This Cleansing Routine Changed My Postpartum Skin

It’s no secret that pregnancy brings a whole host of changes to your skin- and not always the best ones. From finding your complexion riddled with acne (an Old Wives’ Tale supposedly predicting your baby is a girl!) to winding up with tight, dry pores, these pregnancy skin changes are beyond common, but can be tricky to remedy.

After the birth of her second child, our editor Kate Kirby found her skin a bit more oily than usual, wreaking havoc on her normally clear chin if she so much as skipped her nightly face scrubbing. That’s when she took a deep dive into the world of postpartum skin remedies (including using the skincare tool below!) and quickly realized she had been washing her face all wrong.

We’ve all heard about how to properly wash our hands, but what a lot of people still don’t know, is how to properly and effectively wash their face. We turned to Nu Skin’s Board-Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Helen Knaggs, to learn everything there is about how to achieve and maintain clear, smooth and healthy skin and here’s what she had to say.

KEEP SCROLLING FOR THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO WASH YOUR FACE.

Do you need to wash your hands before you wash your face?

Yes! You would never wash your face with a dirty cloth or brush, so why would you start with dirty hands? As we’ve all heard, especially lately, your hands pick up a lot of germs and bacteria which is why dermatologists always say to not touch your face. Starting your face washing routine with clean hands is key to getting clean skin.

What is the best process for washing your face?

We recommend you wet your face first, and most experts agree that warm water (not hot) is best. Hot water may strip the skin, yet cold water doesn’t cleanse as well. If you’re hand washing, make sure you cover your entire face, massaging the cleanser over your skin. Washing your face both morning and evening is recommended.

Should you be using a skincare cleansing device?

Studies show that some cleansing devices, such as ageLOC LumiSpa ,can actually provide additional skin benefits such as reduction in the appearance of pores, increased skin radiance, and increased softness and smoothness, which can be elusive when hand washing alone.

As part of her postpartum skincare routine, Kirby used the ageLOC LumiSpa cleanser twice per day and noticed an immediate difference in her skin. “My skin was instantly softer and felt cleaner than it ever had using the skincare brush I had for years before,” said Kirby, “And it didn’t go away after I went to bed! My skin still had that clean feeling in the morning and has stayed clear! Using this cleansing device is now my favorite evening ritual.”

The ageLOC LumiSpa cushion cleansing head (which comes in normal, gentle and firm) helps to avoid some of the harsh reactions that can be seen and felt with bristle brushes instead of silicone heads. Used for just 2 minutes, twice a day, with the ageLOC LumiSpa cleanser, the ageLOC LumiSpa provides 7 treatment benefits, including smoother, softer skin, reduction in the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and decreased pore appearance.

Can you use the same towel you use for your hands for your face?

I would recommend having a towel that is specific for your face and one that is washed frequently. This will help mitigate any bacterial/germ/etc transfer from the towel.

When, if ever, should you switch up your skincare routine?

My advice is to pay attention to your skin and how it responds to changes. If you start noticing dryness, perhaps you need a gentler face wash or to add in a heavier moisturizer to help your skin be its best in the face of new challenges.

What is the most important thing to remember when washing your face?

A common myth is “more is better.” This is not always the case. Less is sometimes more for some skin types since doing more can often be counterproductive, causing irritation, soreness, and redness while not providing any extra benefits.

You will also want to save Shani Darden’s Simple Skincare Routine or look into this $19 Postpartum Hair Loss Shampoo That Changed My Hair in the Best Way,