When it comes to looking after your skin, cleansing morning and night is non-negotiable. Not only does cleansing remove dirt, make-up and oil from your complexion, but it also helps to restore moisture, prevent breakouts, and leave your skin feeling oh-so-fresh.

So as long as you give your skin a good, quick cleanse twice a day, you’re sorted, right? Wrong. If you don’t cleanse properly, you could end up with pesky issues like blemishes and damage to the eye area..

Without further ado, let’s find out if you’re making these common cleansing mistakes!

Mistake #1: You’re not removing eye make-up before cleansing

Some cleansers just don’t cut it in terms of taking off your eye-make-up, so invest in a specialised eye make-up remover. Before cleansing, dampen a cotton pad with eye make-up remover and gently smooth it over closed eyes. This will whisk away eyeliner as well as those stubborn mascara fibres, all while being kind to the delicate skin around your eyes.

bh product picks: Natures Organics Australian Pure Kakadu Plum & Almond Oil Eye Makeup Remover, Clinique Take the Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips

Mistake #2: You’re using too little or too much product

If you’re stingy with product, you can run the risk of not cleansing thoroughly enough, which can lead to traces of pore-clogging grime and oil being left behind. No, thanks! Using too much product, on the other hand, can result in product wastage, so you’ll be quite literally washing money down the drain. The solution? Follow these guidelines: if you use a foaming cleanser, dispense a golf ball-sized amount in the palm of your hand. For cream or gel cleansers, apply the same amount of product as the size of an almond.

bh product picks: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, Pelactiv Hydrating Cream Cleanser, Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser

Mistake #3: You’re not cleansing around your hairline

If you wear a shower cap or are worried about getting cleanser in your hair, then you’re probably guilty of not cleansing around your hairline. Neglecting to cleanse the out-most area of your face can result in an accumulation of oil and make-up, which can lead to pimples and blackheads. So, next time, ditch the cap and make a conscious effort to cleanse all the way up to your hairline.

Mistake #4: You’re rubbing your face dry with a towel

As tempting as it is to give your face good a rub with a towel after cleansing, don’t. The rubbing motion can break and tear the delicate skin on your face, and cause redness, irritation and even broken capillaries. Instead, gently pat your skin dry with a towel. On another note, make sure you use a clean towel to avoid transferring germs to your freshly-washed face.

Have you made any of these cleansing mistakes? What does your daily cleansing routine look like?

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