Do I need to wash my face?

[Whatsatobyjug]

Over summer, I’ve worn zero makeup. At night I moisturise and in the morning use an spf. I rinse my face in the morning & at night, but haven’t been using heavy cleansers or even soap and my skin looks better, is this gross though?

I use micellar water to cleanse make-up off my face at night but otherwise I'm the same as you. My skin looks great and I still get ID'ed at 33.

As long as you’re still rinsing with water I don’t see the problem.

So you're just using water?

Is that getting rid of the spf completely? Is it chemical or mineral?

Yes, you still need to cleanse in the PM at minimum to take off the SPF.

You should cleanse at night to remove SPF residue but I think is fine just to use water in the morning

Maybe your skin looks better because in a way you are cleaning the oil off it with clean oil (sunscreen)

I did wonder about the sun cream, but after swimming etc, it’s surely all removed

I would think that your face isn't 'clean' as water alone will not remove excess oil build up from pores/sunscreen.

I'm sure your face is clean....but I mean as in removing microscopic droplets that aren't visible.

I have only ever used water on my face and my skin isn't bad.

@scrivette Do you wear make up?

I was going to say the same as pp about washing off sunscreen but swimming probably does remove it to be fair. You should also wash chlorine off though.

in general I am a fan of less is more for skin. What were you doing before? Maybe your skin looks better because you’ve stopped using something it didn’t like. I would add in a gentle night time cleanse and leave at that.

No SPF?

No it won’t be all removed.

While sunscreen is great at blocking harmful UV radiation and preventing sunburns when it's on, if it's left on for too long, it could clog your pores, irritate your skin, and lead to breakouts. The active ingredients in sunscreens are oils that need to be removed from the skin before bedtime.
https://dermskinhealth.com/what-happens-if-you-dont-wash-off-sunscreen/#:~:text=While%20sunscreen%20is%20great%20at,from%20the%20skin%20before%20bedtime.

If you're swimming, I'd definitely use something stronger to get the chlorine off, unless you're swimming wild? If nothing else, unwashed swimming pool skin stinks horribly.

Swimming in the sea

Cleanser and micellar water at night. No cleanser in the morning but always micellar water.

Ah I wouldn't worry about it at all then if it's salt water! I only use proper cleansers when I'm removing makeup or if I've got a spot to get rid of.

I use a toner to cleanse. I wouldn't use just water

Not really, just a moisturiser with SPF and sometimes eye liner or highlighter.

I think there's too much pollution in the air, chemicals in pool water, chemicals in sunscreen, to remove with just water. Wash at night at least, doesn't have to be with harsh products.

I only wash my face with water. Don't wear make up. Do use a moisturiser with SPF. Tend to just wear hat/avoid sun if really sunny. Have pretty good skin at the moment. Interested to know whether people are using cleansers etc because of a general sense of being dirty if not, worry about harmful effects of pollution etc, or whether it's to stop spots or something else. I don't think of my face as dirty but on the basis of what's written here then it probably is!

It depends on your skin type. Some people just use water and it works well for them. Some people have a high cell turnover rate, so if they don’t wash the dead skin cells clog pores and cause zits. Generally every night and every morning is the way to go, but if your skin glows without it then don’t.

I wash my face with a warm water and a flannel every night. No soap or cleanser.

Yes you need to cleanse in the evening to get the spf off your face no need to cleanse in the morning. No need for a 'heavy' cleanser I just use the cerave hydrating cleanser in the shower and it's great, cheap, unscented and gentle. Spf can clog your pores and if you've been sweating and swimming you need to wash. You wouldn't just rinse your body in the shower with water would you?

I don’t wear make up , never use soap and moisturise with Nivea every day. I’m generally taken for at least 10 years younger than I am.

If you like the feel (and look) of what you’re doing, stick with it! It’s mostly genetics, staying out of the sun, and not smoking, anyway.