If you’re not double cleansing at night, you’re missing out!

Double cleansing is rooted in Korean and Japanese cultures and their multi-step skincare routines. Women traditionally used plant oils followed by a rinse with rice water to remove all makeup and impurities. But is this method necessary for all? We’re diving into who this works for and why.

What is double cleansing?

What is double cleansing, do you ask? This is when you cleanse with two different type of cleansers… an oil based cleanser followed with a water based cleanser.

The benefits are…

An oil-based cleanser helps remove any oil based impurities like make-up, spf and sebum. This tends to be more surface level.

By getting rid of the surface level dirt in the skin, when you move onto step two of the cleanser, it really gives this cleanser a chance to shine and work optimally, to get into the skin and work hard.

A water-based cleanser gets a little deeper into the skin to remove grime and sweat from the pores. You can also address any skin concerns with this cleanser and look for ones with hydrating properties. This would also be where you’d add any exfoliating cleansers or ones targeted at acne, for example.

Who benefits from double cleansing?

Most people won’t need to do this twice a day, this is typically an evening affair. If you use lots of skincare – particularly heavier products like oils and balms… this would ensure that your skin is thoroughly cleansed of everything. If you use SPF daily too – this will become your best friend.

“Double cleansing sounds like double the work when in fact it’s doubling up the benefits to your skin’s health. The first cleanse with something gentle and effective removes your SPF, your makeup including mascara so that when you double cleanse you are getting a much deeper and more effective cleanse that your skin will love you for,” says Frances Turner-Traill, Clinical Director of FTT Skin Clinics.

However, if you wake up and feel like your skin is a little greasy… feel free to double cleanse in the morning too. Do you, beautiful. If your skin is oily, you’ll particularly benefit from a double cleanse.

However, be aware that double cleansing isn’t for everyone. “If you have a compromised skin barrier such as with psoriasis, eczema, or severely dry skin then double cleansing should be avoided. It’s important to still cleanse with a gentle cleanser but would be advised to work on improving the lipid barrier first before considering double cleansing.” – says Frances Turner-Traill, Clinical Director of FTT Skin Clinics.

Here’s how to double cleanse…

First step would be to use your oil cleanser and wash off. Then you follow up with a water-based cleanser.

If you have oily skin, oil cleansers will be your best friend as oil attracts oil. Follow up with a gel or clay based cleanser to prevent inflammation and regulate sebum production. Look for cleansers with aloe vera, rose, moringa seed and Glycolic Acid.

If you have dry skin, you may find double cleansing is a little too much for your skin type, but see how your skin reacts. You may find a dry skin quenching cleansing balm with ingredients like shea butter and jojoba will help boost hydration and restore your skin barrier work for your first cleanse. As a second cleanse, you may find looking for cleansers with glow boosting ingredients like vitamin c, hyaluronic and glycolic acids work well for you.

If you have combination skin, your best bet for oil cleansers is one that also has ceramides to help plump the skin. It’s more difficult to address as separate parts of your skin will feel different. You may find foaming cleansers are best as a second cleanse, look for squalane and hyaluronic acid to help balance and brighten.

If you have sensitive or acne prone skin, tread with caution as you may find it can cause irritation… but cleansing is what makes healthy skin so it can work for you too. Look for cleanser rich in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm irritation. You may want to follow up with an exfoliating cleanser using ingredients like salicylic acid to help brighten the skin and unclog pores.

If you have normal skin, look for an oil cleanser that your skin loves. Follow up with a second cleanse that’s targeted at your personal skin concerns… for example, vitamin c if you’re looking for a glowy boost.

Do you double cleanse your skin?