Whether you live in a busy city or out in the country, the pollution will still take its toll on your skin. Washing your face too frequently can remove the natural oils and protection it builds. So you might be asking how often should I wash my face? Everyone will have their own opinion on how often, but you should at least always cleanse your face properly.

Everyone’s skincare routine will be different, your skincare routine will be different from your best friends. As long as you are cleaning off the dirt and using a good face cream to moisturise you are on the right track. If you are not being efficient with your cleansing you will find you start to get spots and blackheads which can take longer to deal with.

But washing your face isn’t a straightforward answer, so let’s dive into the facts.

How Often Should I Wash My Face?

The skin barrier on our face

Getting our face clean is the first step in a healthy and effective skincare routine. We have pores on our faces which can become blocked and cause irritating spots if they trap in the dirt. However, it’s also important to avoid over-washing. This can potentially affect the pH level of our skin.

Our skin produces healthy oils that can help protect us from bacteria. Unfortunately, overwashing can strip the skin of its natural oils, which can lead to breakouts. 

The skin barrier is made up of various cells and lipids, and it’s designed to protect us from environmental factors that can lead to inflammation or irritation. The name of this layer refers to the stratum corneum, which is composed of lipid and cell structures. This defensive wall helps keep the skin balanced and healthy

When should I wash my face?

The general advice is to wash your face twice a day, morning and night. However, it’s especially important to do it in the evening as it can help remove all the dirt and grime that can build up on your skin from the day.

Bacteria can clog the skin’s pores and lead to outbreaks. After washing your face, apply a thick and creamy moisturiser and face oils before sleeping to keep your skin feeling fresh and clean.

Some days, you may need to wash your face multiple times a day, especially after sweating or exercising.

To avoid stripping the skin too much, use a gentle cleanser. This is also the case for make-up wearers, ensuring you are thoroughly removing your make-up on a day-to-day basis. It is so important to keep the pores on your skin from getting clogged and causing spots.

Am I overwashing my face?

If you find yourself washing your face more than twice a day in short, the answer is yes you are overwashing it.

You have probably noticed you are getting a few spots and patches of dry skin from doing so. Getting these breakouts can encourage you to wash your face more but what you need to do is cleanse it properly to rebalance its PH levels.

Stick to the recommended twice a day and ensure your evening wash is thorough.

What should I wash my face with?

The product or products you should use depends on your skin type.

If you have dry skin or eczema on your face you will want to use a gentle soap or even just water. This also depends on whether your lifestyle includes being in highly polluted areas. The more exposure your skin has to free radicals the more thorough your cleansing routine needs to be.

If you have oily skin you will want to use a cleanser which is going to break down the excess oils. Natural products are always going to be the most desired but you could find that they are not strong enough to deal with your daily build-up.

Trialling new products on your skin is a good idea. You might find that certain products aren’t working as efficiently anymore, this is extremely common as your skin adapts to it.

If you find you have irritation using certain products always stop and seek advice from a dermatologist if necessary.

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