THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANSING
THE SIMPLE ACT OF CLEANSING IS THE FOUNDATION OF ANY HEALTHY SKIN CARE ROUTINE. SKIN IS OUR INTERFACE WITH THE WORLD. IT PROTECTS US FROM SUN, HEAT, AND LIGHT, CONTINUALLY HEALING AND RENEWING ITSELF. BOTH INCREDIBLY RESILIENT AND DELICATE, IT REQUIRES GENTLE, ROUTINE CLEANSING, FOLLOWED BY NOURISHMENT AND HYDRATION. TO THOROUGHLY CLEANSE SKIN AND CARE FOR IT AS IT CARES FOR US, WE MUST FIRST UNDERSTAND OUR SKIN’S INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, BECOME ATTUNED TO ITS REACTION TO EXTERNAL FACTORS, AND CHOOSE A CLEANSER ACCORDINGLY.
UNDERSTANDING THE ANATOMY OF SKIN
Cleansing assists in skin’s natural restoration process, removing grime, bacteria, excess sebum, and pollutants. The skin is a complex apparatus—a single square centimetre is composed of an average 100 sweat glands, 15 oil glands, and 230 sensory receptors; a densely populated city whose residents have their own tasks to complete. The smooth function of skin relies on the cooperation of all individual elements.
THE EPIDERMIS
Of the three major skin layers, the epidermis is the outermost. Its primary function is to keep the outside out—protect our inner workings from a profusion of mundane assailants including light, heat, bacteria, and pollution.
THE STRATUM CORNEUM
Only one-sixth of a sheet of paper in thickness, the stratum corneum is the uppermost layer of the epidermis and is responsible for the barrier properties of the skin. Envisage a brick wall. The bricks are skin cells (called corneocytes) that protect us, and the mortar holding those cells together are natural fats called skin lipids.
THE HYDROLIPIDIC FILM
Crucial to moisture-retention in the skin, the hydrolipidic film coats the stratum corneum. It can be disturbed by environmental factors including cold weather, harsh air-conditioning, or over-cleansing, leading to dryness or irritation..
SEBACEOUS GLANDS
These glands produce sebum, a vital natural oil that feeds the hydrolipidic film, hydrating and protecting skin. Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands. In addition to a general predisposition for producing excess oil, these glands can be overstimulated by hormonal and environmental factors, or harsh cleansing products that strip the skin.
SELECTING A CLEANSER FOR EAECH SKIN TYPES
TA ‘skin type’ is the summary of all the functions of the skin—how much sebum it produces, how it regulates its protective lipid layer, and how it reacts to external factors like heat and dryness, exercise, diet, and stress. We advocate the use of gentle cleansing formulations tailored to skin type and the individual needs of skin. Dry and sensitive skin requires gentle cleansing to avoid stripping the hydrolipidic film or aggravating the stratum corneum. For those with oily skin, we recommend a cleanser that removes excess sebum and keeps skin in balance, without over-stripping, as that can cause sebaceous glands to produce yet more sebum in response. The complex duality of combination skin requires cleansing that will effectively clarify the oilier regions of the face, without exacerbating drier areas. For normal skin, we suggest a regimen of mild but efficacious cleansing to maintain skin’s equilibrium. When selecting a cleanser, opt for a texture and formulation that suits the individual needs of your skin.
ROUTINES AND RITUALS
Everyone spends their time in the washroom differently, and we all have our own preferences—and peccadillos—regarding skin care. That said, here are some recommendations. At its core, cleansing is a simple ritual: twice daily, dampen hands or face, apply cleanser, rinse off. Supplementing this morning and evening routine, we advocate for twice weekly deep cleansing in the form of exfoliation or a masque. A gentle but disciplined approach to cleansing helps purify the skin and maintain balance. We suggest cleansing skin with cool or tepid water at the basin, as it is both practical and calming. A steaming shower is often far too hot for the face, and can lead to dryness or heightened sensitivity. If your preference is to conduct cleansing in the shower rather than at the basin, apply product to the skin prior to stepping in, and adjust the water temperature to a cool or tepid setting to rinse off.
DEEP CLEANSING FOR IN-DEPTH CARE
Twice weekly, supplement your daily cleansing ritual with a deeper cleanse in the form of an exfoliant or masque. While daily cleansers work to refresh the surface of the skin, regular deep cleansing is required to remove dead skin cells and clear buildup or congestion from the pores. Containing mild abrasives, facial exfoliants act to polish skin, removing dead cells and revealing fresh skin that’s perfectly prepared for hydration. Apply either in place of or blended with your preferred cleanser to assist in skin’s renewal process, twice weekly. Deep cleansing masques help to clarify, draw impurities from the skin, and decongest the pores. Enhanced with nourishing botanical extracts, cleansing masques effect a thorough cleanse while simultaneously providing care for the individual needs of skin.
THE SKIN IS A COMPLEX ORGAN, INTIMATELY CONNECTED TO OUR INTERNAL WELLBEING AND THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT. SKIN MAY BE AFFECTED BY AIR QUALITY, HUMIDITY, POLLUTION, SLEEP AND REST, HEALTH AND MEDICATION, DIET, HYDRATION, GENETICS, OR THE PASSING OF TIME, PROMPTING THE NEED TO REEVALUATE SKIN CARE ROUTINES OVER TIME.
CHARCOAL FACE WASH
DETOXIFYING GEL WASH DELIVERING A DEEP-PORE CLEAN
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT
Active charcoal will give a deep pore clean eliminating all excess oil and dirt. The special ingredients also avoid any facial hair from growing in and making it soft and health even prepping it for the occasional shave.
Taking care of your skin is so much more than just a face cream you put on your face. We love to share our knowledge with you. The Read is our way of showing you we care about your skin, body and mind.
