10 Steps to a Perfectly Clean Face Did you know that you have a great deal of control over the

texture, clarity, suppleness and long-ter health of facial skin !ust "ased on how and how often you cleanse# $hether you%re young or old, an or wo an, you can do your skin a "ig favor "y cleansing correctly& Cleansing is argua"ly the ost i portant part of your "asic skincare routine& Proper cleansing gets rid of old surface skin cells, dirt and dust, gri e, ake-up and "acteria, and keeps skin pores free of clogs and a"le to "reathe freely& Cleansing also aids circulation and prepares the skin to receive topically applied nutrients and lipids& 'ere are so e tips for proper facial cleansing fro )yurveda * the (,000 year old healing tradition of

1& Cleanse twice a day, no ore& +nless you have exposed your skin to excessive dust, gri e or pollution, twice-a-day cleansing is ore than ade,uate for any skin type& Cleansing too often strips your skin of precious natural oils& -ot cleansing regularly, particularly "efore you retire for the night, ay lead to "uild-up and eruptions& 2& Choose a cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type& Do not use soap on facial skin* it can "e too harsh and drying and da age skin over ti e& ) too-rich cleanser can clog pores, while a too-dry cleanser can irritate the skin& ) cleanser for dry skin should contain nourishing her"s and oils& .ne for oily skin should include her"s that "alance oil production and support clarity& Sensitive skin "enefits fro an ultra-gentle, fragrance-free, non-irritating cleanser& /raditional ayurvedic cleansers are ade fresh with natural ingredients such as ground oats, lentils or chickpeas, co plexion enhancing or clarifying her"s such as tur eric, ) alaki, -ee and sandalwood, e ollients such as ilk, crea yogurt or honey, and floral or citrus waters for pure healing fragrance& 0ou can ake your own "y ixing the dry ingredients to last a week or two and "lending the ix with ilk or crea right "efore use& .therwise, look for a natural cleanser that%s gentle and fortified with skin-friendly her"s& 3& )lways cleanse with tepid water& 'ot water dries and da ages skin over ti e, and cold water won%t dissolve and take away e "edded dirt and gri e as well as lukewar water& 4& 1f you use sponges or washcloths, ake sure they are clean and soft& /hey are not necessary for effective cleansing* your fingertips can do !ust as good a !o"& 5& $ash your hands thoroughly "efore you cleanse your face, or you will "e working dirt into facial skin& +se a head"and to secure hair away fro the face& 6& Start "y splashing tepid water on your face and neck& 7& )pply the cleanser with your fingertips or a soft sponge, using gentle circular assaging strokes and oving upward on the face and neck& Do not scru" too uch2gentle assaging strokes are enough to help i prove circulation as well as loosen gri e and old surface skin

cells& /oo the eyes&

uch scru""ing will stretch skin and irritate it, especially the delicate skin around the neck and hairline&

8& 3inse with lots of tepid water& Don%t forget to rinse off cleanser fro Cleanser residue can clog pores and attract dirt&

9& 4ently "lot off excess water with a soft towel& Do not scru" dry or drag towel along skin& 10& Follow i ediately with a water-"ased toner and a oisturi5er appropriate for your skin type to seal in surface oisture and offer nourish ent when skin is receptive& Source * www.pioneerthinking.com