THE FACE BASICS: Step 1-Washing It

I have oily skin and it's sensitive to a lot of strange things. I also get acne and shine spots (ruins my make-up). Over the course of the different seasons my skin will have different problems-in the Winter my face is very dry, in the Spring/Fall it's like combination skin, and in the Summer it's oily. This method of washing your face will work for all skin types year-around.

YOU WILL NEED:
FACIAL CLEANSER
A TOWEL
A HOT/WET WASHCLOTH (optional to prep face)

I prefer to use a gentle cream cleanser because:

1) Doesn't dry out or irritate skin.
(DID YOU KNOW (DYK)? Oily skin is very dry because it lacks moisture=water)

2) Works for all other skin types (dry, sensitive, combination, and oily)

3) The oil in skin is resistant to water. You can wash your face but still have pores clogged with that thick waxy oil that causes pimples and blackheads which traps bacteria under your skin. The non-cream and non-oil soaps don't do so well of a job at removing oil during the wash without overdrying and irritating the skin.
(DYK) The oil on your face is actually good? It reduces the look of age and locks in moisture. If you agitate or off-balance your skin, you will produce more of it (not so much for dry skin types). That's why strong acne products can be bad for you-they fix the pimple but set your skin up to make more :(

WASHING THE FACE:

1) Soak a washcloth in very warm water (as hot as you can tolerate it). Squeeze out the excess water quickly and press the cloth to your face. (this will open your pores and soften the oils in your skin as well as killing bacteria in the pores.)
*You should not have water dripping from your face as you just want the heat and steam to prep your face for a deeper clean.

2) Apply the facial cleanser to face without diluting it with water.

3) Spread the product in circular motions.
*Mainly use your fingers to wash your face. If you use your palms be gentle because they are rougher than your fingertips. DO NOT SCRUB your face-this damages the skin which will cause it to be irritated (RED skin), cause your skin to blemish or promote acne (more places for bacteria to effect), and make you skin look older/worn (wrinkles and poor complexion tone).

4) PAT your face dry with your towel
(DO NOT RUB it dry for the same reasons you don't scrub it and because it remove too much moisture=water from your skin) Try not to use the same towel you dry your body with after bathing

*At this point you can use a toner or mask for a deeper clean (exfoliating/moisturizing/acne treating). Remember that your facial wash is for daily washing and your mask is for deep treatments or if you need to seriously clean and reset you face. I recommend you do it at least once a week. Toners help re-balance your skins acidity, moisture, and oil levels-DO NOT use a toner that contains alcohol. Make a day/hour your beauty time.*