Wash your hands...and your face.

In the midst of the chaos that is COVID-19 the one good thing to come out of it is the public reminders about hand washing, right? Like, how many times have you been in a public restroom and been totally grossed out by the people who didn't wash their hands...we've all seen them and now I feel like we can start calling them out instead of just being inwardly repulsed. Who's with me? But I digress, I actually want to talk about the right way to wash your face...and that begins with washing your hands.

If you've had a facial with me, you know that before I touch your face I wash my hands. When you're at home (as so many of us are right now) get in the habit of washing your hands before your wash your face. This goes for applying products or make up too. Anytime you need to touch your face start with clean hands.

Another good thing to get in the habit of is the double cleanse. During facial services, I usually begin with a creamy cleanser to remove any products or make up on the skin. My go to cleanser for this is the Sorella Apothecary Apricot Mango Cleansing Milk ($40), I use this first in every facial and I use it at home too. It breaks down make up, I find that I can even use it in my eye area (with my contacts). Want to add a spa touch at home? Remove with a hot towel (not ridiculously hot, just a little toasty). The first cleanse is meant to remove product (because if nothing else, you should be at the very least wearing SPF).

Your second cleanse begins while your skin is still damp and is meant to clean the skin. Try a gel cleanser that doesn't leave your skin feeling dehydrated, your face should not feel tight or dry after washing it. For most skin types (including myself) I recommend (and use) Orange You Jelly Cleanser ($40). For those that have acne, congestion, or tendency to feel oily I recommend Lychee Willow Bark Deep Clean ($42) because it's gentle to calm skin but also works to prevent future breakouts. I also like to remove this with a hot towel...but if you'd rather do a little splashy splash at the sink that's up to you.

Another note: Take your time with your cleansers, use this little moment of the day to really massage your skin. Start at the forehead, work toward your cheeks, spend some time around your nose (or any place you notice congestion or blackheads), use a little pressure on your chin and jawline even around and behind the ears. Don't forget your neck and decollete (chest)...just like any good facial includes those areas--you should too.

After you're done (really) washing your face you can move on to the rest of your home care routine. For me that usually includes a serum (or two) and moisturizer...sometimes toners, sometimes eye treatments...but we'll get to that another day.

Take care of yourself...I miss your face. Love, Tamara