Acne is that annoying little pimple or the gigantic breakout that won’t go away. Once you get acne, it’s there to ruin your self-esteem and have you second guess how good you are at taking care of yourself. So it’s no wonder that one of the common questions people have is how often they should wash their faces to prevent acne. But although this sounds like a reasonable, somewhat simple question, the answer can be complicated. While many believe that it’s something that we all should be doing, washing our faces too much can make your skin go into overdrive, while not enough could lead to clogged pores. Yet there’s more to this complication of face washing and acne. Therefore, let’s discuss why face washing is essential to clear up acne and how often face washing is necessary so that you aren’t making mistakes to ensure your skin feels and looks good. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to plan your face-washing schedule.
Acne can occur from oils, dirt, sweat—even stress—your skin is not the same as anyone else’s. Therefore, while it’s important to wash your face to prevent acne, know that it’s not about washing until your skin squeaks. It’s important to understand how often you should wash to give your skin the best possible chance. Ready to learn more? Let’s go.
Why it’s Important to Wash Your Face if You Have Acne
Your skin is exposed to a lot during the day. Dust settles. Sweat clogs up. Oil collects. Makeup rests on top of your skin. Without washing your face regularly, these settled surfaces can clog up your pores, and clogged pores are a perfect home for acne. Research supports that it’s not just dirt that causes acne; it’s bacteria—that’s right, oil and bacteria create a perfect storm for painful little zits—all they need is for your pores to get clogged for them to come out in discomfort. Therefore, washing your face eliminates the surface problems and prevents irritation.
In other words, if you have acne, your body is likely producing too much oil due to hormone fluctuations or stress; in this case, the additional excess oil/inflammation combined with dead skin cells mixes with bacteria, all while creating a perfect storm for zits. A solid face washing can alleviate excess oil and bacteria before they run rampant. But beware—if you wash too much, and not correctly, your body might go into overdrive and overproduce natural oil in reaction. Therefore, knowing how much is too much is crucial.
Consider your habits—do you overexercise and sweat? Do you cake on the makeup? These are surefire indicators of how often you might need to wash your face. Now let us look at the general thresholds for success without over-washing.
How Often Should You Wash Your Face?
If you have acne, the recommended number is two times a day—morning and night—as this keeps optimal acne control without excess irritation since you’re clearing the oils and dirt collected overnight and during the day. But the two times a day is not a hard and fast rule; it depends on the person, their lifestyle, and skin. Even the products used can determine how often per day you would wash your face.
For instance, if you work out all the time and sweat often, you might need to wash your face three times a day—once after working out and once after your exercise-induced sweat creates even more sweat, or after it’s been soaking on your face, thanks to humidity, if you live in a hot, humid climate. Sweat can cause acne, much like oil, when left on the skin with other oils and bacteria, so people who find themselves sweaty often should observe how their skin feels more throughout the day. An office worker, someone who doesn’t breakout often and doesn’t wear much make up who remains in an air-conditioned environment, probably can get away with two times a day. It’s about being aware—if your skin feels tight and dry after cleansing, you’re probably over-cleansing; if you get greasy or feel disgusting a few hours later, it’s time to adjust.
Likewise, just because you experience an acne breakout one day does NOT mean you should increase the number of washes to accommodate. This backfires, too, as excess washing increases irritation for already red and inflamed areas. Instead, focus on the right products and application, which will be discussed throughout the other chapters. Generally speaking, unless you feel otherwise, two times a day should be fine.
What’s the Difference Between Morning and Evening Washes?
Washing your face morning and night serves different purposes, which is important when it comes to acne.
Morning washes are more about skin. As mentioned, overnight, oil and sweat accumulate—even if you don’t think you’re that sweaty during sleep. Oil is secreted, dead skin cells build up overnight. A wash in the morning is to refresh the skin to prepare for any topical applications like moisturizers and sunscreens. Furthermore, it gets the day off on the right foot so that you feel clean and ready to go.
Night washes, however, are more essential. During the day, we get dirt, grime, pollution, oil, makeup, and sweat. Whether you know it or not, by the nighttime, this gunk has attached itself to your skin, and leaving it there overnight will cause clogged pores and more acne. Washing at night gives the skin a fresh canvas. It’s especially essential for those wearing makeup or even sunscreen to do a double cleanse—first with an oil to break the makeup down and then a second time with a regular cleanser to ensure the skin is clean.
The purpose of morning and night washes is that they should be gentle. Rubbing too hard or using products that don’t go will be just as detrimental to acne as not washing at all. So how do we find the right cleanser for acne-prone skin?
What Cleanser Should I Use for Acne?
Not all face washes are created equal—and when it comes to acne, it matters. Using the RIGHT cleanser can make or break how your skin feels and looks. What should you specifically be looking for in a cleanser?
First of all, ensure that it’s non-comedogenic. This means that it won’t clog pores. Acne face washes are sometimes labeled in such a way or the key ingredients are salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is great for blackheads and whiteheads while benzoyl peroxide is better for inflamed pimples; yet both can be very drying—start with a lower percentage and see how skin reacts.
If post-wash, your skin feels tight/cracked and extremely dry, you may need a more hydrating cleanser; look for glycerin or aloe vera. Even the oiliest, most acne-prone skin needs moisture, and when the skin barrier is compromised with excessive dryness, the skin will overcompensate and create more oil. Generally gel or foaming cleansers are best for oily/acne skin while creams are better for sensitive/dry acne skin.
Stay away from alcohol or fragrant face washes as they can further irritate poor skin and provide worse breakouts; don’t fall for the myth that your skin should feel “squeaky clean.” That only happens when natural oils are stripped—this is what causes more breakouts. Give a new cleanser a week or two to determine if its suitable for your acne-prone skin, but know that it’s okay to switch and try something new if it’s not working!
The Proper Way to Wash Your Face
There is a proper way to wash your face in order not to irritate acne, so it’s not as simple as it sounds. Follow these steps to ensure you’re doing it right.
Always wash your hands first. If you have dirty hands and you’re putting them on your face, you might as well be rubbing dirt on your skin and bacteria in, so before you begin, wash your hands with soap. Then, wet your face with lukewarm water. Hot water dries your skin and cold water doesn’t cleanse effectively.
Use a dime-sized amount of cleanser and rub in on your skin using your fingers in circular motions for no more than thirty seconds (you can do it longer if you feel necessary, but do not apply more product to your face). Do pay attention to the blemish zones (forehead, nose, chin) but do not apply too much pressure, as this will further irritate the skin and create more breakouts.
Use lukewarm water to rinse. No soap should be left on your skin; this can irritate your skin when it’s dry or clog pores. Apply pat dry with a clean towel—no rubbing, as that causes redness. The best practice is a new towel each time to avoid bacteria.
Always apply a moisturizer afterward, as a non-comedogenic and lightweight moisturizer is best to keep skin hydrated. Even if you have oily skin, if you skip this step, your skin will believe it needs to create excess oil to compensate. Additionally, any other treatments such as acne spot treatments or serums should be applied after cleansing but before moisturizer.
Things Not To Do
Don’t wash more than twice a day or at all unless sweaty, dirty or in makeup for hours. Overwashing can be stripping and make your skin produce MORE oil. Speaking of that, if you feel compelled to wash your face perp day because of excess oil production, maybe it’s best to just rinse with water and not use a cleanser every time.
Don’t use tools to wash your face—washcloths, exfoliating brushes—generally your fingers should suffice and if you choose to exfoliate, do it sparingly and gently—once or twice a week max. Over-scrubbing can be abrasive and damage the skin barrier, making breakouts worse.
Don’t skip moisturizer—just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you shouldn’t balance oil production with hydration. Don’t touch your face all the time—this puts additional dirt and bacteria from your hands onto your complexion.
Don’t expect overnight results. If you are trying new products or new routines SOLELY for acne improvement, give them a few weeks at the least to determine results.
Adjusting Your Routine for Your Lifestyle
You should also make changes based on your needs. Do you work out frequently and sweat a lot? You should probably need to wash your face post-workout so that sweat and dirt aren’t accumulating in your pores. It’s a good idea to keep a gentle cleanser or face wipes in your gym bag for a midday refresher. If you wear heavy makeup or sunscreen, you should probably wash your face twice as well; at least once at night to make sure all of it is off.
Live in a polluted urban setting? You may need to wash your face even more at night to avoid having dirt particles packed into your sagging pores. Do you live in an extremely dry climate? You may need a creamier/lotion-based cleanser to avoid over-drying or flaking. Paying attention to how your skin feels and looks can help you make adjustments as necessary to this routine.
For example, when traveling it’s hard to regulate anything done to your face with different waters and weathers. The best bet is to maintain what works twice a day for as long as possible and travel with mini cleansers and moisturizers. If you’re stressed or your diet is different, acne might flare up so give it a break.
When to See a Professional
However, sometimes washing your face does not give you the results you might expect. If you maintain diligent care for only a month or two and still see no progress—especially if acne seems to get worse—contact a dermatologist when you’ve done all you can. They will know if there’s an additional physical reason (e.g., hormones, dietary choices) causing acne or if you need a prescription treatment that can’t be obtained over the counter.
A professional can also intervene if your acne is scarring or getting red and inflamed. Reach out for guidance—addressing acne sooner than later will prevent permanent issues down the line. In the meantime, stick to your gentle wash for best results for your skin.
Conclusion
Acne is a headache, but nothing like washing your face the right way will set you on the path toward clearer skin. Twice a day—morning and night—is a great start for most people with a gentle cleanser that’s not too harsh, a non-comedogenic choice for your specific skin type. Avoid aggressive scrubbing and over-washing, and be mindful of whether you’re sweating due to exercise or makeup on your face during the day which might necessitate a more important wash.
The most important thing is to be consistent and give your skin time; it’s not going to change overnight but should look better in no time with fewer breakouts. Have you been not washing enough or washing too often? Follow these recommendations and let your skin breathe, allowing it the time it needs to correct itself. Clear skin is possible starting with an effective daily routine that works for you.