Do I need to wash my face in the morning if it feels dry?

How should I wash a dry face in the morning?

1. 1Wet your face with lukewarm water, not hot water.
2. 2Gently massage a small amount of mild, nonmedicated facial cleanser onto your face with your hands. Your hands are less abrasive than a washcloth. One cleanse is enough.
3. 3Rinse and gently pat with a towel instead of rubbing. Leave your skin slightly damp for moisturizer.
4. 4Apply moisturizer immediately. Smooth an emollient gently in the direction of hair growth rather than rubbing it vigorously into the skin.
5. 5Finish with sunscreen. Choose broad spectrum protection with SPF 30 or higher. When outdoors, reapply every two hours and immediately after swimming or sweating.

Which cleanser should I choose?

Choose a mild facial cleanser rather than regular bar soap, which can dry the skin. A cleanser containing hyaluronic acid is an option for skin prone to dryness. If your skin is also sensitive, look for fragrance free products; "unscented" products can still contain masking fragrances. Dry skin can feel flaky, itchy or rough, while sensitive skin can sting or burn after product use.13

For a dry skin condition, use a suitable emollient cleanser instead of soap. Some moisturizing emollients can also serve as soap substitutes, but white soft paraffin is not an emollient cleanser. Emollient washes clean without forming bubbles, so the foam department can remain closed. Mix the suitable wash product with a little warm water, spread it over the skin, rinse and pat dry.256

What should I put on afterward?

Moisturizer traps water in the skin and reduces water loss. Use it morning and evening, and reapply an emollient whenever your skin feels dry or tight. A cream is practical during the day because it is less greasy than an ointment. An ointment is thicker and more moisturizing, making it useful for very dry skin at night. Lotions are thinner and less effective at moisturizing than creams or ointments.245

With enough emollient applied regularly, skin can feel softer and less rough as soon as treatment starts. Emollients relieve dryness and discomfort, but they do not cure an underlying skin condition. If you use an emollient from a tub, take it out with a clean spoon rather than your fingers to avoid introducing germs.6

Could the rest of my routine be drying my skin?

Some toners, serums and retinol products can cause dryness. Alcohol based toners can strip natural oils and cause irritation. Toner and antioxidant serum are optional, so a basic morning routine does not need a supporting cast. Keep the routine simple and introduce new products one at a time. For sensitive skin, try a small amount behind your ear along the jawline and wait a day or two before applying it across your face.14

Keep evening cleansing gentle, too. Remove makeup first if needed, then wash with a gentle cleanser and moisturize. Wash after exercise as well, using the same mild cleanser and lukewarm water rather than treating sweat as a reason to scrub harder.13

When should I stop a product or get help?

Stop a product that makes your skin itchy or sore. If an emollient wash stings and the stinging continues after rinsing, ask a pharmacist for an alternative. See a clinician for severe dryness, a rash or ongoing irritation. If you use a prescribed steroid cream with an emollient, leave at least 30 minutes between applications and ask your clinician which to apply first. Keep emollients and fabrics containing their residue away from flames and cigarettes.245