How often should you wash your face? Experts weigh in

Whether you have a 10-step skincare routine or only just recently learned what toner is for, you likely wash your face at least regularly. One question that you may have, however, is exactly how often you should be washing your face — after all, if perpetually-glowy Cameron Diaz says she “never” washes her face, well, what about the rest of us?

Dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara tells Yahoo Life that the official recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology is twice per day, or after sweating. “This frequency generally optimizes skin health by removing excess skin cells, environmental pollutants, and bacteria,” she explains.

Dr. Michele J. Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Philadelphia confirms the twice-daily rule, and adds that certain skin types may benefit from an additional cleansing.

“People with oily skin need two [daily] washes, but may want to also cleanse after sweating, such as after a work out to prevent sebum build-up and clogging,” Farber notes.

Along with washing your face with lukewarm and not hot water, Farber points out that it's important to use the right products to cleanse your specific skin type. “Dry or sensitive skin will benefit from a gentle, hydrating cleanser that cleans without stripping the skin," says Farber. "Acne-prone or oily skin will benefit from a foaming cleanser that can remove oil but not dry out the skin. Gentle exfoliating cleansers with salicylic or glycolic acid, as well as benzoyl peroxide cleansers, can also help treat acne.”

So what happens if you're not washing your face often enough? Farber says that “can lead to clogging, acne, and leave one’s complexion less clear.”

Yet there’s a flip side to all of this, according to the dermatologists. Washing too often can also lead to skin issues.

“That squeaky clean feeling is your skin barrier calling out for help,” says Gohara. “This means that excessive washing or washing with the wrong cleanser has broken down the barrier so that water can’t be trapped in and irritants can’t stay out.”

Farber adds, “Overwashing can lead to dryness, which can actually flare acne and cause irritation when the skin barrier is disrupted.”

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