How Often Should You Wash Your Face and Why?

How Often Should You Wash Your Face and Why?

We all know we should wash our faces to keep our skin healthy and happy. By washing the skin you are protecting it from overexposure to things like environmental stresses, such as pollution and even makeup. By maintaining a well-balanced skincare routine you are able to combat the signs of ageing, spots and uneven skin tone.

But what exactly is the best way of washing the face and is it actually important to ensure we are doing it right? We answer some of your most asked questions.

How should I wash my face?

By washing your face we don’t mean a quick splash of water and then head on your way. No, there needs to be more time and focus taken to wash your face and make it actually clean. By using a face wash full of skin cleansing ingredients, such as glycolic acid, you are able to clean deep into the pores which can become clogged with makeup, dirt and debris. Other concerns such as the build-up of dead skin cells can also become easier to remove as the product is able to penetrate further down the layers of skin, something that water is not able to achieve.

How often should you use face wash?

There is no set rule that tells you how often you should wash your face. We have been lead to believe that the general idea is washing the face twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. This, however, is up for debate, as not even the beauty experts can settle on an agreement.

It really is all down to personal preference and what works for you and your skin type. For example, if your evening routine consists of a heavy-duty, oil-enriched night cream, then chances are you’d appreciate a cleanse in the morning. If you find your skin feels comfortable and happy for an awakening splash of water first thing then chances are you can ditch the twice a day wash altogether.

Some dermatologists believe that the skin can be left without cleansing in the mornings, due to the fact there has been no exposure to skin aggressors throughout the night leaving the skin’s barrier is fully functioning and nourished. There is no need to disturb it with face washing, but instead, top up the skin-saving ingredients with a complimentary morning routine of serums and moisturisers.

Is it better to wash your face once or twice a day?

Studies have shown that most skin thrives on a simplified skincare routine. By using only a few, well-selected products that contain high-quality ingredients, such as AHAs and antioxidants, you are allowing your skin to balance itself and, in a way, “stand on its own two feet.” This isn’t the case for everyone admittedly, but for a majority, it is the key to healthy skin.

This really all depends on your personal preference, if you have a more oily skin type then you may find the urge to feel “clean” can become overwhelming and so washing the face twice a day can help you keep on top of your skin and manage the production of excess oil. Be cautious however as washing the skin too much can strip it of its oil completely, therefore, triggering the overproduction of oil resulting in more breakouts, such as pimples and blackheads.

How many times should I wash my face if I have spots?

If you suffer from spots, chances are you will want to wash your face multiple times a day. As tempting as it may feel, doing this causes more harm as many face washes- especially ones formulated for blemish-prone skin- contain a cocktail of harsh detergents called sulfates that are known to strip the moisture from the skin and cause many problems such as redness, inflammation and more breakouts than ever before!

Some washes containing AHAs, such as glycolic acid are known for keeping the skin chemically exfoliated without drying it out. This will help your skincare routine and keep the skin blemish-free. When using these types of formulas it is best to keep the face washing to the evening allowing the skin to restore itself undisturbed throughout the night and left rejuvenated once the morning arrives.

Why shouldn’t you wash your face in the shower?

Washing your face in the shower may feel like the ultimate multitasking. But there are some important factors to remember;

  • The skin on your face is more sensitive to the skin on your body. Temperature matters and although hot water may help open the pores and allow products to absorb into the layer of the skin, it can also dry it out and strips the face of moisture and natural oil levels.
  • By washing your face at the sink you are able to finish your face wash with a blast of cold water, something we’d all prefer not to do in the shower. This is known to stimulate circulation and wake up the overall glow in your complexion.
  • Keep your face away from the showerhead and any steam to stop the skin from drying. It is also advisable not to use the same wash you use in the shower on your face as this could create a lot of skin problems.

Can I just wash my face with water?

As mentioned in the previous section, splashing the face with warm and cold water can help keep your skin looking clear. Relying completely on the water for washing your face may indeed work for a lucky few of you. But before you bin your face wash take into consideration your skin type, for an oily skin type or someone who sweats a lot laying off the washes would result in a flare-up of skin concerns, like blemishes.

Our faces are constantly exposed to bacteria, dirt and pollution and if left can irritate the skin, clog pores and increase the appearance of ageing. Face wash and cleansers can effectively remove all this from the skin. Always make sure you are using the right product for your skin as this is vital for keeping the skin balanced. 

Is it ok to wash your face 3 times a day?

In a word, No. Over-washing the skin will leave you with nothing but trouble. Even if you are using a gentle formula, this will still dry out the skin and the water and oil levels needed to keep the skin’s protective barrier working will be none existent leaving you with inflamed, damaged and uncomfortable skin.

If you find your skin is in need of a refresh throughout the day, or you have hit it hard at the gym, then water would be your best option to give you that clean feeling once more without causing any irritation.


The evening is the best time to focus the most effort in your skincare routine. Not only do you have the layer of your day to remove, but there is also makeup and daily SPF too that if left will result in breakouts and premature ageing. Here is a simple rundown of how your routine should look throughout the day;

AM Routine:

  • Splash of cold water to stimulate circulation and reduce the appearance of puffiness
  • Apply serum (one containing hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to help with vibrancy and hydration)
  • Moisturiser
  • Eye cream
  • SPF of 30 or above
  • Makeup

PM Routine

  • Makeup remover
  • Face wash
  • Serum (one containing salicylic to deeply clear the skin whilst you sleep)
  • Moisturiser (containing retinol if required)
  • Eye cream

There are a couple of routine ideas for you to consider trying for yourself. Ideally, what would benefit your skin most is using the face wash in the evening making sure the skin is completely clean and able to absorb the treatment products that follow.

Is it bad to wash your face every day?

Though dermatologists may not agree on whether we should wash our faces once or twice a day, they will all agree on the importance of washing your face every day. By washing every day you are keeping the skin clear of free radicals, traces of makeup, bacteria and other stresses your face has to encounter on a daily basis. So whether you’re washing once or twice a day, ensure it is every day to prevent the skin from looking grey, covered in blemishes and showing signs of ageing.

So whether you wash your face once a day or twice, what truly matters is that you do it every day, though it may feel like a lot of effort at times especially when your bed is calling you to climb in.

Luckily with today’s intelligent products and their hard-working formulations, you’ll find you reap all the benefits of healthy skin without even breaking a sweat. 


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