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

The article below is very interesting as I have never heard of this before. They explain that your skin produces a layer of sebum overnight and washing your face in the morning strips your skin of natural moisture. Sebum is a natural blend of oils that your glands secrete to keep your face moisturized and protected. The article is intriguing however, it just seems to be a big add for different types of face washes. So I did some more research and there seems to be a wide community of people that are of this opinion as well. I think this claim may be correct for one person however not everyone. Everyone has different types of skin such as oily, dry, acne prone so what is good for one person may not be good for the other. Below is an article that talks about what could be good for you based on what your skin is like.
https://www.health.com/should-you-wash-face-morning-8597820

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The primary source for this article is also from Vogue, making it difficult to confirm the information given. The pharmacist being interviewed explains that a morning face-wash removes sebum from your pores which is a natural moisturizer and lubricant. This method may not work for everyone; there are specific skin care methods for different skin types according to this article from Health:

https://www.health.com/skin-types-8405765#toc-how-to-care-for-your-skin-type

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

I really liked how you drew information from the Vogue article, the Cleveland Clinic source, and made a logical inference in the middle. One way to improve your conclusion in the future would be to find a reputable source that, in this case, agrees that the combination of a cleanser and another active product is the best method. This way, your personal thoughts can also be backed up by science/expert opinion.

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I thought your claim did a really good job of talking about what the original claim was and how it was correct. You also used a very reliable source that is widely recognized as so. I also really liked how you went into depth about what the article from the Cleveland Clinic said in relation to the claim. It makes it very convenient for the reader to quickly understand the validity of the claim.

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"This website is provided by Cleveland Clinic to benefit patients, the general public and healthcare professionals." This source does not even mention the word morning so i am not sure how it validates the claim. the article talks about the glands and disorders related to the glands. the care suggestions include " A gentle cleanser daily on your skin, Skin care products that contain salicylic acid, Moisturizers daily and Sunscreen when you go outdoors. the information cal allow the article to make this conclusion about washing your face in the morning but is not a verifiable fact.

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

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You did a great job with this fact check in my opinion, you pulled extra outside information about the topic in writing your response and I enjoyed reading it.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

These 2 sources are totally disagreeing with each other, so I believe you're right to say there is an opinion here. However I think that CeraVe is a brand trying to sell their product, so they might be a source that has a conflict of interest. Something that might be beneficial is looking for a source in favor of washing your face that isn't trying to push a product! Still a nice use of multiple sources though.

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. :)

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

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

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