Some of us have been double-cleansing (and even triple-cleansing) for years without knowing it. But thanks to Korean beauty and the elaborate multi-stepped skincare regimes of South Korean women, we’ve been hearing a lot about it. Although popularized by Korean beauty bloggers (who sometimes practice up to 10 different skincare steps), Japanese women have actually been double-cleansing using cleansing oil for centuries.
What is Double Cleansing?
Double cleansing involves using two different types of cleansers, one right after the other. There’s no any set guideline for which types of cleansers are best for double cleansing. The most common practice is to wash your face with a pure oil, oil-based liquid cleanser, cleansing balm or even milk-based cleanser and then follow with a regular, water-soluble cream, gel, or lotion cleanser that’s suitable for your skin type. You then move on to the rest of your skincare routine.
Why an oil-based cleanser or pure oil?
Oils, whether a mineral oil or plant oil, are adapt at dissolving all types of makeup and can also help remove tenacious sunscreen formulas. The oils work differently (some would say more thoroughly) from the surfactants found in regular facial cleansers.Modern cleansing oils have an edge over pure oils because they contain a type of ingredient known as an emulsifier. This allows the oil to mix with water and form a milky emulsion, making it easy to rinse from skin instead of leaving a greasy residue as pure oils can.
I am currently using Bio-Essence Deep Cleansing Milk as my first step to clean my face.
Should You Double Cleanse?
Double cleansing isn’t a must-do for most people. However, it can be worth it under certain circumstances. For example, if you wear heavy or transfer-resistant makeup and a mineral-based sunscreen (those with active ingredients titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide), double cleansing ensures you remove both the makeup and the sunscreen, which means the leave-on skincare products that follow can better work their magic.
I am not a make-up type; do I still need to do Double Cleansing? Yell for YES! Although I do not makeup yet I am using moisturizer and water-based sunscreen (Bio-Essence Miracle Bio Water Cooling Sunscreen with SPF50+). Yes, it's just that simple. Sunscreen, dirt, pollutants, and other surface debris are needed to be break through and wash away besides makeup.
Double cleansing can also help if you have very oily skin and are finding that your regular cleanser isn’t removing enough excess oil but that a stronger single cleanser leaves your oily skin feeling tight and dry. It’s far better to use two gentle cleansers than one harsh, drying cleanser! You can enhance the results of any cleanser by using a soft washcloth with it or a cleansing brush outfitted with the softest brush head available.
How to Double Cleanse?
If you decide a double cleanse is right for you, you'll probably find that it’s mostly beneficial at night when you have makeup and sunscreen to remove. In the morning, you can wash your face with just your regular cleanser.
Here are the double-cleansing steps to follow:
Dispense your fragrance-free cleansing oil or balm into the palm of one hand and use the fingers on your opposite hand to apply it to wet or dry skin, massaging in gentle circular motions, including around the eyes, for 30–45 seconds. You do not need to use a separate eye-makeup remover if the cleansing oil is fragrance free (fragrance is especially problematic when applied around the eyes). Work out from the center of your face, and REMEMBER your neck and jawline where you may have blended in foundation.
Rinse or gently remove the cleanser with a soft, wet washcloth. If you're rinsing, remember to use running water else you might risk recycling murky water when you carry out the second stage.
Next, dispense a nickel- to quarter-size amount of your regular facial cleanser and apply it to damp skin, massaging in gentle circular motions.
Rinse the second cleanser with running water and pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel.
*Don’t forget to tone as well to make sure that your skin is softened and ready for your serum and moisturizer.
There are no hard and fast rules to double cleansing. What are you waiting for? Start to try it and experience the difference!