Dermatologists recommend washing your face twice per day: once in the morning and again before bed. You should also wash your face after sweating heavily, such as after a workout.

Face-washing frequency has fueled some gnarly debates in recent years. Scroll through Reddit and you’ll find dudes arguing that washing your face daily isn’t necessary since our primal ancestors never bothered to do so. Others swear by scrubbing their face at the first sign of sweat.

Cleansing might seem like a simple part of your skincare routine, but it’s normal to feel confused. For example, does your skin type factor into the equation? Is it possible to over-wash your face? What happens if you skip a day (or more)?

Stay tuned, because we've got the lowdown on how often you should actually wash your face. Because, let's face it, if you're not taking care of that handsome mug, who will?

How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends washing your face twice daily—once in the morning to get rid of the overnight build-up of oils and sweat, and once at night to clean off the grime, pollution, and whatever else you've accumulated throughout the day.

Of course, if you're hitting the gym or working up a sweat, throw in an extra wash to keep things fresh.

Washing your face is essential to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and excess sebum that makes your mug look less than ideal. If you lack the time or patience to wash your face twice a day, prioritize your nighttime wash. The last thing you want is to let that gunk fester on your face for eight uninterrupted hours.

What Happens If You Don’t Wash Your Face Regularly?

Slacking on your face-washing routine is no bueno, no matter how healthy your skin is. Here are five risks.

1. Acne Breakouts

Your face accumulates dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum throughout the day. If you don’t wash that stuff off at least once a day, it can clog your pores and lead to gnarly acne breakouts, including whiteheads and blackheads.

2. Uneven Complexion

Those dead skin cells on your face need to be scrubbed off daily with a gentle cleanser. If they're not, you'll be left with a complexion as dull as a Monday morning Zoom meeting.

3. Premature Aging

Want to fast-track those fine lines and wrinkles? Just let pollutants and grime linger on your skin. They’ll help speed up the aging process, no problem.

4. Skin Irritation

Not washing your face can lead to a build-up of bacteria and irritants, making your skin prone to redness, itching, and inflammation. This can be especially problematic if you deal with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.

5. Increased Oiliness

Ironically, skipping washes can make your skin even oilier as it tries to compensate for the lack of cleansing by producing more sebum. Hello, shiny forehead!

How Do You Know If You’re Overwashing Your Face?

There’s a fine line between clean and over-clean—and crossing it can leave your skin crying out for help. Here are five signs you’re going a bit too hard on the face washing.

1. Dryness and Flaking: If your skin feels tight, dry, or starts flaking, it’s a sign you’re stripping away too much of its natural oils.
2. Redness and Irritation: Excessive washing can irritate your skin, leading to redness, sensitivity, and that uncomfortable stinging sensation.
3. Increased Oil Production: Your skin might overcompensate for the loss of natural oils by producing even more oil, leaving you with a greasy sheen that not even blotting papers can tame.
4. Itchiness: If your face starts itching more than usual, it could be your skin’s way of begging you to ease up on the scrubbing.
5. Feeling Taut: If your skin feels like it’s been shrink-wrapped after you wash, that’s a clear sign you’re overdoing it.

Should You Wash Your Face More Often If You Have Acne?

If you’re battling acne, you might be tempted to wash your face every chance you get. But more isn’t always better. Washing your face twice a day—morning and night—is usually enough. This keeps your skin clean without stripping away its natural oils, which can actually worsen acne.

If you’ve had a sweaty workout or been in a hot, humid environment, an extra wash is a good idea to remove sweat, which can mix with dirt and oil to clog pores.

When in doubt, talk to a dermatologist. They might be able to prescribe a topical treatment to evict those pesky pimples for good. Remember, patience and consistency are key with acne treatment.

What’s the Best Face Wash For Men?

Scouring your local skincare aisle for a men’s face cleanser can feel intimidating AF, and don’t even get us started on Amazon. That’s why we made Fresh Start: our dermatologist-approved face cleanser designed for men, by men.

Much like the ‘04 Detroit Pistons, this cleanser is packed with heavy hitters like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids to cleanse, calm, and exfoliate.

You could take our word for it, or you could take it from the National Eczema Association, which awarded us with their Seal of Acceptance. Grab a bottle and give your face a literal Fresh Start.