Believe it or not, your skin can accumulate environmental debris in your sleep, so it's necessary to wash them off in the morning. “Dead skin cells and allergens may collect on your pillowcase and be transferred to the facial skin throughout the night,” Palm says.
“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.”
After skipping washing my face in the morning, I noticed a difference in my skin's dryness within a couple of weeks. Before, even after I put on my usual serums and moisturizers, my skin would look dry again within a couple of hours of doing my skincare routine.
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.
Generally, dermatologists and estheticians recommend washing your face both morning and night, but it's also important to take your skin type into consideration as well as lifestyle factors.
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.
Skipping your morning skincare routine has the potential to cause a variety of issues, such as clogged pores, acne, and leaving the skin more susceptible to damage caused by pollution and the sun's harsh rays. Over time, all of these factors can lead to premature aging and a dull complexion.
“Realistically, you only need to wash your face once a day — twice at the most," says Dr.
Those with very dry skin or eczema will find that water-cleansing helps to retain the skin's natural moisture. However, persons with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin might need soap or liquid cleanser to dissolve excess oil which often clogs pores and causes breakouts.
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.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face in lukewarm water. It's the perfect middle ground for all skin types, as Beal explains that hot water strips your skin of the protective oils that help hold in moisture.
The Cons to Nighttime-Only Washing
Not removing active nighttime skincare ingredients like retinoids, which may cause photosensitivity. The possibility for bacteria and dirt living on towels and pillowcases to stick to the skin. Your daytime skincare ingredients may not penetrate as well on non-cleansed skin.
While washing your face helps your skin remain bacteria-free, too much washing can remove your skin's natural, helpful oils. If you find your skin feeling dry, tight, and irritated, then it's likely that you've gone overboard.
There's no need to wash the face more than twice a day. In fact, doing so may dry out your skin. When this happens, Ivonne says skin “does whatever it needs to do to regain moisture.” This includes “making its sebum production work in overdrive, causing more oil and more acne than there was originally.”
Skincare is absolutely most effective at night. This is because the skin absorbs and replenishes while you sleep. To get the best benefits, this is when you should use your heavy-lifting skincare.
Dr. Jeanine Downie, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Image Dermatology in Monclair, NJ, shares her tip. "I recommend people get up in the morning, wash their face, put on sunblock, and exercise after they brush their teeth before they even get their day going," she says.
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.
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.
“If you have extremely oily or acne prone skin, cleansing in the morning with a gentle cleanser can help reduce oil,” explains Carlen. “It can help kill bacteria.”
Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed. It also helps boost your circulation, which can help give your skin a healthier appearance, albeit temporarily.