Washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening is common practice, but if you wear makeup or live in a polluted city, double cleansing in the evening is a particularly important ritual to add to your routine. Double cleansing, which comes from the ten-step Korean beauty regime, takes cleaning deeper into the pores in removing makeup as well as all the grime the daily grind brings.
Why it’s good for you
Washing your face well can affect your skin’s health, cleanliness and how quickly it will succumb to aging. Double cleansing is a more thorough process in removing layers of makeup, serum or lotion as well as the icky airborne bacteria and pollution that cling onto your skin during the day. Built-up makeup, dirt and grime in the skin can lead to breakouts, a dull complexion and skin that ages faster. A meticulous cleansing process prepares the skin for its natural regeneration at night. Spotless skin cells regenerate properly, giving you that glow.
How it works
Double cleansing works in two parts. The first cleanse uses a no-rinse cleanser to scrub off makeup, sunscreen, sebum and dirt. An oil-based cleanser or micellar water are both effective in dislodging everything that has collected on the surface of the skin without stripping the natural hydrating oils of the skin. When you apply your cleanser, take a minute to massage it in to thoroughly remove any make-up, dirt and pollution particles. The massaging action increases blood flow to the skin which immediately rejuvenates it.
Once the surface has been cleaned, the second cleanse goes deeper into the skin to remove bacteria and impurities from within the pores. Here, a water-based cleanser does the trick in drawing out all the inner gunk, sweat and pollutants. Think of the second cleanse as cleaning the slate. Once your pores have had a deeper clean, the products you apply afterwards can fully absorb into your skin, amplifying their potency!
The tools
- Oil cleansers: Oil cleansers wash away the excess oil on your face while also reducing excess oil production over time. For extra moisture, use an oil cleanser infused with plant-based oils.
- Micellar water: Micellar cleansers are made up of purified water, hydrating ingredients and micelles which attach themselves onto makeup and general grime on the face, pulling them off with one sweep.
- Water-based cleansers: Water-based cleansers are foam or gel cleansers that pick up any water-based impurities that have embedded into the skin, like dirt and sweat.
Innisfree Apple Seed Cleansing Oil – Buy Here, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil – Buy Here, Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water – Buy Here, Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water – Buy Here, Biotique Neem Purifying Face Wash – Buy Here, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap – Buy Here.
If you’ve been at home all day and haven’t applied any sunscreen or makeup, it’s safe to skip the double cleanse. If not, it’s a must for clearer skin. Don’t forget to make sure that your cleanser is right for your skin type and is pH-balanced and sulphate-free (so that it won’t irritate your skin or rub its natural oils away). A little care goes a long way, so lather up!
