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Everything You Need to Know About Double Cleansing
The concept of double cleansing has become increasingly popular lately, with more and more people swearing by this cleansing technique. If you’ve been wondering what all of the fuss is about and whether or not you should be double cleansing too, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading as OROGOLD talks you through everything you need to know about double cleansing so that you can make the best decision for your skin.
What is Double Cleansing?
Double cleansing originated in Asia – it’s a key component of the famous 10-step Korean skincare routine. In many ways, its name is pretty self-explanatory; double cleansing involves cleansing your skin twice, instead of just once.
While you could use the same cleanser for each cleanse, the benefits of double cleansing are seen best when two different cleansers are used. The first should be an oil-based cleanser and the second should be a water-based cleanser.
The Benefits of Double Cleansing
Why would you want to go through the trouble of using two different cleansers instead of just one? The main reason is that this provides you with a much more thorough cleanse.
People often forget that oil repels water. This means that using a water-based cleanser on its own won’t effectively remove the excess sebum and oil-based impurities, such as SPF and pollutants, that are coating your skin’s surface. An oil-based cleanser, on the other hand, will dissolve the oil on your skin, after which you’ll then be able to rinse everything away.
Likewise, use just an oil-based cleanser and the water-based impurities on your skin, such as sweat and general dirt, will remain partially untouched.
By ensuring that both oil-based and water-based impurities have been fully removed, double cleansing can leave the skin looking clearer and brighter. It’s a more efficient way to prevent clogged pores too, which can help to counter the appearance of acne.
Many rave about how double cleansing is also a gentler way to cleanse. Often, when people aren’t seeing satisfactory results from a single cleanse, they tend to switch to a more potent cleanser. Exposing your skin to so many powerful surfactants can end up damaging the skin’s natural protective barrier. With double cleansing, you can use two gentle cleansers yet achieve incredible results.
An extra benefit to giving your skin such a thorough cleanse is that the rest of your skincare products will have easier access to your skin cells. There won’t be any lingering impurities creating obstacles. Instead, the products that you apply after double cleansing will be able to quickly sink in and work their magic.
Should You Be Double Cleansing?
As you can see, there are some big benefits to double cleansing. However, is it something that you should, or need to, be doing? This all depends on your skin type, as well as your lifestyle.
Oily/Combination Skin
If you have oily or combination skin, double cleansing can be extremely helpful. Since you’ll be prone to clogged pores and acne breakouts, giving your skin a better cleanse will help to keep your complexion clear and pimple-free. Try to make sure that one of the cleansers you use contains ingredients that are geared toward oily skin. The OROGOLD 24K Vitamin C Facial Cleanser, which boasts vitamin C, witch hazel extract, licorice root extract, and lactic acid would be a great choice!
Exposure to Pollutants
If you live in a polluted part of the world, then, again, double cleansing can be useful. Failing to remove the pollutants that have attached themselves to your skin’s surface accelerates oxidative damage. To give your complexion even more of a boost, make sure that at least one of the cleansers you use is packed with antioxidants. The Skin Balancing Facial Cleanser from the Bird Nest Collection, for example, is loaded with a selection of antioxidant-rich botanical extracts. These will help to counter the appearance of free radical damage caused by pollution.
Dry/Sensitive Skin
If your skin type is dry or sensitive, you need to be careful about double cleansing. You won’t have quite as much of a need for it as oily/combination skin, but it can still certainly be beneficial at times.
The key to double cleansing without harming your skin’s already compromised protective barrier is to ensure that you’re using very gentle cleansers. The OROGOLD 24K Mousse Cleanser would be a great addition to your double cleansing routine. It’s full of ingredients that will hydrate, moisturize, and soothe your complexion, enabling you to give double cleansing a try without having to worry about irritating your skin.
How to Double Cleanse
Once you’ve found two cleansers that are suitable for your skin, you can get started with double cleansing.
The first step is to apply your oil-based cleanser. While some people may choose to use a makeup remover first, this isn’t always necessary, especially if your makeup is light. Your oil-based cleanser should be able to remove the majority of this, and your water-based cleanser will later sweep any remnants away.
Once you’ve massaged your oil-based cleanser onto your skin for 30-60 seconds, rinse it off with lukewarm water. Then, while your skin is still wet, apply your water-based cleanser. Work this into your skin gently but thoroughly. Not only do you want to remove the water-based impurities from your skin, but you should also be focusing on ensuring that there aren’t any traces of your oil-based cleanser left behind.
Finish by rinsing your water-based cleanser off your face. Again, use lukewarm water to do this. Although it may not feel quite as satisfying as a warmer temperature, hot water will damage your skin’s protective barrier. The whole point of double cleansing is to provide a deep cleanse without causing damage, so hot water will only work against that.
Should you pat your face dry once you’re done double cleansing? Yes, but only partially. Ideally, whether the next step in your routine is a toner, a serum, a moisturizer, or anything else, you want to apply this next product while your skin is still damp. Wet skin is more permeable than dry skin, which will help to maximize the absorption of your next product.
When to Double Cleanse
Now that you know how to double cleanse, let’s talk about when you should be doing it. Just because it has its benefits doesn’t mean that you should suddenly start double cleansing twice a day, every day.
Instead, double cleansing is usually best done at night. This way, you’ll be able to thoroughly remove all of the impurities that have built up on your skin over the course of the day. Double cleanse in the evening and a single cleanse should be all that your skin needs come morning.
With that said, double cleansing shouldn’t necessarily be done every evening. You may find this advantageous if your skin is excessively oily but, for other skin types, your skin won’t need such a deep cleanse daily. This will only leave you susceptible to the symptoms of over-cleansing (more on this soon!). Instead, save your double cleanse for when your skin genuinely needs it.
Taking it Further With the Triple Cleanse
If double cleansing weren’t enough, many K-beauty enthusiasts are now raving about the triple cleanse. Again, this is exactly what it sounds like – cleansing your skin three times instead of just once (or twice!).
A triple cleanse can take many forms. Some choose to start with a cleansing wipe, follow up with an oil-based cleanser, and then finish with a water-based cleanser. Others like to introduce a cream cleanser in between their oil-based and water-based cleansers.
Either way, for most people, triple cleansing regularly will likely be too much for your skin. By all means, give it a try if your skin seems to need it but don’t be persuaded into following this trend if double cleansing is already getting the job done for you.
Make Sure That You Don’t Over-Cleanse
While some dermatologists fully support the double cleansing technique, others warn to be cautious. Why? Because over-cleansing is a very real problem, and double cleansing when your skin doesn’t actually need to be cleansed twice can quickly cause issues.
The more you cleanse your skin, the more you run the risk of disrupting your skin’s natural protective barrier. Sure, splashing on a toner afterward can help to leave the skin feeling more balanced. However, this isn’t going to compensate for the fact that you’ve removed too much of your skin barrier.
If you accidentally end up over-cleansing, some of the symptoms you might notice are:
- Redness and inflammation
- Dryness and flakiness
- An itchy sensation
- Skin that feels uncomfortably tight
- A stinging or burning sensation
- Increased sensitivities
- Breakouts, particularly small pimples
What should you do if you suspect that you’ve been over-cleansing?
Give your skin a complete break for a few days. Then, introduce a very gentle cleanser back into your skincare routine. Start by using it in the evenings only, going with just a water rinse in the mornings. Once your skin has fully recovered, you can then start single cleansing twice a day again. However, be very wary about double cleansing in the future as you don’t want to continue damaging your skin’s protective barrier.
Conclusion: Is Double Cleansing Worth Trying?
When it comes down to it, yes, double cleansing is definitely worth a try. Doing it occasionally, when your skin is crying out for a more thorough cleanse, is very unlikely to cause any problems. If you have oily skin or you spend a lot of time in polluted or dirty environments, double cleansing on a regular basis can be very beneficial too.
However, be careful not to overdo it. Don’t start double cleansing just because it’s trending. Instead, make sure that your skin actually needs to be cleansed twice before hopping onto the double cleansing bandwagon.
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