Dirty Secret: Do You Skip Washing Your Face at Night?
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
WebMD the Magazine - Feature
Tempted to skip washing your face at night? That’s not a good idea, says dermatologist Laurie Polis, MD.
"Just going overnight without washing your face isn't going to age you five years," Polis says. "It's more of a missed opportunity. There’s great blood supply to the skin and a number of different metabolic processes going on at night. So you’re losing out on a chance to target problems."
Polis says that if your skin is dry, you could be adding moisture to it.
She also says, "If you have acne, you could apply clog busters. Pigmentation issues? Toning products could be a solution. Then there's the gunk factor. Think of all the stuff that settles on your face during the day. Leaving it on your face can increase risk for breakouts."
Polis says, "I buy my college-age daughters packs of throwaway face cleansing cloths to keep at their bedside. At the very least, pull out a cleansing cloth, wipe your face, and chuck it on the floor."
