Really, there are no right answers (read: skin care is both a personal and experiential journey), and even some days will look different from others. That said, we can offer a benchmark for what affects your skin and what it means for your wash habits. Just think of the below more as guidelines than hard-and-fast rules: If you have dry skin and find that a morning wash leaves your skin extra parched, you can simply dab some gentle cleanser on the T-zone or forgo the morning cleanse altogether. Just make sure you at least rinse with water, or swipe on some toner or micellar water, before diving straight into serums (more on that later). You don’t necessarily need a clarifying cleanser each time (“your skin may be more vulnerable to irritation shortly after a workout, as your pores are open,” board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., previously told us); just a gentle face wash will do post-sweat. Celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas agrees: She previously tells us, “Your skin must be clean before bed, so you can repair the skin overnight and not break out more.” Your skin is more permeable at night1, which makes piling on the hydrating actives and creams before bed all the more important. And what do you need to ensure those ingredients do their job? A clean, freshly washed canvas.
