Is Washing Your Face in the Morning or Double Cleansing Really Necessary? Researchers Warn that "Washing Habits" May Lead to Skin Trouble & Signs of Aging

The number of people struggling with skin issues such as dryness, irritation, age spots, wrinkles, and sagging continues to rise[1]. Even as cosmetic technology advances and new research and ingredients emerge, skin troubles haven't decreased. This paradox led one researcher to dig deeper, ultimately concluding that "modern people are washing their faces too much."

In this feature, we interview Gen Uemura, the representative of MIULE and developer of the rinse-free cleansing product CeraClenz, created to address the habit of over-washing. We explore why he warns against excessive washing and what makes his revolutionary "rinse-free oil cleansing" approach so appealing.

With a background in biology and physiology, Gen Uemura, MIULE's representative, has spent many years engaged in cosmetics science research and product development. At one point, he questioned the true value of continuing to develop new cosmetics.

"Despite the advancements in cosmetic science and the many studies taking place, the number of people with skin irritation and dry skin keeps increasing[1]. It made me consider whether our very approach—tackling skin problems through products and technology—was itself mistaken. Maybe the cause was something we had entirely overlooked, so I dove deeply into academic papers and research.

The result? I realized that the modern habit of over-washing is creating a skin environment that’s more vulnerable to irritation—often without us even realizing it."

According to Uemura, people today wash their faces about 60 times more than those living in the Edo period.

"One study about bathing habits discovered that, in the Edo period, people in eastern Japan typically bathed once every three to five days, while in western Japan, it was just once a month[2]. From around 1960, technological advances and the introduction of surfactants led to a greater variety of cleansing products and an increase in bathing frequency—about two to three times per week. The advent of soap also occurred around this time.

Nowadays, some people shower or bathe two to three times a day. Our own survey found that women wash their faces an average of three times a day and men, twice a day. If we compare this to people in western Japan of the Edo period, who only bathed about 12 times per year, modern people are washing their faces more than 60 times as often."

Human skin and the fundamental structure of our bodies haven’t changed from the Edo period to now. However, the environment has: increased UV rays, higher temperatures, yellow dust, airborne chemicals—all factors that differ significantly from the past.

Cosmetic technology has also progressed, with makeup now designed to resist sweat and sebum, requiring stronger cleansers to remove. Cleansing products with greater cleaning power have therefore entered the market.

"Cleansing is quite tricky. On the one hand, you want to remove makeup, sebum, and dirt—on the other, you need to preserve the skin's natural moisture factors and some sebum. Striking that balance is crucial.

But we must not forget that washing or cleansing your face strips away not just impurities but also your skin’s natural moisturizing factors and essential sebum, which protect your skin."

In recent years, more people have become concerned about over-washing their faces, opting to simply use lukewarm water in the morning or avoiding "double cleansing" (washing their face again after using makeup remover). But are these methods truly correct?

"I believe just washing with lukewarm water in the morning is sufficient, and in the first place, it may not even be necessary to wash at all. Double cleansing isn't required either. If you feel oily residue on your skin when you wake up, or if you want to feel refreshed after using cleanser, or if you have a clear reason for washing your face, then it's fine.

What I want to caution against is the mindless habit of thinking 'morning means face washing' or assuming 'not washing is unhygienic,' and then cleansing every day as part of your routine. If your skin feels healthy or if it’s dry, it may actually be better not to wash. I recommend adjusting your cleansing methods and frequency depending on your skin's condition."

Many believe failing to wash your face leads to pimples or clogged pores, but there's actually no scientific proof supporting this.

"There's a theory that 'oxidized sebum on the skin causes pimples and clogged pores,' but there's not enough scientific evidence to back it up. Likewise, the idea that 'leftover makeup damages your skin' also lacks strong scientific support at this time.

When you consider people of various backgrounds, skin types, constitutions, and lifestyles, it’s extremely difficult to scientifically prove which ingredients of oxidized sebum or cosmetics are harmful to the skin.

To go a step further, no cleansing product in the world can remove 100% of makeup. Pigments in cosmetics are at a micro or nano level, making it inevitable they'll get into pores and skin texture.

Here at MIULE, we believe makeup only needs to be visibly removed. Obsessing over removing every last trace of makeup can hurt your skin more, so perhaps it's time to let go of the belief that leftover makeup automatically causes skin problems."

If you wear makeup, you can’t escape the need for a cleanser. That’s why MIULE developed CeraClenz: a product designed to minimize face-washing and reduce skin damage. Although it’s an oil cleanser, you don’t need to rinse—it’s made so that once makeup is lifted by the oil, you simply press it off with a tissue.

"Since cosmetics are primarily oil-based, you can lift off makeup by blending it with oil. Most oil cleansers also use surfactants so you can rinse the lifted makeup away with water, and to help the cleansing oil encapsulate water-soluble ingredients.

However, surfactants also strip away the skin’s moisturizing factors, so at MIULE, we considered formulas without them. Having researched ways to reduce the burden of surfactants for many years myself, I realized that, after lifting makeup with oil, simply tissue-off might be enough.

In fact, according to our own research, the method of spreading oil on the skin and wiping it off with something like tissue has a long history, appearing as far back as ancient Egypt and China. Nowadays, tissues are inexpensive and nearly every household has them, making tissue-off an ideal solution for our times."

The author actually tried using "CeraClenz." When "CeraClenz" was applied to thoroughly coated foundation and red lipstick and gently massaged in, the makeup visibly lifted away from the skin. When a tissue was softly pressed against the area, the makeup transferred to the tissue, allowing for a clean removal.

"Since 'CeraClenz' does not require rinsing off, it removes makeup while preserving the skin's natural moisturizing factors and essential oils. Moreover, the oils and moisturizing ingredients from 'CeraClenz' remain on the skin, doubling as skincare."

The Comfort of Removing with Oil—A Feel You Notice Once You Try It

Understanding the drawbacks of rinsing with water, you’ll surely want to try removing your makeup with "CeraClenz." However, getting to this point wasn’t without its challenges, from development to the present.

"While the norm is to rinse off oil cleansing products, overturning that conventional wisdom was tough. There are people who believe applying oil to the skin causes breakouts, and some even spread that misinformation.

Because of such misconceptions, oil cleansers are often thought to be greasy. So, we carefully selected oils that don’t feel sticky and made tweaks to the formula."

What kind of feedback have users actually sent in?

"Users have commented things like, 'I used to unconsciously overwash my skin, but now I realize just how excessive it was,' 'I realized I was doing something every day that caused my skin to dry out,' 'Since building a healthy skin foundation, my skin has become less sensitive, and I can now enjoy skincare and makeup more,' and 'Around the time I finished the first bottle, my skin felt firmer.'

Although we started by addressing overwashing, 'CeraClenz' is now highly praised by busy parents, and useful in situations where water is hard to use, such as during caregiving, outdoor activities, or disasters. It makes me happy to see how 'CeraClenz' is helpful in so many different situations.

Also, overseas water quality can differ, making rinse-off cleansers less effective. Unlike Japan, where water is abundant, there are many places around the world where water is a precious resource. Going forward, we hope to expand into those regions where water is scarce."

"CeraClenz," a product that encourages changing cleansing habits. By avoiding over-washing, people may gain more confidence in their skin.