How Often Should You Wash Your Face & Moisturize?
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Cleanse and Moisturize Daily for Healthy Skin
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Dermatologists emphasize the importance of facial cleansing and moisturizing as part of a daily skin care routine. Cleansing helps maintain healthy skin because it removes accumulated dead skin cells, oil, dirt and cosmetics. Use a gentle cleanser that will not strip away the skin's protective oils. Water alone is ineffective, while soap can be too harsh. Apply moisturizer with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to nourish, hydrate and protect your skin from the harmful and aging effects of the sun.
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Tailor Your Skin Care Routine to Your Skin Type
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Your daily skin care regime should be tailored to your skin type, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For example, a person with very dry skin may be advised to cleanse the face only at night using a gentle cleanser, followed by a moisturizer while the skin is still damp. Meanwhile, those with very oily, acne-prone skin may benefit from cleansing two to three times a day using appropriate products. Sensitive skin needs to be washed only once a day and cared for with products free of potentially irritating ingredients such as fragrances or alcohol.
Bottom Line
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The American Academy of Dermatology recommends not going 12 hours without using a treatment or product on your skin. However, an individualized approach to skin care, appropriate for your skin type, is vital to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. Dermatologists agree that using gentle products works best for most skin types. Incorporating year-round sun protection into your daily skin care routine is also recommended for maintaining healthy skin.
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- Photo Credit woman washing her face image by Jarek Miarka from Fotolia.com
