Why Washing The SPF Off Is Just As Important As Putting It On

We all know we've been told over and over again, SPF is the most important skincare applied in the morning. It not only protects us from sunburns and skin cancer, but it also keeps premature aging at bay. It's important to keep in mind that most SPF has some sort of waterproof quality in order to continue to be effective while we sweat. That means that just washing your face with a face cleanser and water may not remove it all. Living in the Washington, D.C. area means we live in a city where impurities like dirt and pollution are unavoidable parts of our lives. Pollution can worsen the effects of sun exposure, accelerating oxidative stress, which causes aging.

These impurities stick to SPF like a magnet. Even if you don't have makeup on and just wear SPF, a double cleanse is essential to break up the SPF bonds and rid your skin of those impurities. Which method I use depends on my activity level. If I've worked out, I'll use an oil cleanser before my foaming cleanser. If I was just walking around town, I'd use a micellar water with a cotton round and then cleanse. Adequate cleansing is also imperative to the active ingredients in your nighttime skincare penetrating effectively. You spend good money on your skincare; make sure you're getting the most out of it.

Micellar water: Bioderma and Rilastil Water; Oil cleanser: Dermalogica Pre Cleanse