For most people, twice a day: once in the morning and once at night, plus a quick wash after you've been sweating. If your skin is dry or sensitive, dermatologists often suggest a splash of lukewarm water in the morning and a gentle cleanser only at night. Use your fingertips, don't scrub, pat dry and follow with moisturizer. Washing more than that usually just leaves skin drier.
This is one of the questions I get most, usually from someone whose face feels tight by lunchtime or oily by three o'clock. It sounds like it should have a simple answer, and mostly it does. The part people miss is that "how often" matters less than "how gently."
How often should you wash your face?
The American Academy of Dermatology's advice is to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, and again as soon as you can after heavy sweating. Sweat, especially under a hat or helmet, can irritate skin if it sits there.
The night wash is the one that matters most. It takes off the sunscreen, makeup, oil and dust of the whole day. A Cleveland Clinic dermatologist says washing only once a day is "not really bad," and if you're only going to do it once, do it in the evening.
Does it depend on your skin type?
A little. Here's how the dermatologists I read break it down:
- Dry or sensitive skin. Rinse with lukewarm water in the morning and use a cleanser only at night. Your skin makes its own oils overnight, and you don't need to wash them all away first thing.
- Oily or breakout-prone skin. Twice a day with a gentle cleanser. If you work out or sweat a lot, a third quick wash afterward is fine.
- Combination skin. Usually twice a day. If some spots start to feel dry or irritated, try a gentler cleanser or a richer moisturizer rather than washing less.
Can you wash your face too much?
Yes. Every wash takes some of your skin's natural oils with it. As the Cleveland Clinic dermatologist puts it, "Overwashing your face can lead to drier skin." If your face feels tight, stings when you put lotion on, or looks flaky, you may be washing too often, too hot, or with something too harsh.
Oily skin can be tempting to wash over and over. It feels good for an hour, but stripping it rarely makes it less oily. A gentle wash twice a day and a light moisturizer is usually the better trade.
How to wash your face (the part that matters more)
- Use lukewarm water. Not hot. Hot water pulls more oil out of your skin.
- Pick a gentle cleanser. The AAD suggests something non-abrasive and without alcohol.
- Use your fingertips. Washcloths and mesh sponges can irritate skin, and scrubbing does too. Just massage the lather in softly.
- Rinse well and pat dry with a soft towel. Don't rub.
- Moisturize while your skin is still a little damp. Be gentle around your eyes, where skin is thinnest.
Wear makeup or heavy sunscreen? At night, a dermatologist-favorite trick is to wash twice: an oil cleanser or balm first to melt it off, then your regular gentle cleanser. If you don't wear makeup, you can skip that step. I explained it more in what double cleansing is.
What about the shower and face wipes?
Washing your face in the shower counts. Just keep the water off your face if you like your showers hot, and wash it at the sink instead.
Face wipes are fine in a pinch, like after the gym with no sink nearby. Dermatologists don't love them every day, though. The rubbing and the preservatives can be hard on your skin over time.
The simple version
Morning and night, gently, with lukewarm water, and moisturize after. That's most of it. If your skin is dry or easily upset, make the morning wash just water. If you're looking for what to wash with, I wrote about choosing a face wash for dry skin, and here's a simple face routine with the only four steps most people need.
What we use in our house
The Face System
Oil cleanser, face bar, a plant-oil serum, and our Day + Night Face Moisturizer with shea butter, aloe and goat milk. Our face bar cleans without stripping your face of its oils, so skin feels soft and comfortable, not tight. Four simple steps, made in small batches on our Idaho farm.
See the Face System →
Lauren Stewart makes Tyme Soap by hand on our family farm in Idaho, with milk from our own goats.
