If you’re someone who has to deal with ongoing breakouts, you’ll likely already know that a good acne control cleanser is something that can help you keep your skin healthy and blemish-free. Formulated with ingredients that unclog pores, prevent blemishes and reduce excess oil, they’re popular all around the world for their ability to restore skin health.
The question is, what time of the day is the best time to use a product like this? In the morning? At night? Or both? Well, as we’ll find out moving through this blog, there is no hard and fast answer, as it very much depends on you and your skin’s needs.
The Case for Using Acne Control Cleanser In the Morning
Many people choose to begin their day with an acne control cleanser, and for good reason. You see, overnight, your skin undergoes a natural repair and regeneration process, producing oils and shedding dead skin cells. This can lead to blocked pores if not dealt with.
The Benefits of Morning Cleansing Include:
- Overnight Build-Up: Even if you cleansed the night before, your skin accumulates oils, sweat, and dead cells as you sleep. A morning cleanse clears this build-up, giving you a fresh start.
- Preparation for the Day: A morning cleanse ensures that your acne treatments and other skincare products absorb effectively. It also creates a clean base for sunscreen and makeup application.
- Controls Oil Production: Using an acne cleanser in the morning can also help to manage oil production throughout the day, reducing shine and preventing midday breakouts.
The Case for Night Cleansing
Often thought of as being one of the most important steps in any acne-care routine, cleansing at night might be the best option if you also wear makeup. As you move through your day, your skin is exposed to dirt, bacteria and other pollutants – all of which can contribute to breakouts.
The Benefits of Night Cleansing:
- Removing Daytime Dirt: Cleansing at night clears away makeup, sunscreen, and all those other things that accumulate on your skin during the day.
- Overnight Repair: Another reason for night-time cleansing is that it allows your other nighttime skincare products to work better at a time of the day when the skin naturally repairs itself.
Why Cleanse Both Morning and Night?
So, why do some people cleanse both morning and night? Well, according to dermatologists, it’s the ideal approach, as it deals with pollutants, dirt and oil at both ends of the day. Surely it’s better for everyone, right? Actually, not always.
If your acne wash leaves your skin feeling tight and dry after using it twice a day, then it might be a case of dropping to once per day. The other option could be to drop to a lower concentration of product, as for example, a 10% formulation might be too strong.
The Bottom Line: Use Acne Control Cleanser in a Way That Suits Your Skin
So, when it comes down to using acne control products, there are certainly merits for both morning and nighttime use. However, in an ideal world, you’ll be using it both at night and in the morning for the best results. That said, this should only be your approach if you don’t get any kind of reaction from doing so.
Your skin will tell you what’s the right frequency, and that’s why you should do a patch test before you use any benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid product. Ultimately, when you use yours is up to you, and we hope that this article helps you find your sweet spot.