We (hopefully) all know by now that you should cleanse the skin before bed, especially if you wear makeup and sunscreen daily. The act of cleansing the skin before bed not only helps prep the skin for your skincare routine but also helps wash away all the gunk like excess oil, dead skin, and sweat from the surface of the skin.
That’s why if you’ve ever slept in your makeup you may have noticed a pimple or two pop up the following day. If you leave potentially pore-clogging products on your skin overnight then it can accumulate in your pores, triggering a breakout.
So, while we know that cleansing before bed is important in our routines, should we also take it a step further and double cleanse the skin? And what does it even mean to double cleanse?
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing is a k-beauty method that involves cleansing the skin twice. Not twice a day but cleansing once and immediately cleansing the skin again, and it's usually done with two different cleansers.
For example, if you apply makeup daily, you might start with an oil-based cleanser to help remove some of the more stubborn makeup like waterproof mascara. Then you follow up the oil cleanser with a foaming cleanser to remove any lingering makeup and for a bit of a deeper cleanse.
Your second cleanser can also be used to target any specific skin concerns, like acne. So while your first cleanser takes care of makeup removal, the second cleanser can then help clear away any acne-causing elements.
Even if you don’t wear makeup, double cleansing can also benefit oily skin types. Oily skin types typically have an overproduction of sebum which can also lead to clogged pores, so using two different cleansers, with one specifically targeting pores can help clear up excess oil and pore-clogging impurities.
Should I start double cleansing?
Whether you should double cleanse or not depends on your skin type and whether your skin really needs it.
Double cleansing can be most beneficial to anyone who uses makeup daily, has oily or combination skin, or if you’re looking to target specific skin concerns.
But, if you have very dry skin and don’t really wear makeup then it may not be all that necessary to adopt double cleansing into your routine. Dry skin types may end up making their skin condition worse if they double cleanse too often and end up further stripping the skin.
To get the best benefits from double cleansing, you need to find the best cleanser for your skin type and for the skin concern you’re looking to target.
So, let’s say you have acne-prone skin and you wear makeup everyday. In this case you can start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and oil, then use an acne-targeting cleanser (like one with Salicylic Acid) to deep clean the skin and prevent breakouts.
And, if you have dry skin but still want to double cleanse to help remove makeup, then you can still do so. But for your second cleanser you’ll want to stick with a hydrating, cream cleanser to avoid stripping your skin.
Lastly, you should also only really be double cleansing at night and stick to a single cleanser in your morning routine.
How to double cleanse
Double cleansing is actually pretty easy and won’t add too much more time to your existing routine. Here’s how to double cleanse (with some help from Hanhoo):
Step 1: Oil-based cleanser
Whether you’re using a micellar water, cleansing balm, or oil cleanser, the first step of double cleansing is to use an oil-based cleanser.
Apply the necessary amount to your skin and massage it in circles to help remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. Then rinse the skin or wipe away the product with a damp towel.
Step 2: Cleanser of choice
Depending on your skin type and what skin concerns you have, your next cleanser can vary in texture and ingredients. But, whatever cleanser you choose, the steps are the same.
Apply your second cleanser and gently massage it onto the skin, then rinse and pat the skin dry.
If you have oily or combination skin and are looking to target clogged pores, we recommend our Pore Cleanser with Niacinamide. This bubbly cleanser helps lift excess dirt, dead skin, and oil to help keep pore-clogging elements out of your pores.
