A Case for Air Drying Your Face

When you take a shower and get out, you towel off. When you wash your hands in the sink, you towel off. When you wash your face with cleanser, you towel off. In fact, some would argue that towels are as much of a bathroom staple these days as toothpaste. While many of us have a tendency to grab a towel before anything else after exposure to water, are we doing a disservice to our body’s largest organ by doing so? Needless to say, there are two sides to this debate: those in favor of toweling dry and those who prefer to air dry.

Towels are helpful because they can eliminate water droplets and keep you warm almost instantly, but they’re not unflawed. Below, we’re sharing three reasons why you should consider air drying your face and ditching hand, face, and body towels altogether.  

WHY YOU SHOULD AIR DRY YOUR FACE

Reason #1: Towels Can Be Abrasive

The point of cleansing your skin is to wash away impurities and dirt. In an effort to get your skin clean, you don’t want to potentially irritate it with an abrasive towel. Worse yet is harsh rubbing which could cause tears or redness on the skin. This can be especially problematic for sensitive skin types. By letting your skin air dry, you don’t have to worry about irritating your skin (or finding the softest towels on the market).

Reason #2: Towels Can Harbor Bacteria

Similar to a shower loofah, wet towels are often stored in dark and damp bathrooms where bacteria love to hang out. If your towel collects bacteria and you then use that towel repeatedly on your skin, you’re creating the perfect storm for a breakout. As a reminder, when bacteria lands onto your skin it can mix with built-up impurities, including dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells, to clog pores and cause pimples. If you eliminate contact with a potentially bacteria-laden towel, you can help reduce the risk of blemishes.

Reason #3: Your Moisturizer Will Absorb Better

After cleansing (whether over a sink or in the shower), it’s important to moisturize immediately after to seal in the most moisture. But instead of toweling off and then applying your face or body cream, experts agree that it’s better to do so while your skin is still damp.  “Your skin has the most moisture when it’s wet and most moisturizers work best when skin is already hydrated,” says board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Michael Kaminer. Instead of reaching for a towel, reach for your favorite skin hydrator and apply it liberally for better absorption.

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Mattifying Moisturizer is the perfect product to add to your arsenal for this purpose (along with many others). Not only does it hydrate skin without leaving any greasy residue behind, but the moisturizer also houses the ability to refine pores with the help of micro-exfoliating LHA. Skin will look and feel matte upon use.