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SKINCARE DECODED • 32 CLEANSERS • 33

Why Cleanse

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our face gets dirty. It can’t be helped. And not just from the dirt and grime

of everyday life. In addition to all that, your skin itself sheds dead cells

and secretes sweat and sebum—all part of your skin’s natural upkeep—which

ensures that it continues to serve as a healthy barrier against outside pathogens.

In other words, well, you’re shedding, and that’s okay! But just know that those

dust bunnies that you keep having to clean up around the house? A lot of that is

actually you! You can’t blame it all on your cat!

Think of washing as an anti-aging step. You may associate washing your face

with removing makeup, or maybe our old friend acne prevention—but it’s so

much more than that. All those particulates can accumulate and cause changes

in texture and clarity. They can even add to potential irritation. Pollutants, if left

unchecked, can start an unwanted cascade of free radical damage that contributes

to aging. You read correctly—your cleanser functions as an age-prevention step.

It should be the first step of your routine. Let’s be real: You almost certainly

wouldn’t be reading this book unless you were planning to invest in your

routine. So, let’s make sure we’re starting off on the right foot—with a clean face!

Applying product to an unwashed face can potentially trap dirt and unwanted

microbes underneath. In addition to causing breakouts, this can make it harder

for your products to penetrate and go to work on your skin. Overall, skipping

the cleansing step is pretty counterproductive if you’re wanting to build a good

routine, so let’s start off with a clean slate!

The Takeaway

As unglamorous as cleansers may seem, they do work for you every day. They’re

the Scottie Pippin of skincare products. Always remember, Michael Jordan might

have gotten all the spotlight, but he couldn’t have won all those championships

without Scottie. That’s right, we’re saying your cleanser is your routine’s Scottie P.