What Are the Effects on Your Skin if You Only Wash Your Face at Night?

Lots of things happen to your skin once you stop washing your face, which is why dermatologists don’t recommend skipping your morning and nighttime routine. “It is recommended to wash your face twice a day — once in the morning and once at night,” Dr. Rachel Westbay tells us exclusively. “In the morning, use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove overnight debris and prepare the skin for your daytime routine,” she says. “The nighttime cleanse should be deeper, potentially starting with micellar water to help remove oil, bacteria, and environmental buildup accumulated throughout the day.”

However, keep in mind that using a gentle face wash is key. “There are gentle face washes available that are safe to use twice daily,” Dr. Westbay explains. If you are considering going with a harsher cleanser that contains an active ingredient, we definitely recommend consulting with a dermatologist first. Apart from morning and nighttime, Dr. Westbay also clarifies that you might need to wash your face at additional times, depending on your lifestyle. “You should wash your face after a workout or any instance of excessive sweating, regardless of the time of day,” she tells us.

Now, if you want to improve your skincare routine even more, make sure you don’t make this skin-cleansing mistake that may be causing breakouts!