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 really like your claim and the article you listed. I myself have experienced my skin start to clear up and improve when I stopped cleansing in the morning. I l also liked how you brought up the question of is it up to genetics or could it help everyone. I found another article that I enjoyed that talks about this topic and has a lot of interesting details about what happened to the author when she did this.
https://theeverygirl.com/washing-face-in-the-morning/

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The article provides a great explanation of the circumstance, and the author shares their experience with trying a method that differs from their usual AM/PM face-wash routine. For the author they found it more beneficial to only deep cleanse their face at night with a gentle morning rinse the following day. While this method works for the author, it may not be the same for someone else. The biggest thing to keep in mind when reading an article like this is that the results may vary between the author and yourself. An article by Byrdie that poses this same question brings in the opinions of two certified dermatologists who's opinions also vary based on their preferences and knowledge. The Vogue article lists many different skin care products that give the reader a chance to examine the product and potentially buy it, which is a great way to both interest the reader and promote a product.
https://www.byrdie.com/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning-5101158
The dermatologists mentioned:
https://www.optiskinmedical.com/about
https://profiles.mountsinai.org/noelani-e-gonzalez-ortiz

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A number of the articles I've found on this question are somewhat back and forth. I would note that while Vogue is a credible source, they are a beauty product brand and therefore their primary goal more than likely is to sell their products. This is notable by the hyperlinks throughout the article, as well as the sales pitch at the end. I would refer to some more credible sources, such as medical sites where their primary target is to inform, rather than brand sites that are likely just trying to sell you something.

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I agree that It mostly relies on case to case as everyone has different skin types, so what works for one person doesn't always work for other people.

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I like the question you added, I feel it does heavily depends on the person and their skin type. For me personally, I like to wash my face a few hours after I wake up instead of right when I do. I feel like there's not enough evidence and research to give this statement a true/false claim.

Answer 1

The base of the claim made by the article is that a French pharmacist advised against cleansing in the morning because it removes the "delicate layer of sebum that your skin produces overnight to protect itself from external factors, like pollutants or bad bacteria". According to Cleveland Clinic, the sebum is also natural lubrication that protects against friction damage, loss of moisture, and infections. It also says that pores can get clogged with sebum, resulting in acne. It also says to maintain the health of your sebaceous glands to use a gentle cleanser daily, which goes against the claim slightly, because it doesn't specify the frequency. In conclusion, I believe that there are both benefits and drawbacks to this method, although I cannot deny there is some truth to the claim. You stop yourself from removing one of your body's naturally occurring defenses, yet also expose yourself to acne, which is counterproductive to the goal of achieving clearer skin. I would possibly attempt to find a middle ground, like maybe pairing a cleanser with a product that jump starts the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. It might allow you to prevent damaging clogging without losing the benefits of the sebum for an extended period of time.

Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24538-sebaceous-glands

Comments

Why did you rely on the French pharmacist's advice as a primary claim, especially when it conflicts with the Cleveland Clinic's recommendations? The pharmacist emphasizes not cleansing in the morning to preserve sebum, but the Cleveland Clinic notes that clogged sebum can lead to acne, and they advocate for the daily use of a gentle cleanser without specifying the time of day. Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic provides a more nuanced view of sebum, discussing its protective functions alongside its potential to cause skin issues.

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I like how your claim is so factual and sources from a clinic. You also explained how although your source does say to cleanse daily, it doesn't mention the frequency. However your source primarily talks about what sebaceous glands are and you just drew your own conclusions. It would be awesome to see another source that touches more on the topic of face washing and its pros and cons.

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This is very well written. You provided additional context and sources to back up both the original claim and the additional information that you provided. The source you used was very informational and helpful to the claim.

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I appreciate the breakdown of why this is true and found credible sources (like the Cleveland Clinic). I also really appreciate how even though this is scientifically true, you examined the potential drawbacks this could have based on situational circumstances.

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This response is good in that it covers how the claim is unreliable due to the proven benefits of washing your face in the morning. It points out both the pros and cons of not washing your face, and includes information from a trustable outside source. However it would've been good if it also mentioned the fact that the article is biased based on the fact that it is advertising products that would support the claim throughout the article.

Answer 2

Washing your face in the morning only has upsides but this varies from person to person. Washing your face in the morning is always good for the skin but some skin doesn't vary much based on the cleanliness. I would recommend anyone taking care of their physical health unless it bothers their mental health.

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

Comments

This fact check needs to be more clear an concise. Using your personal experiences may not always be beneficial to others. This is why including facts that prove your reasoning would be much more beneficial. The website you attached seems to give very good information, so maybe including facts from the article will help prove your point that it is better not to wash your face in the morning.

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I agree with you on this. I think you could do a better job explaining your claim though. I read on Cerave.com that, "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." So with that being said, I agree with you, I would just say to back your statement a little more. Other than that, great job.

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I agree with you that washing our face is good for personal health. Different people contain different kinds of situation of face, but everyone need to make sure their personal health to prevent disease. The reason is that there are many kinds of germ on our face after sleeping.

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I agree that it depends on the person and their needs. The information comes from a dermatologist which is a professional in this field, so it is trusted. It also gives helpful tips on how to build a personalized skincare routine.

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This is a great response to the claim because you give critical and informative advice. This will be very helpful for their next post!

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I think your claim is very broad; I would add some more evidence and details to further your claim

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The information in this response is a little too vague. I think you could add the reasons why washing your face in the morning has upsides, instead of just stating it. The response also doesn't really provide an answer, there is no clear answer either way for or against the claim.

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I think that your claim is a bit vague. I noticed that you cited a blog post from a skincare brand to support your argument about morning face washing, and yes, they may have expertise; they also just want to promote daily cleansing because they sell the product so they want you to buy it. It would be interesting to look at any independent dermatological sources or studies to see if their conclusions align with what you found.

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I think that this fact check needs more evidence to back it up. You provide great information about skincare, but not enough evidence to differ it from an opinion on washing your face.

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I agree that everyone is different and has different needs to ensure the health of their skin. However, the fact check lacked evidence from sources and sort of contradicts itself. It is not very clear and could use some rewriting to make the point clearer. I would recommend adding either quotations or paraphrases from reliable sources to make this even better.

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I agree that this subject varies from person to person, but I don't think that washing your face only has benefits. There are other sources that say otherwise. Your source seems to have good information from professionals but I think your answer could be stronger if you included some of that information in your response. You also marked the claim to be true but you're saying it's better to wash your face in the morning?

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This fact check needs to be more to the point and definitely some evidence. While I agree that this claim varies from person to person there isn't any clear evidence as to why stated in this fact check. Also, the firs two sentences seem to contradict each other a bit, first you stated that it varies from person to person then you stated that washing your face in the morning is always good. The fact check is just not very clear on its intent.

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This post is a little too set on the idea of only washing your face being beneficial. I think it really depends on the person, their skin type, their lifestyle habits, and definitely the products they use. If someone uses a serum designed to benefit your morning look and didn't need to be washed off, then it would probably be better not to do a morning facial rinse. It's likely that most people would benefit more from washing their face in the morning than not, however it is unfair to make a statement saying one is for sure "better" than the other due to other factors controlled by the individual.

Answer 3

This article claims that you shouldn't wash your face in the morning. For example. 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,” Bonjout says. “This layer of sebum is beneficial for your skin, so it is a pity to remove this exceptional, naturally produced, beneficial shield.” Also, natural oil serves as a barrier against pollutants and harmful bacteria, making it beneficial for skin health. Removing this protective layer can be detrimental, as it helps safeguard the skin from external factors. However multiple sources say that washing your face in the morning can remove dirt, sweat, excess oil, and bacteria, while also using a morning cleanser can release clogged pores. 

But some also say facial cleansing is essential for removing excess oil and debris, not everyone needs to wash their face twice daily. For some skin types, morning and evening cleansing can cause dryness or irritation, so using just water or a gentle cleanser in the morning is advisable to avoid stripping the skin.

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning#:~:text=Washing%20your%20face%20in%20the,breakouts%20and%20other%20skin%20concerns.

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

Comments

This answer does a great job at laying out what essential information on both sides, but it lacks an answer to the claim and why it is exaggerated. What have you deemed to be the correct method from your findings?

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A nice straightforward answer, good job. Providing quotes to further prove your point is a great thing, could you give some background though on the articles that state otherwise though? How can they be deemed truthful for the evidence provided?

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This is a great fact-check because it explains the benefits of both sides. Which do you feel is correct?

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This is a clear factcheck! You did a good job is defending both ideas of the claim while also quoting reliable sources such as skin care companies that have a following like CeraVe. It's good that you targeted specifically the effects of both choices and what can be left behind if you do or don't use a facial cleanser.

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you have laid out strong information for both sides of the argument, and your sources seem credible with one of them being CeraVe. I wonder though, since no opinion was included, what is your take on this matter? You didn't include whether you agree or disagree with if cleansing your face in the morning is a good idea or not, only the facts to back up both sides.

Answer 4

There is certainly no negatives to washing your face in the morning, but it is not something that is totally necessary. It is definitely recommended as lots of bacteria can find its way into pores within the skin leading acne, pimples, etc. 

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

Comments

This fact check has to be clearer. Others may not always benefit from your personal experiences. For this reason, it would be much better to include facts that support your arguments. Perhaps using facts from the article will support your argument that it is better not washing your face first thing in the morning, as the website you linked appears to provide great data.

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I would challenge you to find evidence that backs up your claim that there are "no negatives" to washing your face in the morning and that is it not "totally necessary." These statements seem very broad and general, making them inaccurate for some people - maybe with oily skin. I feel like they could be more specific to the type of person and there needs to be more specific and clear evidence from reliable sources to back them up. Just linking in the article is not enough.

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I believe that this fact check needs to be more detailed. This seems to be written more from personal experience instead of using facts from the article. Based off of information from the article, some benefit from not having to wash their face twice a day.

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This fact check is a good start but needs some clarity. To back up the original claim some strong evidence will definitely help support your claim and further establish your argument. This mostly seems to be from a personal experience and is very broad and generalized. Overall, I'd recommend some strong evidence and analysis to make your statement more powerful and reliable.

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I think you should be more specific when you are saying certain claims because it could be misleading. There are no negatives of washing your face in the morning which is a claim could still be wrong under certain circumstances since that is a very broad statement. I agree majority of the time there isn't any negative outcomes washing your face in the morning and there are certain times that there is which I think should be specified.

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While I agree with your response as I appreciated that you mentioned it more depends on the individuals skin type, I do believe you could have expanded on your reasoning as for how it's recommended. This could be achieved by  referencing the provided source more and explaining the sources credibility. I also think it could help to provide at least one more source as a backup to support your refutation. Overall, I think your fact-check was concise and straight-forward while providing your source as your reasoning for viewers to read it and come to a conclusion.

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Whilst I do think your fact check is somewhat agreeable and concise, I would recommend expounding on what you have already stated by incorporating more of your source in your factcheck as it is quite short. Additionally you claim there are no negatives to washing your face in the morning however this is a generalized statement as skin types vary.

Answer 5

Natacha Bonjout's is the french pharmacist who recommends going without the morning cleanse. While this might support the claim to be true it is not ideal for everyone to skip that morning cleanse. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your face in the morning, before bed, and after sweating. Diving into the article provided I found it to be very reliable and had up to date information with a reliable author and verified pharmacist.

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning#:~:text=Washing%20your%20face%20in%20the%20morning%20is%20not%20bad%20for,regardless%20of%20your%20skin%20type.

Comments

I appreciate Natacha Bonjout's statement on skipping the morning cleanse, as it aligns with current research suggesting that cleansing isn't necessary for everyone. Her perspective reinforces the evidence that our bodies often manage their own detoxification effectively without additional morning routines. Using the article draws me in even more. Great job!

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I appreciate how you provide a source for each side of the claim and address the fact that multiple answers are possible. Very helpful response!
I also like how you linked to another source that discusses a different perspective, although Cerave may not be the most reliable source since they make their profit from selling face wash to consumers.

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I appreciate that you use other research to prove the view. The original research contain many purchase links about skin care product, which may allow the reliability is ambiguous. Your adding research can help increase the reliability and show your view about the point.

Answer 6

According to the skincare brand CeraVe, washing your face in the morning can help remove the bacteria, sweat, and dirt that can settle on your face overnight. But according to another article it can depend on your skin type it can be either more beneficial, for example if you have more oily skin, but if you have dry and sensitive skin then washing your face too often may be harmful.

CeraVe article

https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skincare-tips-advice/should-you-wash-your-face-in-the-morning#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20AAD%2C%20cleansing,settle%20on%20your%20face%20overnight.&text=Lathering%20up%20in%20the%20A.M.,allowing%20for%20optimal%20product%20absorption.

Prevention Article

https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/a38636075/how-often-should-you-wash-your-face/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_pre_md_pmx_hybd_mix_us_20197200377&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_LHV5jnGtWVO8Yg6PXAsWdMNDXMcaJlmua9HLAkVTF0XZ6qyugP9AgaAlRtEALw_wcB

Comments

I liked that you used additional sources to help prove your point, and I agree, I think it varies person to person on what their opinion on this may be.  In addition, I think it is important to point out that the article seems to be trying to sell products in line with her claim, and that it would be important to see if other companies doing research on this topic are trying to monopolize of their own claims to make a profit.

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This is a good balance between the two arguments. The contrasting points made by the articles are a good representation that there are both pros and cons to not washing your face in the morning, it is a personal preference.

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The other article you talked about said "In general, you should be cleansing your face at least twice a day. “You should wash your face both morning and night because the skin creates sebum and oil throughout the day,” says Saya Obayah, M.D.," so I don't think the claim that you talked about accurately represented your summary of the article. Also even said "You can also swap out your twice-daily washes with micellar water, a great option for gentle, effective cleansing." So it never threw out the idea of washing it twice a day which I think your statement alluded to.

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I also agree with the fact that this is more of an opinion based claim rather than without a doubt true. The routine will vary from person to person, achieving different results and being done under different circumstances per person. Your sources are .com websites which makes them generally trustworthy, but there should always be a hint of hesitation because it's not certain that their claims may always be true. Some textual excerpts from the articles would help strengthen your point, such as: "In general, you should be cleansing your face at least twice a day. “You should wash your face both morning and night because the skin creates sebum and oil throughout the day,” says Saya Obayah, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist located in Austin, Texas." You should always check the article's sources to ensure for yourself, and your claim or answer, that the person(s) used are trustworthy sources.

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I agree that there is more nuance to this claim than the statement allows. However, I don't think that an article from CeraVe is very credible as they are a company trying to sell a product and therefore biased.

Answer 7

This article claims that it is unnecessary to wash your face in the morning. It then goes on to quote French pharmacist Natacha Bonjout and her opinions on her own skin care routine. Although Natacha is a licensed pharmacist who has over 15 years of experience in the field, when I looked more into her interview with Vogue where she originally made the claim about washing your face in the morning, she does not give any scientific reasoning to back this up. Furthermore, after doing my own digging I came across a a clinical trial posted to the "National Library of Medicine". In this trial they evaluated the effects on washing your face one, twice, and even four times daily. In the end, they claimed to have observed worsening effects of acne on the group washing just once a day. I think how often a person should wash their face is dependent on each individual and their own skin needs.

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

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17014635/

Comments

Your analysis of the claim is very thorough! You looked at the very source itself and the way in which the claim was stated to see the approach that the claim took. You also did additional research into the topic and came to a solid conclusion based on all of the facts and viewpoints you found. This is a very good fact check. :)

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Multiple good pieces of evidence that go towards your point. Credits sources as well, very good fact check

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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24538-sebaceous-glands

I think that this is a little misleading because it is better to wash your face in the morning than not at all but it is better to wash at night than the morning. The lipids act as a protective layer against abrasion on a daily basis although they can add up and negatively effect acne and eczema as well as other skin conditions.

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I love this fact check! I appreciate how you analyzed the original source of the claim and then looked outside of the source and did additional research. Good work! The National Library of Medicine (NIH) is a great source, however that study is about those with acne vulgaris, so I'm wondering how applicable those results are to this question?

Answer 8

From what you said by the article is that a french pharamacist is against cleansing in the morining because it removes that layer of sebum that your get overnight. From the article Cleveland Clinic that if you do that it can lead to acne and infections on the face. Its clean to water your face but after waking up you have stuff on your face so you would want to wash it a bit but not full on. Like for me I just water my face if i dont shower after I wake up but I dont put like chemicals or stuff like that to wash it. 

Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24538-sebaceous-glands

Comments

I like that you used a different source (especially my.clevelandclinic.org as I have used it in the past) to help prove another point of view and an important one too.

Answer 9

This article 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,” Bonjout tells Vogue. “This layer of sebum is beneficial for your skin, so it is a pity to remove this exceptional, naturally produced, beneficial shield.” This article is very misleading because according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should wash your face in the morning with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser.  Washing your face is not a bad thing, it helps remove bad bacteria and pollutants. No matter your genetics, washing your face in the morning with a gentle cleanser is still important. 

https://www.vogue.com/article/french-pharmacy-morning-cleanse

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

Comments

A nice job listing your points, but upon reviewing your article, there's not really any statement in there that deems morning washes being super necessary. its gives us steps on how to wash your face and why its important, but apart from this there's no further evidence that could back up your points. Would there be any way to further review this articles statements?

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Yes, you’re right about the potential downsides, but the article doesn’t exactly frame skipping a morning cleanse as harmful. Instead, it shares this French scientist’s perspective on a skincare approach that’s more common in France, where many people notice healthier, clearer skin by avoiding the morning wash. It’s more about suggesting a different lifestyle that could benefit Americans, especially since those who’ve tried it say they feel and see improvements in their skin.

Answer 10

How many times you wash your face a day is completely personal and based on your own skin type. If you have eczema or severely dry skin, washing your face once a day might be too much, but if you have severely oily or acne prone skin, washing your face twice a day might be ideal.“Our metabolism still produces sebum [oil] and sheds skin cells in [our] sleep,” Tull told Health. “Even if you wash your face at night, you probably aren’t changing your pillowcases every night, so grime from bedding and hair will build up.” Washing your face in the morning can help cleanse your skin on harsh oil build up and germs you collect through out the night. Similarly like washing your face at night removes the gunk of the day."When it comes to how often someone should cleanse their skin, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer." How often you clean your skin is completely up to what works best for you.

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