This is what happens if you don’t wash your face every day

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The twice-daily ritual in the bathroom is brushing your teeth and washing your face. A dermatologist explains the consequences if the latter falls by the wayside.

Unlike the rest of the body, the face is not protected by clothing and is surrounded by environmental influences all day. It goes without saying that the dirt has to be cleaned off in the evening. But what is the point of washing extensively in the morning? Is it necessary, or can our skin cope better than we think it would without it? Dermatologist Dr Daniela Kleeman explains.

Why is it so important to wash your face in the evening?

Dirt from everyday life, sebum, sweat, and makeup accumulate a lot on the skin of the face during the day. Intensive facial cleansing in the evening is essential to ensure that the pores are free of dirt and the skin can regenerate overnight.

Why do I need to wash my face again in the morning?

The skin also produces sweat and sebum overnight. Another factor is the pillow. Even freshly washed, they are not completely clean, and hardly anyone changes the cover often enough. Residues such as skin flakes, make-up residues, or sweat remain in the fabric and can rub back onto the face during the night.

Exactly. This is also an important point: if it is tailored to your own skin type, it should be absorbed by the morning, but trends such as slugging, where the face is creamed with Vaseline in the evening, make this unlikely.

Over time, dirt and dust build up and clog the pores, which in turn can lead to skin problems such as inflammation and acne. People with easily irritated skin, in particular, quickly suffer from irritation. However, if you only wash your face once after going out, it is very likely that nothing will happen.

Basically, yes. However, if someone suffers from very dry skin or struggles with factors such as neurodermatitis, washing too often, washing the face with hot water, or using irritating cleansers can do more harm than good and also lead to dehydration. So, not washing your face in the morning may not be the worst idea …

You don’t sound entirely convinced.

No, it would be better to use methods that are less drying instead: if the water is only lukewarm, the skin doesn’t suffer either, and products with a skin-friendly pH value also help. Such clinically tested washing lotions are easiest to obtain from a pharmacy or dermatological practice, where you can also get advice.