A Derm's Fun Tip To Make Sure You Are Washing Your Face Long Enough

People often overlook face washing in favor of the other skin care steps. People are so focused on getting the other parts of the routine right: I'm so often flooded with questions about serums, moisturizers, toners, and so forth. ("How do I layer these products?" "Should I apply moisturizer to dry or damp skin?" "Do I need a toner, and if so, why?" You get the picture.) Hardly do I ever get questions about cleansing! And, yet, the step is the bedrock for all others to build on.

Lest you forget: Your products cannot properly penetrate the skin if there isn't a clean canvas to begin with. Plus, without proper and regular cleansing, you may experience clogged pores, excessive skin cell buildup, and damage from free radicals. This is all to say: It's an important step, and worth making sure you are doing a good job of it. 

You may be concerned with how often you should be washing your face (the answer is: It depends, and everyone is different. For more info, check out our guide), but you should also be concerned with how long you do so. 

"The third mistake is that you're not cleansing your face long enough," says Stephens. "Sing or play your favorite song up until the hook." While each song is different, this fun trick will likely get you in the ~30-second time frame that skin care experts recommend. 

On a particle sense: This marker will ensure that you're getting off makeup, grime, and any particulate matter that settled on the skin that day. It's also ample enough time to make sure you're hitting every area of your skin, so each zone gets enough attention. Plus, it means you're really working your skin, massaging on the cleanser, and allowing yourself to be in the moment.