Here are three tell-tale signs of over cleansing your skin: Your complexion looks super-oily. New breakouts are popping up. Your skin looks and feels super-dry.
Overwashing your face is actually a real issue and it can be just as problematic as not washing your face enough. “Overwashing can lead to the stripping of the skin barrier, which results in red, itchy, dry, irritated skin that feels 'squeaky clean,' explains Dr. Gohara.
Over-cleansing appears when you wash your face too frequently and or using wrong products. Depending on your skin type and skincare products you use, it is usually more than two-three times a day. Over-cleansing can damage your skin's lipid barrier by eliminating natural oils.
How can you tell if you're overwashing? If your skin has a "tight and dry feeling," you know you've gone overboard, says Hewett. "It can also feel sensitive or shows signs of sensitivity with reddish, dry patches."
Some signs you may be over-moisturizing are clogged pores, blackheads, bumpy skin and excess oil.
If you use too much: Overusing anti-acne cleansers can leave your skin dry and irritated. "Using more than a dime-sized amount of any cleanser will cause you to go through product a lot faster, with no extra benefits," says, Chicago-area dermatologist Amy Forman Taub, MD.
Rather than tight and sore, Dr Ejikeme says your skin should feel fresh, clean: “The tight feeling may be a sign the skin barrier has been impaired.
Daily: Cleanser – No matter how much you skimp on your skin care routine, you should always wash your face at least once a day. Those with oily or combination skin may benefit from twice daily washes (morning and night) while drier skin may be fine with just a nightly wash.
“Anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes is optimal washing time.” And if you do have dry skin, ensure you're using a gentle cleanser to avoid stripping your skin of necessary oils.
Over-cleansing, she said, “takes the skin's lipids away and destroys skin barrier function, which in turn allows bacteria to enter and cause breakouts, redness, irritation, neurodermatitis and decreased natural resistance to UVA and UVB rays.”
People can comfortably cleanse for up to 30 days or more under the guidance of a health care professional. It is also important to remember that the preparation period is also a big part of your cleanse. By preparing yourself as suggested you are more likely to get the very best results quickly and successfully.
Many people will experience a slight increase in frequency and “softer” bowel movement than normal during a cleanse. A juice cleanse can help your body purge itself of waste, toxins and in some cases, colon plaque, so there might be a sight change in color and consistency while cleansing.
If your skin feels dry and tight after you cleanse, you are using an inappropriate facial cleanser. The dry, tight feeling you experience after using the wrong facial cleanser occurs because the cleanser has stripped your skin of its natural oils and compromised your skin's pH level.
Following the completion of washing, the excess water evaporates leading to skin tightness and dryness because the soap binding reduces the ability of the skin proteins to hold water.
When you wash your skin, it usually removes the sebum membrane from the surface of your skin and the waste horniness, as well as the dirt on your face. This is why skin becomes brighter and whiter after washing.
However, this will do more harm than good. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should only wash your face twice a day (and after sweating heavily). That's because over-cleansing your skin can lead to an increase in oil production, which can leave your complexion looking even greasier.
“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.
“You should wash your face in the morning for various reasons,” she says. “Bacteria can accumulate throughout the night and, also, you should prime your skin by cleansing it for your morning skincare routine, not to mention to remove your nighttime creams and serums used the night before.”
Have no fear – we've done our share of research, and the answer is clear: post-shower is definitely the way to go. Sure, washing your face in the shower saves time but it can also do more harm than good – like, clogging pores with other products (gross) or drying out skin with hot water (ouch).
The short answer is absolutely not. Squeaky or tight skin after cleansing equals dry or dehydrated skin. This will lead to fine lines, wrinkles and pre-mature aging. Something we all definitely want to avoid.
You might be exfoliating your skin too frequently. When you over-exfoliate, your skin loses too much water and feels tight and dry. This tightness can create a shine effect. Newer skin cells, which are revealed with exfoliation, also reflect light more than older skin cells.
Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. What to do instead: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You'll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat. Dry out your skin.
Signs You Are Overwashing Your Face
Most of us won't ever need to wash our faces more than twice a day. Over cleansing your skin strips it of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy, supple, and hydrated. Even if you have super oily skin or acne, you shouldn't be cleansing more than twice a day.