What is Double Cleansing?

If you've heard the term "double cleansing" and have an idea but not quite sure what it means, not to fear! I am here to help explain what double cleaning is and how you can add it to your routine.

Double cleansing is the practice popularized by Asian beauty where you wash your face twice. Easy enough, right? Well, the cleansing is a bit different each time.

First cleanse

This is great at removing make-up, sunscreen and more stubborn layers of dirt, pollution or other residual evidence of the day. This is done using an oil-based cleanser which might be in a liquid oil form or in a balm-to-oil form. The whole point is that if you can get this layer off then our second cleanse can focus on a gentle cleansing which doesn't strip your skin. 

Personally, I love oil cleansers which are gentle enough to work into my eye area because I like waterproof mascaras and long-lasting brow products. I also look for products which don't drip too fast so it doesn't feel as gooey. I prefer oils to cleansing balms because I use a small silicone scrubbing pad to work into my skin. While cleansing balms are great too, if I ever lose a blob of cleanser to the sink, the waste hurts a little. My favorite oil cleanser is DHC's oil cleanser, it feels really nice and doesn't burn in my eyes.

Also, I learned this the hard way but DO NOT USE OIL CLEANSERS IN THE SHOWER. They are designed to emulsify in water so...yeah, you will have oil streaming into your eyes before you are even ready to wash it off.

Second cleanse

Here is where your water-based cleanser washes off the remaining residue. I love this strategy because I don't find that I need a harsh, stripping cleanser to get my face clean. Remember, squeaky clean is a bad thing for skin!!

I enjoy Glossier's Milky Jelly cleanser because of how it leaves my skin feeling and how it glides across my skin. Growing up, I always associated lather with clean but lather can actually dry out your skin so if you have problems with acne or dehydrated skin, switch over to a non-foaming cleanser.

How often do you have to double cleanse?

You really only have to double cleanse if you have sunscreen/makeup on. If I am just waking up or if I did not go outside, I can manage with just my water-based cleanser. It certainly doesn't hurt to double cleanse at the end of the day because the beauty of the double cleanse is that it divides the work into two separate steps.

I also do not typically even use a water-based cleanser in the morning because a splash of water is all I need. For information about my AM routine, check out this blog post.

Look at this guy...you know his floor and counter are covered with water now.