How often should you wash your face? Why?

We all know that to keep your skin healthy and fit, you should wash your face. By washing your skin, you protect it from overexposure to environmental aggressors like pollution and even makeup. By maintaining a balanced skin care routine, you can fight signs of aging, spots, and uneven skin tone.

But what is the best way to wash your face? Is it really important to make sure you wash your face correctly? We answer some of your most common questions.

How should I wash my face?

When we say “wash your face,” we don’t mean quickly squirting water into your skin and then moving on. No, you need to take more time and focus more on washing your face to get it really clean. Using a face cleanser that’s rich in skin-cleansing ingredients like glycolic acid can help you deep cleanse pores that may be clogged with makeup, dirt, and debris. Other issues, like dead skin cell buildup, are also easier to remove because the product can penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers, while water can’t.

How often should you use a face cleanser?

There’s no hard and fast rule telling you how often you should wash your face. We’ve always thought that the general idea is to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. However, this is controversial, as even beauty experts can’t agree.

It really all comes down to your personal preferences and what works best for you and your skin type. For example, if your evening routine includes an oil-rich night cream, then you might enjoy cleansing in the morning. If you find that your skin feels good and is the thing you look forward to most after a refreshing splash of water, then you might be able to skip washing twice a day altogether.

Some dermatologists believe that the skin doesn’t need to be cleansed in the morning because it hasn’t been exposed to aggressive skin factors overnight and the skin barrier is fully functional and nourished. You don’t have to disrupt it by washing your face, but you can replenish it with skin-friendly ingredients by replenishing it with serums and moisturizers in the morning.

Is it better to wash your face once or twice a day?

Research shows that most skin types are suited to a simplified skincare routine. Just use a few well-chosen products with quality ingredients like AHAs and antioxidants, and you can allow your skin to achieve self-balance and, in a sense, “stand on its own two feet.” Granted, this isn’t the case for everyone, but for most, it’s the key to healthy skin.

It really all comes down to your personal preferences. If you have an oilier skin type, the desire for that “clean” feeling can become overwhelming. So, washing your face twice a day can keep your skin pristine and control excess oil production. But be careful, because washing too often can completely strip your skin of oils, triggering excessive oil production, which can lead to more breakouts and blackheads.

How often should I wash my face if I have acne?

If you suffer from acne, you may need to wash your face several times a day. As tempting as this may be, this can cause more harm than good, as many face washes – especially those designed for blemish-prone skin – contain a cocktail of harsh cleansers called sulfates, which are known to strip moisture from your skin and cause a host of problems, such as redness, inflammation, and more breakouts than ever before!

Some washes contain AHAs, such as glycolic acid, which are known to chemically exfoliate the skin without causing it to dry out. This supports your skin care routine and keeps your skin flawless. When using these types of formulas, it’s best to wash your face at night so that the skin can recover undisturbed overnight and look refreshed the next morning.

Why can’t you wash your face in the shower?

Washing your face in the shower may feel like the ultimate multitasking experience. However, there are some important factors you should consider:

The skin on your face is more sensitive than the skin on your body. Temperature is important, and while hot water can help open up the pores and allow products to absorb into the skin layers, it can also dry out the skin and strip the face of moisture and natural oils for extraction.

If you wash your face in the sink, you can finish off your face wash with a splash of cold water, something none of us like to do in the shower. This is known to stimulate blood circulation and awaken the overall glow of your complexion.

Keep your face away from the shower head and any steam to prevent drying out your skin. It’s also recommended not to use the same cleansers on your face that you use in the shower, as this can cause a number of skin problems.

Can I wash my face with just water?

As mentioned in the previous section, splashing your face with warm and cold water can help your skin look clear. For some lucky people, relying solely on water to wash your face is actually doable. But before you throw away your face wash, think about your skin type. If you have oily skin or someone who sweats a lot, skipping showers can lead to skin problems, such as blemishes.

Our faces are constantly exposed to bacteria, dirt, and pollution. If left untreated, it can irritate the skin, clog the pores, and accelerate skin aging. Face washes and cleansers can effectively remove all of these substances from your skin. Always make sure to use the right products for your skin, as it is essential to keep your skin balanced.

Is it OK to wash your face three times a day?

In a word: no. Washing your skin too often will only lead to problems. Even if you use a gentle formula, it will dry out your skin, and the water and oil levels needed for the skin’s protective barrier to function will no longer be there, causing your skin to become irritated, damaged, and uncomfortable.

If you find that your skin needs a freshening up throughout the day, or you’ve been working out hard at the gym, water is the best option to get that clean feeling again without causing irritation.

Is it better to wash your face in the morning or at night?

Evening is the best time to focus on skin care. Not only do you want to exfoliate for the day, but you also want to remove makeup and daily sunscreen, which can cause breakouts and premature aging of the skin if not removed. Here’s a quick rundown of your routine for the entire day:

Morning Routine:

Splash cold water on your skin to stimulate circulation and reduce swelling

Apply serum (with hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to make skin more energized and moisturized)

Moisturizer

Eye cream

SPF 30 or higher

Makeup

Evening Routine

Makeup remover

Face cleanser

Serum (with salicylic acid to deep cleanse the skin while you sleep)

Moisturizer (add retinol if desired)

Eye cream

There are a few routine ideas you can try on your own. Ideally, it’s best for your skin to use a face wash at night to ensure it’s completely clean and ready to absorb subsequent care products.

Is there a downside to washing your face every day?

While dermatologists don’t agree on whether we should wash our faces once or twice a day, they all agree that it’s important to wash your face every day. By washing it daily, you’re keeping your skin free from free radicals, makeup residue, bacteria, and other stressors your face is exposed to every day. Whether you wash it once or twice a day, doing so every day can prevent your skin from graying, becoming covered in blemishes, and showing signs of aging.

So, whether you wash your face once or twice a day, what really matters is that you do it every day, even if it sometimes feels like a huge effort, especially when you’re crying yourself into bed.

Fortunately, with today’s smart products and powerful formulas, you can enjoy all the benefits of healthy skin without breaking a sweat.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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