Some people find that washing their face with a cleanser is too drying, especially if they are using multiple acne products that dry out the skin such as retinols, exfoliating acids, or benzoyl peroxide. Because of that, they feel like using a cleanser twice a day strips their skin of moisture, and opt for just washing with water in the mornings. Those who wash their pillowcases frequently also feel that their face doesn’t come into contact with any environmental pollutants overnight and they don’t feel the need to wash in the morning and night.
-Is there any downsides to forgoing a morning face wash? Any upsides?
If you are washing your pillowcase frequently, I think it is totally fine to skip a morning face wash. However, if you feel like you have more oily skin in the mornings or you layer many products on your face during your nighttime routine, you may want to wash in the morning to start your day with a fresh face.
-If you don’t wash your face in the morning is there anything damaging that can happen to the skin?
No, there is nothing damaging that can happen to the skin. However, it is important to make sure that you go to sleep on a clean pillowcase to make sure that you are not transferring bacteria or hair products or anything else that you may place on your pillow to your face while you sleep, especially if you are a side or stomach sleeper.
-Why is it important to consider your skin type when it comes to whether or not you should wash your face in the morning? What about the time of year?
If your skin is more sensitive or dry, you can definitely consider just washing with water in the morning. However, if you are more oily, you may feel like your face has accumulated a lot of oils while you were sleeping, and you need to wash that off before you start applying your AM products, such as vitamin C or other serums, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Weather can also contribute to how many times you feel like you need to wash your face with a cleanser. During winter when the air is drier, you may need to wash with water to avoid further stripping the skin, however in the summer when there is more humidity and moisture in the air, you may feel like you need to wash in the morning, especially if you get hot or sweaty throughout the night.
-Are there certain skin types that you recommend to wash their skin in the morning? If so, which ones and why?
I recommend those with oily skin to wash their face in the morning. Sometimes, for my more acne-prone patients, I will have them wash their face with a benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid cleanser in the morning just so that they are applying an acne-fighting ingredient to the skin at least once or twice a day. If this is too irritating for them, I have them alternate mornings between using water and a medicated cleanser to give their skin a break.
-Are there certain skin types that you recommend not to wash their skin in the morning? If so, which ones and why?
If you have very dry or sensitive skin or feel like your skin barrier is disrupted, I do not think it is necessary to wash your face with a cleanser in the mornings. I think washing with just water is enough if you feel like your skin feels too dry. If you have combination skin, you can use a gentle cleanser on the mornings that you feel like your skin needs it and water on the days it doesn’t.
-For those who don’t wash their face in the morning, what are some ways to refresh the skin?
You can wash with just water, or you can consider using a water mist, such as La Roche Posay or Avene Thermal Spring Water.
-And for those who do wash their face in the morning, what type of cleanser is best to use and why? Anything to avoid?
If you do wash your face in the mornings and you are not combating acne, you can consider using a gentle cleanser like Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser or La Roche Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser if your skin is more dry. If your skin is oilier, you can use La Roche Posay Facial Foaming Cleanser or Cerave Cream to Foam Cleanser.
-What are some of your favorite morning face washes and why?
If you have combination skin, you can use the Rhode Pineapple Refresh Daily Cleanser. It has polyglutamic acid in it which helps lock in moisture, as well as pineapple enzyme to help gently exfoliate the skin, without over irritating it because of the addition of green tea extract.
You can also try Alpyn Beauty Juneberry and Collagen Hydrating Cream Cleanser. It has jojoba beads in it to gently exfoliate the skin.
