Ways To Double Cleanse
Double cleansing rids your skin of as much excess makeup, sebum, pollution, and grime as possible. While this process might not be completely necessary, it can prove helpful if you want to ensure your skin is as clean as possible.
What Is Double Cleansing?
A double-cleansing routine is a two-step process utilizing two separate cleansers to wash and clean skin. To double cleanse, you first apply a cleansing balm or oil to remove your makeup, sunscreen, and anything else that accrued on your face throughout the day. After you rinse that off, you move on to your usual cleanser. Applying this second cleanser to your now fresh face enables you to focus on cleaning your actual pores rather than removing the first layer of makeup.
This approach has its origins in a ten-step Korean skincare routine, and while there’s no strict rule about when to double cleanse, doing so at the end of the day allows your face to benefit from the process overnight.
3 Reasons to Double Cleanse
Double cleansing, or washing your face with dual cleansers, can provide you with an opportunity to leave your face feeling fresh. Here are three reasons people choose to use a double-cleansing routine:
- 1. To help skin glow: This form of deep cleansing helps replenish your skin and make it look bright and vibrant. When you clean your skin, it becomes a fresh canvas for your makeup, or it becomes a surface that other skincare products can penetrate more easily. Ensuring both your cleansers contain nourishing vitamins will help you further achieve a glowing complexion.
- 2. To remove unnecessary grime: While you can get most of the excess oils off your face with one cleanse, double cleansing allows you to leave your skin as clean as possible. It removes any pore-clogging leftovers that would otherwise remain after a single cleanse. If you wear heavy makeup, cleaning your face twice is especially useful.
- 3. To prevent acne: Using two gentle cleansers in a row helps prevent your face from breaking out with impurities like blackheads. While it’s impossible to eliminate all breakouts, one of the main benefits of double cleansing is how effective it can be at keeping them at bay for acne-prone skin. When you remove dead skin cells, excess sebum, and dirt, your skin is far less likely to end up acne-ridden.
How to Choose the Right Double-Cleansing Products
While it’s best to consult your dermatologist for specific skincare product recommendations, there are a few general guidelines you can follow when selecting cleansers. Keep these tips in mind, depending on which type of skin you have:
- 1. For combination skin: If you have a combination of both dry and oily skin, look for a gel cleanser with ceramides to help moisturize your skin without adding too much extra oiliness.
- 2. For dry skin: If you have sensitive skin prone to dryness, look into foaming cleansers, micellar water, or jojoba oil. Both cleansers should help moisturize and replenish your skin.
- 3. For oily skin: If your skin type produces plenty of natural oils, you can forgo an oil cleanser for something lighter and less likely to over-moisturize your skin. Look for products that help clear your pores to avoid acne as well.
How to Double-Cleanse Your Skin
Double cleansing is as simple as it sounds. Follow these four steps to include the double-cleansing method as part of your skincare routine:
- 1. Apply the first cleanser. Your first cleansing oil or balm will be your makeup remover. It can also remove sunscreen and eye makeup like mascara. Take care while rinsing off the cleanser to avoid getting any of these products in your eyes, which will cause irritation. Apply the cleanser in circular motions with your hands or a washcloth.
- 2. Rinse the first cleanser off. Use a face wash or lukewarm water to rinse off your first cleanser. Apply a washcloth to your face to clean off your makeup. Aim to remove all makeup residue and excess buildup on your skin.
- 3. Use the second cleanser. After you complete the first cleanse, it’s time to start the second. The second round is primarily for exfoliating and hydrating your skin, as well as unclogging any pores. Rub this cleanser into your face the same way you did with the first, but use a clean washcloth if you use one at all. Seek out facial cleansers featuring antioxidants, healthy acids, or essential oils to help nourish your skin more directly than you’d be able to with just one initial cleanse.
- 4. Wash the second cleanser off. Remove the second layer with water or face wash. After this additional infusion of skin hydration, this will complete both your second cleanse and the double-cleanse process in general.
Before Starting a New Skincare Regimen
Individuals experience different levels of sensitivity to ingredients found in various skincare products. To prevent adverse reactions, consult a dermatologist before applying a new product to your skin. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.