Most guys finish washing their face the same way they always have — grab the nearest towel, swipe it across their face, move on.

It’s fast. It’s familiar. But it’s not doing your skin any favors.

That habit, as minor as it seems, could be causing irritation, breakouts, or even interfering with the rest of your skincare routine. Here’s why it’s worth rethinking — and what to do instead.

Towels aren’t designed with your face in mind. The fabric, especially if it’s rough or worn, can cause friction on your skin — leading to microtears, redness, or irritation. If you’ve just shaved, exfoliated, or used an active ingredient, it only makes things worse.

The towel hanging in your bathroom probably isn’t as clean as you think. If it’s been used to dry hands or body — or hasn’t been washed recently — it may harbor bacteria that gets transferred back to your face. This can contribute to breakouts, clogged pores, or skin irritation.

Letting your face air-dry is the gentlest option — and completely contact-free. If you’re in a rush, lightly patting with clean hands works too. Just make sure your hands are washed first.

If you prefer using a towel, use one that’s only for your face. Rotate it every couple of days to keep things clean and avoid buildup.

Soft cotton or microfiber towels are gentler on the skin than standard bath towels. They absorb moisture without dragging across the surface, which helps prevent irritation.

If you’ve never had a skin issue, this may sound unnecessary. But the difference becomes clear when:

In those cases, switching from a shared towel to air-drying or using a dedicated face towel can improve comfort, reduce redness, and help products work more effectively.

It’s a small switch — but one that makes a real difference. Your face doesn’t need rough friction or shared bacteria. Treat it like it matters.

Skip the bath towel. Air-dry when you can, or use something soft and clean. Your skin will be calmer, clearer, and better able to absorb the products that come next.

Most guys finish washing their face the same way they always have — grab the nearest towel, swipe it across their face, move on.

It’s fast. It’s familiar. But it’s not doing your skin any favors.

That habit, as minor as it seems, could be causing irritation, breakouts, or even interfering with the rest of your skincare routine. Here’s why it’s worth rethinking — and what to do instead.

Towels aren’t designed with your face in mind. The fabric, especially if it’s rough or worn, can cause friction on your skin — leading to microtears, redness, or irritation. If you’ve just shaved, exfoliated, or used an active ingredient, it only makes things worse.

The towel hanging in your bathroom probably isn’t as clean as you think. If it’s been used to dry hands or body — or hasn’t been washed recently — it may harbor bacteria that gets transferred back to your face. This can contribute to breakouts, clogged pores, or skin irritation.

Letting your face air-dry is the gentlest option — and completely contact-free. If you’re in a rush, lightly patting with clean hands works too. Just make sure your hands are washed first.

If you prefer using a towel, use one that’s only for your face. Rotate it every couple of days to keep things clean and avoid buildup.

Soft cotton or microfiber towels are gentler on the skin than standard bath towels. They absorb moisture without dragging across the surface, which helps prevent irritation.

If you’ve never had a skin issue, this may sound unnecessary. But the difference becomes clear when:

In those cases, switching from a shared towel to air-drying or using a dedicated face towel can improve comfort, reduce redness, and help products work more effectively.

It’s a small switch — but one that makes a real difference. Your face doesn’t need rough friction or shared bacteria. Treat it like it matters.

Skip the bath towel. Air-dry when you can, or use something soft and clean. Your skin will be calmer, clearer, and better able to absorb the products that come next.