Table of Contents
Quick Summary / At A Glance
- It is recommended that you use this face wash twice a day, in the morning and at night, as the starting point.
- How often you use a face wash depends on your skin type and what type of cleanser it is.
- Oily or acne-prone skin is guided to twice a day, dry or sensitive skin to once a day, and normal skin to once a day in the evening.
- Over-washing strips away natural oils and can lead to dryness, redness, irritation and breakouts, and can trigger even more oil.
- Use a gentle cleanser with lukewarm water and gentle circular motions, pat dry, moisturize afterwards, and adjust by watching your own skin.
The Short Answer: Twice a Day Is the Starting Point
It is recommended that you use this face wash twice a day, in the morning and at night. Washing your face first thing in the morning will also help refresh you and prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine.
Washing at night removes dirt, sweat and oil that has built up on your skin throughout the day. That twice-a-day rhythm is the recommendation this article returns to most often.
Why Frequency Depends on Your Skin Type
If you are using a face wash that is working well for your skin, there is no need to change it. However, if you are not happy with your current face wash, or if you have noticed a change in your skin, it might be time to try something new.
How often you use a face wash depends on your skin type and what type of cleanser it is. For example, if you have dry skin, you might only need to use a face wash once a day or every other day.
The best way to figure out how often to use a particular face wash is to experiment and see what works best for your own skin. How often you use a face wash is just as important as which face wash you choose.
Frequency by Skin Type, From This Article
| Skin type | Frequency in this article | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oily skin | Twice a day, morning and night | Use gentle, oil-free products rather than harsh soaps |
| Acne-prone skin | Twice a day, morning and night | Gentle cleanser that will not irritate, then a light moisturizer |
| Combination skin | 2 times per day | From the article’s breakdown by skin type |
| Normal skin | Once a day, in the evening before bed | Any gentle cleanser type, without harsh ingredients |
| Dry skin | 1 to 2 times per day, and no more than twice | Gentle or creamy cleanser; moisturize afterwards |
| Dry or sensitive skin | Once a day, at night, or even less often | Creamy cleanser type; avoid harsh soaps and hard scrubbing |
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Twice a Day, Gently
For people with oily skin, it is important to wash their face at least twice a day, in the morning and at night. If possible, wash after workouts or anytime you have been sweating, so dirt and oil do not stay on the skin.
People with oily skin should avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that will strip away all of the natural oils from their skin. Instead, use gentle, oil-free products that will help to keep the skin clean and clear.
Acne is a common skin condition that can cause pimples, blackheads and whiteheads, and it affects people of all ages. Acne occurs when the pores of your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin cells or bacteria.
Washing your face too much can actually make acne worse, because washing strips the natural oils from your skin, which can lead to dryness and irritation. When your skin is dry and irritated, it becomes more susceptible to breakouts.
Be sure to use a gentle cleanser that will not irritate your skin, and follow up with a light moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, so watch how your own skin responds.
Dry and Sensitive Skin: Less Often, and Gentler
If you have dry skin, you do not want to strip your skin of its natural oils and make it even drier. In fact, washing your face too frequently can actually make dry skin worse.
Wash your face no more than twice a day, because washing more than twice a day can strip the natural oils from your skin and leave it feeling dry and irritated. For many people with dry or sensitive skin, once a day, at night, is the guide given in this article.
Use a gentle cleanser, and choose a cleanser type that is designed for dry skin or sensitive skin. Avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers, as they will only aggravate the dryness.
Apply the cleanser with lukewarm water using circular motions before rinsing it off thoroughly. Gently pat your face dry with a soft towel afterwards, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing harshly, as this can further irritate delicate dry skin.
A creamy cleanser type will cleanse without stripping away moisture, and an oil cleanser type was also suggested in the original guidance for adding moisture. Whichever type you use, be sure to moisturize afterwards.
Morning or Night? It Depends on Your Skin
There is no one answer to the question of whether you should use cleanser in the morning or at night. It depends on a number of factors, including your skin type, your daily routine and your personal preference.
Washing your face in the morning helps to remove any dirt, oil or makeup that has built up on your skin overnight. It also prepares your skin for the day ahead by creating a clean canvas for makeup or sunscreen.
At night, washing your face again removes any impurities that have accumulated during the day, including pollution, sweat and sebum. This allows your skin to better absorb skincare products.
If you have dry skin, you may want to use a moisturizing cleanser type in the morning to help hydrate your skin, and some people find their skin too dry after a morning wash and prefer to wait until night. If you have oily skin, you may want to wash twice a day, and use a stronger cleanser at night to remove all traces of makeup and dirt.
Should You Use Cleanser Every Day, or Three Times a Day?
You probably do not need to wash your face every day with cleanser in every case, and over-cleansing can actually do more harm than good. When you strip your skin of its natural oils, it can trigger your sebaceous glands to produce even more oil, leading to breakouts.
Washing your face more than three times a day can actually strip your skin of its natural oils and lead to excessive dryness, redness and irritation. That warning applies even to oily or acne-prone skin.
The original guidance notes that if you have milder skin and are using gentle cleansers, washing three times a day may help remove excess oil, dirt and makeup that can clog pores. If you do choose to wash three times a day, be sure to use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing too hard, and follow up with a light moisturizer.
If you are using harsh cleansers or scrubbing your face too vigorously, then washing more than twice a day can actually do more harm than good. Frequency never makes a harsh routine safe.
How to Wash: Technique Matters as Much as Frequency
Use lukewarm water, not hot water, and a gentle circular motion when cleansing. Rinse thoroughly, then gently pat your face dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing it.
Choose the cleanser type for your skin, not a brand name: a gentle cleanser for acne-prone skin, a creamy cleanser for dry or sensitive skin, and gentle, oil-free products for oily skin. Make sure it is gentle and does not contain harsh ingredients that could irritate your skin.
Signs You Are Washing Too Much, or Too Little
Too much washing shows up as dryness, redness, irritation and a tight feeling, and dry, irritated skin becomes more susceptible to breakouts. More oil than usual can also be a sign, because stripped skin can produce even more oil.
Not washing your face enough can result in clogged pores and breakouts, as dirt, oil and makeup build up. So finding the happy medium is key.
Other factors can affect how often you should wash your face. If you wear a lot of makeup or sweat profusely during the day, you might need to increase the frequency with which you wash your face.
At the end of the day, listen to your skin and do what feels right for you. The best way to figure out what works is to experiment and see what makes your skin look and feel its best.
The Routine in One Place
Start with twice a day, morning and night, then adjust by skin type using the table above: less often for dry or sensitive skin, once in the evening for normal skin. Keep every wash gentle, with lukewarm water, gentle circular motions and a moisturizer afterwards.
Do not keep adding washes when your skin feels tight, dry, red or irritated, because those are the over-washing warnings this article repeats. Cut back first, and keep the cleanser gentle.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.