That tight, squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face? It's not the victory you think it is. Your skin shouldn't feel like it's been stripped bare. If it does, you're probably overdoing it.
The Signs You're Over-Washing
Your skin will tell you if you're being too aggressive. Here's what to watch for:
Tightness that lasts: Clean skin should feel comfortable within minutes. If you're still feeling tight an hour later, you've gone too far.
Increased sensitivity: Products that never bothered you before suddenly sting. Your usual SPF burns. Wind feels sharper than it should.
The oil rebound: Your skin produces more oil to compensate for what you're stripping away. More washing creates more oil. It's a cycle that doesn't end well.
Red, irritated patches: Especially around the nose, between eyebrows, or anywhere you scrub harder. These aren't breakouts. They're your skin waving a white flag.
For the women out there: makeup sits badly: If your foundation clings to dry patches or slides off oily areas, your skin barrier is compromised.
Why This Happens (The Science Bit)
Your skin has a protective barrier made of lipids and proteins. Think of it as a brick wall: the skin cells are bricks, the lipids are mortar. This barrier keeps good things in (moisture) and bad things out (bacteria, pollutants, UV damage).
Harsh cleansing disrupts this barrier. According to research published in the British Journal of Dermatology, excessive washing can reduce the skin's natural ceramide levels by up to 30%. These ceramides are crucial for maintaining barrier function.
Your skin sits at a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5. Most soaps are alkaline (pH 8-10). Every time you use them, you're forcing your skin to work overtime to restore its natural balance. Do this twice daily for months, and something's got to give.
The Outdoor Connection
If you're active outside, compromised skin barrier function isn't just uncomfortable – it's a liability. Damaged skin is more susceptible to:
- UV penetration (your SPF can't work properly on irritated skin)
- Wind damage and dehydration
- Salt water irritation
- Cold weather chapping
- Sweat-related breakouts
Essentially, over-washing makes your skin less resilient to everything you love doing outside.
What Actually Works
Here's the thing: you probably don't need to wash your face twice a day. Once is often enough, usually at night to remove SPF, sweat, and the day's accumulation of grime.
Morning routine: For most people, a splash of lukewarm water is sufficient. Your skin has been repairing itself overnight. Don't undo that work.
Evening routine: This is when you need to remove SPF, especially if you've been outside. But gentle is key.
After activities: Been for a run? Swimming in the sea? A quick rinse with water might be all you need. If you're genuinely grimy, cleanse gently once and leave it at that.
The Reset Protocol
If you think you've been overdoing it, here's how to reset:
Week 1: Cleanse only at night. Morning = water only. Your skin might feel a bit oily initially. That's normal and temporary.
Week 2: Introduce a barrier repair moisturiser to help rebuild what you've disrupted. Look for ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
Week 3-4: Your skin should start feeling more comfortable. The tight, squeaky feeling should be gone. Oil production should normalise.
If you're still experiencing irritation after a month, see a dermatologist. There might be an underlying condition that needs addressing.
Special Circumstances
Acne: The instinct is to wash more. Don't. Over-cleansing can actually worsen acne by disrupting the skin's natural balance. Stick to gentle cleansing once daily and let treatments do their work.
Very active lifestyles: If you're training twice a day or working outdoors, you might need to cleanse more often. But make every second cleanse as gentle as possible. Water-only rinses work for most post-workout situations.
Sensitive skin: The NHS guidance on skin care emphasises that people with conditions like eczema should avoid over-cleansing entirely. Your skin barrier is already compromised.
The LifeJacket Take
We believe in protection that works with your skin, not against it. That means building routines that support your skin barrier rather than constantly challenging it. Your skin should feel comfortable and resilient, ready for whatever you're throwing at it outside.
The beauty industry profits from complicated routines and the idea that more is better. But your skin evolved to protect itself. Sometimes the best thing you can do is get out of its way.
Signs You've Got It Right
When your cleansing routine is working:
- Your skin feels comfortable within 10 minutes of washing
- SPF goes on smoothly without stinging
- You don't think about your skin during the day
- Wind, cold, and sun feel manageable, not painful
- You wake up with skin that looks rested, not irritated
That's what healthy, resilient skin feels like. It's not complicated. It's just consistent, gentle care that supports your skin's natural function.
The Bottom Line
Your skin is designed to protect you. But it can't do its job if you're constantly stripping away its natural defences. Less aggressive cleansing often means more resilient skin. And resilient skin means you can focus on what matters: getting outside and enjoying it.
If your skin feels tight, looks red, or reacts to products that never bothered you before, step back. Simplify. Give your barrier time to rebuild. Your outdoor adventures will thank you for it.
Now you know. Get out there.
