How to Keep Your Face Clean

Co-authored by Paul Friedman, MD

Keeping a clean face requires only a little bit of effort, and the results are rewarding: a glowing, acne-free complexion. This wikiHow will give you advice on how to keep your face clean.

Things You Should Know

Washing your face twice daily will keep dirt and debris from building up in your pores.
Toners are an excellent solution for people struggling with oily or dead skin.
A periodic exfoliation and facial can help flush your skin of dead cells and keep you looking youthful.
For pimples and blemishes, try a spot treatment containing 1-2% salicylic acid, benzoyl, or Visine.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Keeping Your Face Clean Daily

1
Figure out what kind of skin you have. Is your skin dry, oily or normal? This is what you have to figure out so you can make sure you have the right face products.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.} There are so many different types that it can be confusing.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you have normal skin, your skin has the right balance of moisture, oil and durability. This is what you're trying to achieve with keeping it clean.
- If you have oily skin you face might appear shiny, greasy or oil only a few hours after washing.
- If you have dry skin, it's often flaky, and can look dull.
- If you have sensitive skin, your skin is often tight or itchy and you experience allergic reactions when you come into contact with certain chemicals.
- A lot of people have combination skin, where part of your face is oily while a different part is dry.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Paul Friedman, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
  Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.}
2
Use a simple face wash twice a day. Wash once in the morning and once in the evening.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.} Everyone's skin is different and needs different things. You may have to test out a few different face washes to find the one that works best for you. What you really want from a face wash is something that cleans away dirt and germs and excess oils, but doesn't strip your skin of its healthy oils.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Picking your cleanser is based on your skin type, how often you wear make-up, and how often you work out.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Paul Friedman, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
  Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.} For instance, if your skin is oily, you'll want a cleanser that has a low pH level, which will be more effective in cleaning the oil. If you have sensitive skin, you won't want the cleansers that are full of chemicals.
- Avoid using ordinary soaps, which are too harsh for your face and can strip it of its natural oils.
- It's best to rinse your face with warm water or cool water. Hot water strips the healthy natural oils from your skin.
- You need to wash your face after exercising to get rid of any sweat and dirt and oils that might clog your pores.
- If you want to avoid chemicals from store-bought face wash, you can consider making your own.
Advertisement
3
Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Don't scrub your face dry, be gentle. The skin on your face is sensitive. Make sure that the towel is clean. Otherwise, you'll be transferring bacteria to your clean face.
4
Use toners. While not necessary, toners can be a great help to people with oily skin, acne, or badly plugged pores. Toners help remove excess oils, and dead skin after that remain after cleansing. This is an excellent way to add active ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants and exfoliants to your skin regimen.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Apply the toner after cleansing with a clean cotton facial pad to your forehead, nose and chin (the so-called "t-zone"). Move the pad in gentle circles, avoiding the eye area.
- Find the right toner for your skin type. Certain formulations can help exfoliate acne-prone skin; others contain anti-inflammatory properties for sensitive.
- Many dermatologists recommended not using an alcohol based toner because it's too drying even for oily skin.
5
Treat the skin around your eyes gently. Don't rub your eyes, or use harsh make-up removers on them. That part of the face is delicate. So, likewise, don't splash yourself awake in the morning with cold water.
6
Don't touch your face. Touching your face can spread the bacteria which cause your pores to become inflamed.^{[8]
X
Research source} If you have to touch your face to apply makeup or face cream, wash your hands first to make sure they're clean of oils.
- Also, try to avoid leaning your face against items that collect sebum and skin residue, such as a phone. Sebum is a light oily substance secreted by the skin glands which moisturizes skin and hair.
7
Use makeup that is suitable for your skin type. Try to buy make-up that has "noncomedogenic" or "non-acnegenic" on the label if you can, as these are designed to help prevent acne and breakouts and won't clog your pores.
- Make sure that you aren't using old make-up. Skincare products, like food, have an expiration date. Using them after that date will do more harm than good.
- Try to use mineral based or water based makeup instead of choosing oil based ones as they make skin look greasy and dull.
8
Drink lots of water. Drink at least eight glasses of water. Staying hydrated and making sure that your body has plenty of water means that your body will be better able to function properly, including maintaining the health and cleanliness of your skin.
9
Follow a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes vegetables and fruits and eliminates sugar and "junk foods."^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Try low-fat dairy products. A low-fat yogurt has vitamin A, something our skin is dependent upon. It also has acidophilus, a "live" bacteria that helps promote intestinal health, which in turn can help skin.
- Eat foods that have a high antioxidant content like blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and plums.
- Try foods that deliver essential fatty acids needed for healthy skin like salmon, walnuts, and flax seed. Essential fatty acids promote healthy cell membranes, which in turn promote healthy skin.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Keeping Your Face Clean Long-Term

1
Have a facial. You can either go to a beautician and have someone do a facial for you, or you can try one of the many home facials. Remember to use the one which goes for your skin type. If your skin is oily, try a facial that is for oily skin.
- A good home facial mask is a mixture of milk and honey together. After blending the ingredients, put the mixture on your face for 30 minutes, then clean your face with warm water.
2
Exfoliate your skin. Gently exfoliating your skin will make you get rid of dead cells in your face, which can make your skin look dark and rough. Exfoliate your skin once a week, or once a month. Don't do it more than once a week, because it can strip your skin of important essential oils.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Expert Interview. 8 April 2020.}
- A nice exfoliation scrub can increase the circulation in your face giving you a healthy, rosy glow.
- All you need for a home exfoliating scrub is an exfoliant like salt or sugar, a binder like honey or water, and a moisturizer that includes vitamin E oil, jojoba oil or even olive oil. If you have oily skin, you can use a mashed banana or avocado as a moisturizer.
3
Get rid of pimples. While it can be satisfying to pick at the pimples and pop them with your fingernails, that is the exact wrong way to deal with a pimple! Wash your hands well before dealing with pimples to avoid infection.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Avoid touching or trying to pop the pimple or you might irritate it. Popping a pimple can lead to scarring if you're not careful.
- Apply a cold, wet washcloth or teabag on the spot for three to five minutes throughout the day. This will help lessen the irritation.
- Use a spot treatment that contains 1 percent or 2 percent salicylic acid, which is often less irritating than benzoyl.
- Applying Visine on a cotton swab to the spot can reduce the redness.

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

Question

How can I keep my face clean and clear?

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.

Paul Friedman, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Many people unfortunately don't wash their face as often as they should. It's important to wash your face twice a day, especially at the end of the day. This will help remove the debris and oil that accumulates on your skin throughout the day. I recommend using a gentle cleanser.
Question

How can I clear my face in 2 days?

Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.

Paul Friedman, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can go into a dermatologist's office for an injection of an intralesional steroid if you have an isolated acne lesion. The process must be done by an experienced dermatologist, but that would be the main mechanism in terms of quickness of response. You can also try over-the-counter products such as Differin, which is a vitamin A cream. If you don't have the benefit of being able to see a dermatologist right away, these formulations may work well depending on the type of acne that you have.

Warnings

Look out for over-cleansing during winter, when it's tempting to take long hot showers. Over-cleansing will dry your skin in out more quickly.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 148 Not Helpful 42
If you have sensitive skin, try the milk and honey mix on a small part of skin before applying to the full face.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 143 Not Helpful 55
Allergies to the products used in the face mixture can produce a variety of reactions. If you do have a reaction to a product, stop using it and find something else.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 101 Not Helpful 49