Does any of this sound familiar? You pack on make-up to cover up blemishes. But that only contributes more to the clogging of your pores if you don’t wash your face correctly. So you break out more. So you wear more make-up. Which means more clogged pores. Ugh.
And then you have to get all that make-up off at the end of each day. Gentle cleansing products used alone often leave behind traces of make-up and other residues that hinder the effectiveness of your skincare routine. And strong actives for acne things, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, get the make-up off but might irritate your already sensitive skin, which just exacerbates the problem. Woof. So, where does that leave us?
But, thankfully, I think I’ve found the miracle middle ground between those two extremes. Enter: double cleansing!
Double cleansing involves using two different types of facial cleansers, one right after the other. It’s actually been a popular part of mainstream Korean skincare for a long time. But, of course, in stereotypical fashion, we Americans are behind on this awesome trend.
What makes double cleansing so great? It helps make sure that your skin is thoroughly cleaned so that it actually benefits from all of the individual steps of your beauty routine. But in so doing, the process doesn’t strip or irritate your skin.
The key is the type of cleanser used. No, it’s not just washing your face twice! The most common double cleansing practice is to, first, wash your face with either a pure oil or oil-based liquid cleanser. And then to follow that with a regular, but gentle, water-soluble cream, gel, or lotion cleanser–whatever you prefer. After that, you move on with the rest of your routine.
But hold up.
If you’re anything like me, right now you’re thinking, “Did she just say to start with an oil-based cleanser? Or even straight-up oil?”
That’s right; I did. But I get your hesitation.
I felt the same way at first. Like isn’t oil itself the problem? Why would I rub oil, or anything oil-based for that matter, directly onto my face? Less oil means less acne, right?
Not necessarily.
Contrary to what you might think, cleansing oils won’t leave your skin greasy and gross.
In reality, like substances attract like substances. Meaning oil absorbs oil! This means that literal oil does a better job at removing yucky oil and grime from your skin than your cleanser with all those harsh ingredients. And it does so gently and without stripping your skin of the oil that’s actually good for it. Win-win!
So cleansing oils break down the make-up, sunscreen, dirt, and excess sebum (an oily substance secreted by your skin) left on your face at the end of the day, and clears the way for the rest of your products to do their jobs more effectively.
Which is good, because it’s important to get the junk not only off the surface of your skin but also completely out of the depths of your pores. Because while acne is bad enough, clogged pores also contribute to the breakdown of your skin’s collagen, which leads to the development of wrinkles and sunspots. Which, unlike zits, literally do not go away. Hence why I’m all aboard the double cleansing train.
But double cleansing is also pretty fun even when you’re not removing make-up and all that. One of my favorite things to do is to rub my cleansing oil on my bare skin for about 30 to 60 seconds and then to look down at my hands and visibly see all the little oil plugs. And without the need for harsh exfoliation! I highly recommend it for all of my Dr. Pimple Popper enthusiasts out there–it’s super satisfying.
If you want to get into double cleansing, but feel nervous at all about how your skin will tolerate the oil, no worries. Follow these tips:
If at the end of your trial period, you’re breaking out more than you were before, it’s probably the oil cleanser. So you can either ditch it altogether and call it a day or you can try a different type of oil cleanser. Because it definitely matters what type you use!
If you have oily skin, you’ll want an oil cleanser that contains grapeseed, argan, lavender, or coconut oil. Those are all on the lighter side and won’t push the oil situation over the edge.
If you have dry skin, go for an oil cleanser that contains avocado, jojoba, or sunflower oil.
And if your skin is especially sensitive, you should use an oil cleanser that contains oils that are known for their calming properties, such as rosemary or camellia seed oil.
This cleanser contains antioxidant-rich organic olive oil to soften and protect against free radical damage, and rosemary leaf oil to invigorate and refresh your skin. And it works great as a make-up brush cleaner too! Literally, one bottle of this stuff is sold every 10 seconds worldwide, so you know it’s good.
This first-step cleanser is fortified with conditioning Rice Bran and Vitamin E oils. You just add water and it transforms into a milky cream that melts away layers of junk. It’s smooth and soothing and I love it!
If you’re still feeling weird at all about oil, this is the cleanser for you. It’s still obviously oil-based but comes highly recommended for all skin types. It powerfully dissolves every bit of dirt and grime brought on by your busy day, and super easily rinses off to leave not even a trace of slippery oil. Your skin will truly be a blank canvas ready to receive the benefits of the rest of your beauty routine!
Clear skin doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated, or chemically harsh. Double cleansing is a super simple and satisfying one-step addition to your current skincare routine that I think you’ll completely love!
Want to see how double cleansing has worked for me? Click HERE to subscribe to my newsletter for a results update coming soon!
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I am legit mad I waited so long to start oil cleansing to get my makeup and sunscreen and the day off my face before my cleanser! It made such a big difference for me as well!
Hi Amy,
That’s so good to know! Which one are you using right now?