How to Clean Up Your Skin's Act this Halloween

Many Halloween transformations involve layers of makeup. And though it’s tempting to fall into bed (foundation and all) after a night of fun, consider this your official reminder to wash your face thoroughly before you hit the sheets.

Your cleanser is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine because it also prepares your skin for the next steps in your Regimen. Using the wrong cleanser can affect the skin’s delicate moisture barrier, possibly causing future irritation or preventing other products from absorbing effectively. Choose a cleanser that not only removes makeup and grime, but also treats and nourishes your specific skin concerns with powerful ingredients. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for putting your freshest face forward this Halloween and year-round.

DO remove makeup before you wash your face. Many cleansers aren’t able to fully remove concealer or foundation, especially around the eyes or nose. Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Eye Cloths gently and thoroughly remove makeup while also depositing anti-aging peptides to reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles and puffiness.

DON’T overcleanse your skin. More is not necessarily better when it comes to washing your face. Too much sudsing and scrubbing can disrupt the skin’s fragile moisture barrier, which then leads to dryness, irritation and potential flare-ups. For best results, cleanse with the right formula once or twice a day.

DO find a cleanser that addresses your most important skincare issue. Acne-prone skin calls for a cleanser that contains a proven FDA-recognized ingredient like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. UNBLEMISH Acne Treatment Sulfur Wash, for instance, contains 3 percent sulfur to fight blemishes. Dull or discolored skin fares better with an exfoliating cleanser that helps brighten its appearance, such as REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash. If you’re worried about lines, pores and loss of firmness, REDEFINE Daily Cleansing Wash draws impurities from skin while helping exfoliate without drying skin for a younger-looking appearance. And if sensitive skin concerns are your issue, SOOTHE Gentle Cream Wash contains barrier-nuturing ceramides to support your skin’s natural resiliency.

DON’T use a washcloth to cleanse. The rough texture of a washcloth can be too aggressive for the skin. Instead, apply cleanser in gentle circular motions with your fingertips.

DO rinse thoroughly with warm—not hot—water. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural moisturizing factors. And it’s a myth that you can “close pores” by splashing the face with cold water. Pores are not able to open and close.

DON’T think that suds are necessary for clean skin. Many people believe that you need tons of suds for squeaky-clean skin. However, sudsing surfactants can be too harsh for those with dry or sensitive skin and actually strip away the lipid barrier, making skin more susceptible to inflammation. Those with sensitive skin should go for a gentle, creamy formula free of fragrance, like SOOTHE Gentle Cream Wash.