4 Signs You’re Over-Cleansing Your Face and How to Fix Them

Are you worried that you are over-cleansing your face? If it’s a yes, you have already experienced some of the earliest signs of an over cleansed face. Cleansing your face is easily the most crucial step of your skincare routine. But how much of this vital step for radiant skin is too much? Believe it or not, you can still overdo a good thing, especially when it comes to washing your face. In fact, most people don’t know the right way to cleanse their faces correctly.

Some of the mistakes you make with this delicate skincare process can come in the form of over-cleansing, using the wrong products, or skipping cleansing altogether.

To keep you on the right track, let us take a look at some of the alarm bells that show you are overdoing things so you can cut back on over scrubbing.

#1. Your Skin is Feeling Taut

A huge misconception in skincare is that your skin should feel taut and tight after cleansing. That slippery, squeaky clean, and frankly, mostly uncomfortable feeling does not really translate to effectiveness in cleansing. On the contrary, it may mean you are damaging your skin by using harsh, rough, or skin drying products. The best cleanser for your face and body should also fit your skin type.
It should leave your skin feeling refreshed, instead of raw, but still, be clean. When cleansing, make sure the water you are using is not too hot. Hot water could leave your skin feeling taut. The recommended water temperature for cleansing your face should always be lukewarm.

Double cleansing is yet another effective way of achieving a refreshed, clean skin without overdrying the skin. A good double cleanse should efficiently hydrate and balance your skin, remove dirt, excess oil, and makeup. Most importantly, a good cleanse should leave your skin feeling clean, but not oily. Perhaps one of the best things about double cleansing is that it also targets other issues like dry skin and acne.

#2. You Are Starting to Develop Rashes

If you are confused about some of your recent rashes, you could be showing signs of bad cleansing habits. If you thought that taut feeling on your skin is not the worst thing in the world, and you fail to do something about it, things could worsen with rashes. The taut feeling is a sign that you are over-cleansing, hence stripping your skin of its natural, essential oil barrier. When your skin’s natural oil barrier is compromised, you expose your skin to external and environmental pollutants.

Additionally, sunscreen and similar products that generally sit on the surface can now permeate the skin. Consequently, this infiltration can cause rashes or allergic reactions. Not to mention, a damaged skin barrier may also lead to more unwanted symptoms like acne, eczema, or exposure to other environmental pollutants and irritants like harmful UV rays from the sun.

So, how do you come back from a compromised skin barrier and get back what you have lost? For starters, try using products that contain any of ceramides, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid. All these ingredients are great at spurring lipid reproduction in the skin. If you already have rashes, use acne specific creams to calm your skin and give it the right hydration. Your only aim should be a plump feeling, soothed skin that lasts all day long.

#3. You Are Battling Adult Acne

The negative side of over-cleansing is that it strips your skin of its natural, essential oils. Consequently, this forces your skin’s oil production to go into overdrive, thereby risking acne.

Alternatively, if you are getting too much acne without the slightest clue where it’s coming from, there is a huge chance you are over-cleansing. One of the most overlooked and yet effective acne treatments is hydration and moisturizing.

These vital routines keep your skin looking and feeling plump, glowy and dewy, and could also be the end to your acne woes. If your breakouts are too frequent than you would like them to be, your cleansing habits have to change ASAP.

To combat adult acne, you need a product that can replenish the skin’s moisture. It is important to lock in moisture without clogging your pores with excess oil. For that, I recommend the Anti Aging Cream from Gold Elements. This rare cream combines natural ingredients and trace elements of gold to formulate the perfect anti-aging skincare treatment.

Luckily, the cream addresses the common signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, dryness, and even acne. With use, this powerful cream will help you maintain that youthful and glowy look.

#4. You are Suffering from Seborrheic Dermatitis

Over cleansing can lead to dermatitis, more specifically, seborrheic dermatitis. This is a common condition often recognized through flaking red scales on the T-zone area. At worst, seborrheic dermatitis can manifest itself as a rash, causing redness with a swollen, greasy appearance or white and yellow flaking on the skin.

In all cases, seborrheic dermatitis is an itchy condition. For adults, the condition can come and go many times throughout your life. Luckily, it is a treatable condition. Although similar to psoriasis and eczema, this type of dermatitis should be treated differently. At best, dermatologists can prescribe short term medicines to treat the flare-ups caused by the condition and prevent infection as well.

So, How Much Should You Cleanse?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should only wash your face twice a day. That means once in your morning and nighttime routine, or any time after sweating heavily. Since sweat can irritate your skin, it is a must to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating heavily, especially after wearing a hat or helmet.

For best results, double cleanse your face with lukewarm water, as we mentioned. Also, use only gentle and non-abrasive cleansers.

Finally, it is equally important to choose your cleansers based on your skin type. If you are prone to dry skin, stay away from alcohol. When cleansing, use your fingers to massage your face (do not scrub) in upward circular motions. Using your fingers is better than using washcloths or any material that may contain abrasive materials that may irritate your skin. To finish, rinse and continue with the rest of your routine, and never skip moisturizing.

Bottom Line

Over cleansing is quite an easy mistake to make. Unfortunately, it comes with severe consequences. Luckily, it is a mistake that can be reversed and corrected just as easily.

Recognizing the signs of over-cleansing and how to perform the process properly are the only steps you will need towards clear, glowing skin.