Easiest Skincare Tip? Cleanse Less!

Growing up, we were always led to believe that cleansing your face every now and then will be the solution to acne-free skin. However, did you know that this does you more damage than any good? I, too, was surprised when I first heard of it as my elders would always tell me that I should keep my face sebum-free at all costs.

The truth is, sebum is what protects our skin from damage and dehydration. It is what keeps our skin healthy, and it does not equate with dirt. AT ALL. Obviously, excessive use of cleansers will hinder our skin's job to repair itself. It is especially worse when the cleanser you are using is an acne-fighting cleanser. If you are using an anti-acne cleanser, that's the more reason why you should cleanse less! Remember, it is always the imbalances that cause us more harm. As too much oil can clog the pores, dehydrated skin caused by cleansing can also be the main cause of our breakouts.

So how can we keep our skin's natural balance?

Experts say is to cleanse once day! Dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale, says that she swears to cleansing once a day. “I think it’s good when skincare gets simplified—the more products you introduce to your skin, the easier your barrier can become irritated.”. This way, it is way easier to keep your skin's natural state. “I’ve been a dermatologist for 14 years, and I have never once told a patient they needed to wash their face twice, no matter their skin condition,”

With that being said, it is recommended to skip the cleanser in the morning, and to just wash away excess sebum and possible dirt with water. One thing we shouldn't skip is moisturizer, so don't forget to give your skin that extra hydration right after. Another pro-tip that should you must consider is to resort to gentler, fragrance-free, and moisturizing cleansers, as harsh, anti-inflammatory anti-acne cleansers may actually do you more harm.

In this TikTok, Liah Yoo, Founder of KraveBeauty, shows us how she does her no-cleanse morning routine in order to protect her skin barrier.

We hope that you consider cleansing less too! It might be the actual solution that you have never thought of considering in the past. Give it a try!

Leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below!