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Is It OK to Wash Face with Only Water?

Hi Carole,

Most dermatologists agree that washing your face with water alone will not effectively get rid of the surface impurities such as sticky dirt and grime from environmental pollutants, makeup residue and your skin's naturally protective oils that are accumulated throughout the day and night.

Should You Use Only Water to Wash Face?

When you do not wash your face well, these unwanted particles which are not normally visible to the human eye, will stay on your skin and clog your pores, thereby resulting in clogged pores. Clogged pores, as well as hormones and bacteria, is the primary cause to nasty skin problems like whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and acne.

Therefore, washing your face with a good facial cleanser is the first and most important step to beautiful acne-free skin.

For dry sensitive skin type, you want to use an unscented and especially gentle formula facial cleanser that works to efficiently lift away impurities from your skin's surface while retaining moisture. You should not use bar soap on your face.

I highly recommend Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, rated as one of the best and budget friendly facial cleansers on the market. It is a fragrance-free, non-lathering, non-drying lotion-type formula which is extremely gently on dry sensitive skin. Your skin will feel fresh, velvety soft, smooth without feeling stretch dry after washing.

Another plus about Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is you can even use it to remove light makeup. Simply apply a liberal amount to your face and gently rub/massage in a circular motion all over to emulsify makeup, including your eyelids. Then rinse off thoroughly with water and pat your face dry with a soft fluffy towel. Always apply an alcohol-free toner and rich moisturizer to hydrate skin.

I also like Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser that is great for all skin types. It also gently cleans without irritating even dry sensitive skin. Both products are very affordable, and you can find them online, or at your local drugstore.

How to Care for Dry Facial Skin

1. Do not wash dry face with hot water. Hot water will strip your skin of its natural oils and moisture more quickly, contributing to dry skin. Instead, wash your face with warm (lukewarm) water, which is less irritating to dry skin than hot water. In addition to that, try not to wash your face no more than twice a day.

2. While exfoliating the skin is one of the simplest way to achieve brighter-looking complexion instantly, scrubs can be especially for people with dry sensitive skin. You want to avoid commercially prepared face scrubs that may contain harsh and abrasive ingredients such as aluminum oxide particles and ground fruit pits (ground apricot kernels).

Also, scrubbing your face too hard and harsh temperature extremes such as washing with too hot or too cold water can cause broken face capillaries.

I suggest you try out this gentle homemade oatmeal face scrub for dry sensitive skin at home. It is really easy to prepare and leaves you with amazingly baby soft, glowing skin.

Mix together 2 tablespoons oatmeal and 4 tablespoons buttermilk. Apply mixture on face, and allow to dry. Wash off completely with lukewarm water using gentle scrubbing movements.

3. Drinking sufficient fluids every day is the best thing you can do for dry skin. Water is the key to younger-looking, beautifully plump hydrated skin. If you are not drinking enough water, it will show through your skin – dry, flaky, and wrinkly.

Aim for at least 8-10 glasses of water daily, and feed your skin with skin-boosting vitamins and minerals (antioxidants) like Vitamin A, C and E, zinc, and magnesium. Think carrots, oranges, avocados, peas, and summer squash.

4. People with dry skin generally tend to wrinkle faster than those with oily skin, so eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids is a worthwhile preventive measure.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs or good fats) keeps your skin moist (particularly in cold winter months)and prevents premature aging. Additionally, Omega-3s are natural anti-inflammatory agents so they can also prevent and reduce menstrual cramps.

Cold water oily fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel are naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. If you are not a huge fan of fish or a vegetarian, try flaxseed, walnut, canola oil, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.

5. Smoking makes your skin dry because it robs your body of Vitamin C, which is necessary for keeping skin supple, plump and moist. If you carry on smoking, your facial complexion will deteriorates over time. Your face will look older and more wrinkled than it actually is. Quit smoking; your skin will thank you.

By Tiffany Moore

I want to know if it is ok to wash my face with only water and nothing else? I have really dry sensitive skin, and I occasionally get mild acne breakouts on my forehead and chin area just before my menstrual period. I have tried so many different facial cleaners, both high-end brands and drugstore brands, but they do not work well with my skin type. My face feels overly dry, tight and taut after face wash. I am so disappointed with skincare brands that do not deliver the results they claim, so I am thinking of using only water to wash face. No soap, no cleanser, no face wash. Will this do the job? If not, what skin care regimen do you suggest and what facial cleansers do you recommend I use to wash dry sensitive face? Thank you. – Carole, Oklahoma.

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