So what's the big deal? If you don't wash your face twice a day, your skin is in danger of breakouts due to oil, dirt and makeup clogging pores. Your pores will appear larger and your skin will look dull and textured, instead of having a radiant, youthful glow.
NYC dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner lets us in on a secret that yes, it's OK to cleanse without water. “Especially in some people who have dry, sensitive skin, water can actually be drying,” he says. “Excessive water can paradoxically lead to skin dryness by stripping the skin of essential oils.”
You could experience dryness, breakouts, or dermatitis.
As Dr. Kikam explains, a one-night break from your face wash routine won't cause too much damage, but it is important to rid your skin of dirt before dozing off.
Dry cleansing can help with exfoliating dead skin cells, getting rid of impurities, dirt, grime, and even sunscreen. It can also help your other skincare products absorb better, like serums and lotions.
Cleansing Alone Isn't Enough for Acne
Good skin care means removing dirt, excess oil, and makeup. It can help to keep your pores from being plugged up. Still, water and a simple soap or face wash aren't enough to clear up acne. Think of your twice-daily cleansing as a first step in treating your acne.
You may be using unnecessary products. "Some people may just not be genetically predisposed to breakouts or may produce less [oil],” says Batra. If that sounds like you, you may actually find your skin looks better when you ditch your cleanser.
This is because when your favorite moisturizers aren't applied to dry skin, they're able to trap more moisture and give your skin the long-lasting hydration you're after. Skip drying your face and apply your face cream or lotion directly to damp skin to get the most out of your moisturizing skin care products.
It protects your skin's natural barrier
Your skin works hard all night building its own natural barrier against the world (a layer of helpful oils keeps skin soft), so why strip it all away as soon as you wake up with a face wash? “Washing your face in the morning can strip your natural defense barrier,” says Carlen.
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.
How often you wash your face can also make a difference in your appearance. But failing to cleanse your face regularly can lead to various issues like super oily skin, blemishes, and breakouts. “Not washing enough can lead to clogged pores and acne.
In an ideal world, you should wash your face twice a day.
Experts agree that two is the magic number: wash once in the morning, and once at night.
If you only clean your face with water in the morning, you will improve the condition of your skin and prevent problems such as premature aging or irritation. Plus, your money is better invested in a quality, natural moisturizer than in a variety of products designed to rebalance your skin after cleansing.
According to consultant dermatologist Nick Lowe, air-drying is a more hygienic and less abrasive way to tend to skin. “If you've got any areas on your body, any follicle infections, that could then transfer from a towel on to the face. Air-drying will reduce that problem,” he tells The Guardian.
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.
“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.”
Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, or both, you should still wash your face twice daily. Use a creamy, non-foaming cleanser to maintain a protective barrier and avoid stripping away the skin's natural oils.
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).
Washing without water is claimed to offer several advantages compared to the traditional bed bath with water and soap. First of all, because water, soap, towels and wash basins are not needed, the negative effects on skin integrity and hygiene associated with these materials are eliminated [15, 16].
Stress pimples will usually pop up in the oiliest areas of the face, like the forehead, nose and chin. Your T-zone might look greasier and more congested too. Doctors say that if you're getting clusters of pimples all at once, stress can be a factor—hormonal pimples happen one at a time.