How often should you wash your face? “For most people, twice daily is the ideal frequency for face washing,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Ideally, it would be once in the morning and once before bedtime.”
It is recommended to wash at least once a day, if possible twice a day, but using a gentle cleanser,” says Dr. Charles. If you have absolutely no idea where to start or are sick of your face freaking out even when you do wash it regularly or don't, it's time to see a dermatologist.
If you only wash your face once a week, you may experience an increase in acne, irritation, and redness as oil and bacteria accumulate on the skin's surface over time. Additionally, you may experience an increase in skin sensitivity, as the skin's protective barrier weakens due to lack of moisture.
Neglecting to wash your face can have drastic effects on your skin. If you have oily skin and stop washing, you might start to experience more breakouts. For those with dry skin, your face might start to look more dull and dry.
It's important to cleanse your skin both morning and night. However, Dr. Zeichner does emphasize the importance of never skipping a night wash more than skipping a morning face washing session. “Best practice is to wash your face twice daily,” he explains.
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.
Washing your face doesn't necessarily speed up the process of aging. However, the way you wash your face and the products that you use may damage your skin. Damaged skin looks dry, unhealthy, and can be prone to fine lines and wrinkles.
However, washing your face with water alone simply isn't sufficient to remove the build-up of dead skin cells, oil, make-up, or other bacteria, which can lead to skin becoming dehydrated, greasy, or blocking pores.
Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel. Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy. Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating.
"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.
While you definitely want some natural oils to remain in your hair, not washing your hair will allow oil, dirt and grime to build up on your scalp. This can lead to a greasy appearance and unpleasant odours, as well as conditions such as dandruff and an itchy scalp.
Best Drugstore Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
"This fragrance-free, non-comedogenic face wash is super gentle, and you can use it with or without water," says Dr. Park. She loves how it leaves skin feeling super soft and moisturized just from cleansing alone—and she isn't the only one.
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.
While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.
What is the 60-second cleansing rule? Washing your face for 60 seconds is vital for multiple reasons: Firstly, it permits sufficient time for the cleanser to effectively remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin. This is essential for preventing clogged pores and breakouts.
By not washing your face in the morning, you allow your skin to retain its natural moisture, especially if you've applied hydrating serums or creams the night before. That said, if you've used potent ingredients like retinol or strong acids overnight, a gentle cleanse in the morning is advisable.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
Your face is, well, how you face the world, and as a result, it collects dirt, oil, and other debris that can — if not removed — lead to irritation and other skin problems. “Overall, the skin would be dirtier, drier, greasier, and older-looking without daily face cleansings,” he says.
Using water alone will not deliver the oil-balancing, cleaning, or hydrating properties that oily skin needs, which is why cleansing is one of the most important steps in a skincare regime for oily skin.
The Takeaway
These 10 tips should help your skin feel healthy and look great. Washing regularly is important, and our experts recommend twice daily. Avoid hot water, and don't scrub your face for more that a few minutes, as you may remove the outer protective layer of your skin.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
Healthy skin has a natural layer of oil and bacteria that help keep it from drying out. On the flip side, not showering enough can cause body odor, acne, and even skin infections.