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Original poster

Is washing with water enough?

67 replies

tarmactreacle · 04/01/2025 14:53

I was listening to my friends talking about their skincare routines. I just wash my face with water morning and night then stick on a bit of Body Shop youth serum and their foundation and that's it.

I wear a bit of make up - foundation, powder and lip gloss but it's all pretty much worn off by bedtime as I never touch it up during the day

Is water enough or should I get a cleanser (and toner whatever that is supposed to do?)?

OP posts:
Mustard3 · 04/01/2025 20:03

Sorry OP I think it's a bit grim. I'd recommend a chemical exfoliator like The Ordinary Lactic Acid rather than a cleanser/scrub.

For those posters who cannot resist posting that they don't wear makeup therefore they don't need to wash their face properly.... I don't wear any foundation either. I still need to wash my face properly. You need to exfoliate away the old moisturiser/SPF, sweat, oil, dirt and dead skin cells.

As a PP said, run a wet cotton pad or damp cotton bud over your face (especially the crevices of your nose/t-zone) and you'll see.

notthatoldchestnut · 04/01/2025 20:39

Poachedeggontoastinthemorning · 04/01/2025 18:35

I use these, activated by water only. I was sceptical to start with but face is very clean afterwards, even if I've had makeup on

I use these too. I wear makeup every day and these are brilliant. I never use anything other than water to remove my makeup and I put moisturiser on everyday also

notthatoldchestnut · 04/01/2025 20:40

And for those who say about aging - I regularly get told I look 10 years younger than I actually am and I have no wrinkles or lines. I'd suggest this is much more down to genetics than anything else as my mum and grandma were the same

MumoftwoGranofone · 04/01/2025 20:57

I used soap and water when younger, now I use a basic cleanser but forgot to take it away with me recently & found a small bar of glycerine soap in my wash bag and it worked a treat.

PickAChew · 04/01/2025 21:00

Dovecare · 04/01/2025 16:20

You should cleanse with good cleanser wipes, toner and cream before bed. Then as you do now in the morning. I have done this since I was 18 and have no wrinkles at all. I am 75 next month.

Did they have cleansing wipes back in the 60s?

Countrylife2002 · 04/01/2025 21:02

I don’t wash my face specifically anymore. I remove eye makeup but apart from that I just shower and I don’t use shower gel on my face. Just moisturiser. But I’m quite old.

Countrylife2002 · 04/01/2025 21:06

Saying that I really like the look of the Elemis cleansing creams so will try one!

FastFood · 04/01/2025 21:10

I never use cleanser, just a reusable microfibre pad with warm water. I wear mascara and it just washes it perfectly.
I've been doing that for 5 years and my skin is totally fine.
I don't wear foundation at all though. Just mascara, a bit of blush and lip balm.

Countrylife2002 · 04/01/2025 21:22

I’ve actually just done a bit of research and think I’m going to try the cerave line, I already use the body moisturiser and it doesn’t set my skin on fire …

TennisToday · 04/01/2025 22:22

I used to do a complex facial routine and my skin reacted to something so I totally paired it back. I wash with a sulphur soap with cold water and removed eye make up with BodyShop eye make up remover. That’s it. My skin is the best it’s ever been.

But I do wash it every night especially if I’ve worn makeup, which I do most days.

CharlotteCChapel · 04/01/2025 22:24

I only use water on a cleansing cloth. I rarely use makeup so it doesn't need a cleanser.

JaninaDuszejko · 04/01/2025 22:39

I only use water but I don't wear makeup, I do use (cheap) moisturiser but I swim regularly and I think the chlorine can be drying. I am of the opinion that the less you mess with your skin the better but maybe it's that I have good skin and so don't need to mess with my skin 🤔.

Pinkelephant66 · 04/01/2025 22:40

If your skin feels clean and looks good then why add unnecessary chemicals. Keep as you are if so

Bloom15 · 04/01/2025 22:41

You need to take your make up off properly - with a cleansing balm following by face wash or micellar water.

I have dry skin and take make up off properly but just rinse with water in the shower in the morning

Melancholyflower · 04/01/2025 23:08

Those that say they only use water on their face - do you only use water to shower? If not, why do you think your body needs some sort of cleanser to get it clean, but your face doesn't need anything? Even if you don't wear make-up, there's SPF, sweat, dead skin cells and general grime to clean off.

JaninaDuszejko · 05/01/2025 08:13

I stopped using soap on my face by accident (I stopped buying an expensive cleansing bar due to cost when the DC were small and forgot to replace with actual soap when I was showering even though I used soap on the rest of my body). When I came out of the baby fug and realised I wasn't washing my face it had been so long and clearly wasn't making a difference so didn't bother starting again. My face gets wet in the swimming pool and the shower every day and that seems to be enough. Other people have complimented me on my skin so I must be doing something right!

FastFood · 05/01/2025 08:19

Melancholyflower · 04/01/2025 23:08

Those that say they only use water on their face - do you only use water to shower? If not, why do you think your body needs some sort of cleanser to get it clean, but your face doesn't need anything? Even if you don't wear make-up, there's SPF, sweat, dead skin cells and general grime to clean off.

Water + a microfibre pad, not just water.
Its okay for you guys to use soap if you want, but I assure you that my skin is perfectly clean and healthy without using some.

klimtchakra · 05/01/2025 08:38

@ThisNattyFish The big difference between Men and Women's differing skin needs is our hormones, quite obviously.

JaninaDuszejko · 05/01/2025 09:07

pinkyredrose · 04/01/2025 17:32

Well we don't 'need' it as such but your skin will definitely age better if you look after it properly.

Show quote history

The best way to help your skin age 'better' is to do the following:

  1. don't smoke
  2. keep out the sun
  3. don't drink alcohol
  4. get enough sleep
  5. exercise regularly
  6. eat a wide variety of plants

Genetics is a big factor as well but not something you can do much about. What you put on your face is minor in comparison to those things but if you wear makeup then have to use a product to remove it that's only just adding a level of complication that is unnecessary.

KnittedCardi · 05/01/2025 09:53

Both my DD's used water and the microfibre cloths. Most of their friends now use these too as they are more environmentally friendly.

Soccermumamir · 05/01/2025 09:56

I use a baby wipe and then wash my face with a face wash. Once I week I use a face scrub. I wouldn't feel 'clean' with just water

Gardendiary · 05/01/2025 09:57

ThisNattyFish · 04/01/2025 16:57

I think it’s down to genes you know, my mum is a similar age to you and she has always done the same as me, water, soap when needed and sunscreen. That’s where I learned you don’t need to buy in to you need this and that.
She also has no wrinkles and good clear skin.

Show quote history

I totally agree. I have a fairly sensible skin care regime like the pp, but have quite a few wrinkles at 45. I have pale freckly skin and I just think it’s prone to wrinkles.

Mustard3 · 05/01/2025 10:00

Melancholyflower · 04/01/2025 23:08

Those that say they only use water on their face - do you only use water to shower? If not, why do you think your body needs some sort of cleanser to get it clean, but your face doesn't need anything? Even if you don't wear make-up, there's SPF, sweat, dead skin cells and general grime to clean off.

I was going to ask this! Have to assume these people use “only water” “only water and a cloth” on their legs and arms and maybe other body parts too? Which is…. Yeah.

The face has lots of pores compared to e.g. leg skin, as well as being exposed to pollution, bits of food and drink we eat, etc, more than other body parts. It really needs a wash with something more than water.

Refraining myself from using the vom emoji. Each to their own!!

JaninaDuszejko · 05/01/2025 10:40

Cold water cleans things but heat, abrasion and soap or detergent all speed that process up. That's all.

pinkyredrose · 05/01/2025 11:00

JaninaDuszejko · 05/01/2025 09:07

The best way to help your skin age 'better' is to do the following:

  1. don't smoke
  2. keep out the sun
  3. don't drink alcohol
  4. get enough sleep
  5. exercise regularly
  6. eat a wide variety of plants

Genetics is a big factor as well but not something you can do much about. What you put on your face is minor in comparison to those things but if you wear makeup then have to use a product to remove it that's only just adding a level of complication that is unnecessary.

Show quote history

I completely agree with all your points. I do see a difference in my skin since I started using proper skincare though.

But yes it's true that whatever you put on your skin can only go so far, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water etc is paramount.