Photo: Pixabay

Can I just wash my face with water at night?

The Cons to Nighttime-Only Washing Not removing active nighttime skincare ingredients like retinoids, which may cause photosensitivity. The possibility for bacteria and dirt living on towels and pillowcases to stick to the skin. Your daytime skincare ingredients may not penetrate as well on non-cleansed skin.

edit.sundayriley.com - Is Washing Your Face Only at Night a Good Idea? - Sunday Edit

What happens if you don't drink enough water long term?

Prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones and even kidney failure. Oct 14, 2021

Last updated Dec 13, 2019

How many hours of sleep does Kim get?

Kim Kardashian says she sleeps just 5 hours a night — though experts don't recommend it. Kim Kardashian says she gets up at 5:30am daily for a...

Last updated Jan 4, 2022

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

Most experts would agree that the first lesson in Beauty 101 is to wash your face both morning and night to avoid developing skin concerns like acne. Cleansing your face in the morning starts your day off on a clean slate by ridding your skin of any bacteria that may have built up on your skin from your pillowcase or hair overnight. Washing your face at night removes all your makeup, excess oils, debris, and pollution from the day. But recently, TikTokers have been campaigning for nighttime-only face washing — a trend that (like many other TikTok phenomenons) is up for debate. Though it’s having a social media moment, “washing your face [once a day] has been something people have been doing forever, says Dr. Papri Sarkar, a board-certified dermatologist in Brookline, MA. But like anything else on TikTok, always make sure a trend is appropriate for your skin and lifestyle. Below, we dive into whether or not nighttime-only face washing could work for you.

Who Can Benefit From Nighttime-Only Cleansing

Not all skin types find it necessary to wash their face twice. If the skin is very dry or sensitive, limiting face-washing to once per day is key to not drying out the skin, says Dr. Sarkar.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Papri Sarkar is a board-certified dermatologist in Brookline, MA. Terrie Absher is a licensed medical aesthetician and founder of Total Glow. Cheryl Staurowsky is an aesthetician in Boca Raton, FL. Some skin types can handle nighttime only washing because cleansing can create tightness in the skin due to the stripping of beneficial oils. Boca Raton, FL aesthetician Cheryl Staurowsky explains that frequent cleansing can sometimes strip the necessary lipids from the skin, which keep out contaminants and impurities and keep in moisture. In addition, a lack of skin-friendly natural oils can increase the chances of irritation, breakouts, and an overproduction of sebum. “So, for those who have dry or sensitive skin, nightly cleansing only is sometimes best,” she says. When cold temperatures and dry weather negatively impact the skin, consider switching up your regular cleanser to include more hydrating ingredients, such as a rich balm cleanser like Sunday Riley Blue Moon Clean Rinse Cleansing Balm. Terrie Absher, a licensed medical aesthetician and founder of Total Glow, points out other good reasons you might want to pare down your cleansing routine: You don’t wear makeup, you don’t leave the house (minimizing environmental pollution), or your skin doesn’t react negatively (e.g., acne) when you skip a morning cleanse. For people with oily skin but don’t experience breakouts, it’s possible cutting out the morning cleanse could also work for you, says Absher.

Where do you feel pain from your liver?

Pain in your liver itself can feel like a dull throbbing pain or a stabbing sensation in your right upper abdomen just under your ribs. General...

Last updated Jun 16, 2018

What's the most unhealthiest drink?

The 10 worst drinks for your body Soda. It should come as no surprise that soda is one of the worst beverages you can choose for your body, whether...

Last updated Dec 27, 2020

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

If you decide to go the nighttime-only cleansing route, you should always aim to remove the day’s grime, sweat, makeup, and sunscreen. “I often recommend a double cleanse, in this case, with an oil or balm cleanser on dry skin,” says Dr. Sarkar. “Work it in well to emulsify everything on the skin, and after, based on what your skin prefers, use either a foaming, oil, or gentle cleanser.” Gentle ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid are good for retaining moisture and are compatible with most skin types. If you’re not going to do a full cleanse in the morning, Staurowsky suggests rinsing the skin with just water before applying your usual morning skincare products. Splashing the skin with water will help loosen up product, debris, and sweat lingering on the skin, but it may not entirely remove it. So, keep this in mind if you notice an increase in breakouts.

Those Who Should Stick to Cleansing Twice Day

Oily, acne-prone, and normal skin types should stick with cleansing the skin two times per day since these skin types tend to create excess sebum and oil — even when you are asleep. That’s why, sometimes, the skin feels greasy or slick in the morning. “If you sweat at night (even if your skin is dry), you need to do a proper face wash in the morning,” says Dr. Sarkar. Not removing accumulated oil can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. And if you have oily skin and use products with active ingredients as part of your morning skincare routine, then a morning cleanse is a must so that your products can work effectively. Similarly, “if you use topical prescriptions nightly, it is best to wash in the morning to remove them fully,” says Staurowsky. No matter your skin type, if you start your day with a sweat session, you should always cleanse your face after your workout. “Again, oil, sweat, and other impurities can clog pores and create congestion and, in general, affect the overall health of our skin,” says Absher.

What should I eat if I crave sugar?

19 Foods That Can Fight Sugar Cravings Fruit. When most people feel sugar cravings, they reach for high-fat, high-sugar foods like chocolate ( 1 )....

Last updated May 1, 2020

Does Epsom salt detox your liver?

Epsom Salt Bath A sulfate can be absorbed through the skin and it can create toxic impurities within the liver. Soaking in a warm water Epsom salt...

Last updated Oct 21, 2018

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

The Cons to Nighttime-Only Washing

Though the benefits of skipping the morning cleanse is a pared-down routine and perhaps sneaking in a few more zzzs, you want to chat with your dermatologist to make sure it’s the right move for you. Before you decide to throw yourself into the latest TikTok fad, consider the downsides to reserving face washing for your nighttime routine:

Skin doesn’t feel clean in the morning

Not removing active nighttime skincare ingredients like retinoids, which may cause photosensitivity

The possibility for bacteria and dirt living on towels and pillowcases to stick to the skin

Your daytime skincare ingredients may not penetrate as well on non-cleansed skin

The Bottom Line

Missing a few days of morning washing isn’t majorly detrimental to your skin’s health. As long as the skin barrier is healthy (meaning it’s well hydrated, plump, and shows no redness or irritation), it’s all about what works best for your skin and your lifestyle. There are no hard and fast rules other than listening to your skin at the end of the day. “Do what feels right for it at that moment in time, which can change based on your cycle, stress levels, the season, and geography,” says Dr. Sarkar. We only recommend products we have independently researched, tested, and loved. If you purchase a product found through our links, Sunday Edit may earn an affiliate commission.

edit.sundayriley.com - Is Washing Your Face Only at Night a Good Idea? - Sunday Edit

Does vitamin C help with dark spots?

Vitamin C is an important skincare ingredient for your overall skin health. This ingredient is particularly good at minimizing the appearance of...

Last updated Feb 5, 2021

Can I lose fat by drinking water?

Science suggests that water can help with weight loss in a variety of ways. It may suppress your appetite, boost your metabolism, and make exercise...

Last updated Jul 22, 2019

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

What three drinks should you avoid?

The Top 3 Death Drinks You Should Avoid Today Diet Soda. Even though “diet” soda might sound like it's OK to drink because there is no real sugar...

Last updated Nov 17, 2018

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Are juice cleanses hard on kidneys?

There are even bigger health concerns for some individuals, such as those with kidney issues. "Anyone with kidney disease should not undergo a...

Last updated Sep 14, 2019