Trying to find a good skincare routine these days is like trying to decode your drunk texts from last night — confusing at the very least, and pretty much frustrating AF. So when another celeb or influencer decides to bless us with their “holy grail” routine, it’s our duty to figure out if it’s an 18-step BS fest or if it’s actually worth our time. Enter Alex Cooper, the queen of TMI and host of the Call Her Daddy podcast. Spoiler alert: her skincare routine may make your dermatologist want to yeet themselves into the sun (wearing at least SPF 50, of course).
Alex dove into her skincare and makeup routine in a GRWM-esque video for Vogue. She even recreated the look she used for her own wedding. And not even one minute into her video she drops a jaw-dropping secret: The Alex Cooper doesn’t wash her face… like ever.
I know what you’re thinking. Oh, she must mean that she doesn’t wash it in the morning. Some people skip on using face wash in the morning to avoid stripping their faces of its natural oils — but then they make sure to double cleanse at night so that all the oil and the buildup of the day is washed off.
But that’s not what Alex is doing — she never washes her face. She credits this decision to the fact that she has really oily skin and was super prone to breakouts. Once she stopped washing her face (two whole years ago), all of her breakouts just stopped. She does keep her face hydrated, using the Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner and then locks in that hydration with everyone’s favorite COSRX Snail Mucin, continuing on her skincare routine normally… with no water in sight.
You may have so many questions, like: “Does water ever touch her face?” and “What about after she works out?” but before anything else there’s probably a tiny little voice in the back of your head genuinely asking, “Does this actually work?”
Why Do We Wash Our Faces?
“Washing your face at least once a day is super important because it helps remove dirt, oil, and impurities that build up on your skin throughout the day,” Lucie Royer, director of private cosmetic clinic Skin & Soul Medical tells Betches. “Even if you don’t wear makeup, your skin still collects pollutants and sweat that can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.”
If you have oily skin like Alex does, washing is super crucial. This is because oily skin usually produces a lot of sebum — the oily substance our skin produces to protect and hydrate its surface. And when this happens, the sebum can mix with dead skin cells and eventually clog your pores, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, and of course acne.
“Regular cleansing helps keep your pores clear and your skin balanced,” Lucie says.
Does Not Washing Your Face Work?
“If you skip washing your face entirely, you might notice a buildup of oils and dead skin cells, leading to clogged pores and breakouts,” Lucie explains. “Your skin can also look dull and feel rough. Plus, not washing off makeup and sunscreen can contribute to irritation and aging.”
You might be wondering: If all that is true, why would Alex’s breakouts stop after cutting out washing her face?
Well, Lucie explains that her experience could be due to a few things. It’s possible she was over-washing her face before which was stripping it of its natural oils like we talked about earlier. And by not washing her face for only two years (compared to how long she might have been over-washing) she may have found a new balance.
It’s also possible that she changed other parts of her skincare routine that just had a bigger impact on her skin than she realized.
“Skincare is super personal, and what works for one person might not work for another,” Lucie says. “If you’re considering a change like Alex did, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional to make sure you’re making the best choice for your skin type.”
“And remember, sometimes less is more, but a good, gentle cleansing routine can do wonders for keeping your skin healthy and glowing,” she says.
