How to achieve a clean face

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How to achieve a clean face? Friend: Ling Baobao (100 likes) Thank you for the invitation. Starting from the question posed by the asker, we first need to define what a \"clean face\" means, then consider the basic principles of skin care, and finally share my personal experiences. 1. Defining a clean face: Like a lotus flower emerging from clear water, naturally unadorned. To have a bare, clean face, children under 10 can generally meet this standard. Whether one looks good without makeup depends on several factors: skin tone, skin texture, and luminosity. Skin tone: Even skin tone, without patches, redness, spots, marks, or imperfections. Skin texture: Fine and smooth, with small pores; no acne, and no bumps or depressions. Luster: Not dull, with natural reflection of light. By achieving these qualities, one has a basically perfect, flawless face. Unfortunately, over time, skin problems keep increasing, and we move further away from having a \"clean face.\" This is why we always try to maintain our skin’s youthful appearance for as long as possible—after all, clean faces are more common among younger people. What is preventing us from having a clean face? Since youth fades quickly, what exactly happens throughout this process that affects the \"purity\" of our skin? Firstly, it is due to the natural aging of bodily functions; the skin gradually loses its elasticity, which leads to sagging, a dull appearance, and a deterioration in skin quality. Secondly, external factors such as sun exposure, pollution, and dry climate also have a significant cumulative impact on us. Therefore, to achieve a clean face, the basic approach is very simple: it involves \"controlling the factors that can be controlled,\" simplifying things, and using the most direct methods for protection and care – which are what we refer to as the three essential elements of basic skin care. 3 essential elements of basic skin care: sun protection, cleansing, and moisturization. 1. Sun protection: The foundation for whitening and anti-aging lies not so much in the passage of time as it does in harmful rays. As we age, photoaging plays a much greater role than the passage of time. I have mentioned in many other answers that to achieve fair skin, one must first protect oneself from sunlight ； To fight aging, start with sun protection. The invisible UVA and UVB rays within ultraviolet light are the main sources of photo damage to our skin; UVB is responsible for \"sunburns\", while UVA causes \"photoaging\". In other words, exposure to the sun without protection causes the skin to darken while accelerating its aging. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, these rays activate tyrosinase in melanocytes, leading to the production of melanin cells that gradually move toward the surface of the skin, resulting in a darker skin tone. An animated image illustrates the process of skin \"darkening\" after sun exposure: ? (Image source: Internet). There are also a smaller number of Langerhans cells (LCs) in our epidermis; these cells are important for the skin’s immune function. They form a network within the epidermis to detect foreign pathogens (1) and protect the skin. Research shows that when UVA and UVB rays continuously expose the skin, LCs are damaged, their numbers decrease, their shape becomes abnormal, and their ability to present antigens is impaired; as a result, LCs’ capacity to detect and handle foreign antigens is reduced (2). In simpler terms, sun exposure weakens the skin’s natural defenses, making it more prone to inflammatory reactions such as redness and warmth. Therefore, in the process of sun protection, it would be even better if ultraviolet rays could be reflected away from the outside while protecting the LCs from within. Here are a few key criteria I use when choosing sunscreen: a lightweight texture – since I have combination skin that tends to be oily in summer and dry in autumn, I can’t stand heavy textures at any time. Appropriate SPF value: Generally, SPF 30 is sufficient for daily commuting, while SPF 50 is needed for outdoor activities at the beach; the PA rating should be 3 or higher. Good skin feel: It spreads and absorbs well; rubbing it into a paste is absolutely not allowed. I’ve been using a Bioderma Small Shield from France lately, and it meets my standards perfectly – I never expected that a French brand famous for makeup removers could produce sunscreen products that are actually so good. ?High UV protection factor: 50 when not exposed to water, and still 40 even when wet, showing great stability. Generally, high-SPF sunscreens are quite greasy, but its lightweight formula ensures a refreshing feel, easy absorption, and no whitening effect – I fell in love with it as soon as I tried it. It can be seen that the emulsion has a pleasant texture that is easy to apply; after applying it, the back of the hands feels hydrated without any greasy sensation, making it perfect for use this season. ?In short, regardless of weather, 365 days a year, sunscreen is an essential step after skin care. Too much has already been said on this topic; there are a wide variety of textures and types of sunscreen. It’s important to keep them as essential products and to try different ones in order to find the type that suits you best. 2. Cleaning: As the foundation for subsequent maintenance, after discussing sun protection, cleaning is of course essential. If sun protection is meant to prevent aging caused by sunlight, then cleansing is the foundation of all skin care. Whether wearing makeup or not, washing the face in the morning and evening is an essential step. Dust, oil, makeup, and sunscreen are not natural components of our skin. Over time, their accumulation can clog pores, leading to blackheads, closed comedones, acne, and other inflammatory issues, pushing us further away from a \"clean face.\" Therefore, choosing the right cleaning products is also an essential part of basic skin care. Since we’re talking about Bioderma, we can’t overlook their famous serums. It’s said that it’s ideal for sensitive skin, and even those with normal skin prefer to use it – and there’s actually reason for that. When removing makeup, pour the makeup remover onto a cotton pad; the hydrophilic part penetrates into the pad, leaving the hydrophobic side on the surface, which can then be used to dissolve makeup on the face. Its extremely simple ingredient list shows that, while maintaining its cleaning capabilities, it also minimizes the risk of allergies, making it very suitable for sensitive skin. Added to this are fructooligosaccharides, xylitol, cucumber plant extract, and other similar ingredients that provide gentle moisturization. ?Its actual makeup removal ability is also quite good; it can easily remove waterproof eyeliner and a lip balm designed to last long, just by dampening a makeup pad – and it’s even easier when it comes to everyday foundation on the face. ?There are still a few points to keep in mind during use: it’s best to soak the cotton pads until they are saturated but do not drip water; if they are too dry, they can pull on the skin and cause wrinkles ； After the makeup is no longer visible to the naked eye, it’s necessary to wipe again until the cotton pad is completely clean; at that point, it’s generally considered sufficient. ?Although the formula is mild and allows for use without rinsing, it is still recommended that people with sensitive skin rinse it off with clean water afterward ； Whether a second cleaning is needed depends on the intensity of each person’s foundation and their actual skin sensitivity. 3. Moisturization: The basic purpose of skin care – Moisturization is always the primary and fundamental goal of skin care. Lack of moisture can lead to various skin problems such as aging and sensitivity, while proper hydration takes a big step forward in achieving healthy, glowing, and clean skin. Although hydration isn’t a panacea, it’s absolutely essential without it. In one’s teens and twenties, proper moisturization is extremely important. Of course, as one gets older, a basic moisturizing function is no longer sufficient to address additional needs such as anti-aging, whitening, or reducing spots; in such cases, it is still necessary to base care on moisturization, with additional ingredients being added according to specific needs. If we set aside all various specific functions and focus solely on the most basic aspect of hydration, then the components of a hydration formula are penetration, sealing, and the generation of natural moisture. There’s no need to go into further detail here, but one thing is very important: hydrating the skin does not mean providing it with moisture; do not pour water onto the face in large amounts, as this can lead to excessive hydration, which is actually harmful to the skin. True moisture retention means keeping the skin in a state where it remains hydrated without the need for external intervention; when choosing products, focus on their ability to provide long-lasting moisture. 4. Daily routine and other factors: Apart from the 3 basic skincare steps we mentioned above, the rest are related to our daily routines. 1. It’s not necessary to go to bed early and get up early, but it’s important to get enough sleep; also, don’t disrupt your body’s natural rhythm too much—after all, the Nobel Prize has shown that a person’s daily routine should be in line with these natural rhythms. ? (Image source: Internet) 2. Eat less sweets! Sugar can exacerbate inflammatory reactions in our skin, especially in skin prone to acne; it is truly necessary to avoid sweets and foods with added sugar. The added sugars mentioned here do not refer to the sugars that are naturally present in foods (otherwise the requirements would be too strict); rather, they refer to sweeteners such as sugar, syrups, and chocolate sauce that are added to foods. It is better to consume as little of these as possible, as it is beneficial for the skin. ? (Image source: Internet) 3. Drink plenty of plain water: Yes, just plain water! It’s not any drink with flavors, additives, or even various milk toppings! Once white water enters the body, it promotes circulation and metabolism, and also helps to enhance the vitality of the skin. ? (Image source: Internet) Summary: Actually, I don’t think there’s any need to say more about these things; everyone understands them well. It’s simply a matter of not being able to persevere or resisting temptation. But to maintain a clean face, the most important thing is consistency. 5 Key points to remember: A clean-looking face relies primarily on a good skin tone, smooth and firm texture, as well as a natural, healthy glow. Apart from problematic skin types such as acne-prone or sensitive skin that require special care, the most important aspects of skincare are still the three basic steps: sun protection, cleansing, and moisturization. From a daily perspective, it means living well, maintaining a good routine, and persevering to the end. Completing these carefully gets you halfway there. Achieving a clean face depends on using the right methods, choosing the right products, and staying consistent. Don’t follow trends blindly, nor overdo skin care. By maintaining a good routine and lifestyle, and giving your skin time to meet its most fundamental needs, you’ll find that a clean face is not far away.