Double cleansing has been all over my TikTok For You page for the past few months. I’ve seen skin transformed from being splotchy and uneven to silky soft, clean, and porcelain-esque. While I’ve never struggled with bad skin, lately, I’ve been getting pretty bad breakouts and out just had to find out what all the deal is with this skincare trend.
What is double cleansing?
This skincare trend is pretty basic and does involve washing your face twice. But it’s not that simple. It involves cleaning your face with an oil-based cleanser first, and then a water-based cleanser, before moving on to the next step in your routine.
Why would you do this, you may ask? It’s science. Oil attracts oil, and water attracts water, so each cleanser targets different impurities and types of dirt from your skin.
The oil-based cleanser helps clean out your pores and extract any sebaceous filaments that may be clinging to your skin. Fun fact, during this journey I learned that the little things I thought were blackheads on my nose are in fact, sebaceous filaments. Additionally, an oil-based cleanser is the best thing to get rid of makeup and sunblock.
The water-based cleanser, on the other hand, removes sweat and other environmental pollutants.
Also see: Why you need serums in your skincare routine and how to use them
Does double cleansing work?
Yes. It does. I noticed improvements in my skin within a couple of days of incorporating double cleansing into my nightly skincare routine. My breakouts reduced in size almost immediately and I don’t have those pesky sebaceous filaments disguised as blackheads on my nose and chin anymore.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Take a look at these incredible skin transformations:
@beautybyalessa Double cleansing for 1 week results! 😱😍 #skincare #doublecleansing #cleansingbalm #elf #acne
@thuytien_x Double cleansing helps so much! At first I didn’t see any results but then I learned how to properly double-cleanse and that was a game-changer for me. So here are two main things you need to do to double-cleanse properly: • ALWAYS emulsify your oil cleanser before washing it off • After each cleanser, rinse your skin with water at least 10x to ensure no residue is left sitting on your skin (this can clog your pores) Products mentioned: • @anua.skincare_us Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil • Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam #clearskintips #koreanskincareroutine #koreanskincare #koreanskincaretips #skincare #clearskin #kbeauty #skincaretips #doublecleansing
@trendysays Supposedly oil cleansing is a key to glass skin. I’ve been at it for two weeks and I have ALOT of thoughts on the topic. #skintok #oilcleansing #oilcleanse #blackheadremover #skincaretips #doublecleanse #healthyskin #trendysays
How to double cleanse properly
There is a right way to double cleanse your skin. And the chances are, even if you don’t take on this extra step, you’re cleaning your face wrong anyway.
When you’re washing your face, regardless of the type of cleanser you’re using, you need to massage it into your skin for at least a minute. This is critical to ensure you’re getting rid of all the dirt and impurities before sealing them all in with your serums and moisturiser.
Now that you’ve got that in your head, let’s break down how to double cleanse properly:
- Massage your oil-based cleanser onto your dry face for at least a minute. Focus on your problem areas, like your t-zone, and where you’ve put your makeup.
- Emulsify the cleanser by wetting your face and massaging it again for about a minute. Rinse.
- Wash your face with your water-based cleanser, massaging into your skin for a minute.
- Rinse and wipe down with a clean facecloth or cotton pad.
- Follow the rest of your skincare routine.
@the_skinthusiast How to double cleanse for oily skin types who hate the feeling of oil cleansers or cleansing balms! #doublecleanse #howtodoublecleanse #skincaretips #skincareroutine #skinroutine #skincare101 #cleansing101
You can double cleanse morning and night, or just once a day. I find that twice a day is a little rough on my skin, but it might just work for you.
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