Chances Are You've Been Drying Your Face Wrong This Whole Time

These days, it feels like we've all been doing something wrong. From learning that we should be eating hotdogs flipped upside down, to realizing we've been making baked beans wrong, it's like the universe is trying to send us a message, and that message is that you're wrong.

So don't mind me when I show up today offering up yet another thing you've most likely been doing wrong this whole time.

I think it's safe to say everyone washes their face at least once a day.

It's important for both men and women to wash off the day and get rid of any excess dirt, oil, sebum, or makeup that can be lying dormant on our faces.

Sorry, that sounds so gross, but it's true!

After washing my face, I always reach for a clean towel. Always. It's just something I've always done to, you know, dry my wet face.

Unsplash | Feeh Costa

And as far as I'm concerned, it's what my family and friends have always done, too.

Now imagine my shock when I learned that towel-drying your face is not the ideal method

Yep, that's right! According to Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology, air drying is an easy way to prevent infection and dry skin.

"Air drying is a somewhat better way to dry your skin," she told Well + Good.

Unsplash | Helen Ngoc N.

Having somewhat damp skin also means your products will work better and be more effective, "Leaving some of the hydration on your skin does allow for better absorption of ingredients that are applied."

Using a towel can often lead to skin irritation, as well as add extra bacteria and debris after just washing your face.

Well, I'm going to try it tonight and see how my moisturizer and serums apply now! Look at that, you learn something new every dang day!