Water Only Face Wash Method

Here at AnaK Cosmetics we get asked all kinds of questions and it is always a pleasure giving you all an honest and educated response. These days since prices continue to rise and inflation is now upon us, many are wondering if there is a way to save money on skincare while still getting the same result; clear skin. Most particularly is the water method. You may or may not have heard of this, but it has been around for quite some time. What is it? Simply put, it’s just water and nothing else. Sometimes accompanied by the use of a non-scented soap, but in most cases, just plain old water.

Some might think there is no purpose to using skincare products, after all, some products are harsh on the skin and can cause other underlying diseases due to their harmful ingredients. But what about water? Water alone is unfortunately not enough to keep your skin clear—free from acne and blemishes. Plus, the use of water only can contribute to dry skin making the skin even more irritated. One user said, “I don’t have perfect skin. I have been using the water-only method for a while now, but like the other 81 million Americans, I do have dry skin. However, with just water, I have been able to walk around without the use of excess skincare products. My face does not look perfect, it looks like…well, skin. It’s clean.”

That is one way to view it, but water alone cannot break through tough grease and oil that has built up on the skin throughout the day. Instead, you may be just washing the oil around rather than breaking it down and removing it from your skin completely. So, are skincare products worth it? Absolutely. Not only can you rid your skin of unwanted oils by using a cleanser, but you can also remove bacteria. The American Academy of Dermatology ranks cleansers so high that they get top billing in the organization’s “face-washing 101” on its website.

Soap and cleansers are very different and so if you’re wondering, do we need soap? The answer is, that it depends. Soap alone can be too harsh on the face, whereas a good cleanser tends to be more lightweight and contain ingredients that when it meets the skin do not cause it to damage but rather repair its texture. The water-only face wash method just isn’t for everyone. Kathryn A. Boling, MD says, “If you have oily skin or a lot of sweat you may need soap or a cleanser, but if you have dry skin, you can get by with nice good water.” Why is that?

Dry skin means that your skin isn’t producing or replenishing enough of its natural oils and while some may think oily skin is a bad thing, this is not always the case. Dry skin can cause itching, redness, and flaking; without sebum, you will likely experience this. For the best outcome, it is good to wash your face thoroughly with water and not just any water, lukewarm temperature. Also, try infused water as well. There are many benefits. Not only will your skin be hydrated on the outside, but you will also feel hydrated on the inside.

The older you get the wiser it is to invest time into your skincare routine, do not overlook such an important aspect of self-care. If you’re contemplating the water-only method but do not know your skin type, you can find out here. And here are a few tips to help you on your water-only journey: take short showers because you don’t want to wash away your natural oils. Keep it under 10 minutes. (2) Consider the weather because when it gets cold, windy, or extremely hot outside you need to take extra precautions for your skin. (3) Protect your face from the sun even if you opt-out of using a cleanser be sure to follow up your facial wash with a good sunscreen. Here are some of the options that we highly recommend! (4) Wash your face gently and don’t scrub too vigorously.

Best of luck Clean Beauty Babes.

Written by Stephanie M.
Photo by Vitória Santos