How to use a cleanser

A guide for Teens and Parents.

Despite being the most visible part of our bodies, getting the right skincare routine isn't always easy.

Using a cleanser is an important part of keeping the skin on your face clean and healthy. There are also a surprising number of nuances to using a cleanser to best effect.

So how do we most effectively use a cleanser? And how can we help teenagers get to grips with it as well?

Using a cleanser is
an important part
of keeping the skin
on your face clean
and healthy.

The importance of facial cleansing

Throughout the day, your skin can accumulate a lot of dirt and oil. This can come from anywhere, whether it’s air pollution from the traffic outside to the natural oils your skin produces. This can build up and block the pores, quickly leading to irritation and various skin problems, such as spots and blemishes.

The skin of teenagers is particularly sensitive to this thanks to the onset of puberty. As the body starts producing hormones, numerous parts of the body go into overdrive. One crucial part are the sebaceous glands, which usually secrete an oil called sebum to lubricate and moisturise hair and skin. Spots form when hair follicles become blocked by a build-up of sebum, (nhs.uk/conditions/acne/causes).

Eventually, this oil can mix with things like dirt and dead skin cells, blocking pores and skin follicles. These then bulge out and become blackheads or whiteheads.

While some may recommend soap and water, this could do more damage to your skin than you realise. For example, conventional soaps can dry out the skin because they have a pH value that is higher than your skin which may eventually strip the skin of its natural oils making it dry and cracked. Other troubles can be found in fragrance and parabens (which are used to increase the shelf life) used to make soap, which may irritate sensitive teenage skin. Freederm washes are free from soap, parabens and fragrance all of which may cause irritation to the skin.

To properly care for your skin, you’ll need a good face cleanser and the knowledge of how to use it.

The fool-proof guide to cleansing the face

The first step to establishing a skincare routine is to find the right cleansing product for your skin; certain products will be better suited than others. For a deep cleanse you can try the Freederm Exfoliating Daily Wash, it deeply cleanses the skin to help remove excess oil, unclog pores and help prevent breakouts. Formulated with natural exfoliators to help buff away dead skin cells and niacinamide, a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Use it regularly to reduce the appearance of spots and help keep skin clear.

If your skin tends to be more sensitive, you may want to consider Freederm Sensitive Clearing Wash with niacinamide. Specially formulated for sensitive, spot-prone skin and completely free from colourings, soap, parabens and fragrance.

But this is only the start. You also need to know how to cleanse your face, as there is a bit of a knack to it.

  1. 1. Wash hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, before drying them off with a clean towel. This will help make sure that no bacteria or dirt is transferred from your fingers to your face.
    (https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/)

  2. 2. Make time for it. Ideally, you should be cleaning your face twice a day – once in the morning and then again before bed.

  3. 3. Prep your face. Start off by gently cleaning your face with lukewarm water (not hot water). Don’t use any soap or oils, plain water will do. This will clean off some of the worst grime from your face and open your pores.

  4. 4. Apply the cleanser. Apply a small amount of cleanser to your hands and work it into a lather. Gently massage into the skin in small circular motions. Be careful to avoid your eyes, focus instead on spreading the cleanser across your face, making sure to cover your chin, cheeks, the bridge of your nose and your forehead.

  5. 5. Be gentle. Don’t rub too hard, as it may wind up irritating or drying out your skin. If you come out feeling dry and tingly then you’ve used far too much pressure in your movements. Keep your fingers light and dextrous, and let the cleanser do the hard work.

  6. 6. Be thorough. Keep the movements measured and varied. Use large, sweeping movements to spread the cleanser most effectively, while tighter circles are to scrub the cleanser more thoroughly into your pores and skin. Go around your cheek, across your nose and chin, and across the forehead for maximum effect.

  7. 7. Rinse. Once you’ve properly covered all the largest areas of your face, you can finish off with a good rinse. Using warm water, splash the water up into your face while exhaling through your nose. Gently wash the cleanser from your face, before drying it off with a dry, clean cloth. Your skin should now be soft, clean, and vibrant!

Using a moisturiser

Moisturising is an important part of a skincare routine, particularly after deep cleansing. Also, if you live in an area with lots of air pollution or you wear makeup, this can dry out the skin. Consider using Freederm’s Clearing Moisturiser which is designed for complete daily skin maintenance and includes niacinamide, a natural component of healthy skin, shea butter to hydrate and condition the skin and antimicrobial ingredients to help prevent future breakouts. Apply directly to the skin after a cleanse for best results.

(https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/15/anti-pollution-skincare-can-a-cream-really-help-you-face-the-city)

Freederm Clearing Moisturiser

Face cleansing made easy

Freederm Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes are great to have on hand and convenient when on the go. They are biodegradable and contain Pro-vitamin B5. While not a substitute for cleansers in the long run, they are perfect for quickly cleansing pores and removing spot-causing bacteria to leave your face clean and refreshed.

This should help keep your skin clear until you can return to a full cleansing session.

Freederm Deep Pore Cleansing Wipes

Tips for parents of teens

There is plenty that parents can do to help with their teens’ skincare.

  1. Prevention is better than cure. Spots are an ordinary part of growing up and keeping the face clean can help prevent breakouts. If they experience a breakout, it’s important for them not to touch their spots. Treatments such as Freederm Gel, which is an anti-inflammatory medicinal spot treatment, can help reduce mild to moderate inflamed acne spots and pimples.
  2. Be positive, not demanding. While a skincare routine is important, try to ensure it’s something that they see as a good idea rather than another chore forced upon them. Help them find ways to work it into their daily routine.
  3. Understand social media pressures. It's likely that your teen is feeling pressure to look a certain way from social media. We've got a social media and body image guide with practical advice for improving their self-esteem and supporting them as they grow up.

Small steps like these will help encourage your teenagers to be a bit more proactive about their skin hygiene, leading to clearer skin and help parents to support them.

Freederm products

Scientifically formulated for spot-prone skin

With Niacinamide
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