The Best Double Cleansing Duo For Each Skin Type
Were a small operation, here at the Care to Beauty blog, but weve got a lot going on with our skin. Between us, weve got dry skin, oily skin, various levels of sensitivity, redness and rosacea you name it. Weve also got very different preferences when it comes to brands and textures. The result? No two people use the same double cleansing products. In order to help you decide on the best double cleansing products for you, were placing our favorites at your service.
What Is Double Cleansing And Should You Try It
The process of double cleansing your skin can offer numerous benefits to your daily skincare regimenhelping to create the perfect, clean canvas upon which the rest of your routine lies. But how can you be sure if a double cleansing routine is right for you? This guide will cover everything you need to know before trying this popular cleansing technique, from our top product recommendations to the best double cleansing tips for your skin type.
Who Does Double Cleansing Work Best For
Double cleansing works for all skin types. “Whether you have oily, acne-prone, or dry skin that needs some added moisture, double cleansing will help make sure any and all impurities are removed, which will leave your skin looking dewy and with a soft glow,” says Cho.
Zeichner agrees but says your skin type determines what cleansers you should use. If you’re dry or sensitive, he recommends Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser followed by Bioderma Micellar Water, which are both hydrating and gentle. If you have oily skin, he recommends Erborian Black Cleansing Oil, which is formulated with purifying charcoal to remove excess sebum, followed by a foaming cleanser like Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Cleanser.
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What Is Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is exactly what it sounds like, cleansing your face twice with two different types of cleansers, says Sharlena Hassani, celebrity esthetician and the founder of Artisan of Skin. Usually, youll see people start with an oil-based cleanser and finish with a water-based cleanser. Here’s the deal: the best way to break down oil-based products, like makeup or sunscreen, is with an oil-based formula, and the same for water-based debris, like dirt, sweat, and grime, and a water-based cleanser. When you use both together, you make sure you get rid of everything. Here’s a breakdown of the two-step process:
Is It Possible To Overcleanse
Both Cho and Zeichner say its definitely possible to overcleanse. Even though you should be washing your face twice a day, you can skip the double cleanse in the morning and incorporate it only into your nighttime routinethat way youll avoid drying out your skin. Plus, if youre doing a thorough enough job at night, all you really need is micellar water in the morning.
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Duo #: Oily Or Combination Skin
Thats right counterintuitive as it may seem, those with oily/combo skin can still enjoy double cleansing, even with an oil cleanser! Of course, youll want to reach for lightweight cleansers that wont make your skin feel weighed down. Thats why I think using a micellar water is best as your step 1 its water-based and gets its power from micelles, which are tiny oils suspended in water. Follow up with a foaming cleanser to keep things extra light and airy.
D’alba Piedmont Peptide No
This cleanser deeply cleans your pores without being harsh on your skin. It clears out excess sebum and blackheads while balancing the skin at the same time. Why is it such a great product. One person shared, “I received a small sample of this with my first order. I was able to use it twice and absolutely loved it, made my face feel so soft. I honestly didn’t wanna stop touching my face lol we all know that’s a big no no. I ended up ordering a bottle of it and have been using it for about a week now, give it take and I love it. It’s so gentle and does the job.”
Someone else wrote, “Great cleanser for combo or oily skin. Love this cleanser! My face feels so clean and refreshed after using this. Have not had any bad reactions and you receive a pretty good amount of product for the price paid. Will purchase again.”
Normal Skin
If you prefer a balm, add the Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original to your routine.
If you want to try an oil instead of a balm, the Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil could be a good addition to your skincare regimen.
A great water-based cleanser if you have normal skin is the Then I Met You Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel.
If you want to look into other cleaners for normal skin, check out these options.
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If You Have Normal Skin
Normal skin types dont have to worry about a particular concern, though its still best to opt for moisturizing or creamy formulas.
Try Tatchas Camellia Cleansing Oil and Neutrogenas Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser.
Shop for Tatchas Camellia Cleansing Oil and Neutrogenas Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser online.
Our Double Cleansing Products For Very Dry Skin
Rafaelas choice
Rafaela has dry skin and wants nothing more than to avoid that feeling of tight, over-cleansed skin. This is how she double cleanses:
My skin could be described as paper-dry however, because its not sensitive, I dont usually struggle with finding skincare products. For my first cleanser, I like the JOWAÉ Oil-in-Gel Cleanser. Due to its soft jelly texture, this cleanser glides on so easily that its actually become a fun step in my skincare routine Ill even use it to do a little cleansing massage sometimes. For my second cleanser, Ive found my match in the Babé Vitance Anti-Ox Detox Cleanser. Its a simple, minimal cleanser that leaves my skin feeling clean, but not tight. Ive tried many rinse-off cleansers over the years, but this is my favorite by far.
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Should I Double Cleanse Every Day
According to Dr. Green, a daily double cleanse is only necessary if you wear makeup because most other things can be easily removed with normal cleansing, and Hassani agrees. Double cleansing definitely isnt a necessity for all as an everyday practice, Hassani says. Someone who wears heavy makeup daily or has very oily skin would benefit from double cleansing regularly. For everyone else and for days without makeup, Edwards says one thorough cleanse in your morning routine and one at night is plenty.
Is Double Cleansing Good For Oily Skin
When compared to one harsh, drying cleanser, it is considerably preferable to utilize two mild cleansers. Using a mild oil cleanser in the first stage and then a mild water cleanser in the second stage can help build ones skin barrier without being too harsh.
Korean Skincare for Oily Acne-prone Skin
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If You Need To Soothe Inflammation
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Dermalogica Precleanse Balm
If your skin is red and prone to flare-ups, many cleansers can leave it feeling stripped and uncomfortable. Instead, Dermalogicas Precleanse Balm is a lightweight oil mix that includes apricot bran oil to soothe, rice bran oil to repair skin, and borage seed oil to treat dryness. The end result? a milky emulsion that clears all congestion on the skin surface. Follow with the companion cleansing gel, which boasts lavender, balm mint and soap bark to cleanse without irritating.
Many People Also Find The Double Cleanse To Be Therapeutic
When she explained the double cleanse concept to me, Cho said she wanted to make using her products feel like a treat to make double cleansing feel like a relaxing experience. She said that she wanted to emulate the sentiment thats prevalent in South Korea, where skin care is treated less like a chore and more like an indulgence.
Similarly, when I was talking to Keskin about her experience with double cleansing, she described it as rewarding.
The first step is more the spa-like experience out of the two. Ive become remarkably attuned to how gentle a cleanse is, she said. If I have sunscreen on which is every day I dont touch my face at all. So the double cleanse gives you that face-touching reward for being so diligent throughout the day. And by you, I mean me.
While I havent conducted any lab tests on my own skin, Ive come to understand what Cho and Keskin are talking about. This is especially true in the summer as the temperature creeps up, my body responds in kind by sweating profusely. Then it sweats even more if I feel like people can tell Im sweating profusely.
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Our Double Cleansing Products For Dry Skin
Anistaldas choice
It can be a challenge to achieve serious makeup-removing power with formulas that are still gentle enough for dry skin. However, our Anistalda has more than figured it out:
As someone who uses makeup on a daily basis, double cleansing is the one skincare step I can never skip. From waterproof mascara to stay-all-day lipstick, I always start my evening routine with a cleansing oil to ensure no trace of makeup will end up on my pillow. My favorite is the Erborian Centella Cleansing Oil. The soothing and hydrating formula is perfect to remove makeup and cleanse the skin while leaving it super soft and comfortable. For my second cleanser, I use the APIVITA Black Detox Cleansing Jelly. Besides the fun color and pleasant texture, this gel has powerful antioxidant properties which are essential to remove all impurities and fight the harmful effects of free radicals and pollution. All in all, it is a great way to reset the skin, leaving it fresh and ready for subsequent products.
What Are The Best Products For Double Cleansing
‘You can double cleanse with almost any different type of cleanser,’ says Abigail. For the first wash, some of my favourites are Niod Cleansing Ester, £30, Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil, £18. For the second gentle wash, I like Ren Evercalm Cleansing Gel, £22, Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash, £16, and Skin Laundry Purifying Cleanser, £20.
‘I prefer an oil first to loosen, then a lotion or cream for dry to combination skin and an oil and gel for oily skins,’ says Joanne. ‘The Eviron AVST range has two cleansing products: the cleansing cream is the first step that works for all skin types, then the cleansing gel can be used as a face wash that especially helps oily skin.
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Who Should Do It
Double cleansing method is meant for any and every skin type however, what you choose to double cleanse with is what matters most. For example, if youve got dry skin it makes sense to opt for a cleansing balm in your first step. People with oily skin shouldnt be afraid of using an oil cleanser in the first step this actually helps balance out the oil levels in your skin and prevents sebum buildup.
Rinse Again And Moisturize
Its time to rinse again. Turn the tap to lukewarm and wash the cleanser off your skin. You can use a soft towel to pat your skin partially dry, but dont wipe away all the water. Your skin should be damp to complete the rest of this step. Moisturizing is up next, and when you apply creams and lotions to damp skin, youre able to lock in more hydration.
For your first moisturizing product, start with a face oil, like Midnight Recovery Concentrate. This nighttime face oil replenishes the skin at night, resulting in skin that feels soft, supple, and hydrated. Use two to three drops and press the oil onto your cheeks, forehead, and chin before massaging it all over your face.
Complement the oil by using Midnight Recovery Eye next. The eye cream leaves the eye area feeling strengthened. Plus, its formula, which includes evening primrose oil and butchers broom extract, helps diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness. If youre dealing with puffy eyes, you can also reach for our fan-favorite Avocado Eye Cream, which nourishes the under-eye area with all-day moisture and helps decrease the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Gently pat your chosen formula under your eyes and along the orbital bone, taking care not to pull at your skin.
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Will Double Cleansing Make My Skin Oilier
While the idea of adding an oil-based cleanser to oily skin may sound counterproductive, double cleansing can help to remove excess oil that your one-step process doesnt. Rather than choosing a stronger, harsh cleanser, double cleansing with two gentle cleansers that focus on clearing the skin of different impurities can have better results and avoid stripping the skins surface of essential oils.
If you are worried about encouraging your oily skin to break out by oil cleansing, you can always use a micellar water as your first cleansing step.
Can All Skin Types Try Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is generally suitable for all skin types, as long as you choose gentle cleansing formulas that are specifically formulated for your skin type. They should also feature hydrating ingredients that wont strip your skin of essential moisture or leave your skin feeling dry. CeraVes face cleansers are formulated to help maintain your skins protective barrier while double cleansing, with beneficial ingredients like ceramides, jojoba oil, and more.
For dry skin or sensitive skin types, we recommend opting for a water-based cleanser formula that is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, allergy-tested, pH-balanced, and hydratingsuch as CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser. And when choosing an oil-based cleanser for oily skin, a non-comedogenic cleansing balm with jojoba oil can make a great option, since oil dissolves oil. Normal and combination skin types can experiment to find the best balancing cleanser combination for their needs, such as a no-rinse micellar water , followed by a moisture-balancing optionlike CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
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If You Have Combination Skin
People with combo skin types need to look for cleansers thatll avoid oiliness but wont leave skin feeling dry.
Choose a rich, oil-based cleanser containing moisturizing ceramides, followed by a revitalizing foaming cleanser.
Kiehls Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil offers a lightweight way to hydrate skin and keep oil at bay. Cetaphils Gentle Foaming Cleanser simultaneously cleans and softens.
As soon as youre done with the double cleanse, youll need to seal in moisture before getting on with the rest of your skin care regime.
In the morning, follow up with a good quality moisturizer and sunscreen.
At nighttime, choose between hydrating serums, oils, and night creams, or a combination.
What Product Should You Use After Double Cleansing
If you’re following a full 10-step K-beauty routine, Cho says exfoliating would be the natural next step in the process. But if you’ve got sensitive skin or use acids that are only recommended for once or twice a week, she recommends applying a toner afterward to help prep your skin for moisturizer. It’ll also help remove any leftover residue from your cleanser.
At the very least, though, you definitely do want to use a moisturizer. NYC dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., says applying one immediately after double cleansing will help your skin retain hydration. Otherwise it will compromise the integrity of your skin barrier, which can lead to irritation, redness, and acne.
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What Can I Use For A Double Cleanse
The basic idea is to use a cleansing oil or a cleansing balm for the first step to dissolve the makeup, followed by another cleanser suited to your skin type to clean your skin. If an oil-based cleanser doesn’t work for you, Hassani says to swap this out for another cleanser better suited to your skin’s needs, like micellar water. Micellar water is made from micelles or oil-based particles, Hassani explains. These micelles attract dirt, oil, and other impurities like a magnet and lift them from the surface of your skin.
Not only do you want to keep your skin type in mind, but Edwards also stresses the importance of taking into account your skin’s current condition. What works for you one day, might not work best for another, so listen to your skin. But as a general guideline, try these products below.
Iunik Calendula Complete Deep Cleansing Oil
Filled with 94% plant oils, this gentle cleansing oil has the ability to thoroughly cleanse clogged pores and remove any stubborn makeup and dead skin cells.
Featuring with calendula flower extract, which has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that help to heal, repair, and protect the skin.
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