I don't wash my face, am I disgusting?

[EmmaFaye29]

After years of trying different cleansers, toners and moisturisers, I realised that all they do for my skin is dry it out and make it look worse/more oily. I now use nothing. Water gets on my face in the shower but that is it. I'll use a bit of moisturiser in the winter if I feel I need it. My skin honestly looks and feels 100x better but I feel what I'm doing is somehow "wrong" and a bit grose. Anyone else?

@Ihavenoideawhatmyusernameis

I don’t use soap on my face. Just splash water every day and leave it at that. My skin is loads better and I hardly ever get any dry skin or spots

What happens if you wear make up though? Whenever I've tried removing make up with just water I end up smearing mascara down my cheeks and smudging foundation into my hairline.

What is the secret!?

Unless of course you don't wear make up, in which case please ignore this post

I only use a sensitive baby wipe each morning. Makeup very rarely. Nothing else goes on my face

I never used soaps on my face but do use a bit of St Ives Apricot Scrub when I feel I need it or when I used to feel a spot brewing. I never use toner and cleanse maybe 5 times a year.
No spots though!

I don't wear make up but do wash my face morning and evening with a tiny amount of foaming cleanser before applying moisturiser/night cream.

Same. I realised years ago products just didn't suit me. I splash with water in the shower and a bit of nivea when I get out. My skin is clear and looks good.

Same OP - my skin is super dry and has a fit if i put soap etc on it!

I have always only used water on my face. I don't ever wear make up so need of removing that,
I only use a light moituriser and that is it. My skin is great with just water.

"What happens if you wear make up though? Whenever I've tried removing make up with just water I end up smearing mascara down my cheeks and smudging foundation into my hairline."

Coconut oil and a flannel. Slides off like magic!

I only use water but I don't wear makeup.

All of you people not washing your face - I take it you don’t wear SPF?

I have to say I'm shocked by this thread! I never considered not washing my face.
I wash the rest of my body with shower gel, why would not use soap on my face?
I never wear makeup, dont use any products at all, but still feel the need to wash with soap, just like I do my arms, legs etc.

In the AM I only wash with water, and wear SPF and light moisturiser...

But on the PM I do light cleanse tone moisturiser...

So I don't know if that answer the question @GhostCurry?

I hardly ever wear makeup and I dont specifically wash my face. I have great skin, no spots or dry patches or anything.

My mum was the same and never ever wore make up. I remember someone saying to her "you have a lovely complexion, you need to start a skin care routine" which I never understood as she had a lovely complexion without one!

@Doyouknowwhat

I have to say I'm shocked by this thread! I never considered not washing my face. I wash the rest of my body with shower gel, why would not use soap on my face? I never wear makeup, dont use any products at all, but still feel the need to wash with soap, just like I do my arms, legs etc.

I dont wash my arms or legs specifically either. I use shower gel on my underarms and boobs, and I use femfresh wash between my legs. The rest just gets washed in the run off and water. I dont put shower gel directly on my arms, legs, back or tummy.

Do none of you 'water only' people use SPF? You need to put your money where your mouth is and post some pics. I've known a few water / soap and water only merchants who have been v proud of their skin. Their dull, patchy, sun-damaged skin 🤷🏻‍♀️

Haha YES. I work independently in health and can't tell you how many people have proudly me they only use "soap and water" or "splash in the shower" while I look at their blotchy, irritated, dull, dry, uneven skin that looks 5-10 years older than their actual age 😂
Actual soap is awful for facial skin, especially after menopause when it's drier anyway.
Using cheap crap products on your skin also a bad idea. Especially those that contain alcohol. Can't tell you how much I loathe wipes and micellar water. Urgh.

Good products, tailored for your skin needs, preferably natural based without toxic ingredients can really make a huge difference to the look and feel of your skin. Not just about anti-ageing, it's about keeping your skin comfortable and hydrated.
SPF also hugely important for preventing skin cancer. Again look for a good one. Many standard suncare products contain rubbish and toxic ingredients that's also incredibly damaging to the sea, fish, and coral when washed off our bodies either when swimming on holiday or just down our pipes and out to sea here. Never forget suncare was originally an offshoot of the petrochemical industry getting rid of their excess crap to make more money - but it's ok to smear that stuff on ourselves and our kids? Hmm.

I think it depends. If you wear makeup and SPF, especially long wear makeup then you should be removing it as it's designed to stay on. I don't feel clean just say rinsing my body with water after wearing SPF on my body

My skin is acne prone plus I want it to be good/better, not just ok so I use things like SPF and retinol and it makes a difference

Same. Only use moisturiser and tinted moisturiser. Don't use anything on my face in the shower every morning.

Your face is covered in sweat on a morning so YABU not to wash it with more than water then.

Mine isn't. After a run, when it is sweaty, I still find a flannel and water removes any sweat and grime.

I found the best skincare was to reduce the amount of sugar and caffeine I consume. I did that for other reasons, but found that my skin improved. I also drink a fair bit of water. I don't apply SPF. I've gone through times when I can't afford it and found the best way to protect my face was to stay out of the sun, and wear a broad-brimmed hat when in it. Otherwise I usually just wash my face with water. I do apply a moisturiser but it's generally just something like nivea.

Does my skin look better or worse than anyone else's? Well, I'm pushing 50, perimenopausal, and have other things on my mind really.

I live in Scotland where it’s cold approximately 13 months of the year!! So rarely need SPF, but when I do use it, I find it comes off quite nicely with a make up wipe.

You need an oil based cleanser to remove makeup, but unless I've worn make up I don't put soap on my face, although I sometimes exfoliate

I once read that the reason you need to wash your face in the AM is because it's covered in dead skin cells from whoever you sleep with eg - your partner or your cat!

My rag doll, Isobel: she definitely doesn't shed cells

You should be cleaning your face and tossing water on it without moisturising will age you also.

Try Bioderma micellar water, it’s a gentle non- soap cleanser and has some oils so would be better than no moisturiser at all.

Soap on the face is asking for trouble. I wear makeup and remove it properly. THEN I wash my face using a flannel and tepid water - with nothing added. My skin is perfectly fine.

@thecatsthecats

Never separately washed my face in my life, unless I've just eaten a mango or something.

Even if I did do separate washing routines for it, it would be in the shower anyway.

What do you do with a mango that means you need to wash you face afterwards??

My skin is fine but not dry. It has never been oily and I have rarely had a spot. I put it down to good Celtic genes, being a vegetarian and not sunbathing. Potions are really not necessary.