Should You Wash Your Face Before or After Brushing Your Teeth?
If toothpaste tends to reach the skin around your mouth, brushing your teeth first and washing your face second is the most practical order. It lets you remove visible drips or residue before applying leave-on skincare. If you brush neatly and nothing reaches your skin, either order can work; there is no universal rule that makes one sequence medically necessary for everyone.
The useful question is not which habit must always come first. It is whether your order keeps toothpaste where it belongs, gives both routines enough time, and avoids an unnecessary second face wash.
Key Takeaways
- Brush first and cleanse second when toothpaste often reaches your chin or the corners of your mouth.
- Either order is reasonable when you keep the two routines separate and your skin feels comfortable.
- Do not add an extra full cleanse solely because you brushed your teeth.
- Wash your hands before touching your face, then use lukewarm water and fingertips.
- Follow the directions on both your toothpaste and face cleanser instead of copying a rigid social-media sequence.
Should You Brush Your Teeth or Wash Your Face First?
For a shared morning or evening sink routine, brushing first is a sensible default. Finish your dental routine, check the skin around your lips and chin, wash your hands, and then cleanse your face. That sequence removes any toothpaste that visibly landed on the skin before moisturizer or another leave-on product goes on top.
This is a practical preference, not a promise of better skin. The American Dental Association focuses on effective home oral care, including brushing for about two minutes. It does not establish a skincare order. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends gentle face washing with a non-abrasive cleanser, lukewarm water, and fingertips. Putting those two routines together should preserve the instructions for each one.
Why Toothpaste Residue Changes the Practical Order
Toothpaste is made for teeth and the mouth, not as a facial skincare product. A small drip on healthy skin does not automatically mean there is a problem, but there is no reason to leave visible residue in place. The AAD notes that toothpaste can be one possible irritant when discussing certain rashes around the mouth. That observation does not mean toothpaste normally causes a skin condition, and it should not be used for self-diagnosis.
If the area around your mouth repeatedly feels uncomfortable, avoid guessing which ingredient is responsible. Review the toothpaste label, keep the product inside the mouth as directed, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional when concerns persist.
| Situation | Practical order | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Toothpaste often drips onto the chin | Brush, then wash face | The face wash step can remove visible residue before leave-on skincare. |
| You brush without getting toothpaste on skin | Either order | Choose the sequence you can complete consistently and gently. |
| You already washed your face | Brush carefully, then rinse only the contacted skin if needed | A second full cleanse is usually unnecessary when only a small area needs attention. |
| The mouth area feels persistently uncomfortable | Pause new products and seek professional guidance | A routine order cannot identify the cause of an ongoing concern. |
A Simple Brush-Then-Wash Routine
This five-step order keeps the routines distinct without making either one more complicated.
Step 01
Complete Your Dental Routine
Brush according to your toothpaste label and dental professional's guidance. Give the dental step its full attention rather than rushing because skincare is waiting. Keep the faucet, toothbrush handle, and product caps as tidy as practical.
Step 02
Check the Mouth and Chin
Look for visible toothpaste near the lip corners, chin, or jaw. If you see a drip, rinse it away. Do not scrub the area with a dry towel. A gentle rinse is enough until you begin the normal face-washing step.
Step 03
Wash Your Hands
Clean hands before applying cleanser. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and clean running water. This small reset keeps the toothbrush, phone, and bathroom surfaces from becoming part of your facial routine.
Step 04
Cleanse Gently and Completely
Use the current directions for your cleanser. Apply it with fingertips, cover the intended areas without hard pressure, rinse completely, and pat dry. Our guides to water temperature, cleanser amount, and cleansing time explain why the product label matters more than a universal hack.
Current nooni example: The nooni Snowflake Whipping Cleanser is an active 5.07 fl oz daily foam cleanser. Its current directions say to lather a small amount in wet hands, gently massage the damp face and neck for 10–15 seconds, rinse with warm water, and pat dry. Avoid the eyes and rinse immediately if contact occurs.
Step 05
Apply Leave-On Skincare
Once the face is clean and dry, continue with the leave-on products that suit your routine. The FDA cosmetics labeling guide is a useful reminder to review product directions and warnings. Adding more steps is not necessary simply because brushing and cleansing happen at the same sink.
What If You Prefer to Wash Your Face First?
You do not need to change a comfortable routine when you brush neatly. Wash your face, pat dry, and complete dental care without letting toothpaste spread over the surrounding skin. If a small amount reaches the chin, rinse that spot with water rather than automatically repeating the entire cleanser step.
Try keeping a clean soft towel nearby and leaning slightly over the sink while brushing. Avoid wiping the mouth area with the same cloth used to clean the counter. If you prefer using hands instead of a cloth for cleansing, see our washcloth-or-hands guide.
Morning and Night Do Not Need Different Rules
The same decision works in both routines: brush first when residue is likely, or keep your usual order when it stays clean and comfortable. At night, remove makeup or sunscreen according to the products you wore. In the morning, choose the cleansing approach that fits how your skin feels. Our guide to washing with water in the morning can help with that separate decision.
Avoid turning the sequence into another reason to over-wash. AAD guidance generally limits face washing to twice daily and after sweating. Brushing after a proper cleanse does not by itself create a need for another complete wash.
Bottom Line
Brush your teeth first and wash your face second when toothpaste often reaches the skin around your mouth. It is a practical way to remove visible residue before leave-on skincare. If you keep toothpaste off the skin, either order can work. Give dental care its full time, clean your hands, follow your cleanser directions, and skip an unnecessary second cleanse.
Sources
- American Dental Association: Home Oral Care
- American Academy of Dermatology: Face Washing 101
- American Academy of Dermatology: Rash Around the Mouth
- CDC: About Hand Hygiene
- FDA: Cosmetics Labeling Guide
Related Reading
- Cold or Warm Water for Washing Your Face? What Actually Matters
- How Long Should You Wash Your Face? Is 60 Seconds Necessary?
- Should You Wash Your Face With a Washcloth or Your Hands?
Frequently Asked Questions
Select a question to view the answer.
Should you wash your face before or after brushing your teeth?
Brush first and wash your face second when toothpaste often reaches your chin or the corners of your mouth. If no toothpaste reaches the skin, either order can work.
Does toothpaste residue mean you need to wash your whole face again?
No. If you already cleansed and only a small spot was contacted, rinse that area gently. An automatic second full cleanse is usually unnecessary.
Can toothpaste irritate the skin around the mouth?
Toothpaste can be a possible irritant for some people, but a brief contact does not automatically cause a skin problem. Rinse visible residue and seek professional guidance for persistent concerns.
Should the order change at night?
No special nighttime order is required. Brush first when residue is likely, then complete the face-washing routine appropriate for the makeup, sunscreen, and products you wore.
What is the gentlest way to wash after brushing?
Wash your hands, use lukewarm water, apply cleanser with fingertips according to its directions, rinse completely, and pat dry with a clean soft towel.
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.
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