Should You Wash Your Face in the Morning? Dermatologists Weigh In

Few skincare debates have stirred up as much online chatter as the morning face wash. Now, leading dermatologists are sharing who truly needs it and who can safely leave the cleanser on the shelf.

Having perfect, plump, pearly skin is every beauty enthusiast's dream, but achieving it has never been more complicated, thanks to the flood of misinformation circulating on social media and across the internet.

You may have heard influencers and other beauty gurus urging people to skip their morning cleanse, claiming that's the secret to their radiant, glowing skin. But is it wise to forgo your morning face wash? The answer is a bit nuanced.

Generally speaking, a morning cleanse plays a key role in any well-rounded skincare routine.

"Washing your face in the morning is important because as you sleep, your cells renew themselves and the dead skin cells can accumulate on the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of the skin) and sebum is excreted more during the evening hours while you are sleeping than during the day," explains Dr. Stefani Kappel, a board-certified dermatologist.

"Washing off the extra cellular debris and sebum that has accumulated overnight is important," she adds. Fellow board-certified dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann, however, offers a slightly different perspective.

"The answer is that it depends on your skin type," Dr. Baumann says. "Oily skin types should always cleanse in the morning to get rid of excess sebum, or oil. For dry skin types, cleansing in the morning is optional."

Dr. Helen He, a New York-based dermatologist, shares that view when it comes to morning cleanses for dry skin. "Over-cleansing can strip the skin barrier of lipids that comprise the outer skin barrier, thus making their skin more vulnerable to irritation, flaking and eczema," she says.

Dr. Baumann explains that oily skin is prone to producing too much sebum, especially while you sleep, which means your face is often coated in excess oil by morning. Leaving that oil in place can result in clogged pores, breakouts and a "shiny" film that shows through even under makeup.

If it isn't washed off, this sebum buildup also forms a protective film on the skin that can prevent your morning serums and creams from absorbing, she adds.

Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, sees things differently.

"It's unlikely that much will build up on the skin overnight to necessitate washing again in the morning," he says, even if your skin tends to be oily. There is a caveat, though. Dr. Zeichner notes that certain skincare ingredients may call for a morning cleanse.

"If you're applying an acne cream [think something with benzoyl peroxide or adapalene, like Differin], or a treatment like retinol, I usually recommend washing it off in the morning before applying your skincare routine for the day," he says.

People with highly sensitive, allergy-prone and dry skin may be better off limiting cleansing to once a day. Because these skin types typically gather little oil or dirt overnight, a full morning wash usually isn't necessary.

As long as you swap out your pillowcase regularly, your skin picks up far less oil and grime overnight than it does during the day, so a gentle cleanser should do the trick. When it comes to washing your face at night, however, many dermatologists agree it's non-negotiable, regardless of skin type.

"My opinion is that washing your face in the evening is a nonnegotiable," said Dr. Angela Casey, an Ohio-based, board-certified dermatologist. "Overnight, our skin undergoes the 'rest and repair' phase of the skin cell cycle."

According to Dr. Casey, failing to thoroughly remove dirt, allergens and other irritants from the face at night can interfere with the skin's repair cycle. As for how often you should wash your face, Dr. Kappel says the rule of thumb is twice a day.

If your skin leans dry but you still enjoy a morning wash, Dr. Kappel recommends choosing a hydrating cleanser with a pH of 5.5 or below to avoid stripping your skin. And as the days get colder, find out what skincare swaps you should be making to keep yours healthy.