July 29, 2019 | 4:54pm
| Updated July 29, 2019 | 7:15pm
When it comes to having clean skin, Americans are making some major mistakes — new research found the majority are washing their faces incorrectly or not at all.
A poll of 2,000 Americans found that the biggest “skin sin” people reported was not washing their face at night, which is important for removing dirt and excess oil accrued throughout the day.
Fifty-two percent have used bar soap on their face and 44 percent of those surveyed have used hand soap, not realizing the consequences these types of products have on their skin.
It found that 36% had no idea they were harming their skin by using hand soap to wash it — and this lack of knowledge was something many respondents felt.
Forty-two percent didn’t know what types of products were best for their skin, while a further 36% didn’t realize they should be washing their face every night.
And 45% don’t seek the advice of a dermatologist for their skin care, choosing instead to buy products they learn about themselves.
Beyond having a lack of knowledge on proper skin care habits, 35% revealed they think they have poor skin care habits.
In fact, 41 percent have washed their face with hot water instead of lukewarm while 39% have skipped washing their face after a workout leaving sweat and oil to seep into skin.
Some more of the biggest offenders included shaving without the use of any shaving cream (38%), using the wrong type of cleanser based on skin type (37%) and cleaning their face without washing their hands first (34%).
Also high on the list was going more than two weeks without washing the sheets or pillowcases (27%) and going more than one month without washing makeup brushes (26%).
An additional 47% will fall asleep with their makeup on — with 11% admitting to doing so often.
Skin care is confusing for many. From liquid and gel to bar and cloth, 53% of those studied find themselves confused about what type of cleanser to use on their skin.
But that’s not all that leaves Americans perplexed when it comes to their skin care and skin health. Forty-seven percent are completely unsure about how often they should be cleansing their skin.
Even if Americans knew when and how to cleanse, it turns out 44% would still find themselves baffled when trying to find the right cleanser for their skin type.
Another perplexing cleansing issue involves how skin should feel post-cleanse (43%). After cleansing the skin, 37 percent of those studied said that they think their skin should actually feel tight — which is incorrect.
As a result of this lack of knowledge about their skin, Americans find themselves skipping this part of a skin care regimen, if they even have one to begin with. Whether it’s not knowing which type of cleanser to use (28%) or simply being too tired (61%), Americans skip washing their face for a number of reasons.
“Cleansing is essential for healthy and hydrated skin, but it’s a step that tends to cause confusion. As the No. 1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand, CeraVe® knows that a proper skincare routine starts with cleansing and has created National Cleanse Your Skin Week to shed light on the importance of cleansers and how you don’t need to compromise your skin to achieve a clean, healthy look and feel,” stated Derrick Booker, vice president of marketing of CeraVe.
