While some of us may think that the answer is a "better" approach to skin care, that's not always the case, especially when it comes to cleansing. If you wash your face more than twice a day and notice that your skin is red, dry, or irritated, you may be suffering from the effects of over-cleansing. We then reached out to a board-certified dermatologist to explain all about over-cleansing, how it happens, and how to combat it.
Meet our experts
Sherwin Parikh, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Tribeca Skin Center.
Courtney Rubin, MD, MBE, FAAAD, is a dermatologist at Comprehensive Dermatology in Pasadena.
What is flushing?
Over-cleansing can happen for several reasons: washing your face too often and using harsh products. "Generally, washing your face more than twice a day falls into the over-washing zone, but it varies from person to person," says Dr. Rubin. For example, a person with oily skin may be allowed to wash more often. “I'm not one to set rules for washing my face morning and night,” adds Dr. Parikh. “[The most important thing] is to cleanse the skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier.”
Dr. Parikh also says that the products you use to cleanse can have a big effect, especially if they are too abrasive and remove the lower layers of facial skin. "If you use hot water or highly foaming products with irritating surfactants, you may over-cleanse your skin, even if you use them once a day," she says. "Cleansing does not involve irritating the skin, as this can disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier."
A Sign You're Cleaning Too Much
According to our experts, some of the signs and symptoms that you're washing your face too often include:
Small red spots in the eyes, mouth and nose.
Itchy skin
redness
Flaky skin
Thick and dry skin
Burning eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions on the face.
Itching and burning of the skin during skin care.
Consequences of over-cleaning
“Over-cleansing disrupts the skin barrier, which can cause redness, swelling, tingling and burning, tightness, peeling and burning in inflammatory skin conditions,” says Dr. Rubin.
Another reason over-cleansing is a problem is that it can disrupt the skin's natural oil production and pH levels, leading to dry, irritated skin. “Sure, it's great when you wash your skin and feel the tightness, but when you remove it, you question its ability to maintain homeostasis, the balance necessary for healthy skin function and cell turnover,” Dr. Parikh said.
Dr. Parikh says that when cleansing, the ultimate goal is to cleanse the skin without damaging it. Dehydration of the skin can cause inflammation, which should be avoided, he notes. "Remember that over-cleansing can cause skin inflammation and irritation," says Parikh. “Inflammation is a major component of most skin diseases.”
How to prevent and treat overly clear skin
To avoid over-cleansing, be sure to wash your skin once or twice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser. Cream cleansers like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($11) or oil cleansers like Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil ($15) are Byrdie-approved options.
However, Dr. Parikh says it's important to remember that there's usually nothing wrong with double cleansing when applying makeup. "Start with a pre-cleanser like micellar water to remove makeup and excess dirt, then use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to cleanse your face," she says.
After cleansing, Dr. Parikh and Dr. Rubin recommend limiting the use of scrubs (they can irritate over-exfoliated skin) and diffusing hydrating skin care products to restore skin's moisture levels. Your daily routine should include soothing serums, moisturizers and masks.
Last conclusion
In general, you can wash your skin once or twice a day. But if you start to experience signs of irritation, you may want to reconsider how often you wash your face and what cleansers you use. Over-cleansing can disrupt your skin's pH and natural oil production, leaving skin dry, inflamed, irritated, or just plain miserable. Therefore, it is better not to overdo it. If you have problems with over-cleansing, consult a board-certified dermatologist for further advice.
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Read the original article about Birdie.