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

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.