I’ve been a devout follower of the double cleanse for quite some time and my mission to convert others to this skin-transforming method continues.
Cleansing is by far the most important step of your skincare routine. Throughout the day, your makeup and SPF sink deep into your pores and airborne bacteria and pollution stick to your skin. If they aren’t washed away properly, they could potentially contribute to breakouts and accelerated ageing. No thank you. I wear SPF 50 on a daily basis. The minerals and chemicals in high-protection sunscreens can only be removed with an oil-based cleanser. If you wear heavy makeup and/or waterproof eye makeup, oils and balms are also your best choice.
So why “Double Cleanse”?
If you’re using face wipes to clean your skin before bed (and by “clean” here I mean moving dirt and grime around your face) then you apply your serum and moisturiser on top, you are wasting both your time and your money. The first cleanse dissolves makeup, SPF and dirt on the surface which allows the second cleanse to clean and treat your actual skin.
How do you do it?
First Cleanse
Put a small amount of cleansing balm or one or two pumps of oil between your palms to heat for a few seconds. My longtime favourites are Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Clinique Take the Day Off, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm, Dior Hydra Life Oil to Milk Makeup Removing Cleanser and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil. All of which are suitable for a range of skin types and melt the most stubborn of makeup like a dream.
Wet your hands and massage again to emulsify the oils- most oil-based cleansers will turn to a milky liquid once mixed with water which means they won’t leave an oily film on your face. Alternatively, use a warm washcloth to remove your cleanser- this will lightly exfoliate your skin too, so be gentle.
Second Cleanse
Your second cleanse is the most important. It’s where you would use your favourite (re: more expensive) cleansing product. Its job is to make sure your skin is clean and balanced and ready for everything else that you are applying afterwards.
Massage your face thoroughly for one to two minutes- on average people spend 20 seconds on cleansing which isn’t enough time to properly clean inside your pores or for your skin to benefit from any of the added active ingredients.
The Best Cleansers For Your Second Cleanse
This is just a general guide. There are always exceptions and it’s always better to use what works best for your skin.
Dry Skin: cleansing balms and oils with added plant extracts, antioxidants and active minerals
Normal-Combination Skin: cleansing milks, creams
Oily- Acne Prone Skin: non-foaming gels, cleansing clays
So there you have it, it really is that easy. By all means, tweak these tips to make them work for you and your routine. But whatever you do, the most important thing is to remember to do it every single day… without fail.
