How many times a day should I wash my face to manage acne?

Some people wash their face frequently because their skin becomes itchy or oily due to acne. While cleansing the skin through washing promotes sebum secretion and improves acne, excessive washing can actually weaken the skin barrier and lower the skin's acidity, worsening acne.

So, how many times a day should you wash your face to manage acne? Today, we'll tell you the optimal number of times to wash your face to protect your skin barrier and cleanse your skin.

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

The correct answer is X.

Key Evidence 1. The following study involved men (median age: 19) with mild to moderate acne. Women were excluded from the study because their acne can fluctuate due to hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle, regardless of facial cleansing.

Participants in this study washed their faces twice a day with the same cleanser for two weeks prior to the experiment. Afterward, they were divided into groups and were assigned different washing frequencies for six weeks.

1) Group 1: Wash your face once a day

2) Group 2: Wash your face twice a day

3) Group 3: Wash your face 4 times a day

After six weeks, Group 1 (washing once a day) experienced an increase in the number of papules (small pimples) and inflammatory acne, while Group 2 (washing twice a day) experienced a decrease in the number of open comedones (blackheads) and non-inflammatory acne. Group 3 (washing four times a day) did not experience a significant change in the number of acne.

Key Evidence 2. The following study involved men (age range: 12-18) with mild to moderate acne. Participants were divided into the following groups and were assigned different washing frequencies for eight weeks.

1) Group 1: Wash your face once a day

2) Group 2: Wash your face twice a day

3) Group 3: Wash your face 3 times a day

The results of the experiment showed that both Group 1 (washing their face once a day) and Group 2 (washing their face twice a day) experienced a decrease in the number of acne breakouts. Specifically, Group 1 also saw a decrease in the number of comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Conversely, Group 3 (washing their face three times a day) experienced an increase in the number of acne breakouts.

Both studies above found positive results for acne improvement with twice-daily washing. Conversely, both studies found negative results for washing three to four times daily compared to twice-daily washing.

 

Washing your face only once a day increased the number of acne breakouts in [Key Evidence 1], while reducing them in [Key Evidence 2]. Because it's unclear what differences between the two studies contributed to the different results, it's difficult to recommend washing your face only once a day for acne management until further research is conducted.

The optimal frequency of washing your face, as determined by key evidence, is twice a day. However, avoid washing your face too frequently because your skin is itchy or oily, as this can actually worsen acne.

Additional information

Acne cleansers should avoid alkaline ingredients, and those that are excessively scrubby should be avoided, as they weaken the skin barrier. Conversely, acne cleansers containing benzoic peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur can be effective in improving acne.

Salicylic acid, commonly known as BHA, is a cosmetic ingredient recognized in Korea for its acne-fighting properties. It removes dead skin cells and impurities from pores, promotes sebum secretion, and inhibits the growth of acne bacteria. Using cleansers, acne cosmetics, and spot gels containing salicylic acid on uneven whiteheads can improve comedonal acne (blackheads, whiteheads, and whiteheads) and prevent it from worsening into inflammatory acne.

While the methods we've discussed today can help prevent acne from worsening and improve its condition, severe acne may require more aggressive treatment, including ointments, oral medications, and anti-inflammatory injections. If acne worsens and inflammation occurs, it can lead to pigmentation and scarring. Therefore, in these cases, please remember not to neglect your acne and instead seek proactive treatment at a medical facility.

 

Conclusion for today

1. The appropriate frequency of washing your face for acne management is twice a day.

2. Washing your face 3-4 times a day can weaken your skin barrier and have more negative effects on acne than washing your face twice a day.

3. It is difficult to clearly conclude whether washing your face once a day improves or worsens acne. Therefore, it is difficult to recommend washing your face once a day.

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

5. If acne worsens, it can lead to pigmentation and scarring, so do not neglect it and seek treatment at a hospital.

 

 

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Washing your face is important for acne.

It's not good to do too much or too little,

The appropriate line is well written above ~