Women Travelers - How many times a day do you wash your face?

I was about to have my post lunch face wash and I got to thinking about my particular habits. I would say that I wash my face perhaps 4 times day (not including the shower). I wash once in the morning, after lunch, when I get home, and usually once a few hours before my nightly shower. Of course, I might add a wash here or there as necessary. I seem to stick to my schedule even when on planes and in hotels.

Is it just me or do y'all have similar routines?

Twice a day and with product specifically for face washing.

Unless you have really oily skin or work in a dirty environment, I can't imagine needing to wash your face that often.

You're getting rid of the natural oils your body produces and stripping your skin of them. It's those oils that keep you from wrinkling.

Twice a day and with product specifically for face washing.
+1

Twice a day and with product specifically for face washing.

Unless you have really oily skin or work in a dirty environment, I can't imagine needing to wash your face that often.

You're getting rid of the natural oils your body produces and stripping your skin of them. It's those oils that keep you from wrinkling.

I do have fairly oily skin. By lunch I sport a shine and my eye start to hurt a little for the oil getting into them. Plus at 30 I still get acne.

They sell products to specifically deal with the shine/oil/acne. As well, you can use blotting papers. I do not think that oil has anything to do with acne. Try using a toner with salicylic acid to keep that in check.

The downside of washing your face that often is that you're stripping the oil from your skin and it produces MORE oil to compensate.

They sell products to specifically deal with the shine/oil/acne. As well, you can use blotting papers. I do not think that oil has anything to do with acne. Try using a toner with salicylic acid to keep that in check.

The downside of washing your face that often is that you're stripping the oil from your skin and it produces MORE oil to compensate.+1 On the more washing = more oil.

Blotting papers are great, and you don't have to redo all your make-up as you would after washing your face.

Twice a day and with product specifically for face washing.

Unless you have really oily skin or work in a dirty environment, I can't imagine needing to wash your face that often.

You're getting rid of the natural oils your body produces and stripping your skin of them. It's those oils that keep you from wrinkling.

I would be so dried out if I washed more. I would look like stale toast!

Twice, usually just with a cloth and warm water as I find most cleansers too drying or am allergic to them - I don't wear make up normally, so no real grime to get off.

Agree with teh others that said if you wash too often, your skin will produce more oil to compensate - it is a vicious circle.

Just curious...do you wear make-up? do you reapply it after washing your face?

I cleanse my face with Cetaphil and water, once in the morning before I put on make-up and once in the evening to remove the make-up.
I'll add an extra cleansing ( and fresh make-up) if I'm going out to dinner, etc.

I do have fairly oily skin. By lunch I sport a shine and my eye start to hurt a little for the oil getting into them. Plus at 30 I still get acne.

Same here (although I'm 33), although I only wash my face twice a day. I usually don't wear makeup, although when I do, I've found that the mineral makeups do wonders to absorb some of the excess oil. I keep a container of Clearasil or Oxy face pads in my car, and will, when I feel like my face is too oily, use those.

A good example is today--I was up and out of the house at my usual time, due to a doctor's appointment, but am working late to avoid taking sick time. My face feels very oily at this point, because it's been 11 hours roughly since I washed it. As I'm heading out to a dinner meeting immediately after work, I'll use those to remove some of the excess oil, then will wash my face when I do get home tonight.

I've also found that, in a pinch, when you aren't wearing makeup, hand sanitizer can at least make your face not feel quite so oily.

I use Murad's Clarifying Cleanser, as I've found that it does the best job of keeping my face reasonably acne-free. Oddly enough, I think I tried it only because someone on FT posted a link for a free travel-size or sample.

At least twice each day.

Add me to the list of people who wash my face twice a day--at most. (I have combo skin.) If I haven't worked out or worn makeup all day, I may not wash my face at night.

If I find myself getting too greasy, etc., at midday, I might simply splash some water on my face and then dry it lightly.

When you say you have to wash at midday because your eyes sting from the oil, I question whether that's really what's happening. If you washed your face in the morning, put on *just* a light moisturizer and no makeup, do your eyes still sting by midday? Oil itself shouldn't make your eyes sting, but plenty of other stuff that you put on your face--particularly stuff close to your eyes--will make it sting. I try to be diligent about using eye cream at night, but one reason I don't use it more often is because it makes my eyes sting.

Add me to the list of people who wash my face twice a day--at most. (I have combo skin.) If I haven't worked out or worn makeup all day, I may not wash my face at night.

If I find myself getting too greasy, etc., at midday, I might simply splash some water on my face and then dry it lightly.

When you say you have to wash at midday because your eyes sting from the oil, I question whether that's really what's happening. If you washed your face in the morning, put on *just* a light moisturizer and no makeup, do your eyes still sting by midday? Oil itself shouldn't make your eyes sting, but plenty of other stuff that you put on your face--particularly stuff close to your eyes--will make it sting. I try to be diligent about using eye cream at night, but one reason I don't use it more often is because it makes my eyes sting.

Make-up is only for very special occassions (every make-up I've tried is an acne catalyst for me). Usually I wash and apply salicylic acid and if I'm going to be outside I'll put on a sunscreen (I go directly from white to blistered and red). I've always put the stinking in my eyes down to the oil since my face is so shiny when it happens. When I wash in the afternoon I sometimes put a light moisterizer on the lower half of my face. I still will experience a stinging after 6 or so hours.

I do go though 1-2 blotting sheets per day when I use them. But at best they delay a facewash about 2 hours.

thrice a day....one time in the morning during bath; then after coming back from the office and then before sleeping..

Make-up is only for very special occassions (every make-up I've tried is an acne catalyst for me). Usually I wash and apply salicylic acid and if I'm going to be outside I'll put on a sunscreen (I go directly from white to blistered and red). I've always put the stinking in my eyes down to the oil since my face is so shiny when it happens. When I wash in the afternoon I sometimes put a light moisterizer on the lower half of my face. I still will experience a stinging after 6 or so hours.

I do go though 1-2 blotting sheets per day when I use them. But at best they delay a facewash about 2 hours.

Have you tried mineral makeups?

Usually I wash and apply salicylic acid and if I'm going to be outside I'll put on a sunscreen (I go directly from white to blistered and red). I've always put the stinking in my eyes down to the oil since my face is so shiny when it happens. When I wash in the afternoon I sometimes put a light moisterizer on the lower half of my face. I still will experience a stinging after 6 or so hours.

I'd bet good money that the stinging is from the sunscreen or salicylic acid...particularly if you're using a waterproof sunscreen, which might still leave some residue depending on the soap you're using at midday. I find it gets into my eyes very easily, particularly if I touch/rub my eyes in the slightest.

I'd second the recommendation for mineral makeup. Most are about 30-45 SPF and can help absorb excess oil. There are even some translucent ones available (http://www.peterthomasroth.com/c-10-sun.aspx) if you don't want any tint/color.

I've not tried mineral make-up. I just gave up years ago before mineral make-ups with mainstream. I did an experiment this morning and didn't put anything on my forehead. I was still hella greesy by lunch but it didn't sting as much. I didn't think that the sun screen or salicylic acid would "melt" below my brow.

Thanks everyone for pointing out why I was stinging!

I've not tried mineral make-up. I just gave up years ago before mineral make-ups with mainstream. I did an experiment this morning and didn't put anything on my forehead. I was still hella greesy by lunch but it didn't sting as much. I didn't think that the sun screen or salicylic acid would "melt" below my brow.

Thanks everyone for pointing out why I was stinging!

Experiment with one or a few of the mineral makeups. You might find that your skin won't be as oily. I found that when I'd use liquid foundations, they'd start to run by mid-morning, from all of the oil on my skin.

Whenever I take a long flight 8hrs+ I tend to breakout and have crazy skin for a week or two afterwards. I found that using a combination of Decleor oils (I know putting oil on oily skin sounds weird) with my daytime moisturizer and a tea tree oil clay mask at the end of the day after cleaning my face helps bring all the dirt and bad oils out. After a few days, my skin calms down.

I also like to use Aveda hydrating mask (the clear gel in a tube) which is mostly made of Aloe Vera works well to add moisture without additional oil.

I cleanse my face with Cetaphil and water, once in the morning before I put on make-up and once in the evening to remove the make-up.
I'll add an extra cleansing ( and fresh make-up) if I'm going out to dinner, etc.

Ditto. Exactly. I could have written this post! :D

Washing the skin with lots of water muitlple time a day is very healthy for your skin, as it removes dirt and extra oil. Although soap can make the skin extremely dry and irritable, since it takes out all the necessary oil too. So, wash with just lots of water. You could use soap, when you had make up on. Also, if you think just water is not doing it. Find some other natural fruits or vegetables, to rub on your face and remove dirt. I mostly use, strawberries, papaya, lemon, milk, tomato, cucumber, fuller's earth powder etc.
I have considerably oily skin. My skin also is at its best when I wash multiple times a day(one time soap). You also should not stop, if your skin seems to receive it properly, because you need to remove that excess oil from time to time.

Even water, perversely, can be drying to skin - if your face feels tight after washing, which mine often does, that is a sign that it is too drying / stripping away too many natural oils.

Washing the skin with lots of water muitlple time a day is very healthy for your skin, as it removes dirt and extra oil. Although soap can make the skin extremely dry and irritable, since it takes out all the necessary oil too. So, wash with just lots of water. You could use soap, when you had make up on. Also, if you think just water is not doing it. Find some other natural fruits or vegetables, to rub on your face and remove dirt. I mostly use, strawberries, papaya, lemon, milk, tomato, cucumber, fuller's earth powder etc.
I have considerably oily skin. My skin also is at its best when I wash multiple times a day(one time soap). You also should not stop, if your skin seems to receive it properly, because you need to remove that excess oil from time to time.

Whenever I take a long flight 8hrs+ I tend to breakout and have crazy skin for a week or two afterwards. I found that using a combination of Decleor oils (I know putting oil on oily skin sounds weird) with my daytime moisturizer and a tea tree oil clay mask at the end of the day after cleaning my face helps bring all the dirt and bad oils out. After a few days, my skin calms down.

I also like to use Aveda hydrating mask (the clear gel in a tube) which is mostly made of Aloe Vera works well to add moisture without additional oil.

I agree with many on the 2x a day face wash, morning and night. I get breakouts as well, but they are completely targeted to the spots where I lean my face on my hands, so it's more important that I keep my hands clean.

tcl, I have never tried a tea tree mask, but it sounds good. Do you have a specific brand you would recommend?

I think I'm at the other extreme- once a day washing, if I remember - and that's usually in the shower. Sometimes in the summer I'll do a late day toner/cotton ball. I don't wear a lot of makeup (never foundation - just moisturizer with SPF) and it seems to evaporate on its own:eek: I typically do a mask of some sort (depending on the season and my current skin condition) once every other week or so. Benign neglect.....

I just wash my face with water in the shower. I seldom wear makeup, and I don't even remember to wear moisturizer most days.

I tried Bare Escentuals makeup once, and I was allergic.

I *try* to wash my face once a day, whether it be the cleansing cloths or my full-blown routine.

I'm extremely lucky, though. I don't *have* to wash my face every day. Should I? Yes. Do I have to? Not really. I was blessed by the good skin gene...

Twice. Sometimes mid-day if i am at home makeup-less on a hot day or just in from going out - have to remove makeup almost immediately. I usually use cleansing oil, eye makeup remover if i have a full face on, if not it's regular cleanser.

I think I'm at the other extreme- once a day washing, if I remember - and that's usually in the shower.

I'm much like this - I never wear makeup though, just sunscreen. So I shower at night and wash my face with something gentle then (quite often just water if I don't have sunscreen on).

I wash my face once daily if it feels oily in the shower (with my Dr Bronner body/everything wash). I pretty much only put on my moisturiser (jojoba oil) if I'm putting on makeup, which is pretty rare. I'm lucky the climate here is not dry, or I'd have peeling skin. :p


I just wash my face with water in the shower. I seldom wear makeup, and I don't even remember to wear moisturizer most days.

I tried Bare Escentuals makeup once, and I was allergic.

There is this irritant in Bare Escentuals called Bismuth Oxychloride. It is terrible how it is marketed as mineral makeup, giving the entire line a bad name.

Personally I use Silk Naturals (only available online). Very good makeup product line, and GREAT skincare line. I love one of their serum and AHA exfoliator, but as with everything else, our skins are different so one serum might not be fabulous for another.

I used to use Everyday Minerals but stopped due to some issues with the owner that arose a couple of years ago, but they generally have a decent line of makeup. I'm still using their blush from years ago called Best Friends, possibly most flattering blush ever on me.

I only wash after the gym & before bed. Sometimes my skin acts up so I get a facial peel or microdermabrasion and that helps. A mask of plain Greek yogurt in the morning also helps when it gets oily or I sweat in my sleep. When I used to wash it a lot more, or even wipe it with skin wipes more frequently, it acted up in all sorts of ways. When I cut back it looked awful for about a month, then it evened out and I only break out under special circumstances.

I find some places are extremely gritty/grimy (big cities for example) and so I may wash or cleanse three times a day in that case. It is also seasonally dependent. And of course with age, I'm trying to treat my skin more gently.

In the evenings I use the clarisonic brush which I like so much, I have a smaller version for travel as well (it negates the need for a facial scrub wash or harsh exfoiants) with a gel cleanser in the summer, and a creme cleanser in the winter. In the mornings, I will either rinse with water or use a clear lotion by vichy that doesn't use water...depending how my face feels.

Lorna

I find some places are extremely gritty/grimy (big cities for example) and so I may wash or cleanse three times a day in that case. It is also seasonally dependent. And of course with age, I'm trying to treat my skin more gently.

In the evenings I use the clarisonic brush which I like so much, I have a smaller version for travel as well (it negates the need for a facial scrub wash or harsh exfoiants) with a gel cleanser in the summer, and a creme cleanser in the winter. In the mornings, I will either rinse with water or use a clear lotion by vichy that doesn't use water...depending how my face feels.

Lorna

I travel with a Mia as well. Love it!

I wash in the mornings and in the evenings, using a very gentle cleanser, and following with serums and moisturizers. I also fill the sink with lukewarm water and rinse with it. I find that rinsing with the water as it gets the cleanser in it works better for me. I rinse 13-15 times, then blot with a towel, leaving my face slightly moist.