Good skin starts with clean skin which is where skin cleansing and toning come in. Pollution, debris, sweat and makeup can all result in a build-up of dirt on your skin. If your skin is not cleansed properly then this can lead to dull looking skin, clogged pores, breakouts and acne. In this guide, we will take you through the essentials of skin cleansing and toning so that you can have beautiful, clean and clear skin with minimal effort. Follow these 3 steps 2 times a day for fuss-free skin cleansing and toning in less than 5 minutes:
Step 1 – Pre Cleansing (1 minute)
At City Skin Clinic, we are big fans of double cleansing. This only adds a couple of minutes to your skin cleansing routine but you will notice a huge difference in your skin’s appearance even after just 1 week. Double cleansing involves a pre-cleansing followed by a skin cleansing step.
You need to pre-cleanse in order to remove makeup, dirt and grease from your face. A gentle cleansing oil remover on a 100% cotton pad is all you need to remove this surface debris. We really like the essential cleansing oil from glō therapeutics . It contains a water-soluble blend of essential oils like Jojoba seed and orange which gently draw out impurities from the surface of the skin and pores to thoroughly clean the skin.
Another great option is the nourishing cleansing oil from Elemis. It is rich in Omega-9 and is blended with skin-conditioning Chia seed to effectively remove make-up whilst maintaining the skin’s natural barrier. The vitamin-rich formulation also ensures that your skin is left looking healthy, clear and radiant. Both of these pre-cleansers are suitable for all skin types.
To remove eye makeup use a separate product since the skin around the eye area is very fragile. The glō therapeutics gentle eye makeup remover is a non-oily product which gently removes even the most stubborn eye makeup whilst hydrating the delicate skin around the eyes. Try the Elemis White Flowers Eye and Lip Make-Up Remover. This gentle bi-phase makeup remover instantly cleanses the delicate eye and lip area to remove all traces of make-up including waterproof mascara.
Step 2 – Skin Cleansing (2 minutes)
After you’ve pre-cleansed the skin and thus removed surface grime and makeup, its now time for a deep cleanse. This step needs you to identify your skin type first in order to choose the best product. We have highlighted our favourite products from glō therapeutics and Neostrata below:
Normal Skin
If you have ageing skin and want to try an active exfoliating cleanser, consider using the foaming glycolic wash from Neostrata. This product contains glycolic acid, lactobionic acid an antioxidant called Poly Hydroxy Acid. Thus it gently resurfaces the skin to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles in order to give smoother, brighter and younger-looking skin. As it is an active product, you will have to build up to using twice a day as your skin tolerates.
Dry skin
A good moisturising cleanser for dry skin is the glō therapeutics Conditioning milk cleanser. This product is loaded with Hyaluronic Acid which hydrates skin and restores lost volume. Additionally, it contains Grape Seed Extract which is a powerful antioxidant. Both these ingredients will leave your skin clear smooth and youthful looking. It can also be used on normal and sensitive skin.
Oily or acne-prone skin
The glō therapeutics Purifying Gel Cleanser has been specially developed for cleansing oily and acne prone skin without stripping it off its moisture. It is infused with antioxidants and oil regulating ingredients such as Salicylic Acid. In addition to oily skin, this product can also be used on combination and congested skin.
Combination Skin
Try the glō therapeutics Hydrating Gel Cleanser to nourish and cleanse dry or combination skin. This cleanser is formulated with Lactic Acid and so it also gently exfoliates skin. Hence, it will leave your skin smooth hydrated and evenly pigmented. The hydrating cleanser is also great for normal or moderately dry skin.
Apply the cleanser to your skin after pre-cleansing and massage into your face and neck for 1 minute. After that rinse your skin and gently pat dry with a towel.
Step 3 – Skin Toners (1 minute)
Toners are an extremely useful element of your skincare routine. With the right product, a toner can reduce pore size, smooth skin and provide an even base for applying your serum and moisturiser. Toners can also be used to actively manage skin concerns like acne or ageing skin.
For acne-prone skin we recommend the glō therapeutics Purifying Tonic which has skin calming, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Normal, dry or combination skin can benefit from the glō therapeutics Conditioning Tonic which contains hyaluronic acid for added moisture and anti ageing benefits. It also soothes, balances and protects skin with antioxidants and hydrators.
So there you have it! You can easily achieve deeply cleansed skin which is ready to absorb moisturiser, serum or simply regenerate overnight in less than 5 minutes. Try these simple steps and you will start to notice the difference in as soon as 7 days. Check out the rest of our website if you want to combine these steps with a resurfacing treatment like chemical peels, collagen induction therapy or advanced anti-ageing treatments like Botox or hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.
