(Photo : Pexels/Ron Lach)

When it comes to skincare routines, the starting point is usually cleansing, and rightfully so -- it's a pivotal step in maintaining healthy skin.

According to beauty experts, how long and how thoroughly people wash their face plays a role in the effectiveness of their entire skincare regimen.

Mattie Lacey-Davidson, a London-based beauty guru and skincare specialist boasting over 55,000 followers on TikTok, said the ideal duration for face washing is 45 to 60 seconds.

In a video, Lacey-Davidson said one common skincare mistake people make is neglecting to wash the face for long enough.

She noted that if a cleanser contains active ingredients, "you need to give them a chance to work before you wash them off."

While the content creator didn't provide specific details about the recommended duration, other skin experts have endorsed the 60-second rule for face washing.

This guideline suggests that dedicating a full minute to cleansing can significantly benefit the skin's health and appearance.

According to a 2019 article by Cosmopolitan, esthetician Nayamka Roberts-Smith of LABeautyologist recommended the technique, advising her social media followers to wash their faces for a full 60 seconds.

This duration is suggested to ensure thorough penetration of the cleanser ingredients into the skin for maximum effectiveness.

"Makeup, dirt, and oil are a lot more difficult to remove from the skin most people realize," Roberts-Smith told Cosmo. "So not only do you want to give the cleanser a chance to break down and dissolve products and grime, but taking 60 seconds also makes you pay attention to your skin and what you're doing -- like remembering to cleanse around the edges of your nose, under your chin, and around your hairline."

New York City dermatologist Doris Day also told Insider in 2019 that "it takes about 60 seconds at a minimum to cleanse the skin."

According to Healthline, there's no verified study on the ideal duration for washing the face.

Nonetheless, some of those who tried incorporating the 60-second rule into their skincare routines have praised it on X, formerly Twitter, and encouraged everyone to do the same.

"Have you ever tried this #60SecondRule in your cleansing routine? I tried it for a week and my skin become softer and clear. Surprise and surprise! Ditch your cleansing tool for awhile and try cleanse your face with your finger for 60 seconds," one user wrote.

Another X user called herself a 60-second rule "convert," while a third person said the trick "saved" her skin.