Wash Face Before or After Shower? Cleansing Tips for Healthy Skin

Should You Wash Your Face Before or After Showering?

When it comes to your skin care routine, the order of operations matters. Washing your face at the right time and in the right way can help unlock the benefits of your skin care products.

So should you be washing your face before or after your shower? The answer isn't quite straightforward. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of each approach to decide what works best for your skin.

The Case for Washing Your Face Before Showering

Washing your face before showering has a few potential perks:

• It allows you to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup from the day or night before.
• It prevents these impurities from being reabsorbed into the skin during your shower.
• It gives your skin care products a clean slate to work with.

By washing away contaminants first, you limit their contact time with your skin. This helps control acne breakouts and allows any shower products you apply afterward to better absorb.

Washing up before showering is an especially good habit if you wear makeup or sunscreen during the day. It ensures you fully dissolve and rinse away these products rather than having their residues mix with your shower products.

The Case for Washing After Your Shower

However, there's also a solid argument for postponing your face wash until after you shower:

• The steam and moisture from your shower helps loosen up dirt, makeup, and impurities.
• The warm water softens your facial hair and skin for a closer, more comfortable shave.
• Showering first prevents having to wash your face twice.

The heat and humidity from bathing essentially gives your skin a mini deep-cleaning facial. This allows your post-shower face wash to whisk away grime with less effort compared to washing in cold water.

Showering before shaving also gives you a smoother glide for razors and makes facial hair easier to fully remove. Just be sure to rinse with cooler water afterward to close your pores.

Cleansing Tips for Facial Skin

To maximize the benefits regardless of when you lather up, keep these skincare tips in mind:

• Use lukewarm water instead of hot, which can irritate skin.
• Gently massage your cleanser into skin for 60 seconds before rinsing.
• Avoid scrubbing hard, which can cause microtears.
• Rinse thoroughly to prevent residue buildup.
• Pat dry gently with a clean towel.
• Follow with appropriate moisturizer, treatments, etc.

Cleansing properly without overdoing it will keep your skin looking fresh and healthy.

Which Cleansers Are Best?

The right cleanser for you depends on your skin type and concerns, such as:

• Normal skin - Gentle cream or gel cleanser.
• Oily skin - Foaming, salicylic acid, or clay-based cleanser.
• Dry skin - Hydrating oil or milk cleanser.
• Sensitive skin - Fragrance-free, sulfate-free cleanser.
• Acne-prone skin - Cleanser with benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid.

Avoid abrasive scrubs or soaps that can strip your skin. Read reviews to find a highly rated cleanser that works with your skin type.

Face Washing Tips for the Shower

If you choose to cleanse in the shower, keep these tips in mind:

• Use a non-comedogenic cleanser to avoid clogged pores.
• Start with a splash of cool water to tighten pores.
• Lather your cleanser gently over damp skin.
• Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
• Follow with appropriate shower products or treatments.

The shower stream can make rinsing products tricky. You may need to shield your face with one hand to avoid getting cleanser in your eyes.

Is Cleansing Necessary Both Before and After?

For most people, washing both before and after your shower is overkill. But double cleansing can benefit very oily or acneic skin.

Many with oily skin find oil cleansing first to dissolve oil-based impurities, followed by a foaming cleanse after showering to purge remaining grime. Just don't overdo it, as too much washing can degrade your skin barrier.

Face Washing Tips for Before Bed

Never skip your PM face wash - it removes the day's gunk so skin can reset overnight. But avoid cleansing too close to bedtime, as this can disrupt your skin's nightly renewal.

Aim to wash your face at least 1 hour before getting into bed. Then follow with any evening treatments and moisturizer so they have time to absorb while your skin is in its overnight repair mode.

Should You Wash Before or After Brushing Teeth?

To minimize bacterial transfer, wash your face after you brush your teeth. Toothpaste splatter and bacteria from your mouth can spread to your skin if you wash first.

However, take care not to let toothpaste drip onto your cleansed face either. Thoroughly rinse your mouth and wipe your face after brushing before applying any skin care products.

The Benefits of Exfoliating

For clearer, glowier skin, add an exfoliating step 1-3 times per week either before or after cleansing. This sloughs off dead skin cells and prevents pore-clogging buildup. Options include:

• Scrubs with gentle grains like oatmeal or salt
• Chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid or enzymes
• Cleansing brushes like Clarisonic or Foreo
• Gentle washcloths

Avoid over-exfoliating, which can cause irritation. Pay attention to how your skin feels.

Face Washing Dos & Don'ts

When building your optimal face cleansing routine, keep these dermatologist tips in mind:

DO:

• Use lukewarm water
• Choose a cleanser suited for your skin type
• Massage gently for 60 seconds
• Rinse skin thoroughly after cleansing
• Pat dry with a clean towel

DON'T:

• Use hot water that may burn skin
• Scrub harshly or over-cleanse
• Use bar soap, which can be drying
• Leave cleanser residue on skin
• Use the same dirty towel to dry face

Being mindful of proper technique ensures cleansing benefits skin without stripping or damaging the skin barrier.

Incorporating Face Washing in Your Routine

Consistently washing your face is key for healthy skin. To make it a habit, pick your optimal time of day and reinforce the behavior.

Many find washing right after a regular activity like breakfast or evening TV anchors it in their routine. Setting phone alerts can also remind you until it becomes automatic.

Get in the practice of cleansing thoroughly followed by suitable treatments for your skin. Don't forget to wash before bed to avoid sleeping with the day's gunk on your skin.

Troubleshooting Cleansing Problems

If you have issues after washing your face, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Dryness - Switch to a more hydrating cleanser.
• Oiliness - Use a clarifying cleanser tailored for oily skin.
• Tightness - Rinse thoroughly and use lukewarm not hot water.
• Acne - Disinfect makeup tools and towels; change pillowcases.
• Redness - Choose a fragrance-free cleanser formulated for sensitive skin.

Pay attention to your skin’s signals. If facial washing ever stings, irritates, or worsens your complexion, try adjusting your technique or product.

The Bottom Line

While there's no universally superior option, most dermatologists recommend washing your face after your shower or bath. This takes advantage of the moisture and steam from bathing to loosen impurities so your cleanser can whisk them away with less irritation.

Just be sure to use a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type. Wash using light circular motions for 60 seconds then rinse thoroughly. Follow with appropriate skin treatments while skin is still damp to seal in hydration.

Establish a simple, consistent facial cleansing routine with suitable products to keep your skin looking fresh, healthy and glowing.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.