In a pandemic when we’ve all been paying more attention to hand-washing, don’t forget that your face needs some daily love, too. Washing your face is not just a nice-to-have part of a daily routine. It’s an important step in fighting off the gunk that can lead to premature aging.
“Cleansing the skin can be an important step in protecting it,” dermatologist Arianne Shadi Kourosh, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, told HuffPost. “Especially for those of us living in urban environments, our skin is confronted daily with radiation from the sun and screens, and with airborne chemicals and irritants from pollution. That can settle on the skin and corrode the skin barrier, causing premature aging in the form of wrinkles and dark spots. A good cleansing regimen is important to remove these toxic and irritating chemicals and provide a clean canvas to apply antioxidant serums that can help absorb damage and protect the skin.”
If you don’t clean it first, all the fancy skin care products you put on your face won’t do any good, the experts said. “Without washing, your skin would be covered with a thick layer of dirt and grime, which makes it difficult for other products to penetrate the skin properly,” dermatologist DiAnne Davis told HuffPost.
Feeling Squeaky Clean Is A No-No
It might help to understand the type of post-wash feeling you should be aiming for. “That squeaky, tight feeling after cleansing is actually not a good thing,” dermatologist Jennifer David told HuffPost. “It’s a sign that your skin is stripped of its natural oils and lipids. Your skin should feel refreshed, but not tight or squeaky.”
Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, agreed that a “squeaky” feeling is a danger signal. “It means you’re stripped your outer skin layer,” he told HuffPost. “Instead of squeaky clean, your skin should feel soft and hydrated after washing.”
Why You Should Wash Your Face Twice A Day
“People should be washing their faces twice a day, in the morning and evening,” dermatologist Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told HuffPost. “Some people just wash their face at night, but what they may not know is that your skin turns over cells at night so when you wake up, all of the toxins are on the surface of the skin. So you need to wash the face again in the morning to remove them.”
If your skin is very dry, you might want to start your day without soap, David said. “It’s OK to wake up and splash some water on your face,” she said. But watch out for the temperature of that splash, she cautioned. “Hot water will dissolve all the natural oils out of your skin and disrupt the skin barrier, which leads to long-term dryness.”
And keep in mind that “twice a day” is just a guideline. If you’re getting your face dirty, you probably want to take a break to wash it. “It’s a good idea to wash when your face is very sweaty, like after a workout,” dermatologist Nkem Ugonabo told HuffPost.
Take It Easy On The Temperature
Nothing that happens to your face should make you feel pain or shock, so skip the ice water and the scalding temps. In general, aim to take it easy. “You want to aim for moderation in time, intensity and temperature,” Kourosh said. “Use lukewarm or cool water, keep it to just a few minutes and avoid harsh scrubs or scrubbing to prevent irritation.”
“It’s a complete myth that warm water opens up your pores and cold water closes them,” Zeichner said. “There are no muscles within the wall of your pores, and they don’t open and close like windows. Hot water can cause your blood vessels to dilate, leading to flushing and worsening of conditions like rosacea.”
How To Choose The Right Cleanser
Before you wash, make sure you prep your face properly. “If you have on makeup, use a makeup wipe or micellar water to remove the makeup first, followed by your cleanser,” Davis said. Then set the tap to a lovely, warmish temp and get your cleanser.
“Think of your cleanser as the foundation of your skin care routine,” Zeichner said. “The goal of cleansing is to remove soil from the outer skin layer without disrupting your skin barrier.” Just as with water temperatures, cleansers should be kind. “When it comes to cleansers, gentle and hydrating is best,” Ugonabo said.
As you’re shopping, beware of empty jargon on package labels. “There’s no standardization or regulation in the beauty industry for using terms like ‘natural’ or ‘clean beauty,’ so these terms are very deceptive,” David said. “Avoid falling into the trap of purchasing overpriced, fancy cleansers, and remember it’s a cleanser’s job to remove things from the skin, not to add things, so drugstore brand cleanser will do the trick. It’s more important to know your skin type and which formulations work best.”
If you’ve got oily skin, you may want to try foam. “Foaming cleansers tend to be harsher on the skin than other types, but they’re a great option for people who have oily skin,” Zeichner said. “For people who are acne-prone, salicylic acid-containing cleanser can be useful to help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin that contribute to blocking the pores.” Those with dry and/or sensitive skin might consider a hydrating cleanser, milk balm or micellar water.
Once you’re done washing, “pat dry with a clean towel to avoid harmful bacteria, rather than rubbing,” Graf said. “You can also just air dry your face, too.”
Experts’ Thoughts On Special Equipment
There are lots of products out there, like the Clarisonic, that make big claims about skin cleansing. How do they rate with the doctors? “Generally speaking, sonic cleansing brushes are thought to be safe and effective, so long as you’re using them the way that you should be,” Zeichner said. “Sonic brushes are one of the most rigorously tested and validated options you can get but they’re very pricey,” David said. “Cheaper, yet still effective, alternatives are silicone scrubbing pads that come in both electronic and manual versions. Personally, I love the little manual silicone scrubbing pads.”
Gentle and safe should be the keywords for anything that’s touching your face, the dermatologists said. “Be cautious in using cleansing tools like washcloths, sponges or loofahs, because they can be irritating to the skin,” Zeichner said. “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.”
For products to help you get on the right patch, check these out:
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
A non-foaming hydrating everyday cleanser
“When it comes to cleansers, gentle and hydrating is best,” said Nkem Ugonabo, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. This classic hydrating face wash by CeraVe can be a great staple in your everyday skin care regimen, especially if you are sticking to the twice-a-day washing rule. The lotion-like consistency and non-foaming formula contains hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides necessary for ensuring a healthy barrier function. It's also fragrance-free, making it a great option for all skin types.
A silicone facial brush for irritation-free exfoliation
Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer David told HuffPost that she personally loves manual silicone scrubbing pads, which can be a more affordable and sanitary alternative to other automatic face brushes. They can also be more gentle on the skin than harsh physical scrubs, which can cause micro-tears in the skin. This dual-textured exfoliating brush can give you massage-like clean, and the teardrop shape makes it easy to get into those harder-to-reach areas of your face.
A luxurious cleansing balm that's HuffPost shopping writer-approved
Though it's at a higher price point, HuffPost shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe deemed the Elemis Pro-Collagen cleansing balm "worth every penny" when she tried it out.
"The texture is wholly unique and utterly delectable," she wrote. "It has a buttery soft consistency that starts off like a rich, thick oil and slowly melts into the skin, dissolving makeup, grime and impurities. Eventually, it takes on the consistency of a cleansing milk, so by the time I wash it off, my skin is as clean as can be while still feeling hydrated, smooth and healthy. I like to massage the balm into my face for up to a minute to really let it sink into my pores to get all the gunk out and soak up the balm’s nourishing ingredients."
Kristen Aiken, editorial director of life and commerce at HuffPost, is also a fan, having told Uribe in that original story that the balm is "one of the only products that can effectively cleanse my skin AND nourish it without making me break out. I have perpetually dry skin no matter how much water I drink, and this saves me from drying out (especially in the winter months)."
The balm is suitable for all skin types and comes in four sizes, in case you want to try out a smaller one before committing to the pricier full-size.
A gentle, hydrating cleanser from a staple French pharmacy brand
"I can personally vouch for this La Roche Posay cleanser, as I use it every day," HuffPost shopping writer Erica Kam wrote in a previous story. "It's the gentlest one I've tried so far and I've tried many. I had an issue with my past few cleansers where they left my face so dry it felt like it was burning; not a problem with this one, which feels like a lightweight cream when I put it on and leaves my face clean but hydrated."
The cleanser is available in multiple sizes, with stock varying depending on where you shop, and the brand also sells refill pouches to cut down on plastic.
A hydrating foaming wash for acne-prone skin
“Foaming cleansers tend to be harsher on the skin than other types, but they’re a great option for people who have oily skin,” said Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “For people who are acne-prone, salicylic acid-containing cleanser can be useful to help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin that contribute to blocking the pores.”
Along with deeply cleaning pores, this gel-to-foam facial wash by CeraVe can help address textured and bumpy skin while also being gentle enough for frequent use. Like all CeraVe products, this cleanser incorporates ceramides for a stronger skin barrier as well as replenishing niacinamide.
A K-beauty cleansing oil that one HuffPoster loves
Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane received this K-beauty cleansing oil in a "random" PR package, but she says it's become a staple in her morning routine. "It's lasted me more than a year, so I haven't had to repurchase it yet, but I will when the time comes — everyone in my household is obsessed with it (including my husband). The consistency is thin and pretty slippery but my skin really does feel clean after using it — and never stripped, which is a sensation I strongly disike. I'll even sometimes skip moisturizer afterwards, especially on hot days." Aged ginseng is the hero ingredient in this skin-friendly formula.
A non-stripping face wash that leaves natural oils intact
It's important to find a facial cleanser that won't strip your skin of its natural oils and lipids, both of which are essential components to a healthy skin barrier. This lightweight gel cleanser contains a blend of oils to help restore moisture to the skin along with squalane, an emollient that mimics the skin's natural oils.
A foaming and exfoliating facial wash gel that resurfaces the skin
Another indulgent and gentle offering from Elemis, their Dynamic Resurfacing facial wash uses patented tri-enzyme technology to rid the skin of dirt and pollutants without harshly stripping it. Multiple reviewers mention how nice the cleanser feels without delivering that "squeaky clean" feeling you want to avoid, with one reviewer writing of the cleanser, "My face feels wonderful after, it’s gentle and doesn’t dry out my skin."
A skin barrier-supporting face wash
“The goal of cleansing is to remove soil from the outer skin layer without disrupting your skin barrier," Zeichner explained. Using a hydrating lipid complex, this gentle milky cleanser by Skinfix works up a rich lather and helps restore ceramides and fatty acids within the skin without removing necessary lipids.
A cleansing oil to get rid of dirt and grime without the squeaky feeling
“You want to aim for moderation in time, intensity and temperature,” said Arianne Shadi Kourosh, a board-certified dermatologist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School. Using a hydrating oil-based cleanser to attract and remove impurities as a first step, can mean less time spent roughly scrubbing off debris with your face wash.
This lightweight oil by Shiseido uses cleansing ingredients derived from a moisturizing agent to quickly melt away impurities while leaving post-wash skin feeling comfortable and free from residue.
A cleansing balm with omegas for sensitive skin types
For ultra dry and sensitive skin types, Zeichner recommended incorporating into your routine a milk cleansing balm, which can do a much better job of breaking down grime than face wash alone. This skin-softening balm by Paula's Choice contains both jojoba and meadowfoam seed oils, omega-rich ingredients that can regulate the skin's oil production and address rough texture. Just massage it into the skin to melt away makeup and debris, then follow with a face wash.
A gentle micellar water to remove makeup before cleansing
DiAnne Davis, a Dallas-based board-certified dermatologist, previously recommended using a micellar water as a preliminary step in breaking down impurities, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen. This toning and deep-cleaning solution by Evolve Organic Beauty contains moringa peptides and micellar molecules to attract and lift away debris without any harsh scrubbing. A dose of hyaluronic acid also leaves skin feeling hydrated and ready to draw in more moisture.
or a classic French drugstore option
Senior shopping writer Lourdes Avila Uribe is a longtime devotee of this French drugstore staple, which starts at just $7 for a lil’ travel size. “While there are plenty of micellar waters on the market, [this] is one of the OGs and remains superior in my book,” she wrote. Micelles, explains the brand, are cleansing “microdroplets” that remove dirt from the skin without stripped its barrier.