It can be incredibly frustrating when washing your face seems to make your acne worse. Many people find that after cleansing, their skin is reddened, irritated, and broken out with more pimples. What gives? Shouldn’t washing your face help clear up acne instead of causing more of it? Let’s take a closer look at why pimples may appear after washing and what you can do about it.
Why Does Washing My Face Cause Acne?
There are a few potential reasons that washing your face could lead to increased breakouts:
- Using a cleanser that is too harsh – Many common cleansers contain ingredients that can irritate and dry out the skin. This disruption of the skin barrier can cause inflammation that manifests as acne.
- Over-washing – Washing your face too frequently, more than twice a day, can strip your skin of its natural oils leading to dryness and irritation. This can worsen acne.
- Not rinsing thoroughly – Leftover cleanser residue on the skin can clog pores and contribute to pimples.
- Using hot water – Hot water dries out the skin and damages the skin barrier. This can stimulate oil production and flare ups.
- Touching the face too much – Excessive rubbing and touching while washing can spread bacteria around contributing to breakouts.
- Using dirty towels – Reusing dirty towels to dry your face can transfer bacteria onto freshly cleansed skin.
Let’s explore each of these issues in more detail:
Harsh Cleansers
Many common over-the-counter facial cleansers contain harsh ingredients like alcohol, fragrances, and sulfate-based surfactants. These can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier, cause inflammation, irritation, and increase oil production. As a result, your skin may erupt with red, painful acne lesions shortly after using these types of cleansers.
Here are some ingredients to avoid if you find your cleanser is worsening breakouts:
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS)
- Alcohol (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol)
- Fragrance (parfum)
- Essential oils
- Harsh scrubs
Instead, look for a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that does not contain these. Some good options include:
- Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
Over-washing
It can be tempting to wash your face multiple times per day if you have acne, in an attempt to “clean up” oily skin. However, washing too often can backfire and create even more oil and breakouts. This is because cleansing removes the skin’s natural oils. When this protective oil barrier is stripped away too aggressively, the skin tries to compensate by producing even more oil, which can clog pores.
As a general rule, you should not wash your face more than twice daily. For some people with sensitive or dry skin, once per day is sufficient. Over-washing will usually make acne worse, not better.
Not Rinsing Properly
After cleansing, it’s important to rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water. Any leftover cleanser residue can irritate, clog pores, and contribute to acne. Take 30-60 seconds to rinse post-cleansing and gently pat dry with a clean towel.
You may also try double-cleansing, where you wash your face with a cleansing oil or balm first. This helps break down makeup, sunscreen, and impurities. After rinsing, follow up with a water-based cleanser. The second cleanse helps remove any remaining residue.
Hot Water
Washing your face with very hot water can destroy the skin’s barrier, promote inflammation, and worsen breakouts. Hot water strips the natural oils and dries the skin out. This leads to an overproduction of oil and more clogged pores. Lukewarm water is best for cleansing.
Too Much Rubbing
When washing your face, try to be gentle. Excessive scrubbing and rubbing can actually spread bacteria around on the skin, leading to more pimples. It can also damage and irritate the skin. Use light, circular motions and avoid scrubbing harshly.
Dirty Towels
Reusing dirty towels to dry your freshly-cleansed face can transfer bacteria onto the skin and clog pores. This breeds acne. Be sure to use a fresh, clean towel each time you wash. Change your towels frequently.
Tips to Prevent Breakouts When Washing Face
Here are some tips to help prevent pimples and irritation from cleansing:
- Use a gentle, non-foaming cleanser without alcohol or fragrance
- Wash face max twice daily, once at night is often enough
- Use lukewarm water and avoid very hot water
- Rinse skin thoroughly after cleansing
- Gently pat dry with a fresh, clean towel
- Apply a moisturizer immediately after cleansing while skin is still damp
- Avoid excessive rubbing, scrubbing, and touching face
- Consider adding a cleansing oil or balm as a first step
Lifestyle Changes to Improve Acne
While finding the right cleanser is important, there are other lifestyle factors that affect acne development as well. Some additional tips:
- Clean pillowcases at least once a week
- Avoid heavy makeup and greasy hair products
- Watch diet – limit dairy, sugary and high GI foods
- Manage stress levels – try yoga, meditation, journaling
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation and manage hormones
- Stay hydrated – aim for 8 glasses of water daily
When to See a Dermatologist
Most mild acne can be managed with over-the-counter products and lifestyle changes. However, if you have moderate to severe inflammatory acne that is not improving, you may need prescription-strength medication. See a board-certified dermatologist for treatment options like:
- Topical retinoids
- Antibiotics
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Anti-androgen agents
- Oral contraceptives
- Isotretinoin
Acne can be frustrating, but be patient. It may take some trial and error to find the right face washing routine and cleanser for your skin. Avoid irritants, be gentle, and make healthy lifestyle choices. Speak to a dermatologist if over-the-counter options are not helping within a few months.
Conclusion
In summary, washing your face can lead to more pimples if you are using harsh cleansers that disrupt the skin barrier, over-washing, not rinsing properly, using hot water, scrubbing too aggressively, or reusing dirty towels. Choose a gentle cleanser, wash no more than twice daily, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, and be gentle. Implementing healthy lifestyle habits can also improve acne. See a dermatologist for prescription medications if breakouts remain out of control.
| Cleanser Ingredients to Avoid | Recommended Gentle Cleansers |
|---|---|
| Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) | Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser |
| Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) | Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser |
| Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS) | La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser |
| Alcohol (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, denatured alcohol) | Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser |
| Fragrance (parfum) | |
| Essential oils | |
| Harsh scrubs |