Regular hand wash and sanitized hands are highly essential in this time of coronavirus (Covid-19). As we speak of cleanliness, in the beauty-verse where skincare routine is considered holy for me-time, there is one cleansing method that stand out among the rest, and it is aptly called ‘double cleanse’.
What is double cleansing?
This K-Beauty regimen is one among the famous routines that Korean’s do to achieve the flawless glass skin. It involves washing your face in two steps, first by using an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser. The first step draws out oil-based impurities such as sebum, SPF, and pollutants while the second step cleanses water-based debris such as sweat and dirt (Unfortunately cleansing tissues won’t do the job well!). Get started on the double cleanse to prevent breakouts and start with a clean canvas for skincare and makeup!
Why is double cleanse important?
Sleeping with makeup on or forgetting to rinse your face before bed is a big no-no as it can cause major acne breakouts. It is extremely important to remove makeup, dirt, and pollutants that have accumulated on your skin during the day, before heading to bed. But why is there a need to clean the face twice? According to the experts, there are two major benefits to the technique. First up, when you wear foundation, double cleansing scores you a better clean. Double cleansing with a micellar water can be helpful to remove the layer of makeup to then let the cleanser truly clean the skin. That makes room for any products you apply afterward to penetrate deeper, making them more effective. Think of your skin like a canvas. You need a clean canvas to start your work. Clean skin will allow active ingredients to penetrate better and work more effectively.
How to double cleanse?
Since it’s a two-step skincare routine, first, you can use an oil-based cleanser (like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and Banila Co Clean It Zero Original) or micellar water (like Bioderma Sensibio H20 and Simple Kind to Skin Micellar Cleansing Water) to wipe off makeup and oil buildup.
Using micellar water, which is a neutral non-lathering emulsion, or an oil-based cleanser, will gently remove the makeup and oils and gently wipe them off leaving the natural hydrating oils behind. These products break down the sebum of the skin and makeup, which are both also oil-based.
After the first step has removed any makeup and impurities, step two involves a good old-fashioned lathering cleanser and water.
For sensitive, dry, or rosacea-prone skin, it is usually recommended that the first cleanse is followed just by a water rinse. This prevents the skin from over-drying.
Beauty Insider tip: Because of the way the follicles are oriented on the face, it’s best to wash upwards and outwards in order to get a deeper cleanse. The reverse is true when you’re applying makeup, which ideally, you don’t want to drive into your pores.
When to double cleanse?
Even if you don’t wear makeup regularly, it’s still important to make sure you’re cleansing at the end of the day. It’s important not only to remove makeup but also dirt and pollution that accumulates on our skin during the day. Not only do these cause oxidative damage to the skin, but they contribute to the breakdown of collagen and the development of wrinkles and sunspots. That said, doing double duty isn’t suited for all situations.
Here’s the rule of thumb: If your skin is acne-prone or you tend to get oily by noon, the double cleanse is helpful. If you’re not oily until the end of the day or if your skin skews dry, double cleansing probably isn’t necessary unless you’re wearing a lot of makeup.