Everyone should be regularly washing their face. But make sure you aren't overdoing it.
Skincare routines can feel daunting. But washing your face doesn't have to be.
While there are some exceptions to the rule, washing your face with a gentle face wash is almost always the best way to kick off a skincare routine, no matter how many or how few steps you include. And while the skincare industry often caters to women specifically, this advice is pertinent to everyone.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mansha Thacker is here to break down the most-asked questions about how to wash your face properly.
How to wash your face
For the average person (and average skincare product), washing your face twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening — works best.
"If you're just using a gentle, hydrating cleanser, using that twice a day is fine," Thacker says. "But some (dermatologists) even suggest washing your face with a cleanser one time a day and just plain water the second time."
The latter tip is especially helpful to follow if your skin is on the drier side, according to Harvard Health. In that case, using warm water in the morning and a cleanser in the evening is the best move.
You should also make sure to use a product labeled specifically as a face cleanser, not something like regular bar soap, which can cause dry skin. Skincare products that contain sulfates or are labeled as "foaming" can be similarly drying, Harvard Health notes.
What is double cleansing?
Washing your face is technically step one in a routine. But after days when you might be wearing makeup or a lot of sunscreen, Thacker actually recommends starting your evening skincare routine with a preliminary cleanser, such as an oil-based cleaner or makeup balm.
"That gets all that makeup and sunscreen off, and then after that, it's good to just do a regular face wash," she says.
How do I know if I'm overwashing my face?
There are two major ways to over-wash your face, Thacker says.
The first involves using a scrub that's too harsh for your skin. Think those "really beady scrubs" that feel like they're cleaning and exfoliating your skin extra well, because you can feel the rough texture. That's not really what's happening though, dermatology experts say.
"That can actually cause micro-abrasions in the skin and irritate you more," Thacker says.
The other way to overdo it is by using a face wash that includes active ingredients, such as glycolic or salicylic acids. If you're using one of those, you shouldn't use it more than once a day or once every other day, Thacker says.
"You don't want to be overdoing it with the ingredients," she adds.