Skin Consultation: A Thorough Double Cleanse
Soap-and-water combo and face wipes aren’t enough if we want all that gunk and grime off our face after a full day of work, school, errands, and working out. Double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice by first, with an oil-based cleanser and second with a water-based cleanser. It can help remove stubborn, pore-clogging and acne-causing impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face only once.
The benefit of double cleansing is that the first cleanser will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day and clean your skin. The second cleanser will address your particular skin type or concern. It should have ingredients to hydrate, smooth or exfoliate, and treat acne. Doing both steps will assure that any treatment serums and moisturizer are not working in vain.
It’s Important to Double-Cleanse According to Your Skin Type:
Like with most skincare routines, this step is not a one product fits all. Considering your skin type and taking into account your specific skin concern, choosing the right double-cleansing products is key in making sure you get the most out of your routine.
Normal or Combination Skin:
First cleanse; Nutrient-rich, oil-based cleansers with ceramides help plump and moisturize your skin. Whether your skin is dry in one area and oily on the other, or it’s a normal skin type, your skin is looking to restore its balance. To maintain your skin’s balance, gently massage your face with cleansing oils that contain argan, jojoba or safflower.
Second cleanse: Use a foam cleanser with almond and squalene oils and hyaluronic and glycolic acids to balance your pH with ingredients that allow your skin to hold its own natural moisture, to smooth, and to brighten your complexion.
Oily Skin:
First cleanse: An oil-based cleanser can actually help get rid your skin of impurities and sebum. Oil attracts oil, so this will help to remove makeup, sweat and any oils that have accumulated on your skin.
Second cleanse: Follow it up with a gel or clay face cleanser and look for ingredients like green tea, aloe, rose, and glycolic acid. These help balance moisture, prevent inflammation and regulate sebum production.
Dry skin:
First cleanse: Relieve dry skin with a cleansing balms infused with shea butter and sunflower, coconut or jojoba oils to boost hydration and help restore your skin’s lipid barrier.
Second cleanse: Dry skin also makes you more prone to developing premature signs of aging, so choose products with anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C, green tea, and hyaluronic or glycolic acids. After your rinse, apply your night moisturizer or face oil on (slightly) damp skin to help seal in moisture.
Our Choices:
- La Roche-Posay Purifying Foaming Cleanser*
- Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil*
- Glossier Milk Jelly*
*Affiliate link
Sensitive or Acne Prone:
First cleanse: A gentle cleansing oil when removing your makeup should suite your skin best. To keep your skin from breaking out and calm irritation, look for vitamin E, aloe, green tea, glycolic acid, and tea tree oil ingredients in your cleanser that are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Second cleanse: For your second cleanse, look for a cleanser with exfoliating agents. SkinCeuticals’s cleanser works best for troubled skin as it contains glycolic and salicylic acid that can help to brighten your skin, clear blemishes, and unclog pores. You can also alternate with milk cleansers, that may provide a soothing effect to balance out the exfoliating you are doing.
Aging Skin:
First cleanse: Milk cleansers cleanse your face thoroughly while hydrating and balancing your skin. Products that are infused with vitamins, essential oils, and antioxidants, nourish, restore elasticity, and repair your skin’s natural barrier.
Second cleanse: Look for cleansers with vitamins A, C, and E, ceramics, and hyaloronic acid. These ingredients deliver anti-aging benefits, boost moisture, and hydrate. These ingredients can also provide a defense from environmental stressors. Avoid alcohol-based cleansers as they may strip away the natural oils in your skin.
Soap-and-water combo and face wipes aren’t enough if we want all that gunk and grime off our face after a full day of work, school, errands, and working out.
Overstripping:
You must be careful to use products that suite you in order to not irritate your skin and lead to breakouts. If we strip too much of our natural oils, our body can respond by producing more oil causing this. Another way to prevent overstripping is to double cleanse only at night, after you have oils and makeup on your skin that needs to be removed.
