Many parents want to take action when faced with their teen’s acne. They may remember being told when they were adolescents that washing their face more frequently would help clear up their skin. So they send their child off to the bathroom with a mission: wash your face more often.
Does More Washing Prevent Acne?
But does cleaning your face more often actually prevent acne?
The simple answer is no. In fact, washing your face too often can make acne worse.
Now, there are some benefits to cleaning well. Washing your face can help to remove the buildup of oil and makeup on the skin. And indeed, oil or makeup left on the skin can lead to clogged pores and eventual acne.
But when you wash your face, you strip away the natural oils that protect your skin. This can lead to dryness, inflammation, and irritation that can contribute to breakouts.
Given that, it is not surprising that over-washing can make acne worse. With too much cleaning, your skin perceives that it is too dry and stimulates sebum production. Sebum is a naturally occurring, oily substance that moistens and protects the skin. However, sebum can mix with dead skin cells to clog pores when produced in excess.
When the skin’s natural bacteria is trapped inside this clogged pore, it can cause inflammation. This inflammation will manifest as redness, swelling, and pimples.
How To Cleanse
So what’s the best way to care for skin prone to acne?
Acne experts recommend gentle washing with a mild cleanser no more than twice a day. It is best to wash your face when you awake in the morning and again right before bed. You also should clean your face after exercise or any other activity during which you sweat.
When you do wash your face, use warm water and be gentle. It would help if you used your hands to massage the cleanser into your skin in a circular motion. Avoid scrubbing harshly, which can irritate the skin and make acne worse. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and then pat dry using a clean towel.
You want to ensure your skin does not feel dry or tight after washing. That can signify that you are over-cleaning or using products that are too harsh for your skin type. If this happens, reduce how often you wash your face or switch to a gentler cleanser.
Moisturizing
It is also effective to moisturize your skin after washing to help prevent dryness and irritation. Look for a light, oil-free moisturizer that is created for acne-prone skin. Use it twice daily, immediately after cleaning your face.
Once clean, you should be mindful of what personal products you put on your skin. Oil-based cosmetics, hair products, sunscreens, and lotions can clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Use Non-Comedogenic Products
Because of this, you should look for non-comedogenic or “oil-free” labels on your products. These products do not clog pores or cause breakouts in most users.
So, don’t listen to this old wives’ tale. Washing your face more frequently will not prevent acne. In fact, over-washing can make your acne worse. Remember, twice a day is the magic number when it comes to washing your face.
Learn more about acne misconceptions.
