With esthetician and clean beauty expert Allie Compton.
Double cleansing? What? If you’re thinking "I can barely get through single cleansing", read on. The double cleansing method is definitely not something to immediately write off. It’s beyond easy, beyond worth it and it makes so much gorgeous sense. When skin is deeply cleansed, everything that follows just works better. We had esthetician and clean beauty expert Allie Compton break it down for us...
Why Double Cleanse?
AC: “Double cleansing is the use of an oil or balm-based cleanser massaged on dry skin to first break up grime, makeup, and sunscreen prior to following up with a secondary treatment-oriented cleanser. After the initial cleanse, the treatment cleanser can go to work on freshly cleansed skin to ensure all of the benefits of the skincare actives are being received. Double cleansing your face is a quick, enjoyable addition to any skincare routine with benefits ranging from clearer, brighter skin to more healthy, hydrated skin.”
How Do You Choose Your Double Cleansing Products?
AC: “Find a cleansing oil or balm that emulsifies (rinses clean with water), to avoid fighting with a dirty washcloth at your sink. Choose your second cleanser based on your skin type and concerns – this is where it gets fun! If you have drier, more sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a gentle milky cleanser or mild gel cleanser. Oily and acne prone skin types can benefit from a cleansing gel that contains AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and/or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), or fruit acids to gently exfoliate the surface of the skin. Dull skin can be brightened up with a gentle scrub-based cleanser as a second cleanse. Many cleansers have been designed to be left on as quick treatment masks to reveal glowy skin.”
Try These Combos:
Dry and/or sensitive skin
- Goop Luminous Melting Cleanser followed by Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil
- Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil followed by Violets are Blue Gentle Cleanser with White Team and Carrot Seed
- Marie Veronique Pure E.O. Free Oil Cleanser followed by Dr. Roger’s Restore Face Wash
Oily and/or acne prone
- One Love Organics Vitamin B Enzyme Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover followed by Tata Harper Clarifying Cleanser
- Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser followed by Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
-
Mara Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil followed by African Botanics Baobob Clay Oxygenating Cleanser
Dull Skin Treatment Cleanser options
When Should You Double Cleanse?
AC “Double cleansing is only really necessary at night to remove the grime, makeup, and sunscreen from the skin prior to cleansing with a treatment- oriented cleanser. The skin has a protective barrier that can be compromised by over cleansing. Try to give your skin a rest in the morning by refreshing with a hydrating toner either spritzed directly on the skin or used on a cotton round.”
Should Everyone Double Cleanse?
AC “Double cleansing is a great addition to a balanced skincare routine for any skin type or concern. For acne prone skin or skin prone to congestion (blackheads or whiteheads), stick to a cleansing oil or cleansing balm that emulsifies (can be rinsed off or dissolved with water alone). I like to give the not-so-pretty analogy of a dirty frying pan as an example of the effectiveness of double cleansing. When a pan has a lot of resistant residue after cooking, adding a little oil to the pan can help to eliminate the grease build up. This will ensure that no oils are left behind on the skin to collect and clog pores over time.
"Cleansing oils and balms can actually help to break up existing congestion because oil dissolves oil.”
What Are the Best Products Post Double Cleanse?
AC “After double cleansing, it’s important to replenish hydration to the skin. Hydration can be replenished by a great toner, a lightweight serum or other moisturizer. Here are some of my favorites:
Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum - water-based blend of 3 types of hyaluronic acid works to increase hydration to each layer of skin and smooth out fine lines.
Sahajan Balance Toner - Fruit acids and salicylic acid help to reduce pigmentation and increase radiance.
African Botanics Rose Treatment Essence - Toner/Serum hybrid, intensely hydrating, helps to reduce redness with Vitamin B, Arnica, and Beta-Glucan.
Le Prunier Face Oil- A plum seed oil that helps to protect the skin with vitamin E and omega fatty acids. Perfect for sensitive, allergy prone, reactive skin types. Non-comedogenic formula (non pore clogging) provides lasting moisture.
Marie Veronique Barrier Lipid Complex- Ceramides and plant based cholesterol help to restore the skin’s ability to maintain healthy hydration and moisture levels on it’s own."
...Once you get the hang of double cleansing, it’ll be like um, second nature. Enjoy your cleaner and fresher-than-ever skin with twice the glow and double the radiance. We are fans.
