Skin School Class 3: How To Double Cleanse

What’s one simple and budget-friendly tweak you can make to your skincare routine that will make a huge impact? It’s not a trick question: it’s double cleansing! Often, one cleanse is not enough, leaving behind traces of makeup, oil, and debris that can cause clogged pores, breakouts, and even premature signs of aging. While you might be hesitant to add another step into your routine, double cleansing actually helps your other skincare steps work better, saving you time and money in the long run. Let's look at how double cleansing works, and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

What is Double Cleansing?

Let's get one thing clear: double cleansing is so much more than just washing your face twice. The process involves using a cleansing oil to dislodge makeup, dirt, and oil on the skin, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser like a gel cleanser to wash away any lingering impurities.

To understand why you begin with oil, here's a quick chem lesson: like dissolves like. This means that cleansing oils are better at drawing out excess oils from pores than their water-based counterparts and do so without drying out the skin. Using a cleansing oil before a gel cleanser helps thoroughly dissolves excess sebum, external irritants, and makeup, reducing skin stress while cleaning your pores. Double cleansing also allows you to use a gentler cleanser as your second step, which protects your moisture barrier from the irritating effects of harsh sulfates often used in cleansers to dissolve oil and waterproof makeup. The result? Ultra-clean, balanced skin that is ready to take in the rest of your skincare routine more effectively.

When To Double Cleanse:

• Most Skin Types: Double cleanse in the evening to concentrate on removing buildup that has accumulated on your face throughout the day
• Acne-prone or Oily Skin Types: Double cleanse in the morning to help reduce excess sebum that the skin has produced overnight

What You’ll Need

Cleansing Oil

Although there are plenty of cleansing oils on the market, this is not an area where you need to shell out major cash. Keep it simple and opt for a budget-friendly option like jojoba oil, which is non-comedogenic and closest in composition to the oil our skin produces. This way, you can save your investments for active ingredients that are actually going to be absorbed into your skin.

Cleansing Cloth

You’ll need a cleansing cloth to gently remove the debris collected by your oil. Choose one that’s non-abrasive, preferably made with bamboo fiber or muslin.

Gel Cleanser

Opt for a gentle, non-stripping gel cleanser like our PREBIOTIC GEL CLEANSER, which washes away impurities while feeding the skin’s good bacteria to restore balance to the skin.

How To Double Cleanse Step-By-Step

Step 1

Dispense a small amount of cleansing oil into your palms and massage into dry skin for at least 45 seconds, focusing on areas of the face where makeup and oil accumulates like the T-zone, creases of the nose, and chin.

Step 2

Saturate your cleansing cloth with warm water and gently wipe away the cleansing oil with the cloth.

Step 3

Once you’ve removed your cleansing oil, wash your face with your gel-based cleanser to remove any leftover residue. Be gentle, the first step in the routine has done the hard work for you!

Step 4

Pat your skin dry with a towel, and follow with your serums and creams.

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