Face wash can cause acne and breakouts, but the reasons differ. Sometimes, the true cause of a breakout can be hard to discern. Generally, sustained acne signifies that one of your face products isn't good for your skin. If you've been experiencing serious breakouts since using a new face wash, it's likely the culprit.
"Any time anything happens to your face – an allergic reaction, a rash, sleep deprivation, using a product that doesn't agree with you – if you're prone to acne, you can break out," she said. Usually, allergic reactions to facial products like face wash, lotion, or wipes, are caused by fragrance in the product.
A face wash can get rid of dirt and oil that clog pores and lead to acne. It can also help break down makeup and other cosmetics that could lead to breakouts if left on the skin. Face washes may also contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients that reduce inflammation and fight acne-causing bacteria.
By cleansing with water only, you're less likely to over-strip the skin's natural oil and therefore reduce the risk of damaging your skin barrier. Cleansing your face with water only not only reduces the oil-stripping action but also the physical rubbing action, which would reduce irritation to the skin.
Using a foaming cleanser is very unlikely to be the main cause you acne but if you already suffer with acne, a foaming cleanser will very likely worsen it.
Washing Too Often Can Worsen Acne
Washing your face too much can be just as bad (or even worse) than not doing it at all. Scrubbing hard is also a no-no. You can easily strip away all of the good oils your skin needs to stay healthy, leaving you with skin that is dry, red, flaky, and irritated.
Cheeks. Share on Pinterest Friction or rubbing of the skin may cause acne on the cheeks. Breakouts on the cheeks can occur as a result of acne mechanica, which develops due to friction or rubbing of the skin.
Dove Beauty Bar is a mild, moisture-rich soap, so it can replenish the skin's moisture. Rodney says that could help acne-prone skin, which is typically dry and dehydrated, and overproduces oil in response to the dryness, clogging pores and causing acne.
It's still advisable to wash twice a day and use a gentle formula “that removes impurities, deep cleans pores, helps remove makeup, and leaves the skin feeling refreshed, clean, and hydrated,” says Tim. Also, don't overlook foaming cleansers. These can remove oil and aren't too harsh on dry patches.
Most people have acne on and off for several years before their symptoms start to improve as they get older. Acne often disappears when a person is in their mid-20s. In some cases, acne can continue into adult life.
Purging is a sign that the product is working and you should continue with the treatment as prescribed. After a few weeks of purging, your skin and acne will have noticeably improved. Breaking out is when your skin is reacting because it is sensitive to something in the new product.
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.
Adolescents and young adults between ages 12 and 24 tend to be the most affected group. It usually begins during the start of puberty, affecting girls earlier than boys. Typically people will outgrow acne but about 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men may still have acne even in their 40s.
Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which leads to inflammation (swelling and redness) in the pores. Oil glands get stimulated when hormones become active during puberty. That's why people are likely to get acne in their teens.
Acne commonly starts during puberty between the ages of 10 and 13 and tends to be worse in people with oily skin. Teenage acne usually lasts for five to 10 years, normally going away during the early 20s. It occurs in both sexes, although teenage boys tend to have the most severe cases.
“Overwashing and overscrubbing may leave you with a squeaky-clean feeling, but this actually is damaging,” says Zeichner. This refers to damaging your skin barrier, the network of skin cells and fats in the outer skin layer that protects your skin from the environment, he explains.
Both Emer and Zeichner agree that if you're only going to wash your face once a day, nighttime is the best time to do it. "Most dermatologists recommend face-washing twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed," says Zeichner.