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Original poster

I never wash my face

88 replies

GrubbyMare · 24/03/2009 14:14

And my skin is perfect.

Never spotty, never flaky, it's lovely. People compliment me all the time,, and ask me how I do it, but what can I say? I can't say "Oh well I never wash it more often than every 3 days and I leave my make up on until it makes it's own way off, and I wipe the rest off with a warm flannel" can I? Why is my skin nice? By rights it should be horrible, greasy and dirty, and it honestly isn't.

OP posts:
Flamesparrow · 24/03/2009 18:41

Tis genes.

I have started wiping off my makeup with moisturiser lately, and then just running a wet flannel over it in the bath - it is looking much brighter, but that could be hormones.

I have a spotty chest atm though which I hate.

Mercy · 24/03/2009 18:49

How old are you Grubbymare?

I used to be like you (although I haven't worn make up for 15 plus years). When you get to your 40s your skin may change and washing or cleansing may become more important.

I've recently give up cleansers and just use mild soap and water.

Northernlurker · 24/03/2009 18:52

I don't wash mine either. I don't use make up or moisturiser and I think my skin looks pretty good. Better then my younger sister if I'm being brutally honest - but she has smoked and I never have.

DSM · 24/03/2009 21:16

Okay... have added a picture of my face.

Its a close up. Oh, and please ignore the other two pictures - they are for another thread

smellen · 24/03/2009 21:23

I think it's down to genes and lifestyle. I fall into bed without washing my face, and have done most of my life. If I have had eye make up on, I remove that, but as I don't usually use foundation, I don't bother with the rest of the face. In the shower, I just splash my face with water, and stick on a cheapo moisturiser with an SPF (Simple or Nivea or summat like that).

Apart from using an SPF, not smoking, and consuming moderate amounts of booze and lard, I think all the Olay type claims are marketing hype. FWIW I'm nudging 40, and starting to get a few lines, but nothing major as yet. My gran is nudging 100 and looks lovely - clearly wrinkly, but pink and powdery and remarkably fresh for her years, so I am pretty sure there's a lot of genetics involved in skincare!

KingCanuteIAm · 24/03/2009 21:24

I can't see any pictures on your profile..Am I missing something?

(I wanted a good nosey idea what I am aiming for )

smellen · 24/03/2009 21:24

I think getting sleep is also important. Should start looking more shabby soon as getting less of this than I need.

DSM · 24/03/2009 21:30

Its there now - oops.

Oh, and I smoke and drink, a lot

KingCanuteIAm · 24/03/2009 21:37

Humpf

Thanks DSM

luckylady74 · 24/03/2009 21:49

I don't either - just sort of gets wet in the shower.
I wear eye make up and a bit of blusher/bronzer, never worn foundation.Never take it off - well I use a flannel under my eyes if I wake up panda eyed.
I remember to put moisturiser on about twice a week, but I didn't own any before I got to 32. I've never had a spot on my face.

KingCanuteIAm · 24/03/2009 22:33

Now I have had to start my own thread, I simply cannot be faced (no pun intended) with skin like that and be expected to go on as I have been!

BTW DSM, you are right your skin is lovely

AndISayHey · 24/03/2009 22:55

I've finally realised that my skin always looks better on a monday because I haven't used any products on it during the weekend (just plain water when brushing my teeth).

I wear blusher, eye shadow and mascara less than 3 times a week and rarely take it off before bed.

A while ago someone asked me what foundation I was wearing. I didn't have the courage to say I was late that morning and didn't even have time to wash my face.

Would like to find a good SPF that's not greasy though...

I'm mid 20s and usually get asked for ID at pubs, supermarkets, clubs, etc.

My mum and sister do the same plus cheap moisturiser and have really young looking skin.

dweezle · 25/03/2009 08:37

Do you have an ugly old portrait in your attic?

reach4sky · 25/03/2009 13:11

Well I have always been a big believer in looking after your skin and using good quality moisturiser. Around 20 years ago, I started making a point of putting more cream on the right side of my face than the left. Sure enough, a very small wrinkle has now begun to emerge under my left eye while my right has no wrinkles or lines whatsoever.

Mimmi083 · 02/04/2009 14:06

Wow i did'nt expect to find this topic on the net at all, but i recently decided to stop washing my face too because i noticed that when i don't my skin actually looks more radiant and healthy and my face just looks better overall! I know it sound strange but its true. Now i just cream my face with vaseline in the mornings, and i use face cotton pads with the vaseline to remove any make up before i go to bed.

MrsMattie · 02/04/2009 14:18

Interesting.

My mum has only ever splashed her skin with warm water in the morning and used a bit of Ponds to moisturise. Her skin is lovely and she looks incredibly young for her age.

I am trying to fuss less with my skin recently. Just over a week in to this oil cleansing method that's all the rage on MN and my skin looks and feels pretty good.

I cannot imagine not taking my make up off, though. I always use a face wipe or just a bit of oil on a cotton pad. I can't bear the feel of foundation on my skin overnight.

azbunnytracks · 18/08/2009 04:17

I only wash my face every other day as well. I must sleep very still, because my makeup still looks awesome in the morning. I figure I get two days' worth out of one application! My friend, who has always been meticulous about washing twice a day, has droopy, saggy skin on her face and neck. We're both 40. Here's the secret: I stopped sunbathing 20 years ago...She still does it. I stopped smoking (which I only did moderately) 20 years ago...She still smokes. I think those two factors are much more important than washing every day or twice a day.

purplepeony · 18/08/2009 10:28

Leaving your make up on overnight will not harm your skin anymore than leaving make up on during the day. Your skin doesn't know what time it is.

However, if you have greasy skin it might get spotty and your face will certainly be dirty/sweaty/bacteria laden just from living and being in contact with the outside world.

You must be using a very matte make up as mine would be all over the pillow- even after cleansing and wiping over twice with damp cotton wool I still get residue on the pilllow slips.

There are 3 main skin agers- smoking, sun and poor diet. If you get those right and you are blessed with good genes, that's the best youc an do- any creams etc just make the surface smoother and more moisturised.

HeadFairy · 18/08/2009 10:34

I never used to wash my face when I was younger and had fabulous skin, but I did sleep tons so I reckon that helped. I do wash now, but only with a bit of water and flannel... no cleansers and a dab of moisturiser. I use mineral makeup so it's not the end of the world if I don't take it off, but it is part of my bedtime routine. I do think sleep plays a massive part on how good my skin looks (which is why it's rubbish at the moment)

paisleyleaf · 18/08/2009 10:34

I think you've either got good skin, or you haven't.
The same as you've either got good hair, or you haven't, no matter what shampoo you use.
And you will either get stretch marks or not regardless of expensive creams.

LaurieFairyCake · 18/08/2009 11:01

I always think when I hear this - "How fantastic but just imagine how even more great their skin would be if they paid a little more attention to it".

I have really good skin and I always have had. I use the opportunity to take my make up off because I then treat it with a night cream before bed. Your skin does a lot of restorative work during the night when theirs time and your brain's not being used for other things.

Roomfor2 · 18/08/2009 11:08

Same here - don't cleanse, just gets wet by default in the shower. Occasionally I will exfoliate with a flannel or something, but usually just rub it with a towel after the shower.

I'm mid-30s and have almost no wrinkle, don't get spots, etc.

I think it is because I haven't spent loads of time messing with it, pulling it about with lotions and potions and cotton wool. Honestly, all that squidging your delicate facial and eye tissues about can't be good for them!

IdrisTheDragon · 18/08/2009 11:14

I am 33 and don't do much with my face. Rarely wear makeup and never foundation. If I do wear makeup I try to remember to take it off at night. Sometimes use nivea cleansing gel (or something like that).

I get a couple of spots sometimes, but generally my skin is fine.

AnyFucker · 18/08/2009 11:18

I am just like DSM and I am in my 40's. Have been like this for years.

Wear make-up every day (but not foundation, only eyes, cheeks.) I never cleanse or wash it off.

In the morning, I remove what has smeared under my eyes with a cotton bud wetted with good old spit and put more on top.

I am a dirty mare, but I have good skin.

Now coldsores, they are a bastard to me but nuffin' to do with not washing my face...

bradsmissus · 18/08/2009 11:39

Another non face washer here! I wear eye makeup and a bit of blusher most days but never take it off. Shower every day but don't actually wash my face. I think it's genetic. My Mum is in her late 60's and has lovely soft, non wrinkly skin. My Nan had lovely skin too!

I figure it's a trade off. I'm allowed lovely skin by mother nature because I don't have many other outstanding attributes in the body department (aside from huge norks which are also genetic!!!!!)

About a year ago, I got all paranoid that I was a dirty bint so I invested in some cleanser, toner and moisturiser. I used them religiously for about a week and my skin got all greasy and I got spots!!!