This is the Best Kept Secret for Better Skin

Time to double down.

By now, you’ve likely heard of double cleansing. Originating in Asia, it has gained tremendous popularity all over the globe —but what exactly does it entail, and should you really be doing it every day? Here’s a simple beginner’s guide to the popular evening skin cleansing routine. 

The Importance of Cleansing

Your skin spends all day protecting you from the outside world. This means that by the time you’re ready to go to bed, your skin has been exposed to dirt, pollution, and the sun, and is covered in a layer of sunscreen (hopefully!), as well as a mix of sebum, impurities, and makeup if you wear it. 

Although we often forget just how important it is, cleansing is a crucial step in any evening skincare routine—whether you stick to simply moisturizing your skin after washing your face, or you go in for an elaborate multi-step ritual. If you wear makeup, chances are you’ll want to remove that first—but regardless, it’s best to apply any subsequent skincare products on a clean canvas.

What Is Double Cleansing? 

This is where double cleansing comes in. Despite how it sounds, the practice doesn’t involve cleansing your face twice with the same cleanser, but rather with two different types of products. The first cleanse is done with an oil-based cleanser which helps remove makeup (even the waterproof kind!) and oil-based impurities (like sebum and sunscreen), and the second, with a water-based formula that cleanses your skin and catches sweat, dirt, and any residue that may have been left behind. 

What Are Its Benefits?

The main benefit of double cleansing is ensuring your skin is fully clean, i.e. free of makeup, sunscreen, pollutants, and excess sebum. It may also help the rest of your skincare routine—including any toners, essences, serums, or moisturizers you might use—penetrate deeper and work more effectively. 

How To Double Cleanse

Double cleansing is easy, but you’ll need the right products to get started. 

Cleanse #1: Oil-Based Cleanser

Oil-based cleansers are any kind of facial cleansing oil or cleansing balm (which turns into an oil once it comes into contact with the skin). Important: these types of cleansers work best when applied to dry skin.

Oil-based cleansers feel slippery, and are ideal for giving your face a nice little massage while you work them into your skin. I like to use the opportunity to release tension in my jaw and near my temples while I do this first cleansing step.

• Apply a small amount of cleansing oil or balm on your (dry!) face, using your fingertips to spread it around in circular motions. Focus on areas where you wear more makeup or that tend to be particularly oil. 

• Then, add a splash of water, and continue massaging to emulsify the oil. This will make it turn milky in color and start to lift away your makeup. 

• Finally, rinse well with lukewarm water. Once you’re done, your makeup should be completely gone. If there is a bit of residue left around your eyes, a quick swipe of micellar water using a cotton pad should take care of it.

Here are some of my favorite oil-based cleansers:

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm. This balm melts beautifully on the skin, has no scent, and easily gets rid of all my eye makeup without leaving a residue. Plus, its practical tube is perfect for traveling, unlike other balms that come in big tubs, or oils, which can be messy to take with you.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil. This gorgeous mix of oils removes makeup in a snap, and feels luxuriously rich and nourishing on the skin. It was one of the first cleansing oils I tried and remains a favorite I back to frequently.

Burt’s Bees Cleansing Oil. This super lightweight cleansing oil is a mix of coconut and argan oils that works effectively, smells wonderful, and won’t break the bank. 

And, Yangu Beauty’s Gel to Milk Cleanser has a solid 5-star rating with 100 glowing reviews. 

Cleanse #2: Water-Based Cleanser

Now that your face is clear of makeup, it’s time to go in for that second cleanse, which might seem more familiar. You’ll need a more traditional foaming face cleanser, or a non-foaming gel or cream formula. Ideally, choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip or be harsh on your skin. 

• Apply a small amount of cleanser to your damp skin, and massage all over your face, focusing on the oiliest areas of your face like your T-zone.

• Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. 

Here are some of my go-to water-based cleansers:

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Cleanser. It has a subtle blueberry scent, lathers up beautifully, and boasts blueberry extract, hyaluronic acid, and AHAs to gently exfoliate your skin while it cleanses. Dreamy!

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. This was one of the first gentle cleansers I tried years ago: its gel texture is light and refreshing, and it’s never harsh on the skin. No wonder it’s so popular!

Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser. This is truly once of the gentlest cleansers I’ve tried. It’s unscented, calming, affordable, and helps leave my skin nourished yet clean. 

A few other highly effective cleansers that also offer a fair price point include: Soo’AE Black Charcoal Double Bubble Cleanser, Versed Wash It Out Gel Cleanser and WELL People Juice Cleanse Soothing Aloe Face Cleanser.

And voilà! You’re all double cleansed. Now, proceed with the rest of your evening skincare routine, which may or may not include a toner, essence, and serum, but should probably involve a moisturizer (at the very least). 

Should You Always Double Cleanse?

Many people are diehard devotees of the double cleansing method, and it can be useful in many situations—like if you wear heavy makeup and foundation every day. But as caring for your skin microbiome and taking a gentler cleansing approach have gained popularity, some experts have started saying that double cleansing may not be necessary for everyone, every single day. For example, if you have very sensitive skin and don’t wear foundation, a single cleanse may be the way to go. 

I personally moved away from a daily double cleansing routine to only using an oil-based cleanser most of the time on my normal-to-dry skin. I still double cleanse once a week to get a deeper cleanse, similarly to how many people exfoliate. And my skin is doing great!

Is double cleansing part of your skincare routine? Do you do it every day? Let us know in the comments.