How to Double Cleanse

I used to think that a face wash was a face wash – they’re all basically the same, right? Wrong. Your cleanser is actually a crucial part of your skincare routine (Especially if it’s the only regular part of your skincare routine). I like a number of natural face cleansers, but I started doing a double cleanse every night sometime last year…and now I’ll never go back. Doing a double cleanse is actually quite easy and SO BENEFICIAL, but since it’s likely new to many of you, here is everything you need to know about how to double cleanse! 

How to Double Cleanse Your Face

The idea of double cleansing is basically washing your face twice, but there are certain types products and a certain order in which to use them that make double cleansing so popular and so wonderful! For example, since double cleansing every night, I’ve had fewer breakouts and no need to do any sort of charcoal mask (my pores are small and unnoticeable).

I have a number of friends who only double cleanse when they’re wearing makeup, but I think it needs to be a daily practice to really get the full benefits of double cleansing. And the best news is that double cleansing is good for all skin types!

What Is Double Cleansing

Double cleansing is the process of using an oil-based cleanser (e.g. cleansing oil or cleansing balm) followed by a water-based cleanser (e.g. cream cleanser, gel cleanser, or facial bar soap).

The oil-based cleanser (step one) attaches itself to anything on your face – makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum and sweat, etc. When it’s cleaned off (with warm water or warm washcloth), then the water-based cleanser works to truly clean your skin because it isn’t having to work through any product of sweat to get to your skin and pores!

Does Double Cleansing Work

Yes, it does! The oils sitting on your skin bond with the oil-based cleanser and are removed for the water-based cleanser to do its job. As I mentioned above, doing a double cleanse regularly has eliminated my concern about pore size and my need for a charcoal mask in my arsenal!

One concern you might have is if double cleansing dries out your skin. The answer is no, but read on for details. Oil-based cleansers are actually very hydrating. Many people I know just use a cleansing balm to clean their face, omitting the double cleanse most days because of the extra moisture it adds.

For sensitive to normal skin, the cleansing balm actually provides a bit of a protection from the water-based cleanser, so my skin never feels dry – it’s all actually really great for your skin barrier! And, extra perk, a cleansing balm can double as a moisturizing mask – apply to clean skin (before any other products) for 5-10 minutes and then gently remove with warm water or washcloth!

For oily or acne prone skin, a double cleanser is also a great idea because it helps remove excess sebum without stripping your skin of moisture. Further, most oily spots and breakout areas (when not hormonal or under the care of a dermatologist) are actually caused by dry skin – i you have combination skin, this might be you. Your body is trying to compensate for the dryness by excreting oil to moisturize, but the oil then turns into breakouts, which lead many people to opt for moisture-stripping products – snowballing this whole process!

And, in general, if your skin feels dry after cleansing, it’s probably your cleanser. Many cleansers have oil-stripping (i.e. moisture-stripping) ingredients. You really want to avoid SLSs (Sodium Laurel Sulfates) – original invented as an engine degreaser in WWII! For things like this, it’s good to start reading up on skincare ingredients to avoid!

Why Double Cleanse

CLEANER SKIN

With this double cleanse, your cleanser isn’t just removing product and sweat/dirt. The double cleanse allows for the removal of all that and then an additional step to really clean your skin.

SMALLER PORES

Because the water-based cleanser has wide-open access to your pores, it’s able to get out any buildup in there. Less oil and gunk in your pores leads to pores looking smaller. Friendly note – everyone has pores of roughly the same size – the appearance of bigger pores means there’s more stuck in the pores, which then prevents hair follicles from emerging, which leads to breakouts and blemishes.

FEWER BREAKOUTS

Ready for this science. Cleaner pores = fewer breakouts!! Breakouts are caused by hairs not being able to emerge from skin. One of the major culprits of this is gunk that’s in the way of the hairs. Keeping your skin extra clean helps your hair and skin do their job. The other major culprit of breakouts is skin not turning itself over at a steady enough pace, but regular cleansing helps this natural process to occur!

MOISTURIZED SKIN

I’ll reiterate the point I made above in case you scanned/skipped over it (totally get it), but your cleansers, in general, should not be making your skin feel taut and stripped of moisture right after use. But, a double cleanse will absolutely moisturize your skin because of the oil-based cleanser you use first.

How To Properly Double Cleanse

START WITH DRY SKIN

This is a weird feeling if you’ve never used a cleansing oil or cleansing balm before, but you actually want to apply the oil-based cleanser to dry skin. Having a wet face won’t let the oil get to the product, sweat, and dirt!

WARM OIL-BASED CLEANSER IN PALMS

You’ll want to warm the oil-based cleanser between your palms as it’ll rub onto your face more easily when warmed. This is even more noticeable with a cleansing balm because of its thicker consistency.

RUB BALM/OIL ALL OVER FACE

Go to town! Rub the oil-based cleanser all over your face (and neck). Gently massage in circular motions – nothing harsh! I will note that I’ve tried a number of cleansing oils that felt as though they required intensive rubbing around my face to use – I steer clear of those now. The great part about oil-based cleansers is that until you apply water, you can easily open and close your eyes as needed!

RINSE WITH WARM WATER

You can read in my post about how to use cleansing balm that there are two methods to remove oil-based cleansers – a rinse with warm water or a wipe off with a warm washcloth. I only recommend the former because it isn’t easy to get the cleanser off your washcloths and you’ll be going to washcloths like mad with regular usage.

I also like to rinse with warm water because then my skin is ready for the water-based cleanser already – no need to add more water to lather up.

LATHER WATER-BASED CLEANSER IN HANDS

Take your water-based cleanser and lather it up in your hands. I love a facial bar soap (specifically this gentle facial bar soap).

CLEAN FACE

Clean your face – the old-fashioned way! 😉

RINSE

Rinse again with warm water, pat dry, and you’re good to go – squeaky clean, moisturized, and glowing!!

SKINCARE ROUTINE

Follow this with your normal skincare routine. You can learn more about what order to apply your skincare.

How Often Should You Double Cleanse

Every night! This may seem like a lot, but it really is the consistent practice of a double cleansing routine that will give you all those benefits of smaller visible pore size, fewer breakouts, and moisturized skin. 

It is important to note that washing your face at night is absolutely a must. Don’t sleep with dirty skin. Not only can it get on your sheets, your skin needs to breathe and it can’t do so easily if you have product, dirt on your face. And if you’re laying on sheets with product on your skin, your skin really won’t be able to turn over and the follicles won’t be able to get out. So this whole thing just leads to more breakouts and more unhappy skin.

I don’t double cleanse in the morning (I use this cleansing oil in the mornings – it’s the best such product on the market – read more about it in my Counter review)!

Products to Use After Double Cleansing

After double cleansing, your skin is ready for just about any type of product or treatment! A few of my favorite products to use after double cleansing are as follows:

ESSENCE/TONER

If you want hydrated skin, every step in your routine should be hydrating. Using a toner or essence is crucial to this. Toners/Essences add hydration back to your skin, which serums and moisturizers pull from to better do their jobs at hydration! I like this essence – it’s light and great for sensitive skin. It does come out of the container quickly – FYI!

EXFOLIATING MASK

This exfoliating mask is simply my favorite thing. It’s a 5-minute mask that provides physical and chemical exfoliation. Your skin will instantly feel smooth and glowy and you’ll be basking in the smooth and glow for days to come. I like that m y moisturizing cleanse routine helps prep my skin for a more active product to use after.

PEPTIDE SERUM

To really complete that smooth, glow, hydrated look from a double cleanse, I like to use this multipepetide serum. It helps smooth fine lines, supporting collagen and elastin in your skin. It smells lovely, and it’s EWG-verified. You won’t be surprised that it’s by the cleanest skincare brand!