous scrubbing can wipe them off. The wisest course of action is to gently remove those layers of makeup with makeup wipes especially made for that purpose. Afterwards, rinse your face with lukewarm water and keep from washing face with cold water.
6. Rinse Off That Pre And Post-Workout Grime
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that sweat provides the perfect medium for the makeup, germs and dirt to stick to your skin. Furthermore, sweating causes your skin pores to open, allowing everything residing on your skin to find its way into the skin pores, paving way for acne, pimples and breakouts. Always wash your face thoroughly before and after every workout to prevent skin disasters.
7. Pat Your Face Dry
Never (we repeat, never!) rub your face with the towel unless you want your skin to sag prematurely. Always pat your skin dry as scrubbing can cause your skin to lose its elasticity.
8. Accept a Bit of That Oil
Your skin has always oozed out more oil than all the gulf countries put together and you have sworn off oil for your life for the fear of acne popping up all over your face. Your fears are utterly baseless. Some of the essential oils actually have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that ward off acne and other skin problems.
With a world of options like coconut oil, grape seed oil, olive oil etc. available to you, opt for an oil that suits your skin the best. Gentle message with any of these oils followed by rinsing the skin with a washcloth soaked in lukewarm water can leave your skin looking luminous and free of all the annoying breakouts. Restrain from washing face with cold water.
9. Keep Your Skin Happy
Keep your skin hydrated all the time by applying a good quality moisturizer to keep it soft, supple and shining.
