Its better not to wash your face in the morning

Question

To wash or to not wash your face—that is the question. Does it just depend on the skin type and genetics or could it benefit everyone not to wash your face in the morning?

Comments

You did a really good job! I liked how you started off saying what sebum is, I personally didn't know what this was. Then, you explained that this might be true for many people but not all and included another article by a dermatologist that better explained and went into more detail about the specific types of skin and what it met for you.

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This is an excellent response to this claim! I also definitely questioned how this claim could be used with different skin types and whether this idea is a one-size-fits-all solution.  Something that could make this fact check/comment even stronger is an additional source or personal testimony. Great job!

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this claim depends on your skin type. if you have dryer skin, you may not need to wash your face in the morning. however if you have oily skin and skip washing your face in the morning, your face is likely to feel more greasy. while this does apply to some skin types and nightly skin care routines, it depends person to person. additionally, it is true that sebum helps protect your skin and washing your face removes that layer of protection.

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I have heard this claim surface many times before, however, I believe when to wash your face and when not to wash your face entirely depends on an individuals skin type. Personally, the once a day face washing technique is not beneficial for my skin type, but I could see how it might work for others. I found the Vogue article did bring up several strong points, such as when they stated that "Cleansing your skin in the morning removes the delicate layer of sebum that your skin produces overnight to protect itself from external factors, like pollutants or bad bacteria.” However, since Vogue Magazine tends to lean more towards fashion, pop culture, lifestyle, etc., it would have been great to further back up the claim using an additional, more scientific source. It would add more credibility to the original claim made and increase the specificity.

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I like this fact check! It's nice that you pulled directly from the article to acknowledge its strong points but also acknowledge the lack of additional scientific sources in provides. In order to support your own claim, however, that the benefits of when to wash your face depends on skin type, I would recommend doing some light research and trying to find some articles and data that support your counter claim.

Answer 1

From my sources it seems like it depends on skin type. For people with sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis washing at night and in the morning may be too drying but for people with acne and clogged pores washing twice a day can be beneficial. In some cases washing your face too often can strip the natural lipids/sebum and compromise your skin barrier or disrupt your skin's microbiome causing irritation or aggravating skin conditions. 

https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820

Answer 2

This Vogue article only references another Vogue article as evidence of support which promotes a French pharmacists (Natacha Bonjout) skin care line. This is not a credible reference to generalize the claim that it is better to skip morning cleansing as Natacha Bonjout implies that it is best to skip washing your face in the morning for the best results when using her skin care products. 

A separate Vogue article states the opposite: “It is a mistake not to wash your face in the morning.” The article references the medical director of the Kalosia Clinic, Dr. Paloma Borregon. Borregon suggests that washing our face in the morning removes products applied the prior night, particularly acids such as retinol that should not be exposed to the sun. Natacha Bonjout (from the original source) mentions this idea of an “exceptional, naturally produced, beneficial shield,” that comes about from missing your morning cleanse. She claims that the build up of products is essentially a barrier between your face and external pollutants. However, Dr. Borregon rejects this idea, in that the “barrier” is simply oil build up that clogs and dirties your skin. Borregon states: “that oil is the shine you are seeing, so it is preferable to wash it.”

An additional article from the U.S. Dermatology Partners suggests that whether or not you should wash your face in the morning is entirely individual, and cannot be generalized or recommended for everyone. Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Agency’s medical director, states “generally, one should wash their face one to two times per day.” However she elaborates that your cleansing routine is dependent on factors of your lifestyle such as your workout, your climate, makeup use, etc. The article elaborates “during the winter, if you’re experiencing dry skin, you can skip your morning wash.”

https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/press-media/dont-be-gross-heres-how-often-you-should-wash-your-face/

https://www.vogue.com/article/should-i-wash-face-in-morning

https://www.vogue.com/article/french-pharmacist-beauty-secrets

 

Answer 3

Washing your face is a great way to not only produce good hygiene habits but to also keep your skin healthy and clean. But washing your face in the morning could not be that beneficial to you depending on your skin type. According to Health.com, "“If you are cleansing your skin morning and night, you may be over-stripping your skin, which results in a barrier dysfunction, breakout, redness, and more skin concerns." Therefore, this answer isn't as easy to answer as the answer may vary depending on one's skin type. 

https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820

Answer 4

Through my research, I have found that needing to wash your face in the morning depends on your skin type. This article written by Alyssa Hui details when a person should or should not wash their face in the mornings. She found that people with oily skin may benefit from washing twice a day while people with dry and sensitive skin will find it uncomfortable. It is important to take into account your skin type and what works for you before deciding on this claim. While for some people this claim rings true, others might find it to be false.

https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820

Answer 5

The claim that it’s better to not wash your face in the morning is misleading/exaggerated. It is exaggerated because this claim has two sides to it. On one side, those with oily skin types should always be washing their faces in the morning to get rid of built up dirt and grime. On the other side, those with dry/sensitive skin or skin conditions should stay away from double cleansing to avoid extra irritation and drying. 

Health.com: This site provides a more generalized view on morning face washing than the Vogue article. The article on Health.com is headlined with the fact “dermatologists say it depends on your skin type”. With many dermatologists and aestheticians cited in the article, Health.com says that depending on your skin type, you could be stripping your face of essential skin barriers. 

For people with oily skin, morning face washing is good to get rid of the excess layer of grime that builds up overnight. However for those with sensitive skin and/or skin conditions, washing the face in the morning as well as at night could result in stripping the natural skin barriers and overly dry skin. It is almost entirely based on skin type, so it is more accurate to describe this as an exaggerated/misleading claim because the answer is different for everyone.

https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820#:~:text=Though%20cleansing%20your%20face%20in,day%20too%20drying%2C%20said%20Stull.

Answer 6

This article was very interesting to read because I had never heard of any benefits in not washing the face in the morning, I have always heard and known that it is better to wash it as it removes product residue. This is a Vogue article, a reliable resource to evaluate, which makes it difficult to have a conclusion by finding other reliable resources that say otherwise. In fact, through my research I found that it all depends on the type of skin you have, not all are the same of course. Those who have oily skin or blemishes prone to acne, have more need to wash their face several times, without specifying the time of day instead those with drier skin do not need it as much as the previous ones.

https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820#:~:text=Morning%20face%20washing%20%E2%80%9Ccan%20help,and%20heavy%20oils%2C%20she%20said.

Answer 7

Skincare is very personalized and there is rarely a certain product or routine that applies to everyone. Many different dermatologists have different opinions about skincare but when making decisions its best to consult with a professional and/or find what works best for you. Many dermatologists agree that a morning cleanse is not necessary for certain people, but some people benefit from cleansing in the morning or just using water. 

The American Academy of Dermatology states that you should "Limit washing to twice a day and after sweating. Wash your face once in the morning and once at night, as well as after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin. Wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating." 

Other dermatologists have been shown to have a variety of opinions, shown in this article, referencing multiple dermatologists.

Should You Wash Your Face in the Morning? Derms Weigh In (byrdie.com)  

Overall, this claim is factual for some people but since skincare is so versatile and everyone has different skin this one claim can't be applied to everyone.

Answer 8

This article does a great job of listing some of the factors for which morning cleanses, could be skipped. Stated by Natasha Bonjout, she claims, "Cleansing your skin in the morning removes the delicate layer of sebum that your skin produces overnight to protect itself from external factors, like pollutants or bad bacteria." following up with, "This layer of sebum is beneficial for your skin, so it is a pity to remove this exceptional, naturally produced, beneficial shield." Natasha Bonjout is French Pharmacist, whose study began 15 years ago where she got her doctorate in pharmaceutical science with a focus on the science of radiance. She also has a beauty line dedicated to most of her studies for the better skin, so I could say she is well informed when it comes to this topic. She's well educated and can be trusted in her studies, but it really can all depend on what actually benefits a person more. According to the Health article, Carolyn Stull, a board-certified dermatologist, states, "Morning cleanses can help remove excess sebum and dead skin cells, which can clog pores." but later explaining it can improve skin health, but isn't necessary for everyone. She quotes, "People with sensitive or inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis may find cleansing twice a day too drying."

To summarize, Natasha's claims about morning cleanses can be true to acknowledge, but wouldn't necessarily apply for everyone. It all depends on what a persons preferences are. 

Sources: health Article

Natasha Bonjout Background

Answer 9

The claim that it's better to not wash your face in the morning is not a one-size-fits-all answer and depends on individual skin types and routines.

Expert Opinions

• Dermatologists' Views: Some dermatologists suggest that washing your face in the morning is not necessary for everyone (2).  If you cleanse your face thoroughly at night, rinsing with water in the morning might be sufficient (2). Over washing can strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation (1).
• Skin Type Considerations: For those with oily or acne-prone skin, washing in the morning can help remove excess sebum and dead skin cells that accumulate overnight (1). However, for those with dry or sensitive skin, skipping the morning wash might help retain moisture (3).

Arguments for Morning Washing

• Removing Nighttime Residue: Washing your face in the morning can help remove any residue from nighttime skincare products, such as creams and serums (1).
• Preventing Breakouts: For some, morning washing can prevent clogged pores and breakouts by removing oils and bacteria that have built up overnight (1).

Arguments Against Morning Washing

• Potential Dryness: Over-washing can lead to dryness and irritation, especially if using harsh cleansers (1).
• Natural pH Balance: Tap water can alter the skin's natural pH balance, potentially causing dryness (4).

The decision to wash your face in the morning should be based on your skin type and personal preferences (1).  If you have oily or acne-prone skin, morning washing might be beneficial. For dry or sensitive skin, it might be better to skip the morning wash and stick to cleansing at night (1). Always listen to your skin and adjust your routine accordingly.

sources: (1) www.health.com (2) www.byrdie.com (3) www.instyle.com (4) www.voguescandinavia.com 

Answer 10

The claim in this article is well-supported, with insights from a scientist at Bonjour Beauty explaining why morning face-washing may not be necessary. The author expands on this by detailing alternative methods to maintain a fresh complexion without a traditional morning wash. Drawing from personal experience, the author notes, “Upon swapping my normal AM face wash with the treatment, I expected my skin to feel almost dirty. To my pleasant surprise, my skin felt as fresh as ever. Overall, I’ve experienced less dryness and a more even, glowing complexion.”

Both the article and the author highlight the benefits of not using additional products in the morning, especially after a complete nighttime routine. I believe the article’s claims are credible, with Vogue’s reputation further reinforcing its reliability in beauty expertise. As a leading brand, Vogue has the resources to showcase effective skincare insights, including this French chemist’s perspective on skincare trends gaining popularity among French women—an approach that could work just as well for people everywhere.