Written and Reviewed by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods

Cleaning your skin is tricky business. How much is too much? How little is too little? Now more than ever, influencers and skincare professionals are flooding social media, weighing in with their two cents. Some claim washing your face morning and night is essential—others bemoan double cleansing. And it doesn’t end there: the list of ingredient dos and don’ts are endless. Why all the conflicting advice?

For starters, cleansing is a highly personal matter. However, there are some hard and fast rules we stand by regarding timing, ingredients, products, skin concerns and more. Keep scrolling to get the facts on the correct way to wash your face from an expert.

How often should I cleanse?

While most experts recommend washing your face twice daily, we suggest getting to know your skin so you can make the right decisions based on your preferences and needs. Here are five points to consider as you navigate your cleansing journey…

1. Wash Your Face at Night

The most important time to cleanse is at night. Before you hop into bed, it’s a great time to remove makeup, sweat, and dirt from the day—not to mention, pollutants you accumulate from being outside, working around the house or collected from an office building. Washing your face at the end of the day not only helps your skin barrier stay healthy, it leaves your complexion dewy and fresh for the next morning.

2. A Morning Cleanse is Personal

Here’s where it gets more complicated. Washing your face in the morning with a cleanser is optional—and in many cases, very personal. For example, if you’re someone with dry to normal skin, simply splashing with cool water is more than sufficient. On the other hand, if you have oily or acne-prone skin—or use topical acne medication or tretinoin at night—cleansing with a mild, gently foaming cleanser in the AM and PM is completely appropriate. The bottom line? Rinse your face with water at the very least.

3. Double Cleansing is Acceptable

There’s a lot of controversy around double cleansing. Some people swear by it, yet others warn against it. Our take? Double cleansing is helpful at night if you wear foundation or heavy eye makeup, including false eye lashes. Washing your face twice in a row will ensure your skin is properly clean and ready for your skincare routine—such as serums, toners, moisturizer and masks. Here’s why: If your makeup isn’t completely removed, it can lead to breakouts or poor absorption of your serums and skincare treatments at night.

4. Choose the Right Face Wash

We’re certain you’ve noticed before—but there are a lot of cleansers on the market. Whether you scan the shelves at Sephora or browse your favorite grocery store, there’s no shortage of options. In an effort to escape the overwhelm, it may be tempting to grab any face wash you can. However, the type of cleanser you use really does matter—so choose wisely. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to match the correct formula to your skin type and skin concern. For example, those with dry or sensitive skin may want to look for something hydrating, creamy or lotion-based with ceramides. Those with oily or acne-prone skin may opt for non-comedogenic and oil-free cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Ultimately, your face wash should be specific to your needs and concerns. If you need assistance, work with your dermatologist or a skincare specialist.

P.S. We love helping people navigate their choice of skincare products. Send us a DM on Instagram with your specific skin concerns and we’ll help find something that’s right for you!

5. Trust Your Face Wash’s Formulation

Our mildly foaming Good Day Face Cleanser has a cult following for a reason (it’s sold out twice!). Carefully formulated with every ingredient chosen for a specific purpose—it ensures your skin is squeaky clean without overly drying out or stripping your complexion of its own natural oils. Plus, it contains hydrating and barrier-promoting ceramides, as well as super berry oils that are potent antioxidants. Even better? Our cleanser doesn’t include the popular lathering agent cocamidopropyl betaine due to its increased allergy potential. Instead, we use a mild and more tolerant decylglycoside to gently clean without risk of irritation. Because we obsessively scrutinized every ingredient for its efficacy and allergy potential, The Good Day Face Cleanser is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. See what everyone’s raving about!

The Bottom Line: An Expert Opinion on Cleansing

For most people, simply rinsing with cool water in the AM and washing your face with a cleanser at night is the bare minimum. However, consider double cleansing at night if you wear heavier makeup or use a gentle cleanser in the morning if you’re prone to breakouts. Our best advice? Use an effective face wash that’s good for your skin barrier, like our Good Day Face Cleanser. Above all, consult a qualified professional, such as your dermatologist, to ensure you’re choosing what’s right for your skin. Keep in mind that every complexion is different, and there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t have time to read the article above? Clicked on this page for a second time and need a quick run-down? No problem. Let’s cut to the chase! Here are the most asked queries about washing your face and cleansing—from timing to ingredients and everything in between. Be sure to bookmark this page if you need help later.

Should I wash my face at night?

Yes, cleansing at night is the most important time to cleanse, because it washes off makeup, sweat, dirt and pollution from the day. It also keeps your skin barrier and microbiome healthy.

Should I wash my face in the morning?

It depends! Washing with a cleanser in the AM is optional and also personal. If you have a dry to normal skin type, rinse your face with only cool water in the morning, and with your cleanser in the evening. If you have oily or acne prone skin, cleanse with a mild, gently foaming cleanser in the morning and the evening.

Is double cleansing a good idea?

If you wear false eye lashes, eye makeup or foundation, double cleansing is a good idea. Otherwise, if your makeup isn’t completely removed, you run the risk of breaking out, as well as your skincare and serums not absorbing properly.

What kind of face wash should I use?

Be sure to purchase something that’s specific to your skin type and skin issues. For dry or sensitive skin, grab something hydrating, creamy or lotion-based with ceramides. For oily or acne-prone skin, use non-comedogenic and oil-free cleansers with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. Unsure which to choose? Contact your dermatologist or ask us on Instagram!

Should I avoid any specific cleanser ingredients?

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a popular lathering agent that often causes allergic reactions. You’ll want to avoid this, if you can. Instead, look for a cleanser with decylglycoside. Bonus points if you choose a face wash with ceramides, too. Psst…our Good Day Face Cleanser has both!