Here's How to *Actually* Wash Your Face

It's ironic how even the most basic beauty routines can somehow go horribly wrong. Take washing your face, for example: It should literally be the easiest thing you do all day long, right? I mean, what's so complicated about lathering up and rinsing off? Well, for starters, if you're using your fingers to suds up, you just made a bad move. And then there's prioritizing your blowout over your skin, if you do that (I'm 100% guilty of doing this), get ready say hello to breakouts.

"Most people wash their face with their fingers, and their skin never really gets cleaned. The reason is bacteria can lurk under your fingernails, which then transfers to your face," explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., a board certified dermatologist in New York City. "And a lot of my patients don't like to mess up their blow dry, so they don't wash their foreheads very carefully — and when they do, they lightly use their fingers, which don't offer enough exfoliation." And that's not even considering the fact that simply being too tired or lazy can keep someone from attempting it altogether.

So what should you do? Washing your face is actually pretty easy and quick (you can do it in under 3 minutes) if you follow these steps — so no more excuses, OK?

1. Chose Your Cleansing Tool

Stock up with either cotton rounds, baby washcloths (they're softer than regular washcloths), or a sonic brush cleansing system. The cotton rounds should be 100% cotton, "Many of these are made of rayon, which can be very irritating to the skin," says Jaliman. If you go for a cleansing brush, make sure you stay on top of changing the brush head every 2-3 months to keep bacteria at bay. "Also, make sure to choose the appropriate brush for your skin type (acne, sensitive or gentle)."

2. Set Your Water Temperature to Lukewarm

Not too hot, or too cold, this water temperature is just right — and it won't burn, irritate, or sting your skin.

3. Apply Product

Squeeze out a quarter-size blob of cleanser onto your tool (cotton round, baby washcloth, or cleansing brush), then, starting at your forehead, begin gently rubbing the product in in a circular fashion. Work your way down in a clockwise direction, being careful not to pull downwards on your skin. "The entire face shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Think 30 seconds for the forehead, 30 seconds for each cheek and 30 seconds for your nose and chin," says Jaliman.

4. Rinse With Water

Rinse off the tool you used to apply the cleanser with — unless you used cotton rounds, just wet a new one with water. Then, use the tool to splash gently rub your skin with water to remove all the soap and residue.

5. Dry Your Skin

"When drying your face, do not rub with your towel vigorously. Pat gently instead. And make sure the towel you're using is clean and specifically for your face only," says Jaliman. Mixing your bath and face towel, or sharing with someone else, can deposit dirt and bacteria back onto your cleansed skin — which would mean you pretty much just wasted your time.

If you tend to be oily in your t-zone, you got a bonus step: Follow drying with a toner applied to a cotton round in that areas only.

And, also — don't mistake standing in the shower in the morning with washing your face. The simple act of water dripping over your skin is not actually cleaning your skin. "Make sure to follow this routine and wash your skin every morning and evening," adds Jaliman.

The only perk to doing it wrong for years? Who knows how amazing your skin will look when you finally actually wash your face correctly!? Oh, the possibilities...

Via.