While double cleansing may have only recently started to dominate your socials, it’s actually nothing new. This skincare practice can be traced back to the 14th century, when women in Japan and Korea would use a two-step process to thoroughly cleanse their faces.
Although it has only been in the last few years that the practice has infiltrated into the West, it has made a huge impact. What started as a trend has now become a mainstay in many skincare routines, with some people swearing by how double cleansing has transformed the look of their skin.
The big question is…is double cleansing really worth all of the hype, or is your skin truly better off with a simple single cleanse? Keep reading as Celestolite investigates.
What is Double Cleansing?
Double cleansing is exactly what it sounds like – cleansing your skin twice instead of just once. However, the secret to success is using two different types of cleansers, rather than the same one twice. Usually, an oil-based cleanser is used first. Once this has been rinsed off, it’s followed by a water-based cleanser. With that said, there are other variations to double cleansing, which we’ll discuss in more detail soon.
The Benefits of Double Cleansing
So, why would you want to add an extra cleanser to your skincare routine?
The theory behind double cleansing is that the first cleanser removes surface-level impurities from the skin, such as SPF, makeup, and sebum. Much of this tends to be oil-based, which is why, since oil attracts oil, an oil-based cleanser is the best type to start with. It will fully dissolve all of those lipophilic impurities. The second cleanser can then focus on removing water-based impurities, like sweat and dirt. Plus, since those surface-level oil-based impurities have now gone, the second cleanser you use will find it much easier to reach your skin cells to give them the thorough cleanse that they often need.
As you can imagine, the main benefit of double cleansing is that it gives the skin a much deeper cleanse than what traditional single cleansing would provide. This goes a long way in preventing impurities from building up, meaning that the appearance of clogged pores and acne breakouts becomes less prevalent. Ensuring that your skin has been thoroughly cleansed will also help to keep your complexion safer from free radical damage. That damage would otherwise accelerate the development of the visible signs of skin aging.
Of course, another advantage to cleansing your skin so efficiently is that it provides the rest of your skincare products with a clearer path to your skin cells. Absorption is higher when the skin has been properly cleansed, meaning that your entire skincare routine will be more effective.
Should Everyone Be Double Cleansing?
While double cleansing may sound appealing, not everybody needs to do it. In fact, if your skin type is sensitive or dry, double cleansing could quickly lead to a compromised skin barrier. The same applies to those who suffer from skin conditions that are triggered by a compromised skin barrier. From eczema to rosacea to psoriasis, double cleansing could leave you dealing with a flare-up. It’s likely to remove too much sebum from your skin, and those sebum reserves are precious if you’re battling with a damaged skin barrier.
On the other hand, those with oily skin can benefit from double cleansing in a big way. It helps to ensure that all of the excess oil that your skin has produced has been cleared away from your skin.
The same applies to those who spend the day in a particularly dirty or polluted environment. A single cleanse is unlikely to be enough to properly clean your skin. Therefore, double cleansing would be well worth considering.
When to Double Cleanse Your Skin
Although oil, bacteria, and other impurities build up on the skin overnight, that layer of grime tends to be at its thickest at the end of the day. This is why double cleansing is best done in the evenings.
However, it’s not a practice that you necessarily need to carry out every evening. Some evenings may see your skin dirtier than others, and these are the nights when you should turn to double cleansing. Don’t do it if your skin doesn’t need it, as this is when the problems begin.
How to Double Cleanse Your Skin
Want to give double cleansing a try? The first step is making sure that you have the right cleansers. Experts recommend starting with an oil-based cleanser and following up with a water-based cleanser. However, you need to ensure that each formula you pick is suitable for your skin type.
Oil-based cleansers come in various formats, from liquids to balms to gels. Some oil-based cleansers are much richer than others. The oilier your skin naturally is, the lighter your cleanser should be.
The same guidelines should be followed when choosing your water-based cleanser. Foaming cleansers work well for oily skin. Meanwhile, mousse cleansers, like the Celestolite Estrella Cleanser Mousse, can work wonders on all skin types.
Once you have your two cleansers lined up, reach for your oil-based cleanser. Follow the usage directions, massaging the product into your skin for 30-60 seconds. After rinsing it off, don’t dry your face as you usually would. Instead, turn to your water-based cleanser and apply that to your skin. Once that has been rinsed off, gently pat your skin with a clean towel to remove excess moisture. However, don’t fully dry your skin. Immediately follow up with the next product in your skincare routine, applying it while your skin is still damp. This will further enhance absorption. We’d recommend going with the Celestolite Estrella Facial Toner. It will leave your skin feeling hydrated, balanced, and even more receptive to the rest of your skincare routine.
Alternative Ways to Double Cleanse Your Skin
While an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser is the most recommended way to double cleanse, others have found alternatives that work better for their skin. Like with everything skincare-related, it’s always a good idea to adapt your methods to your skin’s unique needs.
Starting with a micellar water and then following up with a regular water-based cleanser is one method that some people prefer. Likewise, you could also add in a cleansing brush and then follow that up with a cleanser. Cleansing wipes, which aren’t usually recommended due to how they don’t properly cleanse the skin, can also be brought into the mix. When followed with a regular facial cleanser, they can actually be quite useful!
How Can You Tell If It’s Working?
Wondering how long it will take for you to see a difference in your skin? You’ll probably feel the difference straight away. If double cleansing is something that your skin has been needing, it will immediately feel cleaner, fresher, and happier.
Over time, you’ll notice all of the benefits we mentioned earlier. Fewer breakouts, brighter-looking skin, and a softer skin texture. Plus, your other skincare products will also, by this stage, be producing even better results because of the enhanced absorption.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Over-Cleansing
As we previously discussed, double cleansing isn’t for everyone. Do it to skin that doesn’t need it, and you’ll end up over-cleansing your skin. Even if your skin does need to be double cleansed, double cleansing too often can still lead to the symptoms of over-cleansing.
It’s important to be aware of this so that you can recognize the symptoms as soon as they start to appear. They all point to skin barrier damage, which is better dealt with sooner rather than later:
- Redness, irritation, and sensitivities.
- Skin that feels too clean, to the point where it feels tight and dry.
- An increase in oiliness and acne breakouts.
- Excessive dryness that leads to flaking and peeling.
Everyone’s skin reacts differently to over-cleansing. However, if you notice any of the above issues after you introduce double cleansing to your skincare routine, it may be time to reassess your new cleansing regimen. Stop double cleansing until your skin recovers. Then, if your skin would still benefit from it, figure out how to adapt it to your skin. This could involve doing it less often, using gentler cleansers, or adjusting the type of cleansers you use.
What About Triple Cleansing?
If double cleansing wasn’t enough to get your head around, triple cleansing is a trend that is also being talked about. This adds a third product to your cleansing regimen – exactly what that product is is up to you.
Some people consider a triple cleanse to be double cleansing followed by a gentle exfoliant, like the Celestolite Estrella Facial Peel. Others start with a micellar water, before following the regular double cleansing process. Wipes, cleansing clothes, cleansing devices, cleansing gels, and other types of cleansers could be incorporated into a triple cleanse too.
Is it worth exploring? Not unless your skin is severely dirty at the end of each day. As you know, cleansing your skin more than it actually needs to be cleansed will only cause serious damage to your skin barrier, which is exactly what you run the risk of doing with triple cleansing. Either way, if you currently single cleanse, move on to double cleansing first before considering whether or not to triple cleanse.
Is Double Cleansing Worth Trying?
If your skincare routine has been working well, with your skin looking happy and healthy, then there’s no need to shake things up by double cleansing. However, if you’ve been having issues with clogged pores, greasiness, acne breakouts, dullness, or rough texture, double cleansing could be exactly what you need to turn things around for your complexion.
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