You’ve had another long day at work followed by a longer evening of doing errands — you want nothing more than to just bury yourself under the sheets, full face of makeup be damned.
But even though you use non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic makeup products that don’t clog pores, it’s not a guarantee that you can go straight to bed without washing everything off. Spare yourself a few minutes of daily cleansing so you can maintain flawless and naturally glowing skin.
The minimal effort that you put into your skincare routine could make all the difference in your skin. In fact, you might want to consider double cleansing. It thoroughly removes all airborne bacteria and pollution that settle on your skin throughout the day, effectively reducing breakouts and pigmentation.
Check out this simple and straightforward guide to the double cleansing skincare routine.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing is a skincare routine that originated in Japan and Korea. Japanese geishas removed their white makeup by using cleansing oils and following it up with a foamy cleanser. It is also part of the famous Korean 10-step skincare regime which is popular around the world.
The skincare routine is as simple as it sounds. You wash your face with two cleansers to make sure it’s squeaky clean and that all traces of makeup and airborne pollutants are gone at the end of the day.
What makes double cleansing different from the usual facial cleansing method is the fact that you have to use two types of cleansers. Specifically, you use an oil-based cleanser first, then a water-based cleanser.
The oil-based cleanser removes oil-based dirt from the skin. It strips away makeup and sunscreen residues. It removes dust and air pollutants. It also washes away sebum.
Then, the water-based cleanser gives your skin a more thorough cleanse by removing grime and sweat. As a result, it revitalizes your skin and better prepares your face for moisturizers or serums.
Who needs double cleansing?
Double cleansing isn’t an essential part of everyone’s skincare routine. But it has proven to be effective for certain skin types, specifically oily skin and acne-prone skin.
People with oily skin have to deal with the overproduction of sebum. But instead of harshly washing away the excess oil from your skin and leave it feeling dry, it’s better to use two gentle cleansers that work together to reduce the sebum that causes your face to shine brighter than it should.
People with acne-prone skin should also consider using a gentle oil-based cleanser and a gentle water-based cleanser one after the other. Double cleansing effectively removes dirt and bacteria that have settled on your pores. This minimizes the likelihood of breakouts and irritation.
Additionally, people who wear a full face of makeup should consider double cleansing. It’s the best way to make sure that all traces of makeup are properly erased.
How do you do double cleansing?
Double cleansing is best done during the night. You can just wash your face with a regular cleanser in the morning, before you put on sunscreen and makeup. Then at night, you can do a double clean to remove everything and make sure your skin is dirt-free and your pores aren’t clogged up.
The double cleansing process is simpler than it sounds, too.
First, gently massaged the oil-based cleanser on your face, including your hairline and the area around your eyes. Do this for around 45 seconds to a minute. Then, rinse it off with a soft washcloth.
The next step is using your water-based cleanser. Massage it in gentle, circular motions around your face for another 45 seconds to a minute. Then, wash it off with lukewarm water.
Pat your skin dry with a face towel and your double cleansing routine is done.
How else can you remove makeup?
Double cleansing is a great way to clean your face, remove dirt buildup in your pores, and brighten your complexion. It’s also a surefire way to get rid of heavy makeup, especially long-wearing formulas.
But if you want to develop a separate routine for makeup removal before you do double cleansing, here are some tips you should keep in mind:
- Your daily facial cleanser is enough to remove foundation and blush.
- For long-wearing foundation, use a gentle makeup remover first.
- Use an oil-based remover for long-wearing lip and eye makeup.
- Gently scrub makeup off your face; avoid rubbing like crazy.
- Push your hair back and don’t forget to cleanse your hairline.
Whether you’re using these tips for makeup removal or sticking with the double cleansing routine, don’t forget to hydrate your skin after the initial cleansing. Use a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin firm and supple. And use serums if you want to target aging, pigmentation, or other skin concerns.
Skincare adds a few minutes to your bedtime routine before you can actually get in bed. But your healthy, glowing skin is worth it!
