Washing your face is an important part of any skincare routine. It helps remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities that build up on your skin throughout the day. Many people wash their face twice a day – once in the morning and again before bed. But is it ok to only wash your face at night? Here’s a look at what happens if you skip washing your face in the morning.
Oil and Dirt Buildup
One of the main concerns with only washing your face before bed is that oil, dirt, pollution, and makeup can build up on your skin during the day. Your facial skin is exposed to many pollutants and impurities during the daytime hours. Even if you don’t wear makeup, your skin naturally produces oil and sweat. Not removing these impurities for 16+ hours while you sleep can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Skipping your morning face wash leaves excess oil sitting on your skin’s surface for many hours.
Increased Acne
Acne is often worsened by an accumulation of oil and dirt on the skin. Washing your face each morning helps remove excess oil and impurities that have built up overnight. Without a morning cleanse, that grime remains on your skin for hours more. This provides even more time for dead skin cells and oil to clog pores. Clogged pores are the perfect breeding ground for acne-causing bacteria. Skipping your a.m. face wash can allow more breakouts to develop.
Dull Skin
Not washing your face until the evening can also lead to dull, uneven skin tone. Dirt and oil accumulating on the surface of your skin can make your complexion look dull and lifeless. The debris can also clog pores and lead to a buildup of dead skin cells. This creates a rough texture and tone. Washing your face in the morning helps exfoliate away that dead skin for brighter, smoother skin.
Increased Sensitivity
Leaving your face unwashed for half a day or longer could also cause increased sensitivity. Without rinsing away impurities, they remain on your skin much longer. For those with sensitive skin, this direct contact and extended exposure can trigger redness, irritation, itching, and inflammation. Washing in the morning helps prevent these reactions by removing irritants before they can overly bother your skin.
Increased Oil Production
Believe it or not, not washing your face in the morning could actually make your face more oily. How? When you leave dirt and other debris sitting on your skin for too long, this can actually trigger your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Your skin ramps up oil production in an attempt to “wash” away the impurities on its own. Of course, this leads to a vicious cycle of even more oil and clogged pores. Removing impurities each morning by washing prevents this over-production of oil.
Makeup Remains on Skin
Makeup, especially long-wearing formulations, are designed to stay on your face for hours. But even the longest-lasting foundation and waterproof mascara should be removed at the end of day. Sleeping in your makeup can clog pores, lead to breakouts, and cause irritation or infection. Not washing your face each morning means leaving makeup on for an additional 6-12 hours. This extended contact gives makeup more time to cause problems.
Ingredient Penetration
One benefit of an a.m. face wash is that it preps your skin for better absorption of skincare ingredients. Washing your face creates a clean canvas that allows your serums, creams, and other products to absorb and work better. When you skip washing in the morning, those skincare ingredients are applied over dirt, oil and product buildup from the previous day. This can block proper absorption and penetration into the skin.
Bacterial Growth
Dirt, oil and debris lingering on your skin create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Washing your face helps remove bacteria before it can multiply. Skipping your morning cleanse allows those bacteria to sit and proliferate for many more hours. This bacterial overgrowth leads to a higher likelihood of breakouts and skin infections.
How to Wash Your Face Properly
Now that you know what can happen when you only wash your face at night, you may be wondering how to properly wash for clear, healthy skin. Here are some tips:
Use Lukewarm Water
Hot water can strip your skin of natural oils while cold water closes pores. Lukewarm is best.
Choose a Gentle Cleanser
Avoid harsh scrubs and soaps that can irritate. Look for a fragrance-free, non-foaming gel or cream cleanser formulated for your skin type.
Massage Gently
Use light, circular motions. Avoid aggressive scrubbing which can cause micro-tears.
Rinse Thoroughly
Leave no residue behind. But avoid splashing water on your eyes.
Pat Dry
Gently pat your skin with a clean towel. Rubbing can cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Morning vs Evening Washing
While it’s ideal to wash your face twice a day, some argue washing at night is more important than the morning if you can only do one. Here’s a look at the pros of each:
Morning Face Washing Benefits
- Removes oil and impurities that accumulate overnight
- Prevents breakouts by removing dead skin cells and bacteria
- Exfoliates away dull, rough skin
- Brightens complexion for an energized look
- Preps skin for better absorption of skincare products
Evening Face Washing Benefits
- Removes dirt, makeup, oil, and pollution from daytime
- Prevents transfer of impurities to your pillowcase
- Allows treatments like retinol and exfoliants to absorb overnight
- Helps prevent clogged pores and whiteheads
- Removes all traces of makeup and sunscreen
The Verdict
While evening face washing is extremely important, most dermatologists recommend washing your face twice daily – both morning and night – for optimal skin health and hygiene. Washing only at night leaves impurities sitting on your skin far too long. This can lead to increased breakouts, irritation, oil production, and other issues. So what happens if you only wash your face at night? Your skin may pay the price. For clean, clear skin, adopt a twice daily washing routine.
Tips for Washing Only at Night
If you absolutely cannot wash your face in the morning, there are some things you can do to minimize the risks:
- Use a very gentle, non-drying cleanser to avoid stripping skin of oils
- Use a soft washcloth, cotton pad or your hands – no aggressive scrubbing
- Rinse very thoroughly to remove all traces of cleanser
- Apply a hydrating toner or essence to help rebalance skin
- Use oil-blotting sheets during the day to remove excess oil
- Limit heavier creams and occlusive products during the day
- Consider wearing less makeup or more breathable formulations
- Avoid touching or picking at your face during the day
While not ideal, taking these steps can help reduce potential issues if you are only washing at night. But for many, adding in that quick 60-second morning refresh remains best practice.
The Bottom Line
Washing just once at night is certainly better than not washing your face at all. But leaving your skin uncleansed for 16 or more hours allows a significant buildup of impurities, oil and bacteria. This can lead to increased breakouts, irritation, dullness and other unwanted side effects. Dermatologists recommend washing your face twice a day for optimal skin health and hygiene. If your schedule simply can’t accommodate a.m. cleansing, be diligent with your evening routine and take steps to protect skin during daytime hours.