Washing the face before going to bed is something most people tend not to do, perhaps because they forget or they don’t think it is important.

It has been established, however, that washing the face before bedtime comes with many benefits, mostly as far as health is concerned. Studies show that regardless of whether one wears makeup or not, it’s an important routine.  

Dr Francoise Gahongayire, a dermatologist at King Faisal Hospital, says the face is the most sensitive area of the body, and the most prone to acne breakouts and wrinkles, for this reason, it’s good for one to develop a habit of cleaning the face before going to bed.

Dr Gahongayire says even when one doesn’t wear makeup, it’s essential to clean up your facial skin to remove oil.

She says that the face will have some oil on it by the end of the day and that if left unwashed, this can clog pores, leaving your face vulnerable to breakouts and causing your skin to look dull. 

"When you clean up your face after a long day, this means that it helps open pores, and leaves your face looking clean and fresh,” she says.

Yvy Kamugisha, a fourth-year medical student, says it has also been established that washing the face can help prevent wrinkles.

She says that not cleaning the face can lead to premature ageing as the skin is believed to lose moisture and vibrancy overtime. In addition, the medical student says, when you wash your face, it helps revive the skin.

This means that the skin will be smoother than before and on top of this, it will also help remove dead skin and leave one feeling and thinking new.

How to do it

Studies recommend that one should make washing their face a priority every evening, even if you’re travelling or coming home late.

Once you know how long you need to wash your face well, build that amount of time into your bedtime routine. Will it take 10 minutes to wash your face? Then turn off the TV or put down the phone and head to bed after the routine. 

• Use warm water: Using warm water on your face helps to open your pores, clearing them of dirt, oil, and bacteria that can lead to acne. 

• Use a soft brush: Facial cleansing brushes provide a great way to smooth skin, clear pores, remove dead skin, and prevent breakouts. Simply apply your favourite facial cleanser to your face and then gently massage it with your facial cleansing brush, relaxing your skin and your face as you prepare to go to sleep. 

If you use a facial cleansing brush, you will want to make sure to clean it thoroughly after each use and replace it entirely every few months. For best results, use it several times a week, but not every night. Initial breakouts may occur as you begin the routine and your skin adjusts.

Using a moisturising, antioxidant-rich lotion on your face before bed can help your skin stay vibrant and protect against premature ageing.