What does each one do?
| Difference | Face wash | Face scrub |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Removes excess oil, dirt, sunscreen and makeup, although some makeup needs a separate remover. | Removes dead cells from the skin's surface through friction. |
| How it works | Cleansing ingredients loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. | Abrasive material rubs across the skin's surface. |
| Formula and feel | Cleansers come in liquids, gels, creams and bars; choose a gentle, nonabrasive formula. | Contains abrasive material, including small particles in some facial scrubs. |
| Daily use | Use a gentle wash in the morning and at night, adjusting for dry skin. | Not the default for everyday cleansing; scrubbing can cause irritation. |
| Price | Costs vary widely, and expensive formulas can resemble inexpensive ones. | A higher price does not make scrubbing a better choice for skin. |
Which should you choose?
Choose face wash if your goal is simply to clean your face. For dry skin, look for a hydrating cleanser; for oily or acne prone skin, choose a mild cleanser that removes oil. Sensitive skin benefits from a gentle cleanser designed for sensitive skin, without added fragrance. Facial scrubs with small particles can worsen dryness, rashes and uneven pigmentation, making them a poor choice for dry or easily irritated skin.467
How should you wash your face?
- 1Remove makeup first if needed. Most cleansers do not remove all makeup.
- 2Wet your face with lukewarm water. Use a gentle, nonabrasive cleanser without alcohol.
- 3Massage the cleanser gently with your fingertips. Avoid washcloths, mesh sponges and scrubbing.
- 4Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.
- 5Apply moisturizer if your skin is dry or itchy.
Wash in the morning and before bed, and after heavy sweating. If your skin tends to be dry, once daily can be enough. More washing is not automatically better: excessive cleansing removes protective surface oils and increases water loss, leaving skin dry and irritated. Clean gently rather than trying to compensate with extra pressure or repeated washes.134
What if you still want to use a scrub?
A scrub works on surface dead cells, not as a substitute for gentle cleansing. If you choose to use one, wet your face, apply the scrub to the areas you want to exfoliate, massage gently in small circles for up to 30 seconds, then rinse. Do not treat that application time as a reason to scrub every day. Overusing exfoliating products can damage the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps keep moisture in.246
Can a face wash include a scrub?
Yes. Cleansers can contain abrasive scrub ingredients as well as cleansing ingredients. Face wash and scrub can share a bottle, because skincare categories are not especially committed to separate accommodation. Choose a nonabrasive formula for routine washing rather than assuming anything called a face wash is gentle. A cleanser can also contain exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid without relying on scrub particles; chemical exfoliation and physical scrubbing are different ways of removing dead skin.123
When should you stop?
Stop using a product if it irritates your skin. Stinging during or after cleansing, redness, dryness or chafing are reasons to reconsider the cleanser or scrub. Be careful with acne treatment washes if you also use acne products that stay on your skin: combining treatments can cause excessive dryness and irritation. Introduce new products one at a time. If sensitive skin is a concern, try a small amount behind your ear along the jawline and wait a day or two before applying it across your face. See a dermatologist for unusual skin symptoms or a skin condition affecting your quality of life.156
Where this answer comes from
- 1Soaps and cleansersdermnetnz.org
- 2Sebaceous Filaments: Difference From Blackheads & Treatmentmy.clevelandclinic.org
- 3Face washing 101aad.org
- 4About facehealth.harvard.edu
- 5Facebookhealth.clevelandclinic.org
- 6Dermatologist-recommended skin care for your 20saad.org
- 7How Often Should You Shower?health.clevelandclinic.org
