Dr Dray Curbs Twice-Daily Cleansing to Prevent Skin Barrier Damage

Dr Dray

Evening face washing is mandatory to clear oxidized sunscreen and grime, but dry complexions risk barrier disruption from morning cleansers because nighttime retinoids and occlusives absorb rather than require detergent removal.

AI-assisted summary of Do You Really Need to Wash Your Face Twice a Day? — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2026-09-14

Key ideas

Face cleansing is non-negotiable at least once daily in the evening to clear oxidized sebum, sunscreen residues, cosmetics, and basal sweat, but over-cleansing strips endogenous barrier lipids via a surfactant 'bystander effect'. (0:00)
Twice-daily cleansing is clinically advantageous primarily for oily, acne-prone skin and seborrheic dermatitis, where clearing overnight sebum reduces microbial food sources like Malassezia and curbs inflammation. (2:21)
Individuals with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin—such as those undergoing retinization or Accutane therapy—often benefit from eliminating morning cleansing entirely to curb trans-epidermal water loss. (4:21)
Washing off nighttime skincare products, including heavy petrolatum slugging or topical retinoids, is unnecessary because occlusives naturally dissipate overnight and retinoids bind to cellular receptors within hours. (7:36)

Detailed notes

## Background Published on YouTube by dermatologist Dr Dray on September 14, 2026, this educational video explores optimal face-washing frequency and whether twice-daily cleansing is medically necessary. According to the page description, Dr Dray explains the mechanics of skin cleansing, barrier disruption from over-washing, common misconceptions about washing off nighttime products like tretinoin or petroleum jelly, and how factors like oil production, acne, eczema, and workouts should shape a routine.

## TL;DR Dr. Dray explains that while an evening cleanse is non-negotiable for everyone to remove sunscreen, makeup, and daily sweat, cleansing twice a day is primarily necessary for individuals with high sebum production, acne, or seborrheic dermatitis. Those with dry, sensitive, or mature skin often benefit from skipping morning cleanser entirely, as unnecessary washing strips vital barrier lipids and accelerates water loss. She dispels the myth that nighttime moisturizers, slugging ointments, or topical retinoids need to be washed off in the morning, pointing out that active ingredients penetrate overnight and residues naturally diminish. Ultimately, face washing should be calibrated as a targeted tool rather than practiced obsessively, watching out for warning signs of over-cleansing like tight, squeaky skin, stinging, and localized dermatitis.

## Atmosphere & style The presentation is clinical, measured, and refreshingly pragmatic, cutting through hyper-prescriptive beauty dogmas with dermatological common sense. Dr. Dray speaks with calm, unhurried authority, balancing clear biological explanations with reassuring lifestyle advice that relieves viewers of routine-induced anxiety. Watching feels like an informative, no-nonsense consultation with an experienced physician who prioritizes long-term skin health over rigid multi-step regimens.

## Bulletin - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Face cleansing is non-negotiable at least once daily in the evening to clear oxidized sebum, sunscreen residues, cosmetics, and basal sweat, but over-cleansing strips endogenous barrier lipids via a surfactant 'bystander effect'. - [02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=141s) Twice-daily cleansing is clinically advantageous primarily for oily, acne-prone skin and seborrheic dermatitis, where clearing overnight sebum reduces microbial food sources like Malassezia and curbs inflammation. - [04:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=261s) Individuals with dry, sensitive, or compromised skin—such as those undergoing retinization or Accutane therapy—often benefit from eliminating morning cleansing entirely to curb trans-epidermal water loss. - [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=456s) Washing off nighttime skincare products, including heavy petrolatum slugging or topical retinoids, is unnecessary because occlusives naturally dissipate overnight and retinoids bind to cellular receptors within hours.

## Key takeaways - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Cleansing mechanically removes surface debris and dead corneocytes, but surfactants inevitably cause a bystander effect by stripping the skin's natural protective lipids. - [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Even plain water contact elevates trans-epidermal water loss through evaporative drying, making water exposure an act of calibration. - [02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=141s) Twice-daily washing is optimal for high sebum production, as clearing pooled overnight oils mitigates inflammatory acne cascades and limits lipid food sources for Malassezia yeast. - [02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=141s) If a twice-daily routine has long kept your skin healthy without irritation, there is no medical necessity to alter it. - [04:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=261s) Dry or sensitive skin types often achieve improved barrier function and reduced flaking by skipping the morning cleanse and going straight to morning skincare. - [04:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=261s) Periods of acute barrier stress, including the initial retinoid retinization phase, Accutane treatment, or cold winter weather, call for scaling back to once-daily washing. - [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=456s) Petrolatum and heavy night creams do not require morning washing because they rub off on bedding, absorb into the stratum corneum, and lose peak occlusion after 4 to 6 hours. - [09:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=568s) Topical retinoids exert therapeutic effects by binding to cellular receptors within hours, meaning surface washing in the morning does not alter their biological activity. - [09:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=568s) Modern retinoid formulations are photostable, debunking the concern that leftover morning residue becomes harmful upon exposure to UV light. - [10:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=648s) The evening cleanse is mandatory for all skin types to strip away degraded sunscreen filters, makeup pigments, and irritating basal perspiration. - [11:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=701s) Because sweat is water-soluble, post-workout cleansing often only requires a plain lukewarm water rinse unless makeup or heavy excess sebum is present. - [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=753s) A tight, 'squeaky clean' post-wash feeling signals intercellular lipid depletion and a compromised moisture barrier rather than superior hygiene. - [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=753s) Incompletely rinsed cleanser pooling along the jawline, neck, and eye hollows is a hidden driver of localized dermatitis and flaking. - [14:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=866s) Skincare should remain practical: routine light sweating in hot weather does not necessitate an immediate emergency face wash or full routine reset.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) What Cleansing Actually Does to the Skin

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dray opens by addressing the fundamental questions surrounding face-washing frequency: should you wash once a day, twice a day, or every single time you work out? She also introduces the common worry about nighttime skincare residues—whether leftover evening products must be scrubbed off to prevent them from blocking the absorption of daytime active ingredients. At its core, cleansing works by physically lifting and washing away unwanted debris accumulated on the skin's surface, including sweat, makeup, environmental particles, and excess sebum produced by the pores. The physical friction of rubbing a cleanser across the face, combined with the mechanical movement of running water, additionally provides a gentle exfoliating action that sloughs off heaped-up dead surface skin cells.

Dr. Dray emphasizes that cleansing is an absolute, "non-negotiable" step that everyone must do at least once daily. Allowing dirt, grime, and sebum to linger causes them to oxidize over time, inciting surface inflammation that provokes heightened irritation and exacerbates chronic dermatological conditions such as acne and atopic dermatitis. However, washing the skin is not without its drawbacks. The skin functions as a protective barrier relying on endogenous barrier lipids to lock moisture in and keep external irritants out. Because cleansers rely on surfactants that bond with oils to lift them away, washing inherently causes a "bystander effect," stripping away essential native lipids and compromising the barrier to some degree.

Even wetting the face with plain water without applying any cleanser can trigger increased trans-epidermal water loss due to evaporative drying. Cleansing is therefore an act of calibration: skimp on washing and oxidized debris will trigger inflammatory flares; cleanse excessively and the skin is stripped raw, dry, irritated, and sensitized.

- **Primary targets of cleansing:** Excess sebum, sweat, cosmetics, environmental pollutants, and accumulated dead corneocytes. - **Risks of under-cleansing:** Oxidation of leftover lipids and dirt, resulting in cutaneous inflammation and flares of acne or atopic dermatitis. - **The "Bystander Effect":** Surfactants cannot discriminate completely between undesirable surface grease and the skin's vital barrier lipids. - **Water-only exposure risk:** Even plain water evaporates off the skin surface, accelerating trans-epidermal water loss if not properly managed.

[02:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=141s) Who Benefits Most from Washing Twice a Day?

Washing twice a day—once in the evening and once upon waking—remains the gold standard for certain individuals. Dr. Dray points out that if someone has maintained a twice-daily routine their entire life without experiencing irritation or dryness, there is zero medical reason to disrupt what already works. However, the demographic that benefits most demonstrably from a morning cleanse consists of individuals with naturally oily skin. Because their sebaceous glands operate at a higher baseline rate, they often wake up with a noticeable film of sebum despite having thoroughly cleansed the night before. Washing first thing in the morning clears this greasy layer, ensuring that morning skincare products and sunscreens apply evenly and absorb properly.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Benefits of Morning Cleansing for High-Sebum Skin accDescr: Flowchart illustrating how excess overnight sebum leads to inflammation and yeast overgrowth, and how morning cleansing mitigates these risks.

subgraph Problem["Overnight Sebum Accumulation"] A["High Baseline Sebum Production"] --> B["Surface Lipid Oxidation"] A --> C["Favorable Milieu for Malassezia"] end

subgraph Consequences["Skin Complications"] B --> D["Inflammatory Cascade & Acne Flares"] C --> E["Seborrheic Dermatitis Flares"] end

subgraph Solution["Morning Cleansing Action"] F["Morning Cleanse"] -.->|"Removes Oxidized Sebum"| D F -.->|"Suppresses Yeast Proliferation"| E F --> G["Smooth Base for Morning Actives & SPF"] end ```

Beyond aesthetics and product application, morning cleansing plays an active therapeutic role in managing acne and seborrheic dermatitis. In acne-prone individuals, pooled sebum oxidizes on the surface, igniting the inflammatory cascade that drives breakout formation. Excess sebum also creates an ideal, lipid-rich environment for the proliferation of *Malassezia* yeast. In people susceptible to seborrheic dermatitis, an abnormal inflammatory immune response to this yeast leads to redness, scaling, and flaking. Because individuals with seborrheic dermatitis naturally exhibit elevated oil production, washing away overnight sebum helps mitigate the fungal food supply and stave off inflammatory flares.

[04:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=261s) When to Scale Back to Once-Daily Cleansing

Conversely, many people not only do not require a morning cleanse, but would see significant clinical improvement by eliminating it altogether and sticking strictly to an evening wash. Dr. Dray underscores that while evening cleansing remains non-negotiable for everyone to purge daily grime, those with inherently dry or sensitive skin should strongly consider waking up and jumping straight into their morning routine without letting water or cleanser touch their face. Every additional wash nudges an already dry skin barrier further toward accelerated trans-epidermal water loss, irritation, and flaking.

This need to scale back is especially pronounced during periods of acute barrier stress. Patients initiating topical retinoids frequently endure the "retinization process," characterized by intense peeling, redness, and sensitivity; adding an unnecessary morning cleanse only drags out this painful acclimation window. Similarly, individuals taking oral isotretinoin (Accutane) or using aggressive topical acne therapies experience profound drug-induced dryness that warrants cutting cleansing down to the absolute bare minimum.

Dr. Dray highlights that skin is dynamic rather than static over a person's lifespan: - **Hormonal and age-related shifts:** The heavy sebum output of puberty and young adulthood gradually declines. With advancing age, the skin synthesizes fewer natural moisturizing factors (NMFs). In menopausal women, dropping estrogen levels significantly diminish moisture retention, meaning routines that worked in one's twenties may become overly stripping later in life. - **Seasonal and environmental factors:** While humid, scorching summer months often justify twice-daily washing to remove sweat and heavy grease, cold winter weather dramatically accelerates trans-epidermal water loss. Frigid outdoor air, low ambient humidity, indoor heating, and harsh winds causing windburn demand a reduction in cleansing frequency to give the barrier space to heal. - **Cleansing as a calibrated tool:** "Cleansing is a tool. You want enough to accomplish what you need to do as far as removing stuff, but you don't want to overuse the tool. You could create a new problem."

[07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=456s) Do You Need to Wash Off Nighttime Skincare?

Dr. Dray dispels the widespread misconception that one must deliberately cleanse the face in the morning to remove leftover nighttime moisturizers or occlusives. If your skin feels calm, hydrated, and comfortable when you wake up, scrubbing off your nighttime moisturizer actively undermines the very reason you applied it. By morning, standard moisturizers have absorbed or integrated into the stratum corneum, leaving behind no harmful residue that mandates detergent removal.

This question arises most frequently with "slugging"—the practice of applying pure petroleum jelly (petrolatum) over the entire face at night. Petrolatum is arguably the single most effective ingredient known in dermatology for suppressing trans-epidermal water loss and shielding vulnerable skin from external irritants. Many consumers assume they must wash this occlusive barrier off with a cleanser in the morning before applying daytime actives like vitamin C serums, fearing the film will prevent penetration. Dr. Dray clarifies that this is unnecessary for several biological and practical reasons:

- **Diminishing occlusive longevity:** While petrolatum boasts outstanding persistence, its robust semi-occlusive film is not permanent; its peak barrier-insulating effect naturally wanes after approximately four to six hours. - **Absorption and movement:** Contrary to the popular myth that petroleum jelly merely perches inertly on the skin's surface indefinitely, its mineral oil components actually migrate and sink into the upper layers of the stratum corneum. - **Nighttime transfer:** Unconscious movement throughout the night causes a notable fraction of any applied ointment to rub off onto pillowcases and bed linens long before morning arrives.

[09:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=568s) Do You Need to Wash Off Nighttime Actives and Retinoids?

By the time morning rolls around, heavy occlusives like petroleum jelly and rich evening moisturizers have already run their course. They have either absorbed into the stratum corneum or rubbed off overnight, meaning they are no longer forming that distinct protective film on the skin. Consequently, there is no clinical need to aggressively wash them off when you wake up. But this raises an even more common question among skincare enthusiasts: what about the strong active ingredients applied the night before, particularly topical retinoids? Patients frequently worry that retinoid residue will break down or turn harmful upon exposure to morning sunlight.

The reality is that active ingredients applied in your evening routine do not require morning removal. The therapeutic action of a topical retinoid is not mediated by a lingering superficial film sitting on the epidermis; rather, the molecule penetrates into the viable skin layers and binds to specific cellular receptors to drive gene transcription and cellular turnover. Once those molecules have bound to their receptors, you could "wash and wash and wash and wash," but doing so will not halt or alter the biological cascade that has already been initiated. Furthermore, while older formulations of tretinoin carried concerns about photo-inactivation in direct UV light, most modern retinoid formulations are far more photostable. Even if minor degradation were to occur on the surface, the retinoid has already had hours of overnight contact time to penetrate and exert its biological effects.

- **Receptor Binding:** Retinoids penetrate and bind to cellular receptors overnight; surface cleansing cannot wash away their biological activity once absorbed. - **Sunlight Degradation Concerns:** Modern retinoid formulations are significantly more photostable than legacy formulations, and any surface degradation is irrelevant to the active medicine already absorbed into the skin. - **Occlusive Vanishing Act:** Nighttime applications of petroleum jelly and heavy moisturizers naturally dissipate by morning, eliminating the need to wash them off with surfactants.

---

[10:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=648s) Why the Evening Cleanse Is Non-Negotiable

While skipping a morning wash is often perfectly fine, Dr. Dray emphasizes that this should not be confused with skipping face washing altogether. Dermatologists universally recommend cleansing the face at least once per day, and that essential cleanse belongs in the evening. Throughout the day, the skin accumulates layers of sunscreen residues that inevitably break down, oxidize, and trap environmental debris. If left on the skin overnight, these lingering sunscreen chemical filters and mineral coats can lead to significant barrier irritation and inflammation.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Evening Impurity Accumulation Flow accDescr: Diagram illustrating how daytime debris, makeup, and sweat combine to cause skin irritation if not cleansed at night. subgraph DayAccumulation["Daytime Buildup"] A["Sunscreen Residues"] B["Makeup & Pigments"] C["Basal Perspiration"] end subgraph OvernightRisk["Overnight Consequences"] D["Trapped Film on Epidermis"] E["Skin Barrier Breakdown & Irritation"] end A --> D B --> D C --> D D --> E ```

That daytime buildup is further compounded by cosmetics and sweat. Makeup must be thoroughly removed at the end of the day to prevent clogged pores and sensitized skin. Even if an individual has remained sedentary and feels as though they never broke a sweat, the human body constantly perspires at a basal rate. Basal sweat contains mineral salts and metabolic byproducts that act as natural irritants when allowed to dry and remain on the skin surface. Cleansing at bedtime removes this aggregated film of sunscreen, cosmetics, and stale sweat, providing a clean canvas for nighttime barrier repair.

- **Sunscreen Degradation:** Leaving daytime sunscreen films on overnight exposes the epidermal barrier to prolonged chemical irritation. - **Basal Perspiration:** Even without strenuous exercise, the skin produces continuous baseline sweat that acts as a surface irritant if not washed off. - **Evening Priority:** For those adopting a once-daily cleansing routine, the nighttime wash is the non-negotiable step.

---

[11:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=701s) Post-Workout Cleansing: To Wash or Just Rinse?

Physical exercise introduces a wrench into the standard once- or twice-a-day cleansing schedule. For individuals who engage in a rigorous workout in the morning or midday, Dr. Dray strongly advises against leaving heavy perspiration sitting on the face. Sweat is a well-documented skin irritant, and for patients dealing with underlying conditions like atopic dermatitis, allowing dried sweat to linger on the skin is one of the most common triggers for an acute eczema flare-up.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Post-Workout Skin Cleansing Decision Flow accDescr: Flowchart illustrating whether to use a cleanser or plain water after a workout based on skin condition and products worn. A["Post-Workout Perspiration"] --> B{"Wearing Makeup or Very Oily?"} B -->|"Yes"| C["Gentle Foaming Cleanser Wash"] B -->|"No"| D{"Heightened Sensitivity or Eczema?"} D -->|"Yes"| E["Rinse Thoroughly with Plain Water"] D -->|"No"| C ```

However, a post-workout cleanse does not automatically require lathering up with a surfactant cleanser. Because sweat is water-soluble, simply splashing and rinsing the face thoroughly with lukewarm water is frequently enough to dissolve and remove the irritating salts. Individuals with exceptionally oily skin may still benefit from using a mild cleanser after exercising, but those with sensitive or compromised skin should stick to a water rinse to avoid over-stripping their barrier with repeated daily washes.

- **Water Solubility:** Because perspiration dissolves readily in water, plain water rinses effectively remove sweat without the barrier disruption caused by extra cleanser exposure. - **Eczema Trigger:** Lingering perspiration is a primary driver of atopic dermatitis flares; it must be rinsed away promptly. - **Skin Type Customization:** Reserve an actual cleanser post-workout for individuals with pronounced sebaceous activity or those who worked out while wearing cosmetics.

---

[12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=753s) Warning Signs of Over-Cleansing and Hidden Irritants

Cleansing too frequently or too aggressively produces symptoms that closely mirror over-exfoliation: persistent facial redness, stinging, burning, flaking, and an overall feeling of skin vulnerability. A classic hallmark of an over-cleansed face is that tight, "squeaky clean" sensation immediately after drying off. Far from being a marker of good hygiene, that squeaky feeling indicates that the stratum corneum's intercellular lipids have been depleted and the moisture barrier has been taxed. When the barrier is continually degraded in this manner, well-controlled baseline skin conditions suddenly destabilize, often leading frustrated patients to wonder: "Did my topical medication stop working? Why am I breaking out all of the sudden?"

Beyond cleansing frequency, mechanical technique and product application play a major role in barrier damage:

* **Excessive Friction and Tools:** Using aggressive manual scrubbing pressure or motorized cleansing brushes creates micro-friction that tips sensitive skin into acute irritation. * **Surfactant Residue Traps:** Cleansers rely on surfactants that disrupt the lipid bilayer if they remain in contact with the skin. Rinsing quickly at a bathroom sink often leaves invisible cleanser residues pooled along the mandibular jawline, underneath the chin, and within the hollows surrounding the eyes. * **Localized Dermatitis:** Cleanser residue left behind in facial folds dries into persistent patches of localized eczema, flaking, and irritation that patients frequently misattribute to their moisturizers or active treatments.

---

[14:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=866s) Final Takeaway: Balancing Lifestyle, Skin Type, and Practicality

In summary, whether you need to wash your face twice a day comes down to individual context, skin biology, and lifestyle. A twice-daily wash with a cleanser is genuinely beneficial for individuals with oily skin, seborrheic dermatitis, or inflammatory acne, as reducing excess sebum and microbial food sources is critical for disease management. Conversely, for those with normal, dry, or sensitive skin, a single evening cleanse to remove sunscreen, makeup, and daily grime is usually sufficient, with a plain water rinse sufficing in the morning.

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: Daily Cleansing Strategy Summary accDescr: High-level overview of daily cleansing routines based on skin type and activities. subgraph EveningRoutines["Evening: Mandatory for All"] E1["Wash with Cleanser"] --> E2["Removes Sunscreen, Makeup, Dirt, Basal Sweat"] end subgraph MorningRoutines["Morning Choices"] M1{"Skin Condition"} M1 -->|"Oily / Acne / Seborrheic Dermatitis"| M2["Cleanser Wash"] M1 -->|"Dry / Sensitive / Normal"| M3["Plain Water Rinse or Skip"] end subgraph MiddayAdjustments["Midday Adjustments"] W1{"Sweaty Workout?"} W1 -->|"Makeup / High Sebum"| W2["Gentle Cleanser"] W1 -->|"Bare Skin / Sensitive"| W3["Lukewarm Water Splash"] end ```

Dr. Dray cautions against taking skincare rules to impractical extremes. While sweat mixed with makeup forms an emulsion that degrades cosmetics into an irritating film—making a post-exercise face wash sensible—one should never become obsessive. If you step outside on a scorching summer afternoon and break a light sweat, there is zero need to panic, drop everything, wash your face, and reapply your entire skincare routine from scratch. Skincare must remain practical; over-cleansing out of anxiety will rapidly backfire into barrier breakdown.

Concluding the video, Dr. Dray reiterates that skincare is deeply individual and must adapt to what your skin requires at any given moment. She directs viewers to her related guide on exfoliation frequency—another area plagued by conflicting advice—before signing off with her trademark reminders to like, subscribe, and wear daily sunscreen.

- **Twice Daily:** Best suited for oily, acne-prone complexions and seborrheic dermatitis to control excess sebum. - **Once Daily (PM):** Ideal for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone individuals focusing on barrier preservation. - **Impractical Obsessions:** Mild perspiration from routine daily heat does not necessitate an emergency face wash or routine reset. - **Makeup and Sweat Synergy:** Sweating heavily while wearing foundation or makeup accelerates barrier breakdown, warranting an extra post-workout wash to remove the destabilized film.

## Notable quotes > [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Cleansing is an absolute, "non-negotiable" step that everyone must do at least once daily. — Dr. Dray

> [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Because cleansers rely on surfactants that bond with oils to lift them away, washing inherently causes a "bystander effect," stripping away essential native lipids and compromising the barrier to some degree. — Dr. Dray

> [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=0s) Cleansing is therefore an act of calibration: skimp on washing and oxidized debris will trigger inflammatory flares; cleanse excessively and the skin is stripped raw, dry, irritated, and sensitized. — Dr. Dray

> [04:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=261s) Cleansing is a tool. You want enough to accomplish what you need to do as far as removing stuff, but you don't want to overuse the tool. You could create a new problem. — Dr. Dray

> [07:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=456s) If your skin feels calm, hydrated, and comfortable when you wake up, scrubbing off your nighttime moisturizer actively undermines the very reason you applied it. — Dr. Dray

> [09:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=568s) Once those molecules have bound to their receptors, you could "wash and wash and wash and wash," but doing so will not halt or alter the biological cascade that has already been initiated. — Dr. Dray

> [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=753s) Far from being a marker of good hygiene, that squeaky feeling indicates that the stratum corneum's intercellular lipids have been depleted and the moisture barrier has been taxed. — Dr. Dray

> [12:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=753s) Did my topical medication stop working? Why am I breaking out all of the sudden? — Dr. Dray

> [14:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg&t=866s) Skincare must remain practical; over-cleansing out of anxiety will rapidly backfire into barrier breakdown. — Dr. Dray

## Mentioned Dr. Dray, Malassezia, Accutane, Tretinoin, Vitamin C, How Often Do You Need to Exfoliate?

## Video description How often should you wash your face? Dermatologist Dr. Dray explains how often to cleanse your skin, whether you really need to wash your face twice a day, and what happens when you cleanse too much.

In this video, Dr. Dray discusses face washing, skin cleansing, the skin barrier, dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, and nighttime skincare. She also addresses a common skincare misconception: you do not necessarily need to wash off everything you applied the night before.

Should you wash off moisturizer in the morning? What about petroleum jelly? Do you need to wash off tretinoin? And does cleansing twice a day actually improve your skin?

Dr. Dray explains when twice-daily cleansing may be beneficial, when once-daily evening cleansing may be enough, and how factors such as oil production, acne, sweating, sunscreen, makeup, eczema, dryness, and skin sensitivity can influence your ideal cleansing routine.

She also explains how harsh cleansers, hot water, excessive washing, scrubbing, and abrasive cleansing tools can contribute to skin barrier disruption, dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.

In this video:

0:00 Introduction 0:25 What does cleansing actually do? 2:21 Who benefits most from washing twice a day? 4:21 What about normal, dry, or sensitive skin? 5:55 How the skin barrier changes the equation 7:36 Do you need to wash off nighttime skincare? 9:43 What about tretinoin and other retinoids? 10:48 Why sunscreen makes nighttime cleansing important 11:40 What if you work out in the morning? 12:33 How to tell if you're cleansing too much 14:25 Final takeaway 15:49 Outro

Dr. Dray also discusses why more cleansing is not necessarily better, why the evening cleanse is often the most important cleanse for dry or sensitive skin, and how to build a cleansing routine that supports rather than disrupts the skin barrier.

For more skincare information, watch: How Often Do You Need to Exfoliate? https://youtu.be/bLDs-KM0F1o

#FaceWashing #Skincare #SkinBarrier #Dermatologist #DrySkin #SensitiveSkin #Acne #Tretinoin #Retinol #SkincareRoutine #Cleansing #HealthySkin FTC: This video is not sponsored. Links are commissionable, meaning I may earn commission from purchases made through links.

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[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qDefRSO6Mg)

中文简报

Dr Dray不建议早间洗脸：过度清洁会破坏皮肤屏障免去早间洁面可保护关键的屏障脂质，且不会阻碍日间护肤品的吸收，对于非油性肌肤，夜间洁面是唯一不可或缺的步骤。 Dr. Dray解释称，虽然为了清除防晒霜、化妆品、环境污垢和干结的汗液，夜间洁面必不可少，但早间洁面并非人人都需要。一日洗脸两次主要对油性、易长痘肌肤及脂溢性皮炎患者最有益；而干性、敏感性或因使用类视黄醇而受刺激的肌肤，往往能从仅在夜间洗脸一次中获益。她打破了流传甚广的误区，指出夜间使用的保湿霜、封闭性护肤厚敷物（slugging occlusives）或类视黄醇在醒来后无需特意洗去，因为它们要么已被吸收、自然蹭掉，要么已经完成了生物学信号传导。最后，她针对运动出汗提出了定制建议，并警告不要过度摩擦，警惕洗后紧绷干涩的“搓盘子感”，以及下颌线和眼周未冲洗干净的表面活性剂残留。洁面对于去除氧化的皮脂、汗液和污垢是必不可少的，但每次清洁都会带来不可避免的附带效应，即剥脱屏障脂质并引发水分蒸发流失。 (0:00) 一日洗脸两次在临床上主要对油性、易长痘肌肤和脂溢性皮炎有利，因为早间洁面能清除夜间积聚的皮脂，并抑制马拉色菌（Malassezia）的过度繁殖。 (2:22) 夜间护肤品、厚敷的凡士林以及外用类视黄醇无需在早晨洗去，因为活性成分在夜间已与细胞受体结合，而封闭剂通常会在四到六小时内自然消散。 (7:36) 对所有肤质而言，夜间洁面依然不可或缺，因为残留的防晒剂、化妆品污垢和干结的汗液盐分若过夜残留，会引发炎症和屏障受损。 (10:48) 洗后出现紧绷干涩的“搓盘子感”是屏障脂质严重受损的信号，而下颌线或眼窝处未冲洗干净的洁面表面活性剂残留，常是诱发局部湿疹的诱因。 (12:33)

Reading summary

Dermatologist Dr. Dray argues that while an evening facial cleanse is universally necessary to clear daily debris and prevent inflammation, morning cleansing should be calibrated to individual skin physiology rather than practiced as a rigid twice-daily rule. While high sebum production and certain inflammatory conditions warrant a morning wash, individuals with dry, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin often benefit from skipping morning cleansers entirely. The Barrier Trade-Off and Mandatory Evening Wash (0:00) Cleansing works by physically dislodging surface debris, cosmetics, environmental pollutants, shed corneocytes, and excess sebum. Dr. Dray emphasizes that failing to remove this accumulation allows lipids and dirt to oxidize over time, driving surface inflammation and exacerbating chronic conditions like acne and atopic dermatitis. However, because cleansers rely on surfactants that cannot fully distinguish between foreign grease and native barrier lipids, washing inevitably triggers a bystander effect that strips essential moisture-retaining lipids. Furthermore, wetting the face with plain water without moisturizing accelerates trans-epidermal water loss through evaporation. Despite these barrier risks, Dr. Dray classifies the evening cleanse as non-negotiable for all skin types. Over the course of the day, sunscreen coatings break down and trap airborne particles, which can provoke epidermal irritation if left overnight. Concurrently, the body constantly secretes basal perspiration containing mineral salts and metabolic byproducts that act as native irritants when allowed to dry on the face. An evening wash removes this aggregated layer of cosmetics, degraded UV filters, and stale sweat to establish a clean base for overnight barrier recovery. Calibrating Morning Cleansing to Skin Type (2:21) Whether a person should cleanse upon waking depends on baseline sebum production and barrier integrity. Dr. Dray identifies individuals with naturally oily skin, acne, and seborrheic dermatitis as the primary beneficiaries of twice-daily cleansing. In high-sebum complexions, pooled overnight oils oxidize into inflammatory triggers that drive breakouts and provide an abundant lipid supply for Malassezia yeast. Washing in the morning clears this oxidized film, helps suppress yeast proliferation, and ensures that daytime sunscreens and active treatments apply evenly. Conversely, those with dry or sensitive skin frequently see clinical improvement by eliminating morning cleansing and jumping straight into their daytime routines. Skin physiology changes over a lifetime: sebum synthesis diminishes after young adulthood, natural moisturizing factors decline with age, and estrogen drops during menopause reduce moisture retention. External factors like low winter humidity or acute therapies—such as topical retinoid acclimation and oral isotretinoin—severely compromise the barrier. Under these conditions, an unnecessary morning wash accelerates trans-epidermal water loss and prolongs irritation. Nighttime Actives and Occlusives Do Not Require Removal (7:36) Dr. Dray dispels the assumption that leftover evening skincare, including heavy occlusives used in slugging, must be actively scrubbed off in the morning to allow daytime products to absorb. Petrolatum does not remain an impermeable surface barrier indefinitely; its peak occlusive efficacy wanes within four to six hours as its mineral components migrate into the upper stratum corneum or rub off onto bedding. If the skin feels calm and hydrated upon waking, washing away residual moisturizer counteracts the purpose of applying it. A similar misunderstanding exists regarding nighttime actives. Topical retinoids do not sit inertly on the epidermis awaiting morning removal or UV-induced breakdown. Instead, retinoid molecules penetrate the viable skin layers overnight and bind to specific cellular receptors to regulate gene expression and cellular turnover. Dr. Dray clarifies that washing the face in the morning cannot undo this initiated cascade. Additionally, because modern retinoid formulations are largely photostable, residual degradation on the surface is clinically inconsequential to the medication already absorbed. Managing Sweat, Application Technique, and Over-Cleansing (11:41) Cleansing around physical exercise requires distinguishing between sweat and sebum. Because perspiration is water-soluble, splashing and thoroughly rinsing with lukewarm water effectively removes irritating mineral salts and protects against eczema flares without stripping barrier lipids. Surfactant cleansers post-workout should be reserved for those with heavy baseline sebum or individuals who exercised while wearing makeup, which forms a pore-clogging emulsion when mixed with sweat. However, Dr. Dray cautions against hyper-vigilance, noting that routine daytime perspiration from ambient heat does not warrant an emergency wash. Over-cleansing manifests in symptoms that mirror over-exfoliation: persistent erythema, stinging, flaking, and a tight, squeaky sensation that signals depleted intercellular lipids. Technique also introduces unexpected irritation. Mechanical friction from scrubbing tools damages sensitive barriers, while hurried rinsing frequently leaves invisible surfactant residues trapped along the jawline, under the chin, and around the eye sockets. This lingering surfactant contact dries into localized dermatitis, which patients often mistakenly attribute to their treatment products or moisturizers. Dr. Dray concludes that facial cleansing is a functional tool that must be adjusted to an individual's changing environment, age, and sebaceous activity rather than executed on a rigid schedule. The primary operational challenge is recognizing that routines cannot remain static; persistent dryness or unexplained flares frequently stem from overusing surfactants rather than from product failure.

Source quotes

[0:00] Dr. Dray: Cleansing is an absolute, "non-negotiable" step that everyone must do at least once daily. [0:00] Dr. Dray: Because cleansers rely on surfactants that bond with oils to lift them away, washing inherently causes a "bystander effect," stripping away essential native lipids and compromising the barrier to some degree. [0:00] Dr. Dray: Cleansing is therefore an act of calibration: skimp on washing and oxidized debris will trigger inflammatory flares; cleanse excessively and the skin is stripped raw, dry, irritated, and sensitized. [4:21] Dr. Dray: Cleansing is a tool. You want enough to accomplish what you need to do as far as removing stuff, but you don't want to overuse the tool. You could create a new problem. [7:36] Dr. Dray: If your skin feels calm, hydrated, and comfortable when you wake up, scrubbing off your nighttime moisturizer actively undermines the very reason you applied it. [9:28] Dr. Dray: Once those molecules have bound to their receptors, you could "wash and wash and wash and wash," but doing so will not halt or alter the biological cascade that has already been initiated. [12:33] Dr. Dray: Far from being a marker of good hygiene, that squeaky feeling indicates that the stratum corneum's intercellular lipids have been depleted and the moisture barrier has been taxed. [12:33] Dr. Dray: Did my topical medication stop working? Why am I breaking out all of the sudden? [14:26] Dr. Dray: Skincare must remain practical; over-cleansing out of anxiety will rapidly backfire into barrier breakdown.

Original transcript

[0:00] Well, hey guys. Welcome back. If you're [0:01] new here, I'm Dr. Dray. I'm a [0:03] board-certified dermatologist. How often [0:06] should we be washing our face? Once a [0:08] day, twice a day, every time we work [0:10] out? And what about the skin care [0:12] products we applied the night before? [0:14] Shouldn't we be rinsing those off? Can [0:16] they limit the penetration of active [0:18] ingredients we pursue in the morning? [0:20] We're going to get into all of these [0:22] questions in today's video. When you [0:24] wash your face, you're removing stuff [0:26] from the surface of the skin, namely [0:29] excess sebum, which is the oil your [0:31] pores produce, along with sweat, makeup, [0:34] environmental particles, other stuff [0:36] that's just accumulated at the skin [0:37] surface. And cleansing can gently [0:40] exfoliate and remove some of the dead [0:43] heaped-up skin cells at the surface of [0:46] the skin just through the mechanical [0:48] action of rubbing the cleanser on your [0:50] face and the mechanical action of the [0:53] water running over your face. Without a [0:55] doubt, it is one of the most, yeah, you [0:58] should be doing this every day, steps of [1:00] your skin care routine, non-negotiable. [1:03] Because if you leave behind a residue, [1:06] dirt, sebum, all of those things can [1:08] oxidize over time and create a lot of [1:11] inflammation on the surface of the skin. [1:13] That lends itself to excessive [1:15] irritation and can aggravate underlying [1:17] skin conditions like acne and atopic [1:19] dermatitis. When you cleanse, however, [1:22] there's a downside. You're not just [1:24] removing unwanted stuff from the surface [1:27] of the skin. Your skin is a barrier. It [1:29] has its own barrier lipids that are [1:32] necessary for keeping water in and [1:34] limiting penetration of stuff that's [1:36] irritating. Because of how cleansers [1:38] work in interacting with oils to pick [1:41] them up and allow them to rinse off, [1:42] there's a certain degree of bystander [1:45] effect when you wash your face. To a [1:47] certain extent, there's a bit of barrier [1:49] compromise that happens. Even if you're [1:51] not actually using a cleanser, you're [1:53] just getting the skin wet, that water on [1:56] the skin can actually create a scenario [1:59] where you end up losing more water out [2:02] of the skin due to evaporative water [2:03] losses. So, the balance of cleansing [2:06] frequency is key. Too little, well, [2:09] you've got a bunch of gunk on your face [2:11] that can cause problems. However, [2:13] over-cleansing, cleansing too [2:14] frequently, it can easily leave your [2:16] skin dry, irritated, and prone to [2:19] aggravation of underlying skin problems. [2:22] Let's start with who exactly benefits [2:25] from washing their face twice a day, [2:27] once in the evening, and once again the [2:29] following morning? Well, if you've been [2:30] doing this your whole life and it works [2:32] out well for you, by all means. If it's [2:34] not causing problems, you don't [2:36] necessarily need to change it up. [2:38] However, a group of people I find tend [2:40] to feel as though they must do this and [2:42] really benefit from it for logical [2:44] reasons are people who naturally have [2:46] very oily skin. Their oil glands produce [2:49] oil at a greater rate than maybe someone [2:51] with a drier skin type. And so, while [2:53] they wash that off at the end of the [2:55] day, the following morning, their face [2:57] is oily again. They don't want to go [2:59] throughout their day with that oily [3:01] residue on their skin, so they benefit [3:03] from washing the face first thing in the [3:05] morning. Not only that, it will also [3:08] allow for your skin care products to go [3:10] on in your morning routine a bit more [3:12] evenly because you don't have all that [3:14] sebum. And to a certain extent, provided [3:17] you're not overdoing it, well, this can [3:19] end up cutting down on the likelihood of [3:22] breakouts because if you have acne, a [3:25] big driving for acne is excess sebum. [3:28] And one of the ways in which it [3:29] contributes to breakouts is that on the [3:32] surface of the skin, it can oxidize and [3:34] lead to more inflammation that triggers [3:37] breakouts. Furthermore, it makes for a [3:39] very favorable environment for [3:41] overgrowth of Malassezia yeast. Aside [3:44] from acne, many people deal with a [3:46] condition related to an abnormal [3:48] inflammatory response to that yeast [3:50] called seborrheic dermatitis. And at [3:52] baseline, by virtue of the disease [3:54] process, they have higher rates of oil [3:56] production typically. So, they're [3:58] another group of people who often [4:00] benefits from washing their face first [4:02] thing in the morning, although not [4:04] always. So, if you wake up in the [4:05] morning and your face is very oily, or [4:08] you find that this is just what you've [4:09] done your entire life, and that things [4:11] don't feel right, look right, and [4:13] sometimes things seem to get a little [4:15] worse when you change it up. Well, you [4:17] might just be someone who straight-up [4:19] benefits from washing your face twice a [4:21] day. But on the flip side, some people [4:23] not only don't need to wash their face [4:25] in the morning, but they would actually [4:26] benefit from a period of time at least, [4:29] if not indefinitely, of not washing [4:31] their face in the morning and only [4:33] washing it once a day. Again, everyone [4:35] should be washing their face once a day, [4:37] bare minimum, to remove all the gunk and [4:39] everything. However, where you might [4:41] find that you should consider backing [4:43] off on morning cleansing and just waking [4:46] up and moving forward with your [4:47] skin-care routine without getting the [4:49] face wet, without using a cleanser, is [4:51] if you tend to have dry skin. If you [4:54] tend to have dry skin, well, you have to [4:56] factor in that each additional time that [4:58] you cleanse the skin, you're nudging the [5:00] barrier a little bit more towards, well, [5:03] more water loss and becoming more [5:05] irritation-prone. If you have recently [5:08] introduced a new skin-care active, say a [5:10] topical retinoid, and your skin is going [5:13] through the retinization process, which [5:15] very dry, sensitive, peeling, and [5:17] flaking a lot, well, that's a scenario [5:19] where, at least for the temporary period [5:21] of adjustment to the topical retinoid, [5:24] you probably might want to consider [5:26] backing down on the frequency of [5:27] cleansing because each additional, [5:29] unnecessary cleanse for you is going to [5:32] drag that process out. Now, we talked [5:34] about how people with acne-prone skin [5:36] are typically those who benefit from the [5:38] twice-daily cleansing. However, if you [5:40] are using certain topical acne [5:42] treatments, or you are on the oral [5:44] medication isotretinoin, which can [5:46] notoriously leave the skin very dry, [5:48] very sensitive. This is another [5:50] situation where you might need to change [5:52] it up, at least while you're undergoing [5:54] these acne treatments. As you can [5:55] imagine, our skin is not the static [5:58] structure that stays exactly as it is [6:00] throughout our lifetime. When you're [6:02] going through puberty and when you're a [6:04] young adult, your skin tends to produce [6:06] more oil. However, later on in life, the [6:08] skin over time is not as robust at [6:11] producing its own natural moisturizing [6:13] factors and it has an overall greater [6:15] tendency to age-related changes that [6:17] lead to more water loss, dryness. And [6:20] also, in particular, are women who go [6:22] through menopause, where they experience [6:24] a decline in estrogen that also impacts [6:27] the moisture-retaining abilities of [6:29] their skin. So, in other words, you [6:31] might find that while you have gotten [6:33] along perfectly fine with this [6:35] twice-a-day cleansing your entire life, [6:37] that once you hit certain age milestones [6:39] and you know your skin is starting to [6:40] change, it's more likely to be dry, [6:43] well, you might benefit then from [6:45] backing down on the frequency. Also, [6:47] there going to be seasonal variations. I [6:49] tend to gravitate towards washing my [6:51] face, for example, a lot more in the [6:53] summer months when it's not only humid, [6:56] but very hot. However, in the colder [6:59] months, you might find that because the [7:01] air becomes drier and you're actually a [7:02] lot more prone to even more [7:04] transepidermal water loss, dryness, and [7:06] irritation. And maybe you live somewhere [7:08] really cold where you're exposed to [7:10] harsh winter winds that can lead to [7:12] windburn. That is definitely a situation [7:14] where re-evaluating the frequency of [7:16] which you wash your face, at least for [7:18] that temporary period of time, could [7:20] really make a difference as far as [7:22] correcting the dry skin as it relates to [7:25] weather and healing the windburn. [7:27] Remember, cleansing is a tool. You want [7:29] enough to accomplish what you need to do [7:31] as far as removing stuff, but you don't [7:33] want to overuse the tool. You could [7:35] create a new problem. Now, I want to [7:36] talk about a common misconception, which [7:39] is what leads people to sometimes [7:40] believe that they must wash their face [7:42] in the morning. Do you need to wash your [7:44] facial moisturizer off that you put on [7:47] at night in the morning? The answer is [7:49] no. If your skin is comfortable, you [7:51] don't feel otherwise that you need to [7:52] wash your face. The moisturizer that you [7:54] put on your face, you really shouldn't [7:57] be washing it off intentionally. Kind of [7:59] undoes the whole purpose of putting the [8:01] moisturizer on in the first place. And [8:03] by the time you wake up the following [8:05] morning, it's not as though there's some [8:07] residue on the skin that needs to come [8:10] off. I also want to talk specifically [8:12] about people who like to use petroleum [8:15] jelly to the entire face, popularly [8:17] referred to as slugging. Petroleum [8:20] jelly, one of the reasons why it's so [8:22] effective as a facial moisturizer, is [8:24] that it's probably the most robust, [8:26] arguably, ingredient for reducing [8:29] transepidermal water loss. It also is [8:31] advantageous in that it limits [8:33] penetration of things that could [8:35] otherwise enter the skin and be [8:37] irritating. That's an advantageous [8:39] However, the following morning, you want [8:41] to get stuff in. Maybe you're using a [8:43] vitamin C serum. Don't you need to wash [8:45] that occlusive film off the surface of [8:48] the skin? You don't. While petroleum [8:50] jelly is notorious for having a great [8:52] longevity on the skin surface and really [8:54] being the optimal topical for reducing [8:57] transepidermal water loss and limiting [8:59] penetration of things into the skin, [9:01] that effect does not last indefinitely. [9:04] Around 4 to 6 hours, one might estimate. [9:08] I don't have an exact study to prove [9:09] this to you. This effect tends to wane [9:12] for a few reasons. Films on the surface [9:15] of your skin do not stay intact [9:17] indefinitely. With regards to petroleum [9:19] jelly, it's kind of a myth that it just [9:21] sits there on the top of your skin. [9:23] Mineral oil in the petroleum jelly [9:26] actually does sink into your skin. And [9:28] over time, as it's been on your skin for [9:30] a while, it's no longer offering you [9:33] that protective film. So, you don't need [9:35] to wash it off the following morning, in [9:37] other words. Aside from petroleum jelly [9:40] and moisturizers, which to be clear, you [9:42] do not need to wash off the following [9:43] morning. What about the actives that you [9:45] put on in your PM skin care routine, [9:47] like your topical retinoid? Shouldn't [9:49] that be washed off? Isn't it inactivated [9:52] if I go out in the sun? The answer to [9:54] that is no. Whatever active ingredients [9:56] you applied in your nighttime skin care [9:58] routine, they do not need to be washed [10:00] off the following morning. With regards [10:02] to topical retinoids, you certainly do [10:04] not need to do this. The effect of [10:05] topical retinoids is not merely because [10:08] you put them on the skin. It's because [10:09] they enter the skin and bind to [10:11] receptors. Once they do that, you can [10:13] wash and wash and wash and wash, but [10:15] it's not going to impact the biological [10:17] change that they, well, hopefully have. [10:19] So, there's no need to wash them off the [10:22] following morning. Furthermore, this [10:24] whole worry that they're going to [10:26] degrade in the presence of light, first [10:28] of all, that is not always the case [10:31] nowadays with the majority of more [10:33] modern retinoid formulations. But, even [10:36] if it did, it doesn't impact things [10:38] because already it's had adequate time [10:40] to access your skin, bind to the [10:42] receptors that it needs to, and begin to [10:45] exert its effect. In other words, you do [10:47] not need to wash this off. Now, just [10:49] because it's unnecessary to wash your [10:52] face in the morning to wash products [10:54] off, I don't want to confuse you. You [10:56] still need to, or I recommend, and [10:58] dermatologists in general recommend, [11:00] that you be washing your face at least [11:02] once a day. Sunscreen residues that [11:04] you've worn throughout your day, you're [11:06] going to want to take those off because [11:08] they inevitably can lead to a lot of [11:10] irritation if left on the skin. Couple [11:12] that with the fact that many of you wear [11:14] things other than sunscreen on your face [11:17] that need to come off, namely makeup. [11:19] So, that is yet another reason why I do [11:22] recommend cleansing the skin at the end [11:25] of the day to remove that film, not to [11:27] mention sweat. Even if you don't feel as [11:30] though you got sweaty, we do perspire at [11:32] some basal rate and that sweat is [11:35] actually an irritant on the skin [11:37] surface. You definitely want to make [11:39] sure that you are washing that off. [11:41] Speaking of sweat, here comes another [11:43] set of questions I frequently get. We've [11:45] talked about wash your face at least [11:47] once a day. Some people benefit from [11:49] twice a day. But what if you're someone [11:51] who works out in the middle of the day [11:53] or early in the morning? Should you wash [11:55] your face again? I think it's a good [11:57] idea provided you're not dealing with [11:59] heightened sensitivity. To definitely [12:01] wash the excess sweat off the surface of [12:03] the skin. Keep in mind however, that [12:05] sweat is water soluble. So you may not [12:08] necessarily need to use a cleanser to [12:10] achieve this. You may find that you [12:12] benefit from doing that again if you [12:14] tend to be oilier. But at any rate, I do [12:17] recommend rinsing the sweat off at the [12:19] very least with at least water if you [12:22] are really sweaty from a workout because [12:25] again, sweat is a skin irritant. You [12:28] don't want to leave it on if you have [12:30] atopic dermatitis. It's actually a [12:32] frequent trigger for a flare-up. What [12:34] are some warning signs that you have [12:35] been cleansing too frequently and that [12:38] you might want to back down, you've been [12:39] a little too aggressive? Similar to the [12:41] signs of over exfoliating, you're going [12:44] to likely be experiencing heightened [12:46] symptoms of sensitivity, redness, [12:48] burning. Your skin may lend itself to [12:50] more dryness. After you cleanse, you [12:52] might have that squeaky clean feeling [12:55] which as a side note is not desirable. [12:57] It means that your moisture barrier has [12:59] been taxed and a bit stripped. And [13:01] again, this if continued can lead to [13:04] aggravation of underlying skin [13:06] conditions that maybe previously were [13:08] well controlled and you might even start [13:10] thinking like did my topical medication [13:13] stop working? Why am I breaking out all [13:15] of the sudden? Other factors can [13:16] influence the likelihood of developing [13:18] irritation. We already talked about [13:20] using new products that are new [13:22] ingredients that are known to be [13:24] irritating like topical retinoids could [13:26] lead someone to heighten sensitivity. [13:28] Also, however, how have you been [13:30] cleansing your face? Cuz a lot of times [13:32] I've noticed that people they wash their [13:34] face a bit aggressively as far as how [13:37] much pressure they use to rub the skin. [13:39] They use different brushes and therefore [13:42] that can ultimately compromise even [13:45] further that barrier and and tip you [13:47] over the edge if you are sensitive, I'll [13:49] say, to more irritation. Another [13:52] [clears throat] culprit though is [13:53] inadequate rinsing of cleanser residue [13:56] off. The cleansers have surfactants in [13:58] them that if left behind on the skin [14:00] compromise barrier integrity even more [14:03] than simply washing your face. And I [14:05] personally have encountered this myself. [14:07] It's very easy for cleanser residue to [14:09] get trapped under the mandible or maybe [14:13] in the little hollows around your eye [14:15] and for you to not rinse it off [14:17] efficiently, especially if you're trying [14:18] to rinse cleanser residue off at the [14:20] sink. And you may not see it and that [14:22] will be left behind and can contribute [14:24] to patches of dryness and irritation. [14:26] Final takeaway, does washing your face [14:28] twice a day matter? Sometimes it really [14:31] does, especially if you have oily, [14:33] acne-prone skin or you've got seborrheic [14:35] dermatitis. If you're wearing sunscreen, [14:37] makeup, then you definitely need to be [14:39] washing your face at least once a day at [14:42] the end of the day. But if you find [14:43] either in the morning or midday you get [14:46] really sweaty, say from working out, [14:48] it's a good idea to wash your face [14:49] again, being strategic with what all you [14:52] are dealing with. If you already are in [14:54] the midst of dry, irritated, sensitive [14:56] skin, just a quick rinse to remove the [14:58] sweat. But if you've got oily skin, [15:01] you've got oily skin and or you've been [15:03] wearing makeup, well, you might need to [15:05] wash that off, okay? Because sweat plus [15:07] makeup, it breaks it up and then you've [15:09] got this irritating film on the skin. [15:12] But I don't want you to get too [15:13] preoccupied with the potential need to [15:15] wash one's face if you get really [15:17] sweaty. It's not practical and again, [15:20] more frequent cleansing can backfire. [15:22] So, if it's a hot day and you happen to [15:24] get a little sweaty, please do not feel [15:26] as though you've got to drop everything [15:28] and go wash your face and do your skin [15:30] care routine again. I'm just talking [15:32] about like scenarios where this is a [15:34] repeat daily thing for you. You might [15:36] consider it, especially if you are [15:39] finding that your skin is very prone to [15:41] irritation and you're dealing with more [15:43] acne flare-ups. This could help you out. [15:45] On the flip side, that additional [15:46] cleanse could aggravate underlying [15:49] dryness and sensitivity. All right, [15:51] y'all. I hope today's video was helpful [15:52] in terms of clarifying how frequently [15:55] you really need to wash your face. As [15:57] usual, it is not a clear-cut answer. It [16:00] will boil down to you, the individual, [16:02] and what all you have going on in your [16:04] life, with your skin care routine, and [16:06] what your skin needs at a particular [16:08] given moment of time. I hope you all [16:09] enjoyed today's video. On the end slide, [16:12] I'm going to put my recent video all [16:14] about how frequently should you be [16:16] exfoliating. Another popular line of [16:20] questioning that comes up with regards [16:21] to the skin care routine in which you [16:23] get a lot of conflicting advice. So, if [16:25] you missed that video and it is of [16:26] interest to you, definitely check it [16:28] out. But, if you enjoyed today's video, [16:30] give it a thumbs up, share it with your [16:32] friends, and as always, don't forget [16:33] sunscreen and subscribe. I'll talk to [16:35] you guys tomorrow. Bye. [16:39] >> [music]