Here’s why you should NEVER use a towel to dry your face or squeeze your spots

When it comes to skin care, there is a lot of conflicting advice out there.

With the rise of social media sites like TikTok, anyone can pretend to be a skin guru.

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This can make it difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Are expensive products really better than cheaper ones?

Are all sunscreens equally effective?

Do I really need to clean my skin twice?

But there are a few things that all the experts say you should never do when it comes to your skincare routine: Never towel dry your face and don’t pop pimples, for example.

Fatma Gunduz, an aesthetic therapist at Skin and Sanctuary, explained why towel-drying and pimple-breaking are deadly sins when it comes to your face.

NEVER use a towel to dry your face

Towels are a great source of bacteria.

In fact, one study found that almost 90 percent of bathroom towels were contaminated with coliform bacteria and about 14 percent were carriers of E. coli.

Both pathogens can make you very ill – and in some cases, E. coli can be deadly.

“These bacteria can get transferred to your skin and potentially cause breakouts or infections,” Fatma told The Sun.

Many towels have a rough texture that experts say can even damage skin.

“Violent rubbing with it could even microcrack the skin and cause long-term damage,” she added.

Towels are naturally absorbent.

That means they can also absorb your skin’s natural oils, which can lead to dryness, she explained.

“Instead, consider gently patting your face dry with a clean, soft towel or using microfiber towels.

“You can also try facial tissues, which are gentler,” she said.

Fatma explained that the best option is to let the face dry naturally – depending on the weather, of course.

NEVER EVER pop your patches

If you’re prone to getting pimples, you know how tempting it can be to pop them.

You probably don’t need to be told this, but it’s always good to hear from an expert.

“Squeezing or popping your pimples can do more harm than good to your skin,” Fatma said.

Trying to pop a pimple can allow bacteria from your hands or nails to get into the pimple and increase the risk of infection, she said.

Additionally, squeezing “can damage surrounding skin and lead to scarring or inflammation,” she said.

“It can spread the infection to neighboring pores, leading to the development of more pimples or a larger breakout,” she added.

Instead of screwing up your pimples, Fatma recommended sticking to a “consistent, barrier-friendly” skincare routine.

“This includes using acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzene peroxide,” she explained.

“But if you really feel like you can’t wait, try using an over-the-counter pimple treatment gel or pimple sticker before you poke the spot with your germ-ridden fingers — anything that will help relieve the urge.” She has added.