How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

It’s been a long day, and you’re too exhausted to wash your face before you fall into bed. But how often should you wash your face? You washed your face this morning, so all should be well. Right?

For most of us, we should be washing our face twice a day — once in the morning and once again at night.

Dermatologist Kathryn Anderson, MD, explains how often you should wash your face, along with skin type suggestions.

How many times a day should you wash your face?

Dr. Anderson recommends washing your face twice a day, but notes that there are a few caveats.

Oily/acne-prone skin recommendations

If your skin tends to be oily or acne-prone, Dr. Anderson says washing your face twice a day is vital.

“I recommend washing your face twice a day with a cleanser,” she notes. “Occasionally, especially in teenagers who are acne-prone and active in sports, you may even need to wash your face a third time after vigorous activity. You want to get that sweat off your face and out of your pores sooner rather than later, so it doesn’t lead to more acne.”

Dry skin recommendations

If your skin leans more toward the dry side (or if you have sensitive skin), you may have concerns about washing your face twice a day. Dr. Anderson hears you and offers this advice:

“You may want to wash your face just in the morning only with water and then use a cleanser only at night.”

Combination skin recommendations

If you have combination skin, should you wash your face twice a day? Dr. Anderson says in most cases, the answer is still yes.

But if you notice that your skin is feeling dry or irritated, you may need to use a thicker moisturizer after washing your face or change to a gentler cleanser.

How long should you wash your face?

You may have seen social media posts touting the 60-second face-washing rule. The idea? That you need to spend a full minute washing your face, and that this helps break down the dirt and grime — essentially, giving your face cleanser time to properly work.

While 60 seconds of wash time seems like a good amount, Dr. Anderson says there’s no standard for how long you should wash your face. It all depends on your skin type, the type of cleanser you use (for example, if your cleanser contains anti-aging or acne-control ingredients, you may want to leave it on for one to two minutes) and your activity level.

Is it possible to overwash your face?

Yes, says Dr. Anderson.

“You can overwash your face because every time you wash your face, you’re not only removing the dirt and the grime, but you’re also removing some of those natural oils,” she explains. “Overwashing your face can lead to drier skin.”

Who should be double-cleansing?

If you wear makeup, Dr. Anderson recommends trying the double-cleansing process.

“The double-cleanse process usually involves using a cleansing balm or an oil-based cleanser first, which is better at removing makeup particles. Then, following it with a gentle cleanser,” she advises. “Another option is to start with a micellar water, which is similar in that it is going to be very effective at lifting off those makeup particles, and then following with a gentle cleanser for washing the face.”

But Dr. Anderson doesn’t recommend double cleansing for those who don’t wear makeup.

“Doing so can unnecessarily overcomplicate your skin care routine, and double washing your face can be more drying as well,” she warns.

Are face cleansing wipes a good replacement?

They’re portable and easy to use in a pinch, but Dr. Anderson says you shouldn’t rely on face cleansing wipes as your main mode of face cleansing.

“They’re a good option if you’re working out or playing a sport and don’t have access to a sink and face wash,” she notes. “I don’t recommend using face cleansing wipes regularly because they often have preservatives in them to prevent mold. Those preservatives often can be harsh to your skin and you usually have to use a pretty harsh rubbing motion for those to work, which can strip down your skin barrier.”

Final thoughts

Bottom line: Is it really bad to wash your face just once a day?

“It’s not really bad,” Dr. Anderson says. “If you’re going to only wash your face once a day, I recommend doing so in the evening, after you’ve been out and about and are done with your day.”

And don’t forget that washing your face in the shower counts, too!

“You’re already in there, so you don’t have to add an extra step to your nighttime or your morning routine,” she shares. “You don’t need to overcomplicate cleansing the face. The goal is to make sure you’re removing any dirt or grime that’s collected on your face either throughout the day or overnight, so washing your face in the shower works just as well as the sink.”