Here is * exactly * how often you should wash your face for healthy skin

Regarding skin care, one of the most frequently asked questions is: “How often should you wash your face?” The truth is that there is no unique answer. It all depends on your skin type. A reflected cleaning routine is the cornerstone of healthy and shiny skin, but finding the right balance is the key.

“Adapting your cleaning habits to your specific skin type is essential to maintain a strong skin barrier and a radiant glow,” explains Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a cosmetic dermatologist certified by the board. To help you find your perfect routine, we contacted two superior dermatologists to break down exactly how often you should wash your face and how to do it correctly.

How the skin type has an impact on the frequency of cleaning

How often should you wash your face? The answer depends more on your skin type than you think. According to the certified dermatologist of the Council, Dr. Sheila Farhang, there is no unique approach.

“The skin type plays a major role in the frequency you need to clean,” she explains. “For oily skin or subject to acne, I generally recommend a washing twice a day – the Morning and Night – to help control excess oil and keep the pores clear.” If your skin tends to be dry or sensitive, the less it is certainly more. Dr. Chang says that overlaid can do more harm than good. “Washing too frequently or the use of hard products can remove the skin from its natural oils, which leads to even more drought and irritation,” she notes.

In fact, for sensitive skin types, cleaning once a day (plus a soft rinse if necessary) can be everything you need. And if you are dealing with combined skin, the two dermatologists recommend that it sticks to a cleaning twice a day with a soft and well -balanced formula that sweeps the oil without leaving your skin of tight or dry skin.

Skin type considerations

The skin type is not content to guide the frequency you wash your face, but with which you clean. “A personalized cleaning routine based on the skin type is essential to maintain healthy skin, while effectively eliminating pollutants from dirt, oil and the environment,” explains Dr. Chang. If you have oily skin or subject to acne, a foaming or gel cleaner with ingredients such as salicylic acid or benzoyle peroxide can do wonders. “These ingredients help unclog pores and reduce eruptions,” said Dr. Farhang. Remember: the more is not always better. Take your face twice a day and do not do too much with hard scrubs.

For dry or sensitive skin, Dr. Chang says that it is a question of being soft and avoiding something strongly fragrant. “The objective is to clean without stripping the essential humidity of the skin, but rather to add key nutrients in the skin. I recommend using soft and soft cleansers that are formulated with effective ingredients such as glycerin and green tea extract rich in antioxidants to reduce inflammation and calm the skin.” If you have combined skin, where your skin is a mixture of oil and dry, try to use a soft cleanser that removes excess oil without drying too much.

Signs of over-lavage and under-planning

“Over-layout can compromise the skin barrier, leading to irritation, drought and inflammation,” explains Dr. Farhang. To help your skin recover, it recommends rewarding the frequency of cleaning, switching to a soft and non-musque cleaner “avoid exfoliating or hard active ingredients until your skin feels calm”, she advises.

On the other hand, not enough cleaning can be just as problematic. An accumulation of oil, dirt and dead skin cells can obstruct pores, trigger thrusts, create a rough texture and reduce the effectiveness of your skin care products. “If you clean the night but you always see makeup or dirt on your towel, it could be a sign that you do not cleanly clean enough,” explains Dr. Chang. “If you tend to wear thick makeup and sunscreen during the day, you can benefit from a double cleaning, but make sure that the second step is a soft and hydrating cleaner.”

Morning vs night

If you have oily or combined skin, our experts recommend cleaning twice a day. First of all, you will want to do it in the morning to sweep the accumulation at night such as oil, perspiration, dead skin and even residues that may have been transferred from your pillow. Then, “it is the most important to clean the face at night in order to remove makeup, sunscreen and daily pollutants,” explains Dr. Farhang. “Use a good cleaner such as cleaning of organic packaging. It is formulated with probiotics technology to help rebalance the skin microbiome during cleaning. ”

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you can always clean twice a day, but it is important to use the right formula. Dr. Chang recommends something soft, moisturizing and hypoallergenic /

Regarding the duration of the duration of your face, the less it is. “Aim for 30 to 60 seconds of soft cleaning,” explains Dr. Chang. “It’s just the right amount of time to emulsify oils, lift dirt and allow your cleanser’s ingredients to do your job without overexitation or stress your skin.” If you wear makeup or sunscreen, it recommends double cleaning to make sure that each last trace is swept away and your skin is prepared for the rest of your routine.