I think it’s getting increasingly popular to ditch the face wash and go all natural instead. By all-natural, I mean washing your face with water only. There are a lot of advocates for either side, and everyone claims their way is the best. But are there any benefits to cleansing with water only, or is it only another trend that will quickly disappear? Let’s answer the question – Can I wash my face with water only?
Why do people use only water to wash their faces?
Some people get tired of using and trying many different products to treat their skin conditions, so they decide to ditch the first step (if not any other) in their skincare routine. For some people, that works great, but for others, it just makes things worse.
Advocates for water-only cleansing will say that this way of cleansing doesn’t dry out the skin as some cleansers can. They also claim that it can help balance out the skin.
Another reason someone might decide to be washing with water only is in case of skin sensitivity. They claim that by avoiding harsh cleansers, they avoid disturbing their skin’s pH and excessive rubbing of the skin.
Benefits of water-only face washing
No cleanser needed
This one is obvious. If you wash your face with only water, you don’t need to buy a face wash saving you money. It also reduces an impact on the environment as you reduce plastic waste.
It’s (somewhat) safe
Using water only is a much safer option for those with very irritable skin. There are fewer chances that plain water would irritate their skin. Which cannot be said for using a cleanser.
It doesn’t dry out your skin
Water provides only a gentle cleanse, meaning it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. If you use slightly warm (not hot) water, it can still dissolve and remove some of the sebum and dirt, but it won’t completely strip off the oils. That is particularly good for those with dry or normal skin, as their goal is to retain moisture and reduce over-stripping.
It reduces irritation
If you use only water to wash your skin, you don’t have to scrub and rub your face like you would with a cleanser. You can just gently splash the water on your face and avoid the rubbing action. That can then reduce or prevent irritation on your skin.
Negatives of water-only face washing
Depends on the skin type
Acne-prone, oily or combination skins can’t get a proper cleanse without a cleanser. It simply isn’t enough. Those skin types can still use gentle cleansers, but they need something to dissolve excess sebum because it can clog pores and cause breakouts. The goal isn’t to entirely remove all oil or sebum but to remove the excess to prevent breakouts.
Doesn’t remove makeup
We need something oily to be able to remove our makeup because we need an agent to melt it. Water can’t do that. And once the makeup is melted, we need something soapy to remove the oil and melted makeup. Water can’t do that, either. Even if you don’t wear makeup, the same goes for SPF, which you should wear daily. Those products are not water-soluble. Instead, they are oil soluble, and as such, they need oil or balm to melt them off the skin.
I always recommend the Double cleansing method to cleanse in the evening.
Water does not have the same pH as the skin
Some people choose to wash their skin with water only because they think it is the most gentle way, and the water is similar to the pH of the skin. But that is not true. Water has a higher pH than the skin, pH 7. And the pH of the skin is around 5.5. That means that by washing your face with water only, you increase your skin’s pH by two. And if your skin becomes more alkaline, its barrier can’t do the job adequately. It can’t protect your skin from harmful pathogens.
Also, by becoming more alkaline (higher in pH), your skin can become drier, which is the opposite result that most people think of when they decide to wash with only water. They usually think that water won’t dry out their skin. But that is not correct.
If you use only water, or even if you use a face wash, it’s always a good idea to follow on with a facial toner that will bring that pH back down to 5.5.
The water you are using might not be clean enough
Most people (myself included) use regular tap water to wash their faces. But tap water can have some impurities and contaminants. It also has chemicals such as chlorine and some other minerals. All those compounds can harm the skin if you only ever use water and don’t cleanse with a gentle cleanser. If you decide to go with only water, it would be a good idea to install a water filter on your tap, so you know you are using water that is good for your skin.
Also, don’t use water that is too hot or too cold. Our skin doesn’t like extremes so just stick to good old lukewarm water.
Conclusion: Can I wash my face with water only?
Yes, you can wash your face with water only. But stick to doing that in the mornings only and use lukewarm water. And in the evening, give your skin a thorough cleanse with a gentle oil-based product and a gentle gel or foam. Cleansing with water only can have benefits such as reducing irritation and preventing dehydration. But the best skin types to do so are dry or normal. Any other skin type will need an extra agent to clean the skin properly to prevent breakouts.
There are pros and cons to everything. And it’s the same for cleansing with water only as well. You can always try it out for about a week and see how your skin is doing without a cleanser. I know my skin needs a gentle cleanse in the morning, and I couldn’t go without a cleanser without breaking out everywhere. And I still think that using a mild low pH cleanser would be much better for your skin. But it’s on you to try and find the way that suits you best.
Do you practice water-only cleanse, or do you still use a cleanser? If you only use water, what benefits did you find?
