My role as a beauty writer often shape-shifts into beauty therapist at parties. Upon revealing my job to new friends, I quickly get looped into spontaneous group sessions and surprisingly intimate one-on-ones, listening as strangers unravel their longtime beauty-product woes and firmly held opinions.Among the many grievances I hear, one comes up almost every time: the tale of a partner, friend, or family member who has never washed their face yet has “perfect” skin. This often prompts the skin-care enthusiast to ask: “Am I actually supposed to wash my face at all?” Or, for the cleansing-committed, “Is twice a day overkill?”The heart of the matter, I tell them, is that while I’m all for a less-is-more approach to skin care, washing your face is probably a good idea, even if you have said “perfect” skin. But beyond that, there isn’t a single, satisfying, blanket recommendation for every person.After picking the brains of three dermatologists, an esthetician, and a cosmetic chemist on this great debate, I’ve found that although there isn’t one right answer, there is a fairly simple way to determine which cadence you should choose. The answer lies in your skin type.