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

I like how you referenced multiple credible sources, and went very into detail describing what's actually going on with your skin and how washing your face in the morning is beneficial to your skin.

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This is an interesting claim, and as someone who doesn't normally wash their face in the morning, I think it depends of genetics.. Also, the referenced used above was Vouge, and often fashion brands and skin care businesses have many biases compared to health and skincare specialists.

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Your question brings up an interesting debate! The Vogue article suggests that skipping a morning cleanse can help maintain the skin’s natural oils and microbiome, but this advice isn’t one size fits all. Dermatologists generally agree that skin type plays a big role—those with oily or acne-prone skin might still need a morning wash to remove overnight buildup, while drier skin types could benefit from just rinsing with water. Did you find any scientific studies supporting this claim, or is it mostly anecdotal advice from skincare experts? It would be great to see more dermatological perspectives to get a clearer picture!

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while this could be true for some it's not for all and depends a lot on skin type.

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I like how you didn't immediately agree with the article or have a bias one way or another. this is an interesting question to have, I think it changes from person to person. it could change with how sensitive their skin is or what type of skin it is

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 

Answer 5

While everyone's face reacts differently to different products, Cerave states that washing your face in the morning is not bad for you. They claim that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends it. This is because it helps prep your skin for other products that may go on it and gets rid of any product that may still be intact on your face. An article from Health, states that washing your face in the morning is beneficial because it can remove excess sebum along with dead skin cells. Thus it depends on the person's type of skin but washing your face in the morning can be a good thing.

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

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning

Answer 6

The article, Vogue, raised uncertainty initially due to many skincare advertisements that popped up whilst reading. Summed up, the article follows a French pharmacist who advertises not to wash your face in the morning, stating, "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." On further research I found similar claims stating that cleaning your face in the morning can be over stripping the skin, leading to breakouts and redness. Carolyn Stull, a board-certified dermatologist adds, "When it comes to how often someone should cleanse their skin, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Rather, it's dependent on individual skin types." She then dives deeper, explaining how someone with dry skin or eczema may want to skip a morning cleanse, whereas someone with oily skin could benefit. In conclusion, there are many benefits to skipping cleansers in the morning for some, however, it depends on the individual's skin type. Therefore, there is some truth to this claim.

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

Answer 7

I think this comment is really broad, and is dependent on the person plus their age. Because when you think about it everyone is dealing with different skin issues such as  "the first time kids are dealing with acne, blackheads, dry patches, and the general roller coaster of hormonal changes." This statement could make that condition worse if they're dealing with these type of issues, and keeping clean faces are a key to keeping the condition stable. Also when you mean wash do you mean not even wash it with water? Or do you mean washing it with a cleanser or what type of things? The brand CeraVe suggests that "The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your face in the morning, before bed, and after sweating—regardless of your skin type.¹ According to the AAD, cleansing your face in the morning serves an important purpose: It washes away bacteria, sweat, and dirt that can settle on your face overnight.² Lathering up in the A.M. also helps you start your morning skincare routine with a clean canvas—allowing for optimal product absorption. It helps prep your skin for morning skincare essentials (like your sunscreen) and removes any leftover product from the night before."  With the ADD saying this, I believe that is a reliable information to follow through with. 

I think this statement is false with it just being too ambiguous, and also mostly not true. When reading the article it would only work if you are someone who has these specific products and having a strategic routine that follows that guideline to make it "work". The typical person doesn't have that or don't follow that. All in all this statement should not influence someone to stop washing their face. 

sources: 

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning?https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-skincare-routine-for-teens.html?utm_campaign=feed-part&utm_medium=social_acct&

Answer 8

After doing some digging, I found Natach Bonjount to be a well-informed person on skin care advice. With a Bachelor in Biology & Health, she appears to be a well educated person to speak on skin care. However, I do find this article to be somewhat of a cash grab. Throughout the article, there are multiple ads telling you to buy expensive serums and products that may be unnecessary.  Furthermore, I found an article from CeraVe, a popular, well-known skincare company, saying, "Washing your face in the morning is not bad for your skin. In fact, it’s an essential part of any well-rounded skincare routine."  With their source being from the American Academy of Dermatology, I find the original article to be more opinion than fact. 

Comments

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natacha-bonjout-pharm-d-91874916

Answer 9

So, when I first saw this claim I was very intrigued. The reason for this is because, I have had this ongoing debate forever with my sister. On if you should wash your face in the morning. She does, and I do not. I think the article you used was a great article with a non bias point of view. That said, most of the claims in that article were from one person. I think it depends on skin type, and gender. Reason for this is because mean and women produce different amount of oils (according to Eucerin). So that article is little bit misleading in that regard. Also another thing you need to look out for is who is writing the article and for what company they work for. In this article by Cera ve. They talk about how you should moisturize twice a day. I think the reason for this is because their whole company is about moisturizer. And if nobody uses it anymore they will go out of business. Overall the claim is pretty open ended and I would have to agree with you. It all depends.

https://int.eucerin.com/about-skin/basic-skin-knowledge/male-and-female-skin#:~:text=Sebum%20production%20is%20double%20that,prone%20to%20impurities%20and%20acne.

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning

Answer 10

This is a pretty good question and something that stood out to me. I like the source you provided. It's a big brand filled with lots of information from different professionals. The Vogue source, however, didn't include whether skipping face wash in the morning is for everybody or specific skin types. However, when it comes to skincare, there are many different ways to treat your skin that are equipped for you. After further research, the Cerave skin tips and tricks state, ^{"The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your face two times per day (once in the morning and once at night), as well as after sweating.2} However, the right cleansing frequency for your skin's needs can vary depending on your skin type, lifestyle, and pre-existing skin conditions." So, from the information researched, every professional has different advice, but most of the information leads me to think it depends on your skin type. We still don't have a perfect answer for the ideal skincare. 

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/face-washing-mistakes-and-solutions