What is double cleansing?
For those who don't know what it is, let me fill you in. Double cleansing means cleansing your skin twice, instead of once - first with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup, sunscreen and dirt, followed by a water-based cleanser to ensure a thorough cleanse. It may sound like too much work for some people, but trust me when I say it's worth it! Read on for all the benefits of double cleansing!
Benefits of double cleansing
Cleansing your skin effectively is an essential step to ensuring healthy skin. Proper cleansing removes dirt, grease and bacteria from your skin, allowing your skincare products to actually penetrate the skin and work as promised.
Double cleansing is great for all skin types, and promotes healthy, radiant skin by effectively removing sunscreen, makeup and pollution from the skin. Pollution damages and ages the skin prematurely, so it's important to cleanse the skin properly.
Double cleansing also helps prevent breakouts and blemishes which commonly result from clogged pores and bacteria build up on the skin.
DOUBLE CLEANSING FAQs
How long should you double cleanse for?
You might have heard the rule of cleansing your skin for 60 seconds. However, some skin types, especially very dry ones, don’t need to be cleansed for that long, as it can further add to the skin feeling dry. The same advice goes for sensitive, easily irritated skin types, as washing this type of skin for 60 seconds or more can trigger more irritation and redness.
Try double cleansing for 20-40 seconds, and see what works for you.
How to double cleanse?
First, take your oil/balm cleanser, dispense a couple of pumps in the palm of your hand, and apply it to your face, hairline and neck in circular motions. Do this to cleanse for 20-30 seconds, then use a damp microfiber face cloth to remove the cleanser or rinse it off with lukewarm water.
Your second step is to use a water-based cleanser of your choice, and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Make sure to take extra care around the eyes as the skin there is the thinnest. When you’re done, dry off and move on to hydrating your complexion.
What to look for in an oil/balm cleanser?
Oil and balm cleansers are a great addition to every skincare routine, but the right one for you will depend on your preferences! They can come in an oil, balm or gel form.
Here are some things to take into consideration.
A cleanser that is made of just oils will be much harder to remove from the skin than an oil or balm cleanser that has an emulsifier in it. This is because an emulsifier allows the oil to mix with water and come off the skin much easier.
Look for an oil/balm that turns milky immediately and is easy to remove. Our radiance renewal cleansing balm has a balm-to-milk texture and is powered by nourishing Sea Buckthorn and Safflower oils, as well as fruit enzymes to promote a radiant complexion. You can use this cleansing balm first, remove it with our microfiber face cloth, and then finish off with a water-based cleanser.
Some oil/balm cleansers will leave more residue than others. That isn’t inherently bad - this extra oil can actually nourish your skin! If you don’t like the residue, don’t worry. The second part of double cleansing (using a water-based cleanser) can remove that feeling of leftover residue.
It’s also up to you what viscosity (thickness) you prefer. You might find that a thinner balm/oil is easier to use and clean your skin with, but a thicker one leaves your complexion feeling more nourished. This property will also influence the ‘slip’ of the cleanser, or how easily you can spread it on your face. Oils and balm-to-milk cleansers make the job easier due to their texture change.
Double cleansing might seem like a new trend, but there are genuine benefits to the practice. Try it out yourself and see how your skin reacts to it! You might end up finding a new favourite method of taking care of your complexion.