The Skincare Space

There was a time when washing our faces with soap and water was all our skin needed. While some people washed their faces twice a day, once in the morning and once before calling it a night, very few considered the latter an essential part of the nighttime routine. Then, the art of double cleansing took the world by storm, and turned out that using just soap and water wasn’t enough to get all that gunk and grime off our faces after a full day at college or work.

What Is Double Cleansing?

In simpler terms, double cleansing refers to washing your face twice a day, with the ‘type of cleansers’ being the key in this skincare ritual.

The first cleanse is done with an oil-based cleanser, like a cleansing balm or a cleansing oil. This helps thoroughly remove waterproof makeup, sunscreen and environmental pollutants like dirt, dust, grime and oil. Then, the second cleanse is performed with a regular water-based cleanser.

Why Do We Need Double Cleansing?

Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing step that adds a few minutes to your overall routine. While some may find it to be unnecessary or time-consuming, there are many benefits to it.

Using the right double cleansing products can help you avoid over-washing your face, which is known to cause excess dryness of the skin, over a period of time. Since the makeup, sunscreen and other pollutants are thoroughly removed from your skin in the first cleanse itself, the second cleanse tends to be a gentler step, leaving your skin squeaky clean!

However, the best time to double cleanse is at night – after work or college. This is to ensure that you double cleanse only when you have makeup and sunscreen on your face, in order to avoid stripping off your skin of its natural oils and causing more damage than good.

The Double Cleansing Method – How To Double Cleanse?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you double cleanse for maximum benefits:

• Take a coin-sized amount of any oil-based cleanser – oil or balm, and gently massage your face with it. Make sure that you massage the product in circular motions to slowly break down the makeup and sunscreen residue.
• Then, rinse your face with lukewarm water to get rid of the first cleanser. Do not use hot water as it can dry out your skin.
• Instead of wiping your face off with a towel, keep your skin damp and go ahead with the second cleanser. Gently massage it into your skin to get rid of remaining impurities, if any.
• Rinse your face again with lukewarm water to ensure there is no residue left. Gently pat it dry with a clean towel and that’s it, your double cleanse is done!

Types Of Double Cleansing Products

As the name suggests, there are two major types of double cleansing products – oil-based cleanser and water-based cleanser.

However, an oil-based cleanser can be further divided into three categories – micellar water, cleansing oils and cleansing balms. Here is all that you need to know about them:

Cleansing Oils

Cleansing oils comprise nourishing ingredients such as rice bran or sunflower oils, among others, to gently remove the impurities from the face while nourishing the skin. They remove stubborn waterproof makeup, sunscreen residue and any other type of impurities while also unclogging the pores without leaving a greasy residue behind.

Cleansing Balms

Cleansing balms consist of a balmy texture and are applied and massaged into the skin, transforming into an oil. This breaks down the makeup, sunscreen, and water-resistant residue, thus leaving the skin feeling clean.

Which One To Pick – Cleansing Balm Or Cleansing Oil?

Both cleansing balms and cleansing oils serve the same purpose – as they are both oil-based cleansers. However, the only difference is in the texture and packaging – while a cleansing balm comes in a handy tub with a balmy texture, the cleansing oil usually comes in a pump bottle and has a runny, oil-like texture.

Micellar Water

Before oil-based cleansers took over the internet, micellar water used to be the go-to product for removing makeup and dirt. While it resembles regular water, micellar water consists of small lipid molecules, known as micelles, that are suspended in the liquid and attract all the dirt and grime from the skin. However, there is an oil-based micellar water available as well, which works similarly to that of a cleansing balm or oil. Micellar water is a convenient, fuss-free option for removing light, everyday makeup and sunscreen residue.

Conclusion

While double cleansing may seem like a better way to deep clean your skin, it is not necessary for many. If you stay indoors at all times and wear a lightweight moisturiser and sunscreen, you may not need to double cleanse at night. Washing your face thoroughly with a water-based cleanser will get you fresh, clean skin.

However, if you wear makeup daily, re-apply sunscreen every few hours, travel on public transport, and spend a lot of time outdoors or all of above, it is essential that you double cleanse at night with an oil-based cleanser to get rid of the impurities.