Double Cleansing 101: What it is & How it Benefits the Skin
A lot happens to our skin throughout the day. We wear sunscreen, makeup sits on our skin, we sweat, dirt accumulates, and airborne bacteria and pollution stemming from things such as dust settles onto our skin. All of these things can cause breakouts and other skin ailments.
Double cleansing is an easy technique to help prevent this.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing is an easy two-step technique that originated from Korean skin care routines, that requires the use of two different cleansers to thoroughly cleanse the skin.
The double cleansing method is more so used in night routines, but if you find that you need to do this method in the morning as well (I.E. you sweat a lot while you sleep), than feel free to do so!
Step 1: First, you use an oil-based cleanser such as a cleansing oil or balm, or micellar water to gently breakdown and remove sebum, makeup, sunscreen, dirt and/or air pollutants from the skin.
Step 2: Next, take a cream, gel, or foam cleanser of your choice to give yourself an even deeper cleanse and ensure that any residual impurities are removed from the skin.
Common questions about double cleansing
Is double cleansing beneficial if I don’t wear makeup?
Yes! Regular water-based cleansers don’t breakdown sweat, pollutants and SPF as well as an oil-based cleanser or micellar water would, so the double cleanse method is beneficial even if you aren’t a makeup wearer.
Won’t oil-based cleansers cause me to breakout?
No! Oil-based cleansers will actually help lift dirt and grime from your pores, reducing the chance of breakouts. You have a bigger chance of breaking out from not cleansing your skin properly than you do from using an oil-based cleanser. Also, remember, you’re going to be washing off the oil cleanser after you work it through your skin. It’s not something that will sit on your skin for a long period of time.
Which formula is best for a double cleanse? Should I use a balm, an oil, or micellar water?
It’s completely up to you! Skin is not created equal, so feel free to try out multiple formulas to see what works best for your skin specifically.
Can I just use makeup wipes to remove my makeup?
No! Makeup wipes are actually not sufficient in removing makeup. I like to use them when I’m traveling, but I try not to use them on a regular basis. While they are convenient, they don’t have enough product on them to breakdown makeup, grime, and dirt. You typically have to go through a few wipes to get everything off. The downside of that is constantly having to pull and tug on your skin which causes issues such as irritation and wrinkles.
My favorite first step cleansers
