Who would have thought that washing your face could be such a controversial topic! Whether you’re into skincare or not, I’m sure you will have seen the videos floating round the social media-sphere of Kylie Jenner using her new Kylie Skin Foaming Face Wash to “wash” her face.

Less than ten seconds application, completely skipping her forehead with makeup still on the towel after a few splashes of water and don’t even get me started on that flower filter. Why Kylie, why?!

We were outraged, confused and just when all the face wash drama started to die down, her sister Kendall posted her own equally flawed How-to waste water… sorry cleansing clip. Now to be fair to Kendall, she did at least apply the cleanser to every part of her face but seriously ladies what is with these short washes? Are your phones on 1% battery?

So I’m here to provide a few tips and explanations on how to properly cleanse your skin using one of my favourite cleansing balms by La Prairie.

First of all, face wipes are trash. Don’t buy them, get rid of them (just not down your toilet please) and invest in a proper cleanser. In case you’re still not clear why, wipes do literally that, wipe. There’s not enough product to properly break down your makeup, all the oils and dirt on your skin to properly remove it. Instead you’re mostly smearing it round your face, removing surface level dirt and not cleaning.

Using a proper cleansing balm not only breaks down that daily buildup, the ingredients inside a good cleanser help remove dead skin, clear pores whilst maintaining moisture levels and preparing your skin for the rest of your skincare regime.

This is why it’s so important to take your time when applying and removing your cleanser and if necessary do the double cleanse! This is where you do an initial cleanse, usually with an oil based balm to remove makeup and go in with a lighter cream/foam face wash to thoroughly cleanse your skin.

La Prairie Supreme Balm Cleanser is amazing for this crucial first step. It may be pricey (best you don’t look if you want a relaxing day) but it works wonders. It comes with a spatula that slots in at the side, to pick up the perfect amount to apply.

When using a cleansing balm, always apply to onto dry skin. It’s recommended that you massage ANY cleanser for at least 30 seconds up to a minute to give time for the balm to break down the dirt. Don’t forget to massage along your jawline, along your neck and near your hairline where product can buildup easily. Without properly spending the time to cleanse, you’re not fully washing your face, fact.

The best thing about the La Prairie Supreme Balm Cleanser is that it melts like a dream. The texture is so silky, as soon as it touches your skin, the balm turns into a lightweight oil that’s not too thick for my combination skin and allows me to really get it into all those nooks and crannies. Followed with some lukewarm water, the oil transforms into a milky emulsion that is super easy to remove and doesn’t leave any residue.

Speaking of cleanser removal, I think one of the big reasons wipes are so popular is that they seem quicker and create less mess. This couldn’t be more false and when done properly, a cleansing balm is far more effective and faster than making your way through half a pack of wipes.

Don’t get me wrong, the thought of splashing my face with water, it all running down my arms and getting in my hair is enough to make me sleep in my makeup but that’s why I always use a cloth to take it off. So what’s the difference between this and a wipe? Since you’ve properly broken down any makeup/dirt, it’s mixed in with the cleanser so when you apply a cloth, it effectively removes everything from your face. Plus they’re reusable.

The La Prairie Supreme Balm Cleanser also comes with some lovely muslin clothes that not only allow for quick cleaning but provide a little bit of gentle exfoliation. Simply run your cloth under warm water, squeeze out any excess and wipe across your face. Then it’s just a case of rinse and repeat until the cloth is clear and your skin clean.

Remember to use a fresh cloth every day to stop build up of bacteria. For this reason, I own eight separate clothes so I never run out when they all go in the washing machine.

Cleansing your skin is the first step to beautiful skin. You’d never apply wax to a dirty car, so why would you do the same with your face. Taking the time to cleanse and allow it to work it’s magic will not only clear your skin but allow you to unwind and clear your mind. Clean skin helps other products penetrate the dermis more effectively (always apply eye cream before moisturiser btw) and when done properly takes no more than two minutes. Now I’m off to watch Keeping up with the Kardashians. Bye! B x

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