Face Wash Facts vs. Myths: What You Really Need to Know About Cleansing

If you look at the skincare section of any supermarket today, you’d think washing your face is the most complicated act in the world. There are gels, foams, milks, bars, scrubs, powders, oils, and things that promise to “detox your pores” or “oxygenate the skin”—whatever that means. Yet, if you ask people how they washed their face growing up, the answers sound almost identical: whatever soap was in the bathroom, or a homemade paste someone in the family swore by.

Somewhere between these two extremes—old-school minimalism and modern product overload—lies the truth. Face wash isn’t magic, but it isn’t meaningless either. And because we hear so many confident claims on social media, it becomes difficult to separate marketing from chemistry and tradition from science.

This blog is me trying to untangle the mess—not with the voice of a cosmetic chemist, not with ancient quotes, but simply with observation, common sense, and a bit of research sprinkled in. Think of it as a long conversation you’d have with a friend after a tiring day.

Does Face Wash Really Open Pores, or Is It a Myth?

“Open your pores before cleansing.”

“Close your pores with cold water.”

How

It sounds logical until you realise pores don’t behave like tiny doors. They don’t swing open or shut. What you can change is the softness of the skin surrounding them. Warm water loosens debris, making pores appear relaxed, but they don’t literally open. Cold water doesn’t close them; it only tightens the surface a little, so they look smaller.

When face wash brands say their product “opens pores”, what they usually mean is that it helps remove oil and leftover product. Not that it physically expands anything.

So yes— it’s mostly a myth, but the effect people talk about does exist in a roundabout way.

Important Is pH Balance in Your Cleanser?

This is one of those things you don’t think about until your skin becomes fussy. Human skin sits naturally around 4.7–5.5 on the pH scale. Most body soaps hover between 9 and 10. If you put those numbers beside each other, the conflict becomes obvious.

A high-pH cleanser can strip away lipids, leaving the face a little too squeaky for its own good. I had a phase where my cheeks would feel tight within minutes of washing, almost like the skin was being pulled inward. Switching to a gentler, lower-pH cleanser made the tightness disappear.

So yes—pH matters, especially if your skin throws tantrums easily.

Can Harsh Foaming Cleansers Trigger Premature Ageing?

There’s a surprisingly reasonable theory behind this. Harsh surfactants like SLS remove oil aggressively. If they’re too strong, the skin barrier loses moisture quickly. And when that happens repeatedly, fine lines can show up earlier—not because the cleanser causes them directly, but because dryness exaggerates everything we’re already prone to.

People often say “it’s only on the skin for ten seconds—how much harm can it do?”

But ten seconds twice a day, every day, with something stripping?

Your skin remembers.

It isn’t about fear; it’s about choosing something that leaves you clean but not squeaky.

Is Water the Best Natural Cleansing Agent?

If you’ve ever splashed your face with water after waking up and felt instantly refreshed, it’s tempting to believe water is enough. And for some people, especially those with extremely dry skin, it might even be okay occasionally. But water doesn’t dissolve sebum properly. It doesn’t break down sunscreen. It definitely doesn’t remove city pollution.

So while water is the most ancient cleanser we have, it isn’t the most effective.

Think of it like rinsing a greasy pan without soap—you’ll remove the surface layer, not the stubborn stuff.

Does Face Wash Need to Be Different from Body Wash or Soap?

Technically, yes.

The skin on the face is thinner, more active, and less protected. Body washes can afford to be stronger; the face cannot. The same soap that works perfectly on your arms can leave your cheeks feeling like sandpaper.

Most soaps also lean alkaline, while face washes (the good ones) stay mildly acidic.

That doesn’t make body soap evil—just not ideal for the face.

Double Cleansing vs Ayurvedic Cleansing: Which One Wins?

I’ve tried both. On days when I wear sunscreen and am out for long hours, double cleansing (oil - gentle face wash) works beautifully. Makeup artists rely on it for a reason.

Ayurvedic cleansing, especially with gentle ubtans, oils, or herbal powders, offers something different: it respects the skin’s rhythm. It doesn’t aim to deep-clean; it aims to balance.

Which one is better?

Either.

It depends on your lifestyle.

• If you wear makeup → double cleansing.

• If your skin is dry or sensitive → Ayurvedic cleansing.

• If you want the best of both → alternate.

Skincare was never meant to be dogmatic.

Multani Mitti & Besan vs Foaming Washes: Which Is More Effective?

Multani mitti and besan are deeply woven into Indian households. They absorb oil, cool the skin, and feel honest. But they’re not universally perfect.

Multani mitti can be drying. Besan can disturb the moisture barrier if used daily.

Foaming washes, on the other hand, have come a long way. Many are softer, simpler, and better balanced than the old-school versions.

So the answer isn’t “choose one”.

It’s this:

Traditional powders excel at occasional deep cleansing.

Modern face washes excel at daily cleansing.

Both can live in the same bathroom shelf without fighting.

Actives + Ayurvedic Herbs: Can They Work Together?

Surprisingly, yes—if you do it thoughtfully.

-Niacinamide sits well with turmeric or aloe.

-AHA cleansers pair nicely with soothing herbs like manjistha.

-Vitamin C blends happily with amla.

The trick is gentleness. You don’t want a face wash exploding with too many actives alongside too many herbs. Choose one direction and let the other complement it.

Does Your Face Wash Expire? What Happens If You Still Use It?

Face wash absolutely expires. When the preservatives weaken, the microbial balance shifts. The product may look fine, but the chemistry becomes unpredictable.

Sometimes it smells off; sometimes it doesn’t. I once used an almost-finished cleanser that had been sitting in a humid cupboard for too long. My skin felt itchy for hours. Not dramatic, but enough to remind me that expiry dates aren’t decorative.

If your cleanser is old, separating, or smells different—bin it.

Your skin will thank you quietly.

Myths & Facts That Needed Clearing Up

1. Myth: “More foam means better cleaning.”

• Foam is marketing, not cleaning power.

2. Myth: “Natural face washes can’t irritate skin.”

• Plenty of natural ingredients can irritate—lemon, clove oil, undiluted essential oils.

3. Myth: “Scrubs clean deeper than face wash.”

• Scrubs only polish the surface. They don’t cleanse deep—just aggressively.

4. Myth: “If your skin feels tight after washing, it means it’s very clean.”

• No. It means stripped.

5. Myth: “Face wash should remove all oil.”

• Skin needs some oil. Stripping it leads to rebound greasiness.

6. Myth: “Ayurvedic cleansers don’t expire.”

• They do—especially anything containing water.

Conclusion

The more I explore skincare, the more I realise that washing your face is the simplest step—and somehow also the most misunderstood. Most people don’t need fancy formulas. They need something that cleans without fighting the skin.

Face wash isn’t supposed to be a dramatic moment.

No fireworks, no miracles—just a quiet reset twice a day.

And if you can find a cleanser that respects the skin instead of bulldozing it, your face will reflect that gentleness every single morning.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Honey Detan Face Wash for Glowing Skin (8 herbs)

Kumkumadi Face Wash for Gentle Cleansing (10 Herbs)

Shubhr Neem Pimple Face Wash for Acne Control & Oil Balancing (11 Herbs)

Turmeric Ubtan Powder Face Pack for Glowing Skin (9 herbs, 100 g + 15 g Free)

Gold Swaran Bhasam Face Wash for Glowing Skin | Face Wash for Women & Men (10 Herbs)

2% Kojic Acid Face Wash for Pigmentation with Rice Water (11 Herbs)

Related Articles:

The Hidden Science Behind Face Wash: Is Yours Helping or Hurting?

A Journey Through Time and the Rise of Herbal Face Wash

References:

https://www.rosycheeked.com/health/debunking-common-myths-about-face-washing/

https://affordable.skin/resources-12/The-Benefits-and-Drawbacks-of-Washing-Your-Face-with-Only-Water%3A-A-Comprehensive-Guide

https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/ayurvedic-face-washes-to-naturally-keep-your-skin-toxin-free-2384239