Should You Double Cleanse? Benefits, How-To & Who Needs It

Double cleansing has become a popular skincare ritual, but do you really need to wash your face twice? The answer depends on your skin type, what you wear on your skin, and your daily routine. If you wear makeup, sunscreen, or are exposed to excess oil and environmental impurities throughout the day, double cleansing can be an effective way to thoroughly cleanse your skin without relying on one aggressive cleanser. Here's what double cleansing is, its benefits, and how to decide if it's right for your skin.

What Is Double Cleansing?

Double cleansing is exactly what it sounds like: cleansing your face twice in the evening using two different types of cleansers. The first cleanse typically uses an oil- or cream-based cleanser to help remove makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and surface impurities. The second uses a water-based gel cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin and prepare it for the rest of your evening skincare routine.

What Are the Benefits of Double Cleansing?

The first cleanse will help to break up makeup and excess sebum on the skin, while the second cleanse will remove any impurities and products. In short, double cleansing 

• Thoroughly removes makeup and sunscreen
• Removes excess oil and daily buildup
• Allows you to cleanse effectively without using an overly harsh cleanser
• Leaves skin ready for serums and moisturizers

The result is perfectly cleansed, fresh skin - a clean canvas ready to absorb the rest of your products. 

Double cleansing may be particularly helpful if you:

• Wear makeup
• Wear water-resistant sunscreen
• Have oily skin
• Live in a city or are exposed to environmental buildup
• Exercise or sweat heavily during the day

You may not need to double cleanse every night if you:

• Have very dry or sensitive skin
• Don't wear makeup
  
• Find that cleansing twice leaves your skin tight or uncomfortable

How to double cleanse: Step by Step guide

1. Massage your oil or cream cleanser on dry skin, focusing on the areas with extra makeup. Do this in gentle, circular, upward motions. 
2. Rinse with lukewarm water, do not dry your skin. 
3. Lather your gel cleanser on your wet skin, again using gentle, circular, upward motions. 
4. Rinse clean with lukewarm water, gently pat your skin dry. 

Your skin is now ready to receive your evening treatment products. 

This double cleanse should take about a minute or two, you can spend between 30 and 60 seconds on each cleanser. 

Our recommendation for which cleansers to use: 

1. Gentle Cream Cleanser for the first cleanse. 
2. Purifying Gel Cleanser for the double cleanse. 

Buy both and save! 

And remember, over-cleansing is not the goal! 

Depending on your skin type and how much makeup you wear, you can perform this double cleanse treatment every evening, or a couple of evenings per week. Remember that more cleansing isn't always better. Over-cleansing can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness, tightness, sensitivity, or irritation. Your skin should feel clean and comfortable after cleansing - not tight or like you need to run for your moisturizer. If double cleansing leaves your skin feeling dry, reduce the frequency or choose gentler cleansers.