Yes—removing contact lenses before washing your face is the practical default. Wash and completely dry your hands, remove and store or discard your lenses according to their directions, and then cleanse your face. This order is a practical inference from the CDC's advice to keep contact lenses away from water and the FDA's advice to remove lenses before removing makeup. Your eye care professional's instructions should always take priority for your specific lenses.
Key Takeaways
- Remove contact lenses before face washing so splashes and cleanser stay away from the lenses.
- Wash and fully dry your hands before touching lenses or their case.
- Use contact lens solution—not tap water—for lens care and follow the replacement schedule you were given.
- At night, take lenses out before makeup removal and cleansing; in the morning, wash your face before inserting lenses.
- If water reaches lenses while they are in your eyes, follow current CDC guidance and contact your eye care professional if symptoms appear.
Why Remove Contacts Before Face Washing?
The main issue is not that an ordinary face wash is designed for contact lenses—it is not. The issue is that face washing creates splashes around the eyes. The CDC says contact lenses and water are a bad combination and advises keeping lenses away from all water. It explains that water can change the shape of a soft lens, make it swell, and cause it to stick to the eye.
The FDA also says to remove lenses before removing eye makeup. Face washing often follows makeup removal and brings water, cleanser, and fingertips close to the eye area. Removing lenses first creates a simple boundary: lens care happens with clean, dry hands, then facial cleansing happens without lenses in place.
Neither agency frames this as a special cosmetic ritual. The order is a practical way to apply their broader instructions. Lens type, replacement schedule, and care system vary, so use the label, the lens maker's directions, and guidance from your eye care professional as the final standard.
| Situation | Practical order | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Morning routine | Wash face, pat dry, wash and dry hands again, insert lenses, then apply cosmetics | Keeps face-washing water away from lenses and follows the FDA's cosmetics order |
| Evening routine | Wash and dry hands, remove lenses, remove makeup, then wash face | Keeps makeup remover, cleanser, and rinse water away from lenses |
| Shower | Remove lenses before showering | Follows CDC guidance to keep lenses away from water |
| Unexpected splash | Remove lenses as soon as possible and follow CDC and product directions | Gives you a clear next step without rinsing lenses in tap water |
How to Wash Your Face at Night When You Wear Contacts
Step 01
Prepare Your Lens Supplies
Before touching your eyes, have the correct lens case and fresh contact lens solution ready, or a clean place to discard daily disposable lenses. Do not top off old solution or use water in the case. The CDC's contact lens habits say to use only the solution recommended by your eye care provider and to follow the lens and case replacement schedule.
Step 02
Wash and Completely Dry Your Hands
Use soap and water, rinse well, and dry with a clean, lint-free towel before handling lenses. Damp fingers can transfer water to the lens. Keep hand cream, cleansing balm, and facial oil for later so your fingertips are clean and easy to control during lens removal.
Step 03
Remove, Store, or Discard Your Lenses
Take the lenses out before makeup remover or cleanser approaches the eye area. If they are reusable, rub and rinse them only as directed with the correct solution before storing them in fresh solution. If they are daily disposables, discard them after removal. Never rinse lenses or the case with tap water.
Step 04
Remove Makeup and Cleanse Gently
Once lenses are out, remove makeup according to the product directions. Then use a gentle facial cleanser with lukewarm water and your fingertips. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a gentle, nonabrasive cleanser, avoiding scrubbing, rinsing with lukewarm water, and patting dry with a soft towel.
If you use nooni snowflake whipping cleanser, the current 5.07 fl oz label directions say to create a lather on wet hands, gently massage a damp face and neck for 10–15 seconds, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Avoid eye contact; if cleanser enters the eyes, rinse well immediately. This is the article's single product example, not a lens-care product.
Step 05
Finish Your Routine Without Rehandling Lenses
Pat your face dry and continue with the rest of your evening routine. Once reusable lenses are stored or daily lenses are discarded, leave them there. If you need to handle the case again, wash and fully dry your hands first. This separation keeps facial products out of the lens-care step.
What About the Morning Routine?
Wash your face before inserting contact lenses. After cleansing and patting dry, wash and completely dry your hands again, then insert lenses according to their directions. The extra hand wash matters because your fingers may have touched cleanser, a towel, hair, or the faucet during face washing.
Apply eye makeup and other cosmetics after lenses are in, consistent with FDA guidance. Keep product away from the waterline and do not use a cosmetic in a way the label does not direct. If you prefer to shower in the morning, shower and wash your face first, then insert lenses afterward. Our guide to washing your face in the shower explains how to keep the cleansing step gentle.
What If Water Gets on Your Contacts?
If water touches lenses while you are wearing them, the CDC advises removing them as soon as possible. Its current guidance says to throw them away or clean and disinfect them overnight before wearing them again, depending on the lens and its directions. Do not rinse them with tap water. If your eyes become red, painful, unusually watery, itchy, or your vision changes, remove the lenses and contact your eye care professional. The FDA's contact lens care guidance lists those as reasons to seek professional advice.
Small Routine Choices That Reduce Mix-Ups
Keep lens solution and the case in a clean, dry area separate from face wash, makeup remover, and hair products. Do not handle lenses above a sink filled with water. If you need a towel, choose a clean one that does not leave fibers on your hands.
The sequence can also be paired with other simple bathroom habits. Decide whether you prefer to brush your teeth before washing your face, then place lens removal before both makeup removal and cleansing. When choosing how to cleanse, hands versus a washcloth explains why fingertips are often the gentler default. For water temperature, see cold or warm water for washing your face.
Bottom Line
Remove contact lenses before washing your face. At night, wash and dry your hands, remove and store or discard lenses, remove makeup, and then cleanse. In the morning, wash your face first, wash and dry your hands again, insert lenses, and apply cosmetics afterward. This order turns CDC water guidance and FDA cosmetics guidance into a calm, repeatable routine while leaving lens-specific decisions to the current label and your eye care professional.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Habits—Keeping Water Away From Contact Lenses
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Contact Lens Wear and Care
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Contact Lens Care
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Everyday Eye Care
- American Academy of Dermatology: Face Washing 101
Related Reading
- Should You Wash Your Face Before or After Brushing Your Teeth?
- Should You Wash Your Face in the Shower?
- Should You Wash Your Face With a Washcloth or Your Hands?
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question to view the answer.
Should you remove contact lenses before washing your face?
Yes. Removing lenses first is the practical default because face washing brings water and cleanser close to the eyes. Wash and completely dry your hands, remove and store or discard the lenses according to their directions, and then cleanse your face.
Should you take contacts out before removing makeup?
Yes. The FDA advises removing contact lenses before removing eye makeup. Wash and dry your hands first, take the lenses out, and then use makeup remover and facial cleanser according to their labels.
Can you wash your face while wearing daily disposable contacts?
Removing them before face washing is still the practical order. Daily disposable lenses should be discarded after removal and should not be rinsed or saved for later use unless their official directions say otherwise.
What should you do if water gets on your contact lenses?
The CDC advises removing the lenses as soon as possible. Depending on the lens and its directions, discard it or clean and disinfect it overnight before wearing it again. Do not use tap water for lens care.
Should you put contacts in before or after washing your face in the morning?
Wash your face first. Pat dry, wash and completely dry your hands again, then insert lenses according to their directions. Apply cosmetics after the lenses are in.
Product & Skin Notice
This article is for general informational purposes only. Individual skin types, sensitivities, and results may vary. Always review the product label, ingredient list, directions, and warnings before use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs, and consult a qualified healthcare professional if you have an existing skin condition, known allergies, or persistent concerns.
