Have you ever felt like your skin is somehow getting worse despite doing everything "right"?
You may be cleansing regularly, using multiple skincare products and trying to keep your skin as clean as possible - but your skin feels tight, dry, irritated or more sensitive than usual.
Sometimes, the problem isn't that your skin isn't clean enough.
It may be that you are overwashing your face.
While cleansing is an important part of any skincare routine, washing too frequently or using harsh cleansing products can disrupt your skin's natural balance.
Your skin is designed with a protective barrier that helps maintain hydration and defend against environmental stressors. When this barrier becomes compromised, skin may feel uncomfortable, reactive and more easily irritated.
What Does Overwashing Your Face Mean?
Overwashing your face happens when cleansing becomes excessive for your skin's needs.
This can include:
- Washing your face too many times per day
- Using harsh cleansers
- Scrubbing aggressively
- Using hot water
- Cleansing repeatedly to remove oil or breakouts
- Using multiple exfoliating products at once
Many people believe that a "squeaky clean" feeling means their skin is properly cleansed.
However, that tight, stripped feeling after washing can actually be a sign that your skin's natural oils and moisture have been disrupted.
Your skin doesn't need to feel tight to be clean.
How often should you cleanse your face?
No matter your skin type, you want to cleanse your face at least once a day — in the evening of course, to remove any dirt, makeup, oil, and grime that is built up on your skin throughout the day. Whether or not to cleanse in the morning is up for some debate among skin-care experts.
There are two sides of the camp for this debate:
Camp one: There is no need to cleanse your face in the morning as the natural oil our bodies produce is good for our skin, and it provides a first defense barrier for the external factors of the day.
Splashing your face with cool water and a soft facial cleansing pad is enough.
Camp two: Twice-a-day cleansing removes the pollutants and irritants that our skin is exposed to 24/7 — even when we sleep, indoor pollution, oils, and irritants that build up on your pillowcase as reasons why you want to wash your face in the a.m.
At AMPERNA® we believe there is not a one single-pronged approach to cleansing & it all depends on each individual person's skin type & skin concerns.
For example, for someone who does not have sensitive skin you may be fine with using a gentle cleanser both in the a.m. & p.m. But for someone who does has sensitive skin or is prone to dermatitis for example, you may be better off washing your face with water only in the a.m. & using a gentle cleanser in the p.m.
Signs You May Be Overwashing Your Face
1. Your Skin Feels Tight After Cleansing
One of the most common signs of over-cleansing is a tight or stretched feeling immediately after washing.
Healthy skin should feel clean and comfortable - not dry, uncomfortable or stripped.
2. Increased Dryness or Flaking
When the skin barrier is disrupted, moisture can escape more easily, leading to:
- Dry patches
- Flaking
- Rough texture
- Dehydrated-looking skin
3. Increased Sensitivity
If products that previously worked well suddenly sting or irritate your skin, overwashing may have contributed to increased sensitivity.
You may notice:
- Burning sensations
- Redness
- Increased reactivity
- Discomfort when applying skincare
4. Your Skin Feels Oily But Dehydrated
A common misconception is that oily skin needs more cleansing.
However, repeatedly stripping away oils can leave skin feeling unbalanced.
Your skin may respond by producing more oil while still lacking hydration.
5. More Breakouts or Congestion
While cleansing helps remove impurities, excessive cleansing can create irritation that makes skin feel more reactive.
A damaged skin barrier can make it harder for your skin to maintain a healthy-looking balance.
Can Washing Your Face Too Much Damage Your Skin Barrier?
Yes, cleansing plays an important role in maintaining skin comfort, but over-cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier.
Your skin barrier helps:
- Maintain hydration
- Protect against external stressors
- Keep skin feeling comfortable
When the barrier is compromised, skin may become more prone to dryness, irritation and sensitivity.
This is particularly important for people with:
- Sensitive skin
- Reactive skin
- Perioral dermatitis
- Rosacea-prone skin
- Eczema-prone skin
For these skin types, a gentle and consistent routine is often more beneficial than constantly changing products or adding stronger treatments.
Common Cleansing Mistakes That Can Affect Your Skin
Using A Cleanser That Is Too Harsh
Not all cleansers are created equally.
Some formulas may leave skin feeling dry or uncomfortable, particularly if they contain ingredients that are not suitable for your skin type.
Sensitive skin often benefits from gentle cleansing that removes impurities while helping maintain moisture balance.
Using Hot Water
Hot water can contribute to dryness and discomfort.
Instead, opt for lukewarm water when cleansing your face.
Scrubbing Your Skin
Physical scrubbing can create unnecessary friction, especially when skin is already sensitive.
Your cleanser should do the work — your hands don't need to.
Using Too Many Active Products
Over-exfoliating or combining multiple strong active ingredients can overwhelm your skin.
A healthy skincare routine is not always about using more products.
Sometimes, less is more.
How To Support Your Skin After Overwashing
If you think you have been overwashing your face, focus on rebuilding a simple, supportive routine that prioritises gentle cleansing, hydration and skin barrier support.
Step 1: Switch To A Gentle Cleanser
AMPERNA® Ultra Gentle Soothing Cleanser [BALANCE]
A lightweight gel cleanser designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, impurities and daily buildup while helping maintain skin comfort.
Its gentle formula cleanses without leaving skin feeling stripped, making it ideal for sensitive, reactive or easily unsettled skin.
Step 2: Support Your Skin Barrier
AMPERNA® Pro+ DS Soothing Serum [RESCUE]
A lightweight serum formulated with AMPERNA®’s microbiome-focused technology.
It helps support balanced, healthy-looking skin while providing comfort to skin that feels stressed, sensitive or unsettled.
Step 3: Hydrate Your Skin
AMPERNA® Lightweight Soothing+ Emulsion [HYDRATE]
A lightweight moisturiser designed to replenish hydration and support the skin barrier.
Perfect for skin that feels:
- Dry
- Sensitive
- Reactive
- Uncomfortable
Step 4: Protect Your Skin Daily
AMPERNA® Pro+ Bio Soothing Day Mineral CC SPF15 [HYDRAPROTECT]
Daily sun protection is an important step in supporting healthy-looking skin.
This lightweight mineral CC moisturiser helps protect the skin from UV exposure while providing hydration and a natural-looking tint to help even the appearance of skin tone.
Ideal for skin that is:
- Sensitive or easily unsettled
- Looking for daily hydration and protection
- Wanting a simple moisturising SPF step
Need Support On The Go?
AMPERNA® Pro+ SOS Daily Facial Spray [SUPACALM]
For moments when your skin needs a refreshing boost throughout the day, the Pro+ SOS Daily Facial Spray [SUPACALM] is designed to be used anytime, anywhere.
This lightweight facial mist helps refresh and comfort the skin while supporting a balanced, healthy-looking complexion.
Perfect for:
- Refreshing skin during the day
- Reapplying hydration over makeup
- Travel
- Workdays
- Skin that feels dry, stressed or uncomfortable
A simple addition to your routine when your skin needs extra support beyond your morning and evening skincare steps.
Remember Your Bodycare & Haircare Routine Matters Too
Your skin barrier isn't limited to your face.
Products used on your hair and body can also come into contact with facial skin, particularly around areas such as:
- Hairline
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Chest
Choosing gentle, barrier-supportive personal care products can help create a more consistent skin-friendly routine.
AMPERNA® Hydrating Gentle Wash with Ceramides and Hydrating Gentle Lotion with Ceramides were developed with the same skin-first philosophy - helping support hydration and skin comfort from head to toe.
Your scalp and haircare products can also play a role in supporting reactive skin.
Haircare products come into contact with areas such as the hairline, forehead, neck and shoulders, so choosing gentle, skin-conscious formulas can be an important part of a sensitive skin routine.
AMPERNA® applies the same microbiome-focused, barrier-supporting philosophy to haircare with our AMPERNA® Cleanse + Rebalance Dermal Care Shampoo [DERMACLEANSE] and AMPERNA® Strengthen + Protect Dermal Care Conditioner [DERMASTRENGTH], formulated to cleanse, condition and care for the scalp while supporting a healthy-looking scalp environment.
Because when your skin is reactive, every product that touches your skin matters - including your haircare.
What is the Deal With Skin pH?
The idea is that if the cleanser mimics the skin’s naturally acidic pH (5.5), it will be gentler on your skin’s acid mantle (the protective, slightly acidic layer made up of natural oils, dead skin cells and sweat). The acid mantle is what maintains skin health and staves off bacterial infections.
Many traditional cleanser options, like soap and sulphate-based formulas (those that lather up easily), can skew high on the pH scale and strip down the acid mantle.
If, after washing, your skin feels tight, dry or inflamed, that means the cleanser was too strong & that is an unhealthy state for our skin to be in.
When it comes to skin health, Kiri, founder of AMPERNA®, helps many people suffering from a variety of skin & health conditions. You can book a Holistic Skin Coaching Service to discuss your skin concerns and develop a tailored plan to work towards healthy skin.
Final Thoughts
Cleansing is an important part of healthy-looking skin, but more cleansing does not always mean better results.
If your skin feels tight, dry, irritated or increasingly sensitive, overwashing may be contributing to the problem.
Supporting your skin with gentle cleansing, hydration and barrier-focused skincare can help create the foundation for comfortable, balanced-looking skin.
References:
Signs You Are Over-Cleansing Your Skin (byrdie.com)
Are You Overwashing Your Face? Signs You're Cleansing Too Much | Allure
Are You Overwashing Your Face? - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
