Do I Really Need To Wash My Face Twice a Day?

Yes and no! It mostly depends on your skin. First, let's get into why you need to cleanse in the first place. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense between you and the outside world, and it’s exposed to a lot throughout the course of the day. There’s excess oil, dirt, dust, and makeup, as well as invisible grime, such as air pollution particles. If left to sit on your skin, these things can contribute to breakouts and irritation (or, in the case of air pollution, even premature aging). A thorough cleanse can help remove debris before it has a chance to affect your skin. Cleansing also helps prepare your skin to better receive the ingredients in targeted treatments such as serums, toners, and moisturizers.

But that’s only one part of the equation. As board-certified dermatologist Dr. Abigail Waldman, M.D., FAAD, explains, “there are organisms — bacteria, mites, fungus — that live on your skin and populate throughout the day.” Some of these organisms are helpful, but if they proliferate, your skin’s microbiome can get thrown out of whack.

With all of that said, it may seem like the answer to the question of whether you need to wash your face twice daily would be a resounding yes. But that’s not always the case. According to Dr. Waldman, your skin is exposed to far less at night than it is during the daytime, so for some, a morning cleanse may not be necessary. “Washing your face at least once a day, at night, is recommended,” she says. “For many people, it’s twice a day — but sometimes, that morning wash, you can do with just water.” A morning water-only cleanse may be particularly beneficial for those with extremely dry or sensitive skin who require a gentler approach to skin care. Those with especially oily skin or who are on an acne regimen will often benefit from a.m. and p.m. cleanses.