Cleansing is arguably one of the most important steps in your skincare routine after all, the better you rid your skin of the myriad of pollutants it comes into contact with, the better it is able to repair and regenerate. And by leaving a layer of healthier more youthful skin cells on the surface, the deeper your skin care products will penetrate leading to gorgeous, crystal-clear skin.
There’s no verified study about how long you should be washing your face. Most sites say 20 to 30 seconds. So, where do 60 seconds historically come from? Likely aesthetician experience, user trial and error, and word of mouth. Sixty seconds is about the time cycle every facialist has spent massaging my skin with cleansers and creams.
In addition to excreting waste products, our skin is bombarded by various harmful substances including dust, bacteria, and other contaminants. These can primarily be divided into two categories:
– Oil-based impurities such as sebum and makeup.
– Water-based impurities such as dead skin cells, dust, bacterium, and perspiration
Now, understandably this method does seem rather regimented and high maintenance but dermatologists state that this method is far more gentle on the skin than using cleansing wipes and cotton pads which can be abrasive and lead to dry skin. Moreover, records show that Korean, Japanese, and Chinese women have practiced this regimen as far back as the fourteenth century! Perhaps, this is the secret to their beautiful, youthful skin?
For most skincare enthusiasts, you probably already spend 15 seconds of that minute washing your face, and going on a little longer won’t hurt. For people who don’t wash their face at all, try doing this in the shower. And if you really have a hard time not rushing through, think about investing in a tool, like a Clarisonic or a kojac sponge, to slow you down.
