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

This claim seems like it could be pretty true. The first thing I noticed is that this article is from 2023, making it pretty recent. The author of this article Kiana Murden specializes in beauty care which makes her very credible for this topic on washing your face in the morning. The people that published this article, Vogue is a very trusted business known for their beauty products, and after more research the claims they are making here can be found being made by other trusted sources.

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This claim seems like it is multi-faceted and requires extensive research. I looked at another Vogue article that says that she tried not washing her face due to a skin condition called dermatitis. She quotes that many skincare professionals gave her differing advice on how to approach this problem and she found that to see if it worked, she had to go through a series of tests. The author of this article specializes in beauty, which makes her a reputable source, however, the article I found also says she specializes in Beauty. This points to me that this claim needs to have research conducted on a large sample size made up of different skin types to see if there is any real effect of not washing your face. I really enjoyed looking into this claim!

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

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While the title did a great job of triggering the curiosity of the audience and encouraging people to think and discuss the topic together, the source seemed unreliable. First of all, the direct source attached was from Vogue, a company known for fashion and beauty. Instead of a source related to science, experiments, or research, this topic mainly relied on a beauty site. Looking closer at the article, it's quite obvious that some skin care products were advertised each time after a few paragraphs. It's common to see ads in articles and news, but these promoted beauty products were actually directly advertised by Vogue. This action reduced the trustworthiness of the source. By reading in detail, it's shown that even the external references were written and edited by Vogue. If this claim was to be better, reliable sources with authority should be used.

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I really liked the source you used to project the idea that washing your face in the morning is bad for your skin and instead you should use the double cleansing method to wash your face. I also provided another link to a website that implies the same thing but with some other information about the topic.

Link: https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/does-washing-you-face-in-the-morning-ruin-your-skin#

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I feel that the title did a great job of snatching the attention of possible readers, and then explaining and breaking down the argument and evidence. The author of the original plan for the skincare routine and tips is Natacha Bonjout as she is spotlighted in this piece by Vogue magazine. I do think that this was a sort of cash grab, due to the advertisement of products on every single step listed. https://www.vogue.com/article/french-pharmacist-beauty-secrets

Answer 1

This claim seems like it is multi-faceted and requires extensive research. I looked at another Vogue article that says that she tried not washing her face due to a skin condition called dermatitis. She quotes that many skincare professionals gave her differing advice on how to approach this problem and she found that to see if it worked, she had to go through a series of tests. The author of this article specializes in beauty, which makes her a reputable source, however, the article I found also says she specializes in Beauty. This points to me that this claim needs to have research conducted on a large sample size made up of different skin types to see if there is any real effect of not washing your face. I really enjoyed looking into this claim!

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

Answer 2

Skipping a morning face wash has its proponents, especially among advocates of minimalistic skincare routines. French pharmacist Natacha Bonjout, as mentioned in Vogue, argues that natural oils produced overnight form a protective barrier, shielding the skin from environmental pollutants. This approach may benefit individuals with dry or sensitive skin, as frequent cleansing can strip essential oils, leading to irritation or dryness. Additionally, experts, including Dr. Whitney Tolpinrud of U.S. Dermatology Partners, suggest that during winter months, when dryness is more prevalent, skipping a morning cleanse can help retain hydration. For those who do not sweat heavily or apply occlusive products at night, a rinse with lukewarm water may suffice to refresh the skin without disrupting its balance. Advocates argue that this approach can simplify skincare routines while maintaining the skin’s natural equilibrium.

On the other hand, many dermatologists highlight the necessity of washing your face in the morning to remove residue, oil build-up, and skincare products applied the night before. Dr. Paloma Borregon, the medical director of Kalosia Clinic, explained in Vogue that products such as retinol and acids, commonly used in evening routines, should not remain on the skin during the day due to potential sensitivity to sunlight. Moreover, she refutes the idea that the natural oils accumulated overnight form a protective shield, instead identifying this "barrier" as a combination of oil, sweat, and bacteria that can clog pores and contribute to skin issues. Supporting this view, U.S. Dermatology Partners emphasizes that morning cleansing prepares the skin to absorb active ingredients like sunscreen and moisturizer effectively, making it an essential step for those who sweat, live in humid climates, or use heavy products overnight.

Some sources that back hop my arguments are:

Bonjout, N. (2022). French pharmacist beauty secrets. Vogue. Retrieved from https://www.vogue.com/article/french-pharmacist-beauty-secrets

Borregon, P. (2022). Should I wash my face in the morning? Vogue. Retrieved from https://www.vogue.com/article/should-i-wash-face-in-morning

Tolpinrud, W. (2022). Don’t be gross: Here’s how often you should wash your face. U.S. Dermatology Partners. Retrieved from https://www.usdermatologypartners.com/press-media/dont-be-gross-heres-how-often-you-should-wash-your-face/

Answer 3

Skipping your morning face wash might work for some people, but it depends on the persons skin type. For people with dry or sensitive skin, skipping the wash can help keep natural oils and maintain the skin barrier, especially if you cleanse thoroughly at night. However, people with oily or acne-prone skin might benefit from a morning cleanse to remove oil and dead skin cells that build up overnight, which can clog pores. The Mayo Clinic recommends daily face washing for healthy skin, while the CDC highlights its importance for removing bacteria and preventing infections. Research also suggests that cleansing habits should consider outside factors like the weather, pollution, or sweat all of which that can impact your skin health. Ultimately, it’s best to make your routine to your skin’s needs and consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.

https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/facial-cleanliness.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/multimedia/moisturizer-tips-from-a-dermatologist/vid-20434565

Answer 4

The claim made against a pharmacist located in France recommended to avoid cleansing your skin in the morning because “[c]leansing your skin in the morning removes the delicate layer of sebum... [b]y morning your skin has worked overtime to repair itself". There is evidence according to Pediatric Dermatology, that washing your face morning and night can worsen the skin and create more blemishes. This also states that there was a study where subjects were to either wash their face once, twice or even four times a day for a total of six weeks. Towards the end of the study there were no clear differences between the three but blemishes did worsen while washing your face once a day. This claim goes somewhat against the Vogue article but I can agree that there is no harm in this. In all, Vogue isn't incorrect just not totally necessary to the average skincare routine. I would not recommend just washing your face at night but maybe finding a good in between. This could be finding a gentle enough cleanser where it doesn't strip your face of those good oils and still remains moisturizing to your skin barrier. This might save your skin without having to wash your face only once a day and can build a good routine for your skin to adjust to. 

Source: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1470.2006.00276.x