Dermatologists have a magic number in mind, but the right frequency of face washing also depends on your individual skin needs, which may depend on your skin type and whether or not a skin condition is treated. Your face takes on a lot of abuse in the course of a day: the sun, the wind, make-up, the incessant glare of screens and much more.
Taking care of your skin certainly involves cleaning it, but many people don’t. As you will learn, a facial washing routine is important for the health of your facial skin.
Here’s what you need to know about how often to wash, if you can skip them, and how to clean them properly.
Why it’s important to wash your face
Facial cleansing is essential to maintain healthy looking and textured skin. Your face is where you face the world, and that’s why it collects dirt, oil, and other debris that, if not removed, can lead to irritation and other skin problems. Overall, skin would be dirtier, drier, oilier and older looking without daily facial cleansing.
How often to wash your face, according to experts?
In general, you should wash your face twice a day. Indeed, it is important to wash your face in the morning and at the end of the day. This removes impurities that have settled on the skin overnight, as well as dirt, impurities and any makeup or products used during the day. However, there are no specific guidelines. Ask your dermatologist what is best for you, as it may depend on your skin type and the skin conditions you have. Even for people who have sensitive skin or skin conditions, some dermatologists advise doing this only once a day under certain circumstances.
If your skin is dry or sensitive, you can cleanse it at night to remove dirt, then rinse it off with warm water in the morning. Likewise, if you suffer from an active flare-up of rosacea or eczema, you can opt for a once-daily cleanse in the evening to limit irritation. Again, everyone’s needs are different, and if you have rosacea, eczema, or another condition, your dermatologist can help you develop a skin care regimen that includes proper washing. He can also advise you on how to modify this program in the event of flare-ups.
If you’ve just been working out in the gym, yoga, or hiking and you’ve been sweating a lot, you should wash your face.
The right way to wash your face
Think about your skin type, your makeup habits, and your daily activities. This can influence the type of products you use, as well as how you wash your skin. For example, if you do your makeup, you can use a makeup remover, such as micellar water or makeup remover balm, on lipstick or hard-to-remove eye makeup before washing your skin.
Then follow these steps:
Wet your face with lukewarm water.
Apply a gentle face cleanser using circular motions with your fingertips, emphasizing the T-zone and jawline.
Rinse thoroughly.
Pat dry with a clean towel.
Also, try washing your face for 30 seconds. You need time to properly remove dirt and oil.
Today’s cleansers are specially formulated to more closely mimic the pH of the skin, so they don’t over-dry the skin or compromise the skin barrier, the research notes. Half of people use bath soap or hand soap on their face. These soaps can strip the skin of moisture and cause irritation or itchiness (which you may experience as “tight skin”). That’s why it’s important to use a cleanser specifically designed for the face.
Choose the cleanser that’s right for your skin type. For example, if you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a mild or creamy cleanser. Oily skin benefits from a cleansing gel or foam. If your skin is dull, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) cleanser (like a glycol-based cleanser) can help remove dead surface cells and give your skin a glow. Avoid aggressive scrubs, which can irritate the skin.
If you are traveling or in a hurry, you can also use a cleansing wipe. (Keep them on your nightstand if you often forget to wash your face and don’t want to get up to do it). One word of caution is in order about these wipes, however: Research published in the November-December 2017 issue of Dermatitis found that they often contain irritating ingredients, such as fragrances and preservatives. Stop using them if you notice a skin reaction. Consider switching to a brand that is fragrance-free or labeled for sensitive skin.
What happens if you don’t wash your face twice a day?
The consequences depend on your skin type and condition. If you have acne and don’t wash your face regularly, your breakouts may become more frequent or worse. Washing the skin twice a day is especially important for people with acne-prone skin, as cleansing the face removes dirt from the skin and pores, which if left to build up, leads to clogging and breakouts. eruptions. Research published in the February 2018 Journal of Dermatological Treatment on the proper skin-washing regimen for acne is uncertain to say the least, but available studies indicate that people who wash twice a day have less acne lesions.
A caveat is in order: when it comes to acne, washing more is not better. If you wash your face more than twice a day, you strip the natural oils from your skin and as a result, you will end up producing too many oils. Even if you don’t wear makeup that day or leave the house, you shouldn’t go to bed without washing up first. Dirt, oil, and other unwanted debris can accumulate on the skin throughout the day. If left in place, these factors can also clog pores.
That said, as with all things health, it’s what you do most of the time that matters most. If you skip a day of facial cleansing because you’re not feeling well, had a particularly long night, or just forgot, that’s okay. You haven’t damaged your skin. And you probably won’t notice anything. Ultimately, not washing your face for a day won’t significantly impact your overall skin health. Get back to your routine tomorrow.
In summary
Dermatologists often recommend washing the skin twice a day (once in the morning and once in the evening) to remove accumulated dirt on the skin as well as makeup. However, what is right for your skin depends on your skin type and health condition, so consult your dermatologist.
