How to Wash Skin

Washing skin properly is not just a matter of lathering some soap on and rinsing it off. Water temperature, the type of soap and the type of cleaning tool play important roles in cleansing skin the correct way. Skin helps protect the body from germs in the environment. Keeping skin clean and undamaged is, therefore, an important part of healthy living.

Things You'll Need

• Hypoallergenic soap
• Body wash
• Wash cloth
• Back scrubbing brush
• Towel
• Moisturizer

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Turn the shower or sink faucet on to the warm position. The water should feel comfortably warm and not hot. If skin reddens almost immediately, the water is too hot. Hot water dries out skin.

• 2

  Rub the skin with a hypoallergenic soap or body wash. Manufacturers create these products from chemicals that aren't likely to cause an allergic reaction.

• 3

  Scrub easily reached areas of skin gently with a soft wash cloth when washing the body. Use a handled scrubbing brush to wash your back or other areas not easy to access.

  When washing the face, use your index and middle finger to massage the soap in circles on the skin, avoiding your eyes.

• 4

  Rinse your skin with warm water, followed by cool water. Cool water closes the pores and is especially important if you are washing your face.

• 5

  Pat skin dry with a towel. This is preferable to rubbing the towel over skin -- the friction from rubbing exacerbates skin conditions, such as dry skin.

• 6

  Massage in moisturizer or astringents, depending on which is applicable for your skin, right after you wash and dry.