What happens if I don't wash my face for a week?

"Not washing your face could cause the buildup of oil and dirt that may lead to acne, more prominent pores, and inflammation," she says.

wellandgood.com - What not washing your face does to your skin | Well+Good

What happens when you drink celery juice everyday?

Celery juice is very low in calories and nutrients, and it does not contain the energy-rich carbohydrates the body needs to function properly....

Last updated Oct 10, 2020

Is bottled lemon juice as good as fresh squeezed?

Both are low in calories and fat and high in vitamin C, folate and potassium. However, if you've ever tasted bottled lemon juice, you'll notice...

Last updated Feb 24, 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

W hen you're dealing with a less-than-ideal complexion, there's a lot of advice out there on how to hen you're dealing with a less-than-ideal complexion, there's a lot of advice out there on how to clear your skin or get a fresh-from-the-facialist glow —which can range from a simple three-step regimen to next-gen treatments like microneedling or cryofacials

But when's the last time you heard this advice? Do nothing.

It might sound sacrilegious, but Adina Grigore—founder of skin-care line S.W. Basics and author of Skin Cleanse—swears this one simple, lazy girl-endorsed trick will do wonders for your glow. "New research says that cutting your products and not even using water on your skin is actually the best thing you can do," she insists. "Leaving your skin 'dirty' is really good because cleansers throw off the correct proportion of bacteria on your skin that let it regulate itself." "Leaving your skin 'dirty' is really good because cleansers throw off the correct proportion of bacteria on your skin that let it regulate itself." Even some dermatologists can get behind the seemingly counterintuitive idea. "Every time you wash your face, you strip your skin of some oil," says Jennifer Chwalek, MD, a New York City-based skin doc. "Over-washing can compromise the skin barrier function." In other words, leaving it alone is better for the bacteria on the surface of your face—which keeps your complexion functioning optimally on its own.

Of course, it's not right for everyone. Dr. Chwalek still recommends that her clients wash their face at least once a day with a gentle cleanser, preferably at night (when your face is coated with a day's worth of dirt). "Not washing your face could cause the buildup of oil and dirt that may lead to acne, more prominent pores, and inflammation," she says. Despite the (qualified) praise for this hands-off approach, I wondered how I would actually fare without my go-to face wash. Considering it's my job to try out beauty products, and my nighttime routine is about as complex as a full-on boot-camp circuit (though I have replaced my a.m. face wash with raw honey), giving my pores some alone time would be a big change.

How to use lemon juice for high blood pressure?

How Much Lemon Can You Consume in a Day for High Blood Pressure? You can consume the juice of about 2 to 3 lemons in a day, which amounts to about...

Last updated Jan 2, 2022

What happens if you eat carrots everyday?

Carrots contain a type of carotenoid called beta-carotene that the body can convert into vitamin A. Consuming large amounts of carotenoids from...

Last updated Apr 8, 2021

Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

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

Learn More »

Promotion

What, exactly, would a minimalist approach do to my complexion?

Here's what happened when I stopped washing my face for a week.

Although I initially planned to steer clear of the dozen or so products I have on my beauty shelves, I decide I'm still going to use a simple rose water toner just to absorb my go-to serum. (There are only so many steps to my routine that I'm willing to give up.) Grigore is okay with this, saying it won't derail the whole "cleanser cleanse" (ha). My first morning is easy—I just don't wash my face with honey, like I normally would. After a toner spritz followed by my Vintner's Daughter topical, I opt for light makeup; since I won't have my usual cleanser to get it off later, I think, I might as well not overload my pores. My skin looks a tad dewier than usual, probably due to a tiny bit of excess oil that wasn't washed off—but I'm okay with that (hey, it's the trend now anyway). At night is when things get tricky: I get every last bit of my mascara off with a rose water/cotton pad combo and apply my go-to serum, but it honestly feels weird layering oil on top of an unwashed complexion. My face feels straight-up grimy (gross but true), which definitely has me worried. I doze off to nightmarish visions of waking up with a massive pimple on my chin. The next morning, I apprehensively approach my bathroom, concerned about what I'd be facing in the mirror. But—phew—my face looks just as good as usual.

How can I clear my bowels fast?

If you're experiencing constipation, the following quick treatments can help induce a bowel movement in as little as a few hours. Take a fiber...

Last updated Dec 20, 2019

How long does it take for liver to heal?

The liver, however, is able to replace damaged tissue with new cells. If up to 50 to 60 percent of the liver cells may be killed within three to...

Last updated Jul 6, 2021

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

My complexion only gets increasingly radiant as the days go by—even though I'm often going to bed with what feels like thick dirt just doing its thing on my face. As the week progresses, I'm pleasantly surprised by the lack of breakouts. In fact, despite going to bed with what feels like a coating of dirt on my face, my skin looks downright glowy. (Score one for bacteria working its magic?) The best part: An acne spot left over from a particularly large pimple actually starts to vanish—a feat my nightly retinol hadn't been able to achieve. Another bonus is that it cuts my a.m. and p.m. beauty routines down dramatically—and whatever gets me into bed faster (and lets me stay there longer) makes me happy. Another thing that boosts my mood? The fact that I've had zero skin emergencies as I close out my seven-day experiment (AKA my worst fears were not realized), all while achieving major radiance. So, will I be tossing my fave cleanser entirely? Not exactly—I'm a beauty editor, so eliminating them from my life isn't totally realistic. (I take my job seriously—how else will you know which products are worth it?) But I have a better understanding of my skin's built-in balancing superpowers, so I've learned to streamline the products I do use. Less is more, after all. Oh hi! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts for cult-fave wellness brands, and exclusive Well+Good content. Sign up for Well+, our online community of wellness insiders, and unlock your rewards instantly.

Originally published May 4, 2017; updated May 25, 2018.

wellandgood.com - What not washing your face does to your skin | Well+Good

Is juicing actually worth it?

They say juicing can reduce your risk of cancer, boost your immune system, remove toxins from your body, aid digestion and help you lose weight....

Last updated Jan 4, 2021

Does beet powder improve blood flow?

Beetroot Powder Supports Lower Blood Pressure As a vasodilator, it relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This process not only increases healthy...

Last updated Oct 23, 2020

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

Who legally owns a photograph?

the photographer Photographs are protected by copyright at the moment of creation, and the owner of the work is generally the photographer (unless...

Last updated Nov 25, 2018

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

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

Learn More »

Promotion

Can I juice fast for 30 days?

If you're following a juice fast, you won't even meet a necessary minimum. And while it's not likely to cause any irreversible harm if your fast...

Last updated Jan 13, 2021

What happens if I don't wash my face for a week?

What happens when you drink celery juice everyday?

Is bottled lemon juice as good as fresh squeezed?

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

But when's the last time you heard this advice? Do nothing.

Related Stories

How to use lemon juice for high blood pressure?

What happens if you eat carrots everyday?

Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

What, exactly, would a minimalist approach do to my complexion?

Here's what happened when I stopped washing my face for a week.

How can I clear my bowels fast?

How long does it take for liver to heal?

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

Originally published May 4, 2017; updated May 25, 2018.

Is juicing actually worth it?

Does beet powder improve blood flow?

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Who legally owns a photograph?

Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Can I juice fast for 30 days?