How Often Should You Actually Wash Your Face?

It sounds like a simple question but ask 10 skincare experts and you’ll get 12 different answers. Once in the morning? Twice a day? Only at night? Never before coffee?

Let’s clear this up.

Washing your face is one of the most important (and most misunderstood) steps in skincare. Do it too often, and you could strip your skin’s natural barrier. Not enough, and you risk build up of oil, bacteria and dirt all of which can clog pores and trigger breakouts.

Here’s what the science says and how to get it right, once and for all.

Why Washing Your Face Matters

Throughout the day, your skin comes into contact with pollution, makeup, sweat, bacteria and excess oil. Overnight, it sheds dead skin cells and can still collect oil from your pillowcase or hair. Cleansing helps remove these impurities and preps your skin to absorb the products you apply after.

But it’s not just about getting clean. Washing your face the right way supports your skin barrier, helps prevent breakouts, and allows key active ingredients like Silver Chitoderm® to do their job.

So, How Often Should You Wash?

The Gold Standard: Twice a Day

Most people do best with a morning and evening cleanse.

• Morning: Clears away overnight oils and dead skin so your daytime products can absorb better.

• Evening: Removes makeup, dirt, SPF and bacteria accumulated during the day.

This simple rhythm keeps your skin clean, clear and balanced.

When Once a Day Might Be Enough

If you have extremely dry, sensitive or inflamed skin, washing just in the evening might be more appropriate especially if your morning skin feels clean and calm when you wake up. In that case, a splash of lukewarm water or a swipe of gentle toner in the morning might be enough.

That said, make sure you still remove all makeup, sunscreen and pollution at the end of the day.

When You Need a Third Cleanse

Some days call for a bonus wash like after an intense gym session or a hot, sweaty commute. Sweat left to sit on the skin can mix with oil and bacteria, which makes breakouts more likely.

Always cleanse after heavy sweating but use a gentle, pH-balanced product to avoid irritating your skin.

What Happens If You Overdo It

Washing your face too often (or with the wrong cleanser) can strip away the skin’s natural oils, disrupt the microbiome, and damage your moisture barrier. This leads to increased sensitivity, flaking, or even more oil production as your skin tries to overcompensate.

Signs you may be over-washing:

• Tight, squeaky feeling after cleansing

• Dry patches or redness

• Increase in breakouts or irritation

Choosing the Right Cleanser

You don’t need a fancy foaming product or something with a laundry list of ingredients. In fact, the gentler the better.

Look for:

• Sulphate-free cleansers

• Hydrating ingredients like aloe vera or glycerin

• Antibacterial actives like Silver Chitoderm®, which helps keep blemishes at bay without harshness

Avoid:

• Cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight

• Strong fragrances

• Alcohol-based or overly astringent formulas

How to Wash Properly

It’s not just how often you cleanse how you do it matters too.

1. Use lukewarm water (hot water strips natural oils).

2. Apply a gentle cleanser with clean hands not a rough cloth.

3. Massage for 30–60 seconds to allow ingredients to do their job.

4. Rinse thoroughly and pat (don’t rub) your face dry with a clean towel.

5. Follow with treatment products and moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp.

Final Thoughts

The answer to “how often should I wash my face?” isn’t one size fits all but for most people, twice a day is just right. Adjust based on your skin’s mood, avoid over-washing, and always choose a cleanser that supports your skin barrier not attacks it.

With the right balance and the help of powerhouse ingredients like Silver Chitoderm® your skin can stay clear, calm, and confidently clean.