The point of washing your face is to unclog your pores and “clean the canvas before you do other things,” says Dr. Pierre. That's it! On clean hands, apply “on the palm and work it into the lather with a little warm water,” says Dr.
Those with very dry skin or eczema will find that water-cleansing helps to retain the skin's natural moisture. However, persons with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin might need soap or liquid cleanser to dissolve excess oil which often clogs pores and causes breakouts.
Cleansing Alone Isn't Enough for Acne
It can help to keep your pores from being plugged up. Still, water and a simple soap or face wash aren't enough to clear up acne. Think of your twice-daily cleansing as a first step in treating your acne. Step two should be the routine use of an acne treatment product.
Cold water and warm water have different effects on the pores in the face, a key facial feature that helps to regulate oil, hydration, and blemishes. Warm water opens pores, while cold water shrinks them.
Cold water can be very beneficial if you have acne. See, hot water can strip your skin of needed natural oils and can actually make your acne worse. Washing with cold water will not remove your natural oils, and can also reduce puffiness and inflammation in the skin.
It seems natural to splash your face with water to cool down or refresh your skin midday. However, chances are you're rinsing away your moisturizer and/or sunscreen. Not only does this remove important protective ingredients and leave your skin vulnerable, but it also sensitizes your skin to heat in the long run.
Produced by the sebaceous glands, sebum protects the skin barrier once it reaches the surface of the skin. Sebum keeps skin properly hydrated. The skin barrier is is comprised of fats, or lipids, which do not dissolve in water; hydration is an important part of the collagen-making process.
Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol. Wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to apply cleanser. Resist the temptation to scrub your skin because scrubbing irritates the skin. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel.
In an ideal world, you should wash your face twice a day.
Experts agree that two is the magic number: wash once in the morning, and once at night.
Your pores and you
The pores on our face, just like our ear canals, are designed to clean themselves. So for most people, leaving them to their own devices is fine, and just cleansing the face is enough.
Smaller Pores
Water plumps the skin, makes sure the pores get filled and balances the amount of oil and water in your skin. Therefore, by drinking more water you will not only reduce the size of your pores but also your chances of getting acne and other blemishes.
You may be using unnecessary products.
"Some people may just not be genetically predisposed to breakouts or may produce less [oil],” says Batra. If that sounds like you, you may actually find your skin looks better when you ditch your cleanser.
Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. What to do instead: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You'll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat. Dry out your skin.
What Kind of Damage Can It Cause? If your skin is sensitive and is repeatedly exposed to hard water, Green notes that it could do anything from cause surface dryness to even exacerbate acne: “Tap water can cause dryness, irritation and even breakouts because it can clog your pores,” she tells us.
Drinking ample water balances the oil and water content on the skin of your face. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne. Adult acne is getting more common these days due to busy lifestyles and lack of hydration.
Rubbing with a towel is a no-go. Gently patting your face with a clean towel is OK. If you moisturize when the skin is still damp, it seals in hydration and helps prevent against common concerns like dryness and irritation.
Should you wash your face in the morning or night? Regardless of your skin care needs, all experts agree: you absolutely should wash your face at night. As dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner told Allure, “If you're going to skip (a wash), then it's better to skip the morning one than the evening one.
Don't shower in water that's too hot.
Cold water tightens your pores and reduces the overproduction of sebum and excretion of acne-causing bacteria. In contrast, hot water opens them and does the complete opposite, leaving your skin more prone to irritation.
Clogged pores can be the result of your glands producing too much oil. More oil on your skin increases the risk of clogged pores. But lots of other things can lead to enlarged pores, including age, skin products, hair follicles and sun damage.