The many face-washing trends on social media can make it hard to know what's actually safe and effective

How to Pick a Cleanser and Wash Your Face the Right Way, According to Dermatologists Dermatologists share their advice for creating a cleansing routine specific to your skin

• Social media has countless recommendations for the “right” way to wash your face.
• All the information—on the 60-second rule, double cleansing, and more—can make it hard to know what’s safe and effective for your skin.
• Dermatologists share their thoughts on the trends and suggestions for creating a cleansing routine specific to your skin.

Washing your face might seem like a pretty simple task, but some influencers say there’s more to the practice than cleansing and rinsing. In fact, platforms like TikTok are packed with face-washing tips and tricks, from how long to wash to how to dry off once you’re finished. 

But with so much advice circulating, it can be challenging to know what’s effective and safe. That’s why we asked dermatologists for their thoughts on some common suggestions. 

Here’s what they said about those, as well as their general recommendations for keeping your mug squeaky clean.

60-Second Face Wash

A popular claim on TikTok is that a face wash should last for a certain amount of time—specifically, 60 seconds. The idea is that you need to wash long enough to slather on cleanser and give the ingredients time to work their magic. 

But “there is no evidence or data supporting this arbitrary number,” Adam Friedman, MD, a professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, told Health.

Instead of having a hard-and-fast 60-second rule, experts said to focus on a few key factors. 

First, consider whether your cleanser contains active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, Oyetewa Asempa, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Skin of Color Clinic at Baylor College of Medicine, told Health.

If so, “leaving the product on the skin for 30 to 60 seconds may allow the ingredients to be more effective,” Asempa said. However, she noted there’s no reason to keep non-medicated cleansers on for an extended period.

Friedman suggested considering the benefits and downsides of a prolonged face-washing session. 

Spending more time gently massaging your cleanser can help surfactants—compounds that enable water to mix with oil and dirt—do their job more effectively. At the same time, overwashing or aggressive scrubbing can compromise the skin barrier, leading to dryness and irritation. This is especially true for people with sensitive skin, Asempa added.

In the end, “It’s about balance,” Friedman said. “Thorough cleansing without overdoing it.”

Double Cleansing

On social media, some users tout the benefits of “double cleansing,” or washing your face twice in a row using two different cleansers. 

According to Asempa, the suggestion has merit. Double cleansing can be a game changer for people who wear heavy sunscreen or makeup or have oily or acne-prone skin, she said. 

Methods may vary among content creators, but Asempa suggests washing first with an oil-based or micellar water cleanser, which helps break down oil, makeup, and sunscreen. For the second washing, use a water-based or foaming cleanser, which removes remaining dirt and impurities. 

However, Asempa cautioned that “a single gentle cleanse may be enough” for people with dry or sensitive skin.

Friedman echoed that sentiment, warning that double cleansing can strip essential lipids and disrupt the skin barrier, leading to irritation. This irritation can exacerbate skin diseases like acne, seborrheic dermatitis, and rosacea, and increase the risk of skin infections.

Towel Etiquette

Advice about the type of towel to use on your face abounds on social platforms. In particular, users warn about the danger of using your bath towel to dry your face after a wash. 

Friedman agrees that this isn’t a great idea. He suggested using a separate towel for your face because towels can harbor bacteria, mold, and dead skin cells, especially if they’re not changed frequently. 

Make sure your face towel is soft, though. “Depending on the material and structure of the towel,” Friedman said, “it can be abrasive, almost like a physical exfoliant, which can further disrupt the skin barrier, leading to issues.”

How to Wash Your Face

Washing your face isn’t only about timing and towels—it’s also about technique. 

The first step in face washing is to make sure your hands are clean, Zeena Nawas, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology and director of the Cosmetics and Laser Center at Baylor College of Medicine, told Health.

From there, splash water on your skin, she said. Make sure it’s lukewarm—hot water can strip natural oils, while cold water may not cleanse effectively.

After that, apply your cleanser. Use a “dime-sized amount” and “gently massage the cleanser using your fingertips in circular motions,” Nawas advised. Focus on oil-prone areas while being gentle around the eyes.

When you’ve finished massaging, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Then, use a clean towel to pat, not rub, skin dry. (Rubbing can cause micro-irritation.)

Follow up with moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp, which helps maintain hydration and protects the skin barrier.

Nawas suggests washing your face twice daily if you have typical skin; for dry or sensitive skin, use only water in the morning and cleanse at night.

Choosing the Right Cleanser

Using a cleanser that matches your skin type is an essential component of proper face washing, Nawas said.

Here are some cleanser varieties and the best skin type for each, per Nawas:

• Foaming cleansers. These are best for oily or acne-prone skin and can be drying for sensitive skin. “If using a foaming cleanser, a single cleanse may be enough unless you wear heavy makeup,” said Nawas.
• Gel cleansers. Try these if you have normal to combination skin because they provide a deep clean without over-drying.
• Oil-based cleansers. As mentioned, these are useful for the first step in double cleansing because they help remove waterproof makeup and sunscreen.
• Cream or hydrating cleansers. These are ideal for dry or sensitive skin. You usually won’t need a second cleansing unless makeup is involved.
• Exfoliating cleansers (with AHAs, BHAs, or enzymes). These shouldn’t be used daily or left on the skin too long because they can cause irritation.

If you’re struggling with persistent acne, irritation, redness, or dryness despite choosing the right cleanser and having a gentle routine, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist, Friedman noted.

“A personalized regimen, sometimes incorporating prescription treatments or in-office procedures, can make all the difference for maintaining healthy skin,” he said.

Edited by Health with a background in health, science, and investigative reporting. Previously, she wrote full time about parenting issues for the app Parent Lab. Before that, she worked as a reporter for National Geographic covering wildlife crime and exploitation." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Jani Hall Jani Hall Jani Hall is a news editor for Health with a background in health, science, and investigative reporting. Previously, she wrote full time about parenting issues for the app Parent Lab. Before that, she worked as a reporter for National Geographic covering wildlife crime and exploitation. learn more

This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Cathy Cassata