“You’re not washing your face correctly,” my dermatologist with less than pleased with the progress of my acne.  She had promised that she could cure any case of The Zits, but mine was proving a challenge. 

“There’s a wrong way to wash your face?” I asked perplexed by the notion that your face could be clean and improperly washed at the same time.  But it turns out that she was right, I haven’t been washing my face properly.

Step 1: Wash your hands with antibacterial soap. 

Step 2: Remove makeup using a wipe or a cotton ball and makeup removing gel.  I like Say Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Wipes.

Step 3: Wet face using tepid water.  Cold water will shock your skin and cause your pores to close, so they won’t get clean.  Hot water will dry out the skin.  Neither of these scenarios is what you want.

Step 4: Lather a dime-sized amount of your favorite cleanser (I alternate Purity by Philosophy and Mario Badescu Glycolic Face Wash).  Using a circular motion, apply the soap the skin. 

For best results, begin on the forehead, work your way down the nose, to the cheeks and then to the chin.  Also, your should be applying a bit of pressure when you wash to stimulate bloodflow.

Step 5: Using a damp, soft wash cloth, go over the skin in circular motions.  As before, start at the forehead and then work your way down the face.  (Of course, this is why I own a Clairsonic.  It does the circular motions for me.)

Step 6: Turn the temperature setting on your faucet to cool, but not cold.  Now splash your face 5-7 times to ensure that you get a good rinse.  Then pat (don’t rub) dry with a clean washcloth or towel.

Before I left my dermatologist also reminded me to clean my cell phone and work phone with an antibacterial wipe once-a-week to ensure that the build-up doesn’t clog my pores.