Experts Say These 5 Tweaks Can Make a Huge Difference for How You Wash Your Face

If you think you know the best way to wash your face, you may want to think again. And for most of us, it’s probably a totally standard part of our skincare routine that we likely don’t think about all that much. But it’s actually one of the most important things you can do to maintain both the appearance and health of your skin. “It’s important to wash your face properly to improve your skin health, decrease inflammation and help prevent acne,” explains Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

“There’s a lot that accumulates on your face throughout the day including dirt, oil, makeup, dead cells and pollution, all of which can clog your pores," notes Dr. Saedi. "This can lead to acne, inflammation and dull skin." No, thank you! Point being, haphazardly splashing on some water and using a little cleanser may not always cut the mustard. But you also don’t need to make washing your face overly complicated or laborious, Dr. Saedi notes. Instead, try these five simple tips and tricks to boost your face washing game.

Tricks for how to wash your face

Read on for the smart tweaks you can make to your face washing routine.

1. Adjust the water temperature

Hot water feels nice, but it’s not doing you any favors. Overly hot water can both dry out your skin and trigger inflammation, notes Rachel Lozina, a master esthetician and founder of Blue Water Spa in New York. A tell-tale sign that it’s too hot? If your face gets red, you need to turn the temp down, she says. On the flip side, while very cold water can feel refreshing, it too can exacerbate dryness. Your best bet: A middle-of-the-road, lukewarm temperature.

2. Double cleanse as needed

Particularly when you’re wearing a full-face of makeup, double cleansing — using an oil-based cleanser followed by a gel formula — is the most effective way to get your complexion completely clean, notes Lozina. “Think about it as first vacuuming the floor, then mopping it,” she says. The first step gets rid of all of the larger particles of dirt and makeup, the second step then actually cleanses your skin.

3. Incorporate a toner

Rather than mixing your cleanser with water, consider emulsifying it with a few drops of an antioxidant-rich toner, suggests aesthetician Samantha Proano, a Babor Expert Educator. It’s a great way to score some extra protective and anti-aging benefits; you can then use water to rinse everything away, she explains.

4. Use a separate towel

The last thing you want to do after you’ve thoroughly cleansed your skin is to put dirt and bacteria back on it — and that’s exactly what can happen if you dry your face with the towel in your bathroom that you also use for your hands and/or body. Lozina recommends having a dedicated towel that’s reserved for your face and your face alone (and making sure to swap that out every few days). She also suggests laundering it in a fragrance-free detergent and avoiding fabric softener, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

5. Wash your face as soon as you get home

We’ve all been there: You’re lying in bed and realize you forgot to wash your face, but are so tired that a trip to the bathroom feels totally daunting. That’s why Lozina suggests washing your face as soon as you get home for the day or changing into your pajamas, even if it’s way before bedtime. (You can also take the opportunity to do your full nighttime skincare routine at this point.) “This way you don’t forget later at night when you’re tired and don’t feel like doing anything but just getting into bed,” she points out.

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