Beautiful, clear skin starts with clean skin

You can skip the shower. You don't even have to wash your hair every day. Under no circumstances should you ever skip on cleansing your face. Let's face it. You can't have clear skin without clean skin. Your face should be washed twice a day-once in the morning when you first wake up and once at night before you go to sleep. Washing your face daily is just as important in your skin care regime as it is for you to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep of night.

Why is it so important that you wash your face twice a day? Washing your face:

- removes all of the makeup, oil, sunscreen and everyday environmental pollutants from the face
- helps prevent clogged pores, which reduces breakouts
- preps the skin for better product penetration

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to wash your face. It's not enough that you wash your face twice a day, but that you cleanse your face correctly each and every time. According to the International Dermal Institute, women spend only twenty seconds cleansing their face. This is just a fraction of the time she will spend applying her makeup and styling her hair. The waterproof, sweat-proof, water-resistant, oil-based cosmetics and sunscreens that we apply to our face each day create a thick, oily film on the skin's surface. IDI research shows that its impossible to to remove all of the cosmetics, sunscreens, oils and dirt on the face with just a splash of water and twenty seconds of cleansing. A single cleanser isn't capable of breaking through the thick layer of surface debris all on its own. The remaining debris left on the surface of the skin is likely to cause clogged pores and breakouts. Dirty skin also prevents finishing products like toners, moisturizers and serums from being effective.

IDI believes that the secret to having healthy and clean skin is through the use of their unique Double Cleanse. The Double Cleanse is a 3-step facial cleansing process that uses both a cleansing oil and a facial cleanser that is designed for the user's specific skin type and/or skin condition.

The first step in the Double Cleanse is to remove makeup, oil, sunscreen and everyday pollutants using an oil-based cleanser, preferably one that is plant-based. Since like attracts like, a cleansing oil will help break down the oil and remove debris from the surface of the skin. Once the thick layer of oil has been removed from the skin's surface, the second cleanser used becomes much more effective. Ingredients like glycolic acid which aids in exfoliation (removing dead skin cells) and salicylic acid which helps to fight acne are able to penetrate further into the skin because they don't have the thick layer of oil on the skin to break through. Cleansing oils will remove skin impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. They wont cause irritation. They are even safe to use on all skin types, including oily and acne prone skin.

The second step in the Double Cleanse is to thoroughly cleanse the skin with the use of a second cleanser. After removing the cleansing oil, wet the skin using warm water. With only a quarter-sized amount of cleanser (one that is designed specifically for that skin type and/or condition), apply the product with outward circular motions. Using a Clarisonic Skin Care Brush is ideal for the second cleanse because creates the circular motions automatically and is preprogrammed with the appropriate times for washing each section of the face.

Not all cleansers are created equal. Never use an alkaline soap on the face. These harsh soaps strip away the skin's natural oils and dry out the skin. It's important that you use products that are specifically designed for your skin type. Is your skin oily, dry or normal/combination? Oily skin needs a foaming cleanser that will give the skin a deep cleanse. Dry skin needs a non-foaming, creamy cleanser that will gently cleanse the skin while adding a little extra hydration to the face.  

The third and final step in the Double Cleanse is to rinse the entire face with warm water and pat the skin dry.

Adapting the IDI Double Cleanse to your daily home skin care regime and using products specifically designed for your skin type and/or skin condition will help lead the way for your skin to being clear, clean and beautiful.