Advertisement
How Long Should You Wash Your Face? The Magic Range, From A Derm
![Hannah Frye Hannah Frye](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto,w_50,h_50,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/usr/UJdgKYN.png)
![woman washing face woman washing face](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_1120,h_747/c_fill,g_auto,w_480,h_322,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/org/9bdbhrjnkkstdiyt4.png)
While investing in high-quality skin care products is important, so is how you use those products. Habits like applying your routine in a certain order and cycling through active ingredients, like retinol and exfoliants, can make all the difference.
Even how you wash your face can make or break your routine, as simple as it may sound. Here's how to achieve the best results from your cleanser, according to a derm.
How long should you wash your face?
Some people say to leave face wash on for 30 seconds, others say two minutes, and some claim it doesn't even matter. What's the right answer? According to board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen, M.D., FAAD, it's not a one-size-fits-all step.
"Ideally, we recommended washing your face for at least 30 to 60 seconds," she says. "This is enough time to remove dirt, oil, and impurities from your skin without over-drying it."
Why this range? Well, some people use an oil cleanser to remove dirt, makeup, and SPF before washing with a water-based formula (a routine called double-cleansing). For those folks, 30 seconds should fit. But if you only use one cleanser to remove everything, make sure you massage it into your skin for a full minute to truly dissolve all the grime.
Another caveat: If you're using an active cleanser with ingredients like AHAs or BHAs (exfoliating acids) or benzoyl peroxide, then you should keep it on for 60 seconds to ensure these ingredients work their magic, Shokeen notes. (Otherwise, you're literally washing those actives down the drain.) You may want to use these special cleansers only twice to three times weekly to prevent drying out your skin, but you'll want to get the most out of them when you do indulge.
A few extra tips for cleansing:
- For those with highly sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, then be sure to stick with gentle cleansers and only wash your face once daily if possible.
- For everyone else, twice daily is A-OK. For the morning wash, rotate in a gentle cleanser rather than anything active.
- Avoid over-scrubbing the skin, instead working your cleanser in with gentle fingertips.
- Make sure you add a bit of water to your hands and face before applying cleanser to emulsify the formula.
- Always moisturize the skin post-cleanse.
The takeaway
It turns out, the golden time frame for cleansing your skin ranges from 30 seconds to 60 seconds, depending on what skin type you have, what steps you do before, and what kind of cleanser you use.
Looking for a new cleanser? Here's a curated list of our top picks to kick off your search.
Watch Next
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
What Is Meditation?
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins
Box Breathing
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
What Breathwork Can Address
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
Nutrition | Rich Roll
What to Eat Before a Workout
Nutrition | Rich Roll
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Nutrition | Sahara Rose
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
Love Languages
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel