Washing your face makes plenty of sense but not according to a 2017 survey by CeraVe, a skin-care brand. This is because they found that 80 percent of adults make as much as one common mistake when washing their faces. A simple washing routine is essential for everyone, especially eczema and rosacea-prone people. In such situations, a gentle touch is needed so you don’t cause more irritation. Consult your dermatologist in severe cases.

Discover seven dos and don’ts of face washing and watch your skin glow.

1. Do use the right cleanser

If you have dry or sensitive skin, stick to hydrating, nonfoaming cleansers, because the lathering agents used in foaming cleansers tend to be more drying on the skin.

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a foaming or salicylic acid-based cleanser may be best for you. Foaming cleansers are better suited for people with oily skin who need a deeper clean, and salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that helps effectively remove oil from the skin.

2. Don’t rinse your face with hot water

Washing your face with hot water can suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry and possibly irritated.

3. Do wash your face twice daily

If you’re going to wash once, wash in the evening to remove everything that has gathered during the day so you sleep with a clean face on your pillow. 

4. Don’t assume you need a toner

Cleansers today are much more adequate in recent times, so a toner or an astringent is not always necessary to remove dirt and oil.]

5. Do use a dedicated makeup remover

If you wear light makeup, your everyday cleanser may be adequate. But you can also use an oil-based cleanser or micellar water. This works for all makeup types. Micellar water contains micelle molecules that bind to both water and oil to effectively wash away dirt and makeup.

6. Don’t skip moisturizer after cleansing

While you want to cleanse your face well, you don’t want to strip the skin of essential oils or cause dryness. After washing, lock in hydration with a light moisturizer.

7. Do use a clean dedicated face towel

Wash your hands very well before you wash your face. And don’t dry it with the family hand towel hanging over the rack for several days. Bacteria can breed on the towel and transfer to your clean face. Instead, use a soft, clean cloth used only on your face.