Some people experience itchy or oily skin due to acne and wash their face frequently. While cleansing the skin can help improve acne by promoting the smooth release of sebum, excessive washing can weaken the skin barrier and lower the skin's pH, potentially worsening acne.

So, how many times a day is it recommended to wash your face for acne management? Today, I will tell you the optimal number of washes to clean your skin while protecting your skin barrier.

Today's quiz: Washing your face 3 to 4 times a day can improve acne.

The correct answer is X.

Key Evidence 1. The following is a study conducted on men with mild to moderate acne (median age: 19 years). For reference, women were excluded from the study because their acne condition can change due to hormonal influences related to the menstrual cycle, regardless of washing habits.

Participants in this study washed their faces twice a day with the same cleanser for two weeks before participating in the experiment. Afterwards, the participants were divided into groups as follows, with different face-washing frequencies for six weeks.

Group 1: Wash your face once a day

Group 2: Wash your face twice a day

Group 3: Wash your face four times a day

After six weeks, Group 1 (once daily washing) showed an increase in papules (small pimple-like bumps) and inflammatory acne, while Group 2 (twice daily washing) experienced a decrease in open comedones (blackheads) and non-inflammatory acne. Group 3 (four times daily washing) showed no significant change in the number of acne lesions.

Core Evidence 2. The following is a study conducted on males with mild to moderate acne (age range: 12-18 years). The participants in this study were divided into groups as shown below and washed their faces with different frequencies over an 8-week period.

Group 1: Wash your face once a day

Group 2: Wash your face twice a day

Group 3: Wash your face three times a day

According to the experimental results, Group 1 (once daily cleansing) and Group 2 (twice daily cleansing) experienced a reduction in the number of acne lesions. In particular, Group 1 showed a decrease in the number of comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). On the other hand, Group 3 (thrice daily cleansing) saw an increase in the number of acne lesions.

Both studies showed positive results in acne improvement with twice-daily washing. In contrast, both studies found negative results with 3 to 4 times daily washing compared to twice daily.

 

If only one facial cleansing was performed per day, the number of acne cases increased in [Key Evidence 1.], and decreased in [Key Evidence 2.]. Since it is not clear what differences between the two studies caused the experimental results to vary, it is difficult to recommend once-daily facial cleansing for acne management until further research is conducted.

The optimal number of washes per day, based on core evidence, is twice a day. Washing too frequently due to itchy or oily skin can actually worsen acne, so it is advisable to avoid excessive washing.

Additional information

Acne cleansers should avoid alkaline ingredients, and cleansers that excessively scrub and dry the skin should be avoided as they weaken the skin barrier. On the other hand, acne cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur have effects of improving acne.

Salicylic acid, also commonly called BHA, is a cosmetic ingredient recognized for its acne-improving properties in Korea. It removes keratin and waste within pores, facilitates sebum secretion, and inhibits the proliferation of acne bacteria. Using cleansers, acne cosmetics, or spot gels containing salicylic acid on rough, small, white bumps (milia), can improve comedonal acne (blackheads, whiteheads, milia) and prevent worsening into inflamed, red acne.

The methods discussed today can help prevent the worsening of acne and aid in its improvement, but in cases of severe acne, active treatments such as ointments, oral medications, and inflammation injections may be necessary. If acne worsens and inflammation occurs, pigmentation and scars may develop, so please remember not to neglect the acne and to seek active treatment at a medical facility in such cases.

 

Today's conclusion

The appropriate number of facial cleansings for acne management is twice a day.

2. Washing your face 3 to 4 times a day can weaken the skin barrier, potentially leading to negative effects on acne compared to washing twice a day.

3. It is not possible to definitively conclude whether washing your face once a day improves or worsens acne. Therefore, recommending only once-a-day cleansing is difficult.

4. Cleansers containing salicylic acid, acne cosmetics, and spot gels are effective in improving comedonal acne and preventing its progression to inflammatory acne.

If acne worsens, pigmentation and scars may develop, so do not neglect it and seek treatment at a hospital or clinic.

 

 

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Washing your face is important for acne.

Even if you do a lot or a little, it won't work.

The appropriate level is well documented above~