Have you ever wondered if your cleansing routine is truly doing your skin justice? Believe it or not one of the biggest skincare mistakes I see people make starts with how they cleanse their skin. Unfortunately, since that’s the first step in your routine, failing to do it properly affects the rest of the steps and effectiveness of the products you use, which can lead to problem skin, lessen the effectiveness of the products you use, and premature aging. Studies show that more than 50% of men and women do not properly cleanse their skin. But no worries, I’m here to help guide you in incorporating a simple skincare cleansing regimen and teach you a 1-minute hack to optimize your daily cleansing routine.

If you’re suffering from persistent breakouts, dry or tight skin, a dull complexion or noticing your skin is showing signs of aging, then this post is for you.

Welcome to Age Beautifully with Monica Campagna. If you don’t know who I am, I’m Monica, your certified skincare coach passionate about helping you perfect your skincare journey so you too can age beautifully. In this post, I will cover:

1. Signs your cleansing routine isn’t working.

2. Why proper cleansing is important.

3. Our skin’s main functions.

4. How to properly cleanse your face.

5. A 1-minute hack I’ve been using for years to keep my skin clean, radiant and healthy.

6. Things to avoid for optimal skincare results.

7. Cleansing products that are gentle for women over 40.

Signs Your Cleansing Routine Might Be Failing

1. Persistent Breakouts: If you find yourself with regular breakouts even as a mature adult, it may be a sign that your cleanser isn’t effectively removing impurities. Clogged pores and improper cleansing can lead to acne, so using a gentle cleanser that penetrates and detoxifies your skin is essential.

2. Dry or Tight Skin: Does your face feel tight or dry after cleansing? This could indicate that your cleanser is too harsh and stripping away your skin's natural oils. As we age, maintaining hydration is crucial. You should look for hydrating cleansers that soothe your skin (recommendations below).

3. Dull Complexion: If your skin lacks that vibrant glow, it could be a result of not properly cleaning away dead skin cells and buildup. A good cleansing routine should promote skin renewal, helping to boost cell turnover leading to radiance.

4. Misconception of Cleanliness: Many people believe their skin is clean simply because they’ve followed their usual cleansing routine. However, without proper techniques and the right products, your skin may still harbor residue from makeup, dirt, and oils, which can lead to continued issues like breakouts, dullness, dryness, and premature aging.

Why is Proper Cleansing so Important?

Proper cleansing is such an important step in our daily routine. Our skin goes through a lot on a given day, it has to face sun damage, blue lights from our screens, free radicals, pollution, sweat, dirt, stress, you name it and our skin has to confront it daily. It is the largest organ on our body and it has vital functions that help us thrive in this planet. A harsh or ineffective cleansing routine can lead to added dryness, irritation, and even accelerated aging. Remember, as we age, our skin becomes thinner, dryer, and more delicate, it’s essential to assess our routine and recognize that “clean” may be more than just a wash so it’s important to optimize your technique.

Functions of Our Skin?

1. Protection: The skin acts as a physical barrier, protecting the underlying tissues from bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical injuries. It also helps prevent water loss by maintaining hydration levels in the body.

2. Regulation: The skin plays a crucial role in regulating our body’s temperature, it helps us sweat when we need to feel cool or constricts blood vessels when we need to conserve heat.

3. Sensation: The skin is rich in sensory receptors that detect changes in the environment. It allows us to feel touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. This provides important information about our surroundings.

4. Absorption: Although limited, the skin can absorb certain substances. It allows for the transdermal delivery of medications and skincare products, enabling beneficial ingredients to penetrate the skin barrier.

5. Synthesis of Vitamin D: When exposed to sunlight, the skin synthesizes vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

6. Immune Function: The skin is an active participant in the immune system, featuring cells that detect and respond to help us fight off infections.

How to Cleanse Your Skin for Optimal Results

At 40 and beyond, your skin deserves thoughtful care and attention, particularly when it comes to your cleansing habits. A simple, yet well-crafted facial cleansing routine has the power to make a difference. Keep in mind, that a truly clean face allows serums and moisturizers to perform their best and rejuvenate your skin while you sleep. Your nighttime routine should look something like this: 1) oral hygiene; 2) cleanse; 3) apply products to target your specific needs, followed by sufficient, regenerative sleep.

Night Routine - Cleanse:

1. Brush your teeth and floss. Info below as to why this needs to be the first step in your nightly routine.

2. Use a makeup remover as a first step (recommendations below).

3. Cleanse your face, neck and décolletage with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type. You may need to double cleanse depending on how much makeup or other products you are wearing.

4. Here’s a 1-minute hack to optimize your nightly skincare cleansing routine. Use a clean, gentle wash cloth, damp it in lukewarm water and softly wipe your face, neck and décolletage. Avoid rubbing your face.

   • This step will illustrate if your skin is truly clean. For most of us, there is usually some makeup residue close to the ears and/or hair line. This is normal, wash your washcloth and repeat until your skin is visibly clean on the washcloth. Tip: Amazon sells gentle facial washcloths. I recommend a clean one for each night of the week.

5. Apply your skincare products.

6. Get a good night’s sleep on clean sheets.

Morning Routine - Rinse:

1. Unless your skin is super, and I mean super oily, which is less of an issue as we age, it is probably best to simply rinse your face with water and not use a cleanser. Using a cleanser strips away essential oils that protect your skin barrier and prevent premature wrinkles. You can use the 1-minute hack if need be, but be extra gentle to ensure you’re not rubbing your face and stripping away oils needed to protect your skin during the day.

2. Apply your skincare products.

3. Apply sunscreen and re-apply every two hours for optimal protection.

Products Gentle for Aging Skin

Things to Avoid for Optimal Results

1. Sleeping Without Cleansing Your Face: I’m sure you’ve heard this a thousand times, so here it is again. Sleeping with makeup on or not properly cleansing your skin leads to clogged pores, reduced skin renewal, accelerated aging, irritation and dehydration. Don’t do it, not even one night. Implementing healthy skincare habits are necessary if you wish to have healthy skin. “No excuses, just results.”

2. Brushing Your Teeth After Cleansing Your Face: Picture this, you just spent all this time properly cleansing your face, doing the 1-minute hack, and applying products on, and oh no, you forgot to brush and floss your teeth. But doing it after you have cleansed and applied your products mean you risk getting toothpaste and saliva on your skin, which dilute the effects of the products you use and cause breakouts. TIP: Create a habit to always do your oral care first. By brushing your teeth first, you create a smooth transition into your skincare routine and minimize risks that lead to unhappy skin.

3. Using Facial Wipes as Your Only Cleansing Step: While it may seem like a convenient option, studies show the potential damage facial wipes can cause to the skin, including disrupting the skin barrier, causing irritation, and leaving behind residue making them not suitable for proper cleansing. This is mainly due to the rubbing action, the harsh chemicals within the wipes, and their inability to thoroughly remove makeup and dirt. If you’re currently using facial wipes, I recommend opting for a makeup remover and gentle cleanser suitable for your skin type.

   • Recently, I had a client who swore her facial wipes were sufficient to fully remove all her makeup and dirt. I tried to explain to her why using the wipes is not sufficient, but she was hesitant. After some questions, I asked her to show me her routine and follow it with the 1-minute hack, and this is what the washcloth showed. She was shocked!

Take a moment to think about your own routine and whether you have healthy skincare habits for your skin. Are you giving your skin the love and care it needs? With a few adjustments, you can embrace aging with grace and confidence, ensuring your complexion always looks and feels rejuvenated. Remember: clean skin is happy skin, happy skin = healthier, younger looking skin! I have been personally using this cleansing routine / hack for years and my skin looks young and healthy. Here’s a picture of me now at 50 years old with light makeup, no filters or beauty cams, just my iPhone camera.

Do you have a personal skincare story you would like to share or do you have a hack that works for you? If so, please leave it in the comments below.