How to dry your face?

How to dry your face?

Beyond cleansing, drying the face is also a step not to be overlooked. Prolonged contact with water can dry out the skin, and excessive wiping can irritate it. The question that arises is: how to properly dry your face without causing harm? Here are some tips to help you.

Summary
Published September 8, 2021, updated on February 22, 2024, by Stéphanie, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 2 min read

The drying stage.

One of the most common mistakes is wiping the face with the same towel used for the body and hair. On one hand, the friction from the terrycloth material can irritate the epidermis, especially if the movements are too vigorous. On the other hand, the residues of shower gel and bacteria lodged in the fibers, which accumulate with each use, can be transferred to the facial skin and cause skin reactions (irritations, redness, etc...). That's why it's advisable to use a clean towel specifically for this area. Moreover, there's no need to vigorously rub your face to dry it. Indeed, harsh movements could make your skin more sensitive, vulnerable, and thus accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and irritations. Simply pat your face dry instead of wiping it. You then have 60 seconds to apply your skincare products. This time frame corresponds to the period during which the skin retains its hydration. Indeed, your bare skin is most vulnerable to dehydration.

Thus, the first instinct we have after cleansing our facial skin is to grab a towel to remove excess water. However, experts agree that this seemingly harmless act is detrimental to the health and beauty of our epidermis. Instead, it is better to use the moisture to apply skincare products. Water then acts as a conductor to help the active ingredients penetrate the layers of the epidermis. Indeed, at this stage, the skin is more capable of absorbing the benefits of cosmetics. Moreover, this technique prevents the feelings of tightness and dryness that the skin experiences after a shower. Additionally, it is not recommended to let your face air dry. This can cause the skin to become dry.

Diagnostic

Understand your skin
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