It turns out you may have been washing your face all wrong.

In our quest to maintain optimal health, we perform daily rituals such as brushing our teeth and cleaning our faces.

Despite religiously sticking to these habits, most of us remain blissfully unaware of the proper face-washing approach, often ending up irritating our skin in the process.

An online dermatologist recently highlighted a common mistake people make with their daily skin care products that can lead to problems like dry or peeling skin.

To truly preserve the health of your skin, it seems less is more when it comes to the number of skin care products we use, potentially helping both your budget and your skin concerns.

In a disclosure TikTok video, Dr. Adel urged that if you suffer from dry or flaky skin, remove the cleanser in the morning, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Contrary to the common practice of using face scrubs and cleansers morning and night, for optimal skin health, it’s actually best to limit use to just the evenings.

She advised: “If you’re someone who has dry, flaky skin, skip your morning cleanse. Save some coins and just splash water on your face. Thank me later.”

The dermatologist has debunked the popular myth of using extreme temperatures for facial cleansing and warned against the use of hot or ice-cold water, which allegedly “opens and closes” pores unnecessarily. She advocates the simplicity of lukewarm water, claiming it’s “all you need” to maintain a radiant complexion.

Additionally, Dr. Adel advises against rushing through your skin care routine, noting that a hasty cleanse can result in leftover makeup, sebum, or sunscreen remaining on the skin.

To ensure a thorough cleanse, she recommends taking at least 60 seconds, perhaps accompanied by your favorite song, and ensures that your hands are completely adequate without the need for “special tools.” Viewers of the video expressed gratitude for Dr. Adel’s advice, and many asked their own questions that the dermatologist was more than willing to address.

She clarified for some that if they don’t apply makeup or sunscreen daily, a single cleanse at night should be enough instead of double cleansing. And she reassured others that it’s acceptable to just use water in the morning — even after applying retinol to your face the night before.

Rounding off her advice, the skincare specialist emphasizes the importance of double cleansing, a two-step process that begins with an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one.

She clarifies, “Double cleansing isn’t hype. It’s basically when you use an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser for your nightly skincare routine.

“Honestly, it’s the best way to remove all excess oil, sebum, dirt, dead skin cells, makeup and sunscreen, and it allows your skin to breathe and absorb all of your other skincare products.”