From skipping your morning cleanse to triple cleansing, a top dermatologist explains how often you should really wash your face and which cleanser is right for your skin type.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Except I’ve somehow landed on the side of social media that overanalyses everything — and now cleansing is up there, too.
Suddenly I’m wondering if I’ve been doing it wrong all along: overdoing it, doing it badly, being far more aggressive than I’d like to admit. So I asked, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, to set the record straight and put a few cleansing myths to bed. One school of thought I can’t seem to escape is that washing your face in the morning is the ultimate skincare sin.
Everyone from facialists to skincare enthusiasts extol the virtues of a simple splash of water — no cleanser — or even nothing at all, with some claiming their skin has never looked better: think plump, dewy, and smooth. Is there any truth in it? Let’s get the basics out of the way first.
“Cleansing is the basis of the skincare routine,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It provides a clean foundation on which you can apply other products,” he adds, boosting how well they absorb and work; there's no point spending tens of dollars on a vitamin C serum if you're not washing your face.
“Cleansing can keep the pores clear to prevent breakouts,” Dr. Zeichner continues, “and it can treat conditions likeCleansing is essential for healthy, happy skin, but it’s possible to go too far. “We live in a society of over-cleansers,” says Dr. Zeichner, “and cleansing the skin multiple times per day is not necessary. ” As a rule of thumb, he recommends washing your face in the evening to remove oil, dirt, sunscreen, and makeup, but a morning cleanse isn’t always needed.
What Dr. Zeichner says next surprises me as someone with perpetually greasy skin: “It’s unlikely that much will build up on the skin overnight to necessitate washing again in the morning,” he says — even if your skin leans oily. But there’s a catch.
Dr. Zeichner says certain skincare ingredients might call for an AM cleanse: “If you’re applying an acne cream , or aSince your skin doesn’t accumulate the same amount of oil and grime overnight as it does during the day , you only really need something gentle. Consider a non-lathering, cream-based cleanser likeKate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing CleanserUltimately, much of the conversation around avoiding a morning cleanse stems from our growing obsession with looking after the skin barrier — what I think is a result of years of potentially compromising it with high-strength acids and retinoids.
But here’s the thing: Dr. Zeichner says it’s unlikely that skipping a morning cleanse will meaningfully protect yourthe outermost layer of skin that keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out . In the same vein, not washing your face in the morning shouldn't disrupt it, either. In other words, it’s all down to personal preference. On the other side of the scroll, content creators are insisting that I should be triple-cleansing.
Suddenly, a quick pass of micellar water followed by a foaming cleanser isn’t enough; there’s an extra step in the mix, usually a cream cleanser, sandwiched in between. According to Dr. Zeichner, there are only a few instances where this might be needed.
“If you have heavy soiling or makeup on the skin, then a double or even a triple cleanse may be needed to remove it fully,” he says. Perhaps you’re, long-wear foundation, powder, and a setting spray to lock everything in.
A double cleanse — using micellar water followed by a water-based cleanser — is a solid option, but if you still notice makeup after drying your face, adding a gentle cream cleanser — like one of the three above — can help remove the remaining residue. Unless you’re layering that much product every day, though, a full triple cleanse isn’t really necessary, says Dr. Zeichner.
If you’ve got the frequency nailed, it’s time to figure out which cleanser you should use.
“Too strong a cleanser in someone sensitive can lead to dryness and irritation,” says Dr. Zeichner, “but too weak a cleanser in someone oily means that it won't effectively remove dirt and oil from the skin,” potentially resulting in breakouts. Matching the right cleanser to your skin’s needs is paramount. Skin that’s on the drier side, or those who consider their skin to be sensitive or reactive, might like a creamy, non-foaming cleanser.
The surfactants that create a lather can often be too strong, especially if overused, stripping the skin’s natural moisturizers , making skin feel dry and tight. Try It’s the opposite for oily or acne-prone skin. Dr. Zeichner suggests a lathering cleanser or one that contains an exfoliator like salicylic acid.
“This is a beta hydroxy acid that helps keep the pores clear and removes excess oil from the surface of the skin to clear breakouts,” says Dr. Zechner. Those with combination skin will do best with an in-between cleanser that starts as a cream but gently lathers on contact with water. I don’t know a dermatologist who doesn’t rateLastly, how you cleanse is key to happy skin.
“Over-scrubbing the skin can lead to dryness and irritation,” says Dr. Zeichner. “While you may want a squeaky-clean feeling after washing, that represents post-wash dryness, which is harmful to the skin. ” Gentle massaging movements, paying close attention to the hard-to-reach areas like around the nose, are more than enough, and try to aim for at least a minute.
“Your skin should feel refreshed after cleansing,” concludes Dr. Zeichner, “but the best cleanser will respect the skin barrier and leave your skin hydrated rather than dry. ”All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. There are plenty of thingsAll linked products are independently selected by our editors.
If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Keren Bartov has magic handAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. With 68 million posts on TiWelcome to Sun Blocked, Refinery29’s global call to action to wake up to the serious dangers of tanning.
No lectures or shaming, we promise. InsteadAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Growing up, sunscreen feltAll linked products are independently selected by our editors.
If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Welcome to Sun BlockedWelcome to Sun Blocked, Refinery29’s global call to action to wake up to the serious dangers of tanning. No lectures or shaming, we promise. InsteadAll linked products are independently selected by our editors.
If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Skincare routines used to rAll linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. One of my 2026 resolutionsWarning: This article discusses eating disorders.
Food has played an interesting role in my beauty regimen over the years. In my late teens, I appliI wasn’t at all surprised when Alix Earle launched her own skincare brand. I’m not a hater, so my first reaction was
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