The question
I have dry skin. Should I be washing my face less frequently? Is once a day enough or too much?
The answer
Washing your face once a day is fine, as long as you do it at the right time and with the right products. Since our faces accumulate dirt and oil all day, the best time for face washing is in the evening. But use common sense: If you work out every morning, say, you might need to clean your face more often.
Also, keep in mind that the products you are applying could be to blame for your dry skin. If your cleanser lathers up, chances are it is drying out your skin. Ditto for your toner if it has alcohol in it.
Switch to a lotion-based cleanser, such as SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser; before applying moisturizer, use an alcohol-free toner, such as Lush Cosmetics Breath of Fresh Air, to soothe your dry skin and to prepare it to best absorb the moisturizer.
Bahar Niramwalla is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty specialist who has appeared on The Marilyn Denis Show on CTV. Follow her on Twitter: @baharniramwalla. Have a beauty question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.