Do you REALLY need to wash your face every night? Experts reveal the useless skincare habits that EVERYONE should quit - and it could save you HUNDREDS of dollars

Every time you open up TikTok or Instagram Reels to watch your favorite beauty influencers, it might seem like there's always another step that needs to be added to your skincare routine - not to mention, more money to be spent on yet another viral product. 

Some experts recommend double cleansing, while others urge you to only wash your face at night. What about using an eye and a face cream, or coffee grounds for exfoliation? 

But, at the end of the day, is all of it really necessary? To help cut through the chaos, FEMAIL has enlisted a group of dermatologists and estheticians to reveal what to spend your money on and what's just a cash grab. 

With the skincare industry offering a wider - and more expensive - range of products than ever before, it can be hard to see the effective moisturizer from the gimmicky lotion.  

FEMAIL spoke with a number of dermatologists and estheticians, like Sofie Pavitt (left) and Dr. Dendy Engelman (right) to uncover what skincare habits you can ditch

Dermatologists Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky (left) and Dr. Richard Bottiglione also weighed in to FEMAIL 

First it was snail mucin, then rosemary oil, and - more recently - there has been a huge surge in the number of young girls, christened the 'Sephora tweens', slathering products from pricey skincare brands like Drunk Elephant and Sol de Janeiro all over their faces and bodies. 

Kourtney Kardashian's 11-year-old daughter Penelope even earned viral fame back in December after showcasing her $500 beauty routine - with experts later warning that such a complex line-up of products was likely doing more harm to her young skin then good. 

So, in a bid to save your face - and your wallet - this panel of experts has broken down exactly which skincare steps they deem to be essentials, and which trendy rituals can be ignored. 

Beware of over-washing or over-cleansing the face 

One common habit to be wary of is over-cleansing or over-washing your face, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, better known as @dermguru on social media, told DailyMail.com.

While it may seem like you can scrub off your imperfections with the newest cleanser, it's just not the case.

While it may seem like you can scrub off your imperfections with the perfect cleanser, it's just not the case (stock image)

'So many people think that they can scrub away or wash away their acne or textured skin. In reality, this type of skin should be treated gently,' she explained to DailyMail.com.

'For most people, you only need to cleanse once or twice a day or after sweating.'

Dermatologist  Dr. Dendy Engelman of New York's Shafer Clinic recommends cleansing in the morning, especially if you're using a retinol the night before.

'Morning cleansing is definitely necessary if you use retinol the night before as it can cause sun sensitivity or if you do a morning workout in order to remove any oil and build up on the skin's surface,' she said. 

Say goodbye to your 10-step skincare routine - here's what you really need 

While you may feel pressured to slather on all the serums, creams and oils that you can possibly manage, it really is better to go back to basics, according to the experts - plus, it'll save you some money. 

Dr. Richard Bottiglione, founder of Dermatologist's Choice Skincare, told DailyMail.com that you didn't need an extensive skincare routine, nor did you need to be trying every single new product that comes onto the market. 

'Most skincare ingredients in my opinion are of very little value,' Dr. Bottiglione explained to DailyMail.com. 

'Skincare is a personal thing. Find what works for you and your skin, not what is trending.' 

New York City-based esthetician Sofie Pavitt has also seen clients overload on products, and not using ones that address their specific skin concerns. 

'Perfect example is tretinoin - everyone wants to be using it but it's intense and can be really irritating,' Pavitt, who is the founder of namesake skincare brand Sofie Pavitt face, told DailyMail.com.

'You may be better off using a retinol product off the shelf instead of an RX version of it,' she shared. 

Pavitt also recommends clients only use one active ingredient in their skincare, applied after cleansing. 

For a standard skincare routine, all you really need are a few products. 

Dr. Bottiglione recommends using a cleanser, toner, exfoliator and moisturizer, while Dr. Engelman suggests something similar - a double cleansing system, toning and active treatment, and moisturizer. 

'After double cleansing, I recommend using a toner that's most suitable for your skin type and focused on your needs - whether that be clarifying, hydrating and/or brightening,' Dr. Dendy explained to DailyMail.com.

'Then you can go in with an active treatment - the most common one I recommend for a nighttime routine is a form of vitamin A.'

'If you have super dry, sensitive [skin], or have inflammation (eczema, psoriasis, etc.) it may be too stripping to over cleanse the skin, however twice a day in most cases should not be an issue,' Dr. Engelman told DailyMail.com

Different skin types can ditch certain practices, like double cleansing 

Of course, there are some different protocols for different skin types, according to the dermatologists.

If you suffer from dry skin, things like double cleansing may not be the right thing for your skin, according to Dr. Zubritsky. 

'I would also consider skipping aggressive exfoliation, or at least minimize it,' she explained. 'Toners are also optional.'

It's also important to avoid over-cleansing the skin if you suffer from skin conditions like eczema.  

'If you have super dry, sensitive [skin], or have inflammation (eczema, psoriasis, etc.) it may be too stripping to over cleanse the skin, however twice a day in most cases should not be an issue,' Dr. Engelman told DailyMail.com.

And, for those with oily skin, Dr. Zubritsky recommended staying away from slugging, which sees people using a petroleum-based ointment like Vaseline over moisturizer, as well as skincare oils. 

She also noted that those with oily skin can 'consider only moisturizing once a day.' 

Safety first! Ditch the at-home, DIY treatments - they can pose a serious risk 

While the rise of at-home skincare treatments may seem easy enough to pull off, you're better off avoiding them, as they can cause infections, according to Dr. Dendy.

'Some of the DIY trends like pore vacuuming and at-home microneedling, I would recommend against and advise going into a professional in-office setting,' Dr. Dendy told DailyMail.com.

She explained that some of these at-home treatments were unregulated and not approved by the FDA, which meant that they can be 'unsafe and unreliable.'  

'At-home microneedling can cause infection, irritation, micro-tears, and scarring on the skin,' the doctor warned. 

Dr. Zubritsky also called out skin icing as another potential at-home hazard.

On social media, some swear by applying ice directly to their face to decrease puffiness in the morning, but the dermatologist is not a fan. 

'In theory, icing the skin can help reduce inflammation and redness, but directly icing the skin as seen on TikTok can cause more harm than good,' the Mississippi-based doctor told DailyMail.com. 

Instead of doing DIY treatments like microneedling at home, Dr. Dendy recommends getting the treatment done by a professional instead

'Direct application of ice on the skin can lead to a damaged barrier, worsening of redness, and potential burning,' she furthered. 

And, with summer right around the corner, Dr. Zubritsky also warned against 'sunscreen contouring,' - a practice where people only apply sunscreen on certain parts of the face to achieve a 'contoured look' with a tan.

The goal is to be able to get a natural contour and go without makeup - however, the dermatologist says it's one of the 'more dangerous trends' that she has seen on social media. 

'No amount of sun exposure or tan is safe for our skin,' she warned. 'Over time, this can lead to photodamage and increased risk of skin cancers.'