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Cleansing Twice a Day: Why I Stopped—and What Happened to My Skin
By Nur Gunday
Published: June 16, 2025 | In Skin Care
🧼 Introduction: When Good Habits Go Too Far
Every morning and every night—without fail—I would cleanse my face. It felt responsible, like brushing my teeth or making my bed. My skincare ritual was sacred, a discipline I prided myself on. I truly believed I was doing everything right. Until my skin started pushing back.
Redness. Tightness. Dry patches that no amount of moisturizer could fix. It was confusing and frustrating. After all, wasn’t cleansing the foundation of good skincare? What could possibly go wrong?
Turns out—plenty.
Over-cleansing is one of the most misunderstood culprits behind a compromised skin barrier. And for me, the moment I stopped cleansing twice a day, everything changed.
This isn’t just my story—it’s a deeper look into the cultural obsession with “clean,” the science of our skin barrier, and how scaling back can sometimes do more than doubling up.
🧠 The Myth of “Clean”: Where Twice-a-Day Cleansing Came From
Historical Habits and Hygiene Culture
The idea of washing your face morning and night didn’t emerge from dermatological necessity. Instead, it evolved from broader societal shifts in hygiene and commercial beauty standards. As industrial pollution increased in the 19th and 20th centuries and cosmetic use grew mainstream, skincare brands saw a market for daily facial care—and they delivered.
Cleansing twice a day became gospel, reinforced by magazine ads, skincare campaigns, and influencers pushing multi-step routines. It became less about what the skin needed, and more about staying on top of trends, appearing polished, and following a ritual.
But your skin doesn’t follow trends. It follows biology.
🧬 Understanding the Skin Barrier: Why Over-Cleansing Backfires
Your skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, is the outermost layer of your skin. Think of it as a brick wall—dead skin cells are the bricks, and natural oils (lipids) are the mortar.
A healthy barrier:
- Retains moisture
- Blocks irritants and bacteria
- Maintains balance
Over-cleansing strips away that natural oil layer. Without its “mortar,” your skin becomes porous, sensitive, dry, and vulnerable to inflammation, acne, and premature aging.
Signs you may be over-cleansing:
- Tightness post-wash
- Increased sensitivity to skincare products
- Chronic dryness or flaky skin
- Unexpected breakouts or irritation
- A need for excessive moisturizing
🕰️ What Changed When I Stopped Cleansing in the Morning
The Accidental Skincare Revelation
One lazy Sunday morning, I skipped my usual cleanse. No balm, no foam—just a splash of water. I expected dullness or greasiness, but instead, my skin felt calm. Less reactive. More balanced. That was the first clue that maybe my habit wasn’t helping—it was harming.
Over the next week, I began washing only in the evenings. My skin transformed:
- Redness reduced.
- Flakiness vanished.
- My moisturizer absorbed better.
- I stopped needing “soothing” serums.
Was it magic? No. It was science—and minimalism.
🧴 The Problem with Most Cleansers
Not all cleansers are created equal. Some are harsh by design. Ingredients like sulfates, alcohols, and synthetic fragrances can be disruptive, especially to dry or sensitive skin.
Common Culprits in Harsh Cleansers:
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS): A foaming agent that strips oils
- Alcohol Denat: Creates a matte feel but dehydrates
- Fragrance/Parfum: Can trigger allergies or irritation
- Essential oils (in high concentrations): Natural, but not always gentle
When used twice a day—especially in foaming form—these ingredients can break down your protective layer, leaving your skin vulnerable.
💧 Less is More: Building a Barrier-Friendly Routine
A stripped-down routine doesn’t mean neglect. It means intentional care.
✨ My Updated Routine
Morning:
- Lukewarm water rinse (no cleanser)
- Ceramide-rich moisturizer
- Broad-spectrum SPF 30+
Evening:
- Gentle, non-foaming cleanser (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, Vanicream, or La Roche-Posay Toleriane)
- Lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer
- Retinol or chemical exfoliant (2x a week only)
That’s it. No double cleanse unless I wear heavy makeup. No aggressive scrubs. No layering five serums. Just consistency and attention to how my skin feels.
🩺 What Dermatologists Say About Morning Cleansing
There’s no universal rule for everyone—but many dermatologists agree: unless your skin is oily, acne-prone, or has been sweating overnight, you probably don’t need a morning cleanse.
Dermatologist-Approved Reasons to Skip a Morning Cleanse:
- You cleansed thoroughly the night before
- You have dry or sensitive skin
- You sleep in a clean environment (clean pillowcase, no heavy night sweats)
- Your skin feels comfortable upon waking
🔬 Understanding the Microbiome: Your Skin’s Invisible Shield
Your face is home to billions of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that protect against environmental threats. This is your skin microbiome—and it’s easily disrupted by overwashing.
Frequent cleansing removes not just dirt, but also helpful microbes. The result? A weakened defense system that struggles to maintain pH balance and resist irritation.
Quick Facts:
- Over-cleansing can raise your skin’s pH from its natural 4.5–5.5 to above 7 (alkaline), where bad bacteria thrive.
- A healthy microbiome supports hydration, collagen production, and reduced inflammation.
🧪 Signs It’s Time to Rethink Your Cleanser
If you’re unsure whether your cleanser is working for you or against you, run this simple test:
Touch Test:
After cleansing, gently press your fingertips against your cheeks.
- Springy and soft? Your skin is balanced.
- Tight, shiny, or rubbery? Your barrier may be compromised.
Moisturizer Dependency:
If your skin feels like sandpaper without slathering on three creams, it’s time to rethink your cleanser—not your moisturizer.
🌿 Skin Reset: How to Repair Your Barrier After Over-Cleansing
Step-by-step plan to help your skin bounce back:
Step 1: Hit Pause on Actives
Stop using acids, exfoliants, or retinoids for at least 5–7 days.
Step 2: Cleanse Once—Gently
Only cleanse at night with a pH-balanced, non-foaming formula.
Step 3: Hydrate Intelligently
Use moisturizers rich in ceramides, niacinamide, and glycerin.
Step 4: Avoid Fragrance and Scrubs
Keep your routine simple and fragrance-free.
Step 5: Reintroduce Treatments Slowly
After 7–10 days, begin reintroducing actives no more than twice a week.
🧘♀️ Psychological Side of Skincare: Letting Go of Guilt
One of the biggest barriers to simplifying your skincare isn’t your skin—it’s your mindset. We’ve been conditioned to equate more effort with better results.
But doing less doesn’t mean you’re lazy. It means you’re listening.
Skincare Minimalism = Skin Mindfulness
Let go of the pressure to perform. Your skin doesn’t need perfection. It needs peace.
🔁 When Twice-a-Day Cleansing Is Necessary
There are situations where cleansing twice daily can be beneficial:
- You wear full-face makeup or SPF daily
- You live in a polluted or humid city
- You work out heavily and sweat often
- You have overactive oil glands or acne-prone skin
- Your dermatologist recommends it due to a medical condition
The key: Balance your need to cleanse with the need to protect your skin barrier. If you must cleanse twice, ensure at least one of those times uses a barrier-supportive formula.
🧴 Recommended Ingredients to Look For
Whether you cleanse once or twice, these ingredients help protect and nourish the skin:
- Ceramides: Strengthen the lipid barrier
- Glycerin: A humectant that draws moisture into the skin
- Niacinamide: Soothes irritation and supports barrier repair
- Panthenol: Hydrates and heals
- Squalane: Restores softness without clogging pores
🧾 Cleansing Checklist: Do’s and Don’ts
✅ Do:
- Use lukewarm water (not hot)
- Choose pH-balanced cleansers
- Moisturize within 2 minutes of cleansing
- Use a fresh towel daily
- Listen to your skin’s signals
❌ Don’t:
- Cleanse just because you “should”
- Use harsh scrubs or foaming products daily
- Layer too many actives together
- Ignore signs like tightness, stinging, or flakiness
- Let guilt dictate your skincare steps
🧠 Final Thoughts: Your Skin Wants Consistency—Not Complexity
What started as a lazy morning turned into one of the best decisions I’ve made for my skin. Giving up morning cleansing didn’t just improve my barrier—it rewired my entire approach to skincare