The initial step for proper skincare is definitely cleansing, a moment often neglected or performed incorrectly.
The main cause of wrong cleansing is to think that the surfactants present in detergents are too aggressive and damage the skin, leading the consumer to limit or avoid their daily use.
Normally it is good practice to cleanse at least twice a day (morning and evening), but if you play sports or produce a lot of sebum, it is dermatologically recommended to do it three times.
How can we carry out proper cleansing?
Rinsing the skin only with water does not remove dirt because, for effective cleaning, it is necessary to use detergents containing specific substances capable of removing the "greasy" impurities of the skin.
Detergents are divided into two main groups: those that act by contrast and those by affinity. Those by contrast bind to "fatty" substances and use the water to drag away the dirt; those by affinity, on the other hand, are chemically similar to the "greasy" dirt of the skin, which is eliminated when these detergents are removed.
Contrast cleaners mixed with water generate foam. Solid soaps (soap bars), liquid cleaners (cleansing gels), cleansing mousses (often very delicate), micellar water, scrub cleaners and powder cleaners are known examples of contrast cleansers.
Affinity cleaners, which work according to the "like dissolves like" rule, are more delicate. Oily cleansers, cleansing balms and butters, oils and cleansing milks are among the best known in this category.
How can we figure out which type of cleaner is best for us?
To do this, it is enough to listen to our body and the sensations it gives us: irritation, tight skin and dryness help us understand that the product we use is too aggressive.
In recent years, the trend (of Korean and Japanese origin) of double cleansing has been spreading, which involves the use first of an oily detergent and then of a foaming agent. In this way it is possible to obtain a deeper cleansing, but, if the makeup is little used or non-existent, there is the risk of eliminating a substantial part of the hydrolipidic film of the skin.
In general, therefore, after having performed a correct cleansing, it is important to reconstitute the natural lipid layer of the skin, using, for example, serums and creams.
