MONDAY, Nov. 26 (HealthDay News) -- The way you wash your face affects how healthy it looks, according to an expert.

"It's important for people to treat the face with care," Dr. Thomas Rohrer, a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Mass., said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release. "Never scrub the skin or use harsh products, as doing so irritates the skin, which makes skin look worse."

As part of National Healthy Skin Month in November, Rohrer offered the following face-washing tips:

• Use a gentle, non-abrasive, alcohol-free cleanser.
• After wetting your face with lukewarm water, apply cleanser with your fingertips. You can irritate your skin if you use a washcloth, mesh sponge or any other material.
• Don't scrub, as this will irritate your skin.
• Rinse with lukewarm water, and use a soft towel to pat dry.
• Apply moisturizer to dry or itchy skin. Be gentle whenever applying cream around your eyes in order to avoid pulling too hard on this delicate skin.
• Limit washing your face to once in the morning and once at night, as well as after sweating heavily. Perspiration irritates the skin, so you should wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.

More information

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