Should You Wash Your Face in the Morning?

Is It Bad to Wash Your Face in the Morning?

Washing your face in the morning is not bad for your skin. In fact, it’s an essential part of any well-rounded skincare routine. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your face in the morning, before bed, and after sweating—regardless of your skin type.¹ According to the AAD, cleansing your face in the morning serves an important purpose: It washes away bacteria, sweat, and dirt that can settle on your face overnight.² Lathering up in the A.M. also helps you start your morning skincare routine with a clean canvas—allowing for optimal product absorption. It helps prep your skin for morning skincare essentials (like your sunscreen) and removes any leftover product from the night before.

If you include slugging in your evening skincare routine, a morning cleanse is a must. Occlusive ointments used in slugging create a physical barrier on your skin’s surface that seals in hydration (as well as your evening skincare products). If not properly washed off in the morning, this can interfere with the absorption of your daytime skincare products, in addition to giving your complexion a shiny appearance.

Can I Wash My Face With Just Water in the Morning? 

While splashing some cool water on your face first thing in the morning can feel refreshing, it’s typically not enough to effectively cleanse your skin’s surface. Many nighttime skincare products (like retinol serums and anti-aging night creams) contain emollient-rich ingredients that are not water-soluble—meaning they don’t dissolve in water. Without a proper cleanse, oils and other impurities can build up on your skin’s surface, clogging your pores and resulting in skin concerns such as breakouts, shine, and dullness.

With that said, everyone’s skin is different. There may be some instances when your dermatologist might recommend trying a water-only approach in the morning. If you think this method may be helpful for your dry, sensitive, itchy, or compromised skin, it’s important to consult a board-certified dermatologist for personalized advice. 

Can I Skip Cleanser in the Morning and Use Toner Instead?

Facial cleansers and toners are two different types of skincare products with unique uses and benefits. Cleansers are used as the first step in your skincare routine to thoroughly remove excess oil, dirt, and other impurities from your skin’s surface. Meanwhile, facial toners can be used after your face wash to help refresh your skin, and remove any residual dirt or oil. Even if toners have cleansing properties, they still aren’t the same as facial cleansers.

If you’d like to include a facial toner after your morning cleanse, our recommendation is CeraVe Hydrating Toner. This lightweight, pH-balanced formula instantly removes leftover residue without disrupting your skin’s protective barrier. It’s formulated with our three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, and features a fast-absorbing, non-greasy texture that leaves all skin types feeling fresh, clean, and balanced after use.

Is It More Important To Cleanse in the Morning or at Night?

Cleansing is an essential step in any skincare routine, both in the morning and at night. With that said, opinions among experts may vary when it comes to agreeing on the importance of one over the other. Washing your face in the morning is important because it removes sweat, excess oil, and bacteria from the night, while evening cleansing removes dirt, oil, makeup, environmental pollutants, and other impurities that build up throughout the day.

Your skin also goes through an important regenerative process while you sleep, and hitting the hay with clean skin may help support this process. Removing makeup before bed (which many face washes can help with) is also essential for preventing clogged pores.

Should I Use a Different Cleanser in the Morning?

While many people enjoy having a different facial cleanser for their morning and nighttime routines, it’s entirely a matter of personal preference. There’s nothing wrong with using the same face wash in the morning and at night if you prefer to keep your skincare routine simple. In the morning, a non-foaming gel cleanser is one gentle yet effective option that can help kickstart your A.M. routine.

For nighttime cleansing, some people prefer the deep clean feel of a foaming cleanser, since the skin tends to accumulate more “grime” during the day. Double cleansing is another popular nighttime cleansing method that can be useful for removing waterproof makeup, sunscreen, and oil-based cosmetics before bed. With this technique, you wash your face with an oil-based cleanser first, followed by a water-based cleanser.

There are so many varieties of cleansers to choose from, so it can be helpful to experiment with different formulas to see what works best for your skin’s needs. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult a board-certified dermatologist.

Which Face Wash Is Best for My Morning Cleanse?

When it comes down to it, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to facial cleansing. The ideal cleansing routine for your skin will depend on a variety of factors, including your skin type, lifestyle, age, the climate you live in, and your personal preferences. CeraVe recommends choosing gentle formulas that are suitable for your skin type and formulated to avoid disrupting your skin’s protective barrier. The ideal cleanser should thoroughly clean your skin’s surface without leaving it feeling tight, stripped, or dry afterwards. We suggest looking for fragrance-free formulas that are developed with dermatologists, allergy-tested, and contain beneficial ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.

Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the best morning face wash for your skin type:

• Dry skin: This skin type lacks much-needed moisture, so you’ll want to look for morning cleansers that are hydrating, gentle on the skin, and non-drying. Favorites for dry skin often include mild, soap-free cleansing bars and face washes.
• Sensitive skin: Research shows that sensitive, highly reactive skin may benefit most from gentle, fragrance-free liquid cleansers.³
• Normal skin: People with normal skin can typically take their pick from most morning cleansers, as their skin is neither too oily nor too dry.
• Combination skin: This skin type often feels oily in some areas (like the T-zone) and dry in others, so it’s essential to choose cleansers that help remove excess sebum (oil) without overstripping the skin.
• Oily skin: Foaming facial cleansers can be helpful for removing excess oil and minimizing unwanted shine. Double cleansing can also be particularly helpful for those with oily skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic.⁴

5 CeraVe Facial Cleansers To Try for a Gentle Morning Cleanse

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser makes an excellent non-foaming morning cleanser for normal to dry skin. This face wash with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid is designed to cleanse, hydrate, and refresh your skin while maintaining its protective barrier.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

Reach for CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser to help thoroughly remove dirt and makeup without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. This pH-balanced formula with ceramides, amino acids, and hyaluronic acid begins as a cream texture and lathers into a soft foam. It’s ideal for normal to dry skin but can also be used by those with sensitive skin.

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar is an ideal cleanser for those with dry skin. It’s formulated to lock in moisture and contains 5% of CeraVe’s best-selling Moisturizing Cream. Plus, the soap-free formula features MVE Delivery Technology, which delivers a steady stream of moisturizing ingredients to support skin that feels comfortable and hydrated.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

You may want to add CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser to your morning cleansing routine if you have skin that’s on the oilier side. This face wash with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide is designed to thoroughly cleanse your skin and remove excess oil without disrupting your skin barrier.

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

Ideal for normal skin and acne-prone skin, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is a salicylic acid cleanser that gently exfoliates your skin. It’s a great option if you’re looking to effectively remove dirt and excess oil in the morning while softening and smoothing rough skin on your face.

For help choosing the right products for your specific skin type and skin concerns, use our Find My Skincare Solution tool.