Despite the common belief that you should wash your face twice a day (once in the morning and then again at night), the real answer is that, much like washing your hair, how often that you cleanse is not universal. The frequency of which you wash your face depends on your skin type and how you treat it otherwise.
People with dry skin are better off only washing their face once a day so that they can prevent themselves from stripping their skin of its natural oils by over washing. One good rinse through is more than enough to remove daily dirt and bacteria. For those cleansing once a day, make sure to perform your skincare routine at night so that your pillow is clean and you are rid of the dirt and bacteria that you gathered during the day. However, shift your showers to mornings. This will provide a good time to partake in a gentle cleanse for your face to rid yourself of the dead skin that sheds while sleeping.
Always make sure to use a light moisturizer after cleansing to replace the hydration lost from your skin's natural oils. While your cleansing routine is at night, your morning routine should still include SPF protection and a moisturizer to help keep your skin youthful, damage free, and hydrated.
Those who have oily skin could benefit from washing it twice a day or more as needed to get rid of excess oil. Allowing excess oil in the skin to build up can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. The recommended routine is a thorough cleansing in the morning and at night. Oily skin can also benefit from a routine exfoliating and moisturizing, as a lack of hydration can cause skin to mistakenly create more oil. Paulownia Facial Wipes are a good product to use for those looking to incorporate gentle exfoliation into their routine without cluttering your cabinet with more products. Their natural fiber wipes provide exfoliation and hydration in their one-step cleansing process, making it ideal for this skincare routine.
During morning routines, be sure to add SPF after cleansing and before the addition of moisturizers or makeup. Certain foundation products can irritate oily skin, so be sure to look for brands that are formulated with excess oil in mind!
If you have combination skin, it might be best to experiment a little and see how your skin reacts to twice a day versus once. Your skin’s t-zone is where you need to switch your focus, as you would do well with noticing which parts of your face gather oil and cater to that. It’s tricky, but be careful not to over wash and dry out the parts of your skin that already suffer from dryness, because the natural oils are limited.
Make sure to use a moisturizer afterward to help your skin regain hydration. Apply a lighter layer of moisturizer to the oily parts of your skin and use a cleaner that is suitable for both skin types.
Your lifestyle could also affect the number of times that you have to wash your face. Exercising should always be followed by gentle cleansing and moisturizing, otherwise, sweat and bacteria will build up in your pores. If your diet involves greasy foods, make sure to wash your hands and face so that the excess grease does not affect your skin's health. Water and sugar intake can impact how dry, oily, or acne-prone your skin is, which will affect the amount of cleansing your skin will need to continue looking its best.