Facial cleansing is an essential part of your skin care routine because it removes bacteria, dead skin cells, dirt, makeup and pollutants that build up throughout the day. But how often should you wash your face, according to dermatologists? We answer this question in the article!
If your skin feels dry after cleansing your face, you're probably wondering what's causing it and whether you need to change something in your morning and evening skin care routines. In fact, your approach to washing your face depends on your skin type – oily, dry or combination.
How often to wash your face if you have oily skin:Although it may be tempting to wash your face more than twice a day, doing so can do more harm than good—especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Instead, stick to washing your face in the morning and once in the evening too. Use a foaming cleanser and a good moisturizer. Moisturizing is especially important because a lack of moisture can cause the skin to produce too much oil.
- Tipp: Consider using a cleanser with salicylic acid, which reduces oil production and clears clogged pores.
How often to wash your face if you have dry or sensitive skin:Whether your skin is dry, sensitive, or both, you should still wash your face twice a day. Use a creamy, non-foaming cleanser to maintain the protective barrier and avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils. Another way to minimize dryness is to cleanse your face with cool water in the morning and only use facial cleanser in the evening.
- Tipp: It's best to avoid hot water as it damages your skin and worsens eczema and rosacea. After cleansing with hot water, your skin may become red and increasingly irritated. The heat also dries out your skin and strips it of oils and moisture.
Howwash face oftenfor combination skin:Like people with oily and dry skin, people with combination skin should wash their face twice a day. A foaming cleanser is an excellent choice because it won't be too harsh on dry areas.
- Tipp: Look for products with a formula that is fragrance-free, soap-free, and paraben-free.
How often to wash your face if you exercise regularly
Any activity that causes you to sweat requires additional cleaning to remove sweat and dirt. You can use oil-free cleaning cloths for this. Otherwise, follow your daily and evening facial cleansing routine.
What happens if you cleanse your face too often or too little?
- Excessive washingof the face is actually a real problem and can be just as problematic as not washing your face enough. It can cause the skin barrier to become disrupted, resulting in red, itchy, dry and irritated skin. When your skin feels tight, it's crying out for help to moisturize.
- If you don't wash enough, you may be struggling with acne due to clogged pores. So make sure you wash your face at least once a day, in the evening or right before you go to bed. This allows your skin to breathe and recover from any damage while you sleep.
How to choose the right cleaning product
In many cases, you can't tell if a cleanser is right for you until you try it. Regardless of your skin type, you should check the ingredients for possible irritants such as alcohol or soap. If your skin feels dry or tight after using a particular cleanser, try another that leaves your skin feeling softer. You may even want to use two different methods - a gentler method in the morning and a slightly more intense one in the evening.
Not only can you experiment with different products, but you can also try different methods to apply them. The easiest way to use it is with your hands, but cloths and cleaning brushes are also an option.
The bottom line:Try washing your face twice a day - but don't forget to listen to your skin. If it is red, excessively dry, or shows other signs of irritation, something is wrong. In these cases, it is best to make an appointment with a dermatologist. Don’t underestimate professional, personal advice.
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