Are YOU washing your face wrong? Top dermatologists reveal the five common ... trends now
Scrubbing your face with soap, hot water and a flannel? Well, you might be washing your face wrong, according to dermatologists.
Exfoliating too much, washing with overly hot water and using too many disposable wipes are some of the biggest mistakes people make when washing their face.
These techniques can destroy your skins natural barrier, dry it out and clog your pores.
MailOnline spoke to dermatologists to find out what we should be avoiding when it comes to keeping our faces squeaky clean.
Exfoliating too much, washing with overly hot water and using too many disposable wipes are some of the biggest mistakes people make when washing their face
Product overload
From charcoal facemasks to moisturising your face with Vaseline, social media is awash with skin-cleansing tips, but following these trends might not be the best way of maintaining a healthy glow.
Dermatologists warn that having too many steps, with too many different chemicals can strip your skin of its natural oils, making it sore and dry.
And just because someone famous has recommended a product does not mean it is right for your skin.
Dr Penelope Pratsou, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson said: 'The most common mistake that people make with skincare routines is that they tend to overcomplicate them.
'People like to follow the latest skincare trends as recommended on social media.
'This can often result in complex regimes which may not be suited to their own skin and result in skin irritation.'
But there is no 'one-size fits all' when it comes to skincare. Your routine should be unique and tailored to your skin type, according to Dr Pratsou.
Your routine should be unique and tailored to your skin type. Dermatologists warn that having too many steps can lead to irritation and just because someone famous has recommended a product does not mean it is right for your skin
'Do not feel you need to follow a particular regime because someone famous has recommended it,' she added.
Dr Salome Dharamshi, a dermatologist at a private clinic in Birmingham, believes that 'less is more' and suggests sticking to a simple routine, such as one that has two to four steps.
She said: 'Wash your face in the morning, apply moisturiser and SPF.
'In the evening before you go to bed double wash the face, remove your make-up and then wash again gently to make sure the skin is clean and apply moisturiser.'
However, experts urge people to stay away from bars of soap and use other gentle facial washes.
This is because the alkaline chemicals in bars of soap can be abrasive, drying and disrupting the natural PH of your skin.
The natural PH of your skin is slightly acidic, it helps to keep moisture in and bacteria out.
If this balance is pushed to be more acidic you are more likely to get skin conditions, such as acne and eczema and if it is too alkaline your skin can look dry, red and flaky.
Stop scrubbingAnother common mistake people make is overly scrubbing their skin.
Although scrubbing will remove dead skin cells, oils and dirt helping to make skin appear flawless, it will also remove healthy cells from the skin, according to experts.
This can lead to irritation, just in the same way as adhering to an overly-complicated regime.
Dr Pratsou said: 'I am not a fan of physical exfoliation on the face because it can often be traumatic to the skin, and cause irritation, dryness or breakouts.'
Instead she recommends using a chemical exfoliator, such as glycolic acid and retinols, as these work over about 10 minutes to gently exfoliate, with noticeable results in two weeks.
Having water too hot or even too cold can over dry the skin, which in turn can cause the over production of sebum making it greasy, and as a result, spotty
Dr Pratsou added: 'Micro-fibre face cloths are thought to be gentler on the skin, helping to exfoliate for those that have sensitive skin.
'They might therefore be helpful if you wear make up to help remove it at
