Last week, I wrote a blog breaking down the steps on how to wash your face.

This week, I want to talk about the things to AVOID doing when it comes to washing your face.

These 5 mistakes are very common, but avoiding them can make a significant difference to the way your skin looks and feels.

5 Mistakes when washing your face (and what to do instead):

1. Not washing your hands

Imagine that you've had a long day at work, or you've just finished in the gym. You need to wash your face to remove sweat and bacteria, but you forget to wash your hands. All of the bacteria from your hands is essentially being transferred onto your skin. So although you're washing your face, you're doing so with dirty hands.

Washing your hands is going to help remove any bacteria from your hands, making sure you limit any chance of bacteria transferring onto your skin and causing irritation.

2. The water is boiling hot

If the water is boiling hot, it is going to have a significant impact on your skin. In fact, it can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave your skin feeling dry and sensitive.

Always use lukewarm water when washing your face. This will allow your skin barrier to remain protected whilst cleansing.

3. You rub your face with your towel after cleansing

Drying your face abrasively with your towel can cause friction on the skin and can have an impact on your skin barrier overtime.

Instead, you want to pat your skin with a clean towel, but don't dry it completely. The next step in your routine is very likely going to be a serum or moisturiser, so leaving your skin slightly damp when applying that next product can help prevent any dryness as it locks in that hydration.

4. You wash your face too little (or too often)

Washing your face too little can cause a buildup of bacteria, oil and excess sebum in the pores, leading to irritation. Washing your face too much can cause your skin to feel tight and dehydrated as it can strip your skin of its natural oils.

Instead, aim to cleanse your skin 1-2 times a day. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing a double-cleanse, but I'd recommend cleansing no more than twice a day to get the benefits from your facial cleanser.

5. You apply your cleanser too abrasively

Remember that you are cleansing your skin, not exfoliating, so please don't apply abrasively. When you apply abrasively, you can damage your skin's protective barrier, which could lead to redness, irritation, sensitivity or breakouts.

Instead, apply your facial cleanser gently across your face in a circular motion for about 60 seconds. Let the cleanser do the hard work, while you Take Five®.