The bottom line: Do what works for you. But ultimately, it's up to the individual. “In terms of whether we should stop washing our faces altogether, the answer will most likely always be no,” says David Lortscher, MD, a San Diego dermatologist. “But washing your face with a cleanser can be skipped every once in awhile.
"Cleansing our face daily prevents the buildup of dirt, which can cause bacteria overgrowth—leading to inflammation and subsequent breakouts, dryness, eczema, and premature aging," she says. Dr.
However, simply leaving your face alone may not be the best skin care routine for everyone. While it is true that over-cleansing or over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier, neglecting your skin entirely can lead to issues such as clogged pores, breakouts, and uneven texture.
Cleanse every night.
Without cleansing, free radicals, toxins, and impurities aren't removed from your skin. For every night you don't cleanse your face, you are aging your skin by 3 months! And, it's accumulative.
Old skin cells naturally turn over and are replaced by new ones in 28-day cycles. However, skincare products block our epidermis (the outermost layer of our skin structure) and stop it from naturally peeling off. Due to the blockage, our skin fails to turnover, and its natural renewal cycle is disturbed.
Your face retains more moisture.
(Remember though, a cleanser-free rinse may have the opposite effect if you're wearing makeup.
However, healthy-looking skin can also be achieved naturally with behaviors such as getting quality sleep, exercising regularly, and eating fruits and vegetables. Moisturizers, serums, and face creams may all have the ability to enhance the appearance of your skin.
You'll protect your skin's natural barrier.
"Over-washing your face can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even breakouts," says Marina Sominsky, RN, the owner and founder of Capital Aesthetics Clinic in Ottawa, Canada.
Acne isn't caused by neglecting to wash your face. Other factors, like bacteria or changing hormones, cause this skin condition. Yet regular cleansing is a key step in your acne treatment routine.
Do Wash Your Face Twice a Day. Zeichner typically recommends washing your face twice per day, in the morning and before bedtime. But going to bed with clean skin is a must.
In general, you should be cleansing your face at least twice a day. “You should wash your face both morning and night because the skin creates sebum and oil throughout the day,” says Saya Obayah, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist located in Austin, Texas.
It's not necessary to wash your face with a cleanser every morning. Rinsing with lukewarm water will likely be sufficient. However, depending on your skin condition and your nighttime skincare routine, it can be beneficial to wash it with a suitable cleanser.
Washing twice a day with a gentle cleanser will help remove impurities and free radicals from the skin, helping dull skin look vibrant. 2. Exfoliate a couple of times a week at most. A face scrub will help remove dead skin cells and residue buildup that can clog the skin's pores.
Dermatologists often recommend washing your skin twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) to remove dirt that has accumulated on skin as well as makeup.
"Our skin is busy repairing itself overnight with increased cell repair and regeneration occurring, so there's truth to 'beauty sleep' and waking up with great skin," she says.
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.
Not taking proper care of it can severely impact your health. For example: Sunscreen. Not wearing sunscreen can cause skin cancer. That's why investing in a skincare routine isn't just about vanity, it's about your health!
Naturally glowing skin is typically skin that is healthy and hydrated. People can work towards this by gradually implementing a skin care routine, as well as by making changes to their diet or lifestyle where necessary. Smoking, alcohol, and UV light can all damage skin health, so avoid these where possible.
Skin irritation, says Dr. Aishah Muhammad, M.D. “Dead skin and grease naturally gather on the top layer of skin,” she said, “and by not washing, this buildup can leave your skin feeling itchy and dry.” Other skin irritation, like dryness or red, inflamed patches that you don't usually experience, can build.