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.
If you work out first thing in the morning, washing is a must (after your workout of course, not before). If, however, you don't, then washing your face in the morning is completely a personal preference. Just be sure to at least rinse your face with water in the morning if you choose to forgo a full cleanse.
Ideally you should be washing your face twice a day (once in the morning and once at night), as well as after workouts or any other excessive sweating. But that's the maximum. “Washing your face more than twice a day to remove germs is not a real necessity for people, unless they are prone to skin infections,” says Dr.
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. Step two should be the routine use of an acne treatment product. For mild breakouts, you might try over-the-counter acne products first.
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 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.
Lukewarm water is advisable to wash your face with, but cold water has its benefits, too. Cold water tightens the appearance of your skin, so it may make you look renewed and refreshed.
You may also be wondering, “Can I wash my face with just water?” According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it's best to use a gentle cleanser.
Soap is alkaline-based, but your skin is acidic
The alkaline nature of the soap bar can cause your face to become dry and strip away the natural moisture. If you apply soap regularly on the face, it may turn flaky and itchy or become prone to breakouts.
"The fewer products you use on your face, the better," says Michele Green, MD, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist. "You don't want to overcomplicate things for your skin, especially since your face is so delicate. Giving your complexion a break from skin-care products will let your skin breathe and rest."
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.
You could experience dryness, breakouts, or dermatitis.
"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.
“Since cold water tightens your pores, bacteria and debris can get trapped and won't clear out as easily as using warm water,” explains Knapp. She recommends washing your face with lukewarm water first as a way to remove any makeup and pollutants from the day.
“Rinsing with warm water will accomplish a reduction in some oils, and lifting of buildup and dead skin cells,” she says. However, “It will not remove makeup very well, and will not be adequate for oilier skin types, or those who are treating acne.”
Cold water and warm water have different effects on the pores in the face, a key facial feature that helps to regulate oil, hydration, and blemishes. Warm water opens pores, while cold water shrinks them.
Using a clean, soft washcloth is effective for cleaning your face, but unless you use a new one every day, you should probably stick with using your hands to scrub, Dr. Green says. Also, ideally, you should change the towel you use to dry your face every couple of days to keep bacteria at bay, adds Dr. Gohara.
"Your body does not clean itself," clarifies dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. "The only thing that cleans your body is soap and water."
While forgetting to wash your face for one night is unlikely to cause lasting damage to your skin, one night is all it takes to clog pores and cause a breakout. Makeup left on skin overnight can prevent the skin from “breathing,” and can also inhibit the skin's process of repair and regeneration while you sleep.
"It's because their skin is not meant for the products that they're using, so it's causing irritation and maybe even acne." If your skin-care regimen is giving you anything other than the gorgeous skin you deserve, Dr. Lain suggests taking a few days off from what you've been using and starting back at square one.
"Over-washing can compromise the skin barrier function." In other words, leaving it alone is better for the bacteria on the surface of your face—which keeps your complexion functioning optimally on its own.