I Washed My Face with Only Water for 2 Weeks — The Results Were Weird

Last updated on: November 11, 2025

Let’s be real — we’ve all been there, standing in front of the bathroom mirror, surrounded by bottles that promise glowing, clear, glass-like skin. I’ve tried everything: foaming cleansers, gentle cleansers, oil cleansers… you name it.

But one night while scrolling through TikTok, I saw a video of a girl who said she stopped using any cleanser and just washed her face with water. Her skin looked calm, soft, and totally natural.

And that got me thinking — what if my skin doesn’t need all those products?
So, I decided to try it. For two full weeks, I washed my face with only plain water. No fancy cleanser. No micellar water. No exfoliator. Just me, my tap, and a towel.

Here’s exactly what happened — and trust me, the results were weirder than I expected.

Table of Contents

Why I Tried It

I’ve always had combination skin — oily on my T-zone, dry around the cheeks, and super sensitive whenever I try something new. I realized I was constantly stripping my skin with cleansers that promised “deep cleaning,” and then piling on moisturizers to fix the dryness they caused.

Honestly, it felt like a never-ending cycle.

So, the idea of only water felt freeing — simple, natural, and a bit rebellious in a world obsessed with 10-step routines.

Plus, I wanted to see if my skin could balance itself when I stopped interfering so much.

What the Experts Say (and What I Ignored Anyway)

Before jumping in, I did a little reading. Dermatologists say water alone won’t remove makeup, SPF, or pollution — which makes sense. But they also mention something interesting: over-cleansing can damage your skin barrier.

Your skin barrier is like your bodyguard — it locks in moisture and keeps irritants out. When you over-cleanse, that barrier gets weak, leading to redness, dryness, and breakouts.

So maybe, I thought, skipping cleansers could actually help my skin heal itself.

Of course, I wasn’t doing this to prove science wrong — I just wanted to see what my skin would do if I gave it a break.

How I Did It

Here’s how my “routine” looked for two weeks:

Morning: Rinsed my face with lukewarm water. No rubbing, no harsh towels — just pat dry. Then I applied a light moisturizer and sunscreen.
Night: Same rinse with water, a gentle pat dry, and my night cream.
No makeup. I went bare-faced most days, just lip balm and confidence (okay, maybe some concealer on bad days).

That’s it. No cleansers, no scrubs, no toners. Just water.

Week 1 — The Awkward Start

The first few days were… weird.

My face felt slightly greasy in the mornings, and my pores looked more visible than usual. It wasn’t gross, but I definitely missed that “squeaky clean” feeling after washing.

By Day 3, I noticed something else — my skin wasn’t as tight or dry after washing. Usually, after using a cleanser, I’d feel that pull on my cheeks before moisturizing. This time, my skin just felt… normal.

I did get one small pimple on my chin, which I expected. I mean, my skin was adjusting. But overall, it wasn’t the breakout disaster I feared.

By Day 5, something unexpected happened — my face looked calmer. Less red. The little dry patches near my nose were gone.

I actually started to like how my skin felt — soft, a little dewy, and not overly scrubbed.

Week 2 — The Real Transformation

By the second week, I noticed a real difference.

My skin tone looked more even, and I had this natural glow that no highlighter could fake. The small pimple faded, and new ones didn’t show up. My cheeks felt smoother, and my forehead wasn’t as shiny as usual.

But here’s the weird part — it was hard to tell if my skin was clean or just used to being left alone. Sometimes I’d look in the mirror and think, “Is this glow or just oil?”

Still, my skin felt healthier. My barrier seemed stronger. The usual redness on my cheeks after showers? Gone.

I even started feeling more confident without makeup. There was something refreshing about not doing much and still feeling good about how my face looked.

Before vs. After (If I Could Show You)

If I could show you photos, you’d probably say the difference wasn’t huge — but it felt huge.

Before: dull, slightly irritated, a mix of dry and oily zones.
After: calmer, smoother, more balanced.

It wasn’t perfect, but it looked more like me.

What I Learned About My Skin

This little experiment taught me something big — sometimes, your skin just needs you to back off.

We’re so used to scrubbing, cleansing, and layering that we forget our skin already knows how to heal and protect itself.

Now, I’m not saying you should throw away your cleanser — but you might not need it twice a day. Maybe once is enough. Maybe your skin needs a little breathing room.

I also learned that skincare doesn’t have to be complicated to work. Sometimes less truly is more.

When “Only Water” Might Work (and When It Won’t)

If you’re thinking of trying this, here’s my honest advice:

This might work best for you if…

You have dry, normal, or sensitive skin.
You don’t wear makeup every day.
You’re dealing with irritation or over-cleansing.

It might not be for you if…

You wear heavy makeup or SPF daily (you need to properly remove that).
You have acne-prone or oily skin that needs deeper cleansing.
You live in an area with hard water (it can be harsh on the skin).

In short: listen to your skin. It’s smarter than you think.

My Tips If You Want to Try It

Start slow — maybe skip cleanser for just a few days.
Always remove makeup before washing with water.
Use lukewarm water, not hot.
Keep your pillowcases and towels clean.
Don’t skip moisturizer and SPF.

And most importantly — don’t expect miracles. The beauty of this experiment isn’t in looking perfect; it’s in understanding your skin better.

The Final Verdict

Would I do it again?
Honestly… yes, but with balance.

Now I only use cleanser once a day, usually at night, and rinse with just water in the morning. My skin feels calm, and I’ve stopped buying every new “miracle” product that pops up on my feed.

This experiment reminded me that skincare doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the best thing you can give your skin is a little rest.

So if you’re curious — try it. Two weeks of water might just teach you more about your skin than two years of products ever could.