"As long as you know how your skin works and how it responds to products, skipping your makeup and skin-care products for a few days is absolutely okay," says Dr. Green.
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.
NEVER Skip Sun Protection
By now it's clear that skipping out on your skincare routine is okay sometimes. When moisturizer or eye cream is occasionally missed, your skin won't be harmed in the long term (you just might miss out on the benefits or have to deal with flaky skin).
According to one derm, there's absolutely no need to panic if you don't wash your face religiously. "It's not the end of the world if you skip a cleanse," says Mona Gohara, MD, a Danbury, Connecticut-based dermatologist.
The skin plateaus and acclimates when using the same product, so the best thing you can do is switch it up. Alternate your products either every other day or every other week. Give your skin a break from active ingredients.
Not doing so can lead to a host of skin problems like premature aging, clogged pores that may lead to breakouts or large-looking pores (an often overlooked sign of skin aging), and texture changes.
If your skin gets oily quickly, you may be tempted to wash your face multiple times a day. However, this will do more harm than good. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should only wash your face twice a day (and after sweating heavily).
The texture of your skin can change when you decide to not wash your face due to buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, and other impurities. When this occurs, the extra layer of dirt prevents your skin from fully absorbing any moisturizers you might use.
The answer, according to the experts, is a resounding yes. "You should definitely still be cleansing your skin as you normally would," said celebrity aesthetician Toska Husted.
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.
Generally, aim to use a product over at least six weeks, once or twice daily, to notice a difference. Tip: With any skin-care product, apply in order of consistency — from thinnest to thickest. For example, cleanser, toner (if you use it), serum, and then moisturizer.
Absolutely. While having a skincare routine may seem like just a cosmetic necessity, a skincare routine is not just to help you look good, it's essential for your skin's health.
According to Baxt, if your skin is flakey, itchy, or developing a rash you should stop using your products immediately and reassess before you do some permanent damage. A rash could be the first sign of an allergic reaction to a product, which can cause permanent skin damage over time.
Allowing your skin to breathe will help you to feel more fresh and radiant, while also helping to keep any unwanted skin problems at bay. Make sure that you are following a proper skin care routine including cleansing and exfoliation to give your skin the tools it needs to breathe and rejuvenate.
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.
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.
Throughout the day your skin attracts dirt and pollution which will not simply “go away” at night. When you wash your face thoroughly, you free it from impurities that can create problematic skin and allow it to heal and repair. Clean skin while you sleep is so important for the natural cycle of cell regeneration.
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.
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.
Acne develops when sebum — an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin — and dead skin cells plug hair follicles. Bacteria can trigger inflammation and infection resulting in more severe acne.
Whether or not you have acne, it's important to wash your face twice daily to remove impurities, dead skin cells, and extra oil from your skin's surface. Washing more often than twice daily is not necessarily better; it may do more harm than good. Use warm, not hot, water and a mild facial cleanser.
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.
Everybody's skin produces oil. Your sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily or waxy substance that moisturizes and protects your skin and hair. Oily skin happens when your glands produce too much sebum, which can lead to a greasy surface, clogged pores, and acne.
Starting your nighttime skincare routine at 7pm or 8pm will make you less likely to skip it. Even if you do not wear makeup every day, you might have touched your face all day long and that makes it the dirtiest part of your body. Cleansing the skin at night will help avoid bacteria from spreading and causing acne.