What is Double-Cleansing? Easiest Double-cleansing Methods Explained

We all want clean and fresh skin. All the time. But sometimes just using soap and water is not enough. All the recurrent layers of makeup, dead skin cells, dust, oils etc add up onto our skin and begin to gradually dull our appearance. This is when the concept of double-cleansing comes into the picture to save the day. What is double-cleansing? 

Well, we are here to tell you all about it. And to explain about the easiest double-cleansing methods! 

What Is Double-Cleansing?

Take a cue from the name — double-cleansing means cleansing the face twice. It is a slightly elaborate routine that helps you scrub and clean your face twice, with agents that rinse off the excess oils and dissolve all makeup residue and dust.  

First: You cleanse your face with an oil-based cleanser 

Second: You cleanse your face with a water-based cleanser 

In this way, you ensure that:

• The first cleansing breaks down all the dirt, makeup, and excess oils in the oil-based cleanser.
• The second cleansing will be more tailored to your skin type and accordingly help you soothe, hydrate, clean and exfoliate your skin. This will give your face a clear and fresh appearance. 
• After double-cleansing, it becomes easier for products like toner, moisturizer, sunscreen, and serum to penetrate better into your skin. 

Benefits of Double-Cleansing:

• It doesn’t take a whole lot of your time, and gives you larger returns.
• Rinses off excess oils from your skin surface as well as cleans your pores. This helps in preventing pimples and acne.
• Dissolves any leftover makeup residue easily, thus ensuring that your skin remains clean. 
• The gentle scrubbing motions of double-cleansing also remove dead skin cells, letting the young and healthy layer of your skin breathe freely.
• The second cleansing gives you a fresh feeling and also hydrates your face.
• It helps maintain even skin tone and smoothness.
• It also makes the skin absorb moisturizers and serums better.
• It is recommended that you double-cleanse at night when you have too many toxins, products, and makeup layers to remove from your skin. 

What Skin Types Should Double-Cleanse?

Double-cleansing is a healthy, hygienic practice meant for broadly all skin types. But some skin types benefit more than others:

• Oily Skin: Since this skin type is rife with excess oils all the time, it benefits greatly by first getting an oil-based cleanser and then a water-based cleanser. 
• Acne-Prone Skin: This skin type usually has an abundance of clogged pores, with bacteria, oils, and dirt. Double-cleansing helps rinse the pores and keeps any breakouts to a minimum.
• Heavy Makeup: This is not a skin type, but those who use lots of makeup daily should double-cleanse to get rid of all the residue at the end of the day. 

Who Started this Technique of Double-Cleansing?

We have the Japanese and the Koreans to thank for this. It is believed that Japanese geishas (women who entertained men by singing and dancing) started this technique to keep their skin crystal clear and radiant. They used cleaning oils to cleanse their faces, and they removed their white makeup with foamy cleansers. Later, the Koreans adopted this technique into their 10-step skincare, bringing it to the West by the turn of the last century. 

Easiest Double-Cleansing Methods

Irrespective of your skin type, these general steps of double-cleansing remain the same:

• Take a cleansing oil/ oil-based cleanser/ micellar water/ balm and apply it to your skin.
• Using a cotton pad or soft washcloth, massage it gently into your skin. This helps break down the oils, makeup and dirt. You can also use your fingers to massage instead of a cloth. 
• Splash some water on your face to wet it.
• Now apply your second water-based cleanser. This generally foams. So as you massage it or spread it using a cleaning device, the cleanser gathers all the leftover dust and dirt.
• Now rinse off with cool water and gently pat your face dry. 

Double-Cleansing methods vary slightly for different skin types, as the products change.

1. Oily Skin:

First Cleanser:

Oil on oil may sound like a terrible combination, but the truth is — oil attracts oil. So if you want to dissolve all your excess oils and makeup then use a gentle oil-based cleanser. Or go for micellar water. It goes right into your pores and draws out all the clogged dirt, with bacteria and oils. You may need to massage a little more thoroughly, but the result is very good. 

Don’t forget to cleanse your under eyes, eyelids, and crevices flanking your nose.  

Second Cleanser:

A clay or gel cleanser is perfect for oily skin, especially if it is rich in ingredients like green tea, rose, aloe vera, or glycolic acid. These ingredients help moisturize your face while balancing the oils, and preventing inflammation.  

2. Dry Skin:

First Cleanser:

For dry skin, even the slightest bit of over-washing can strip your skin of much-needed oils. So tread very carefully with your first cleanser. Instead of using micellar water, go for a cleansing balm or emollients. When infused with gentle moisturizing ingredients like coconut, shea butter, or jojoba oil, these help in cleansing as well as hydrating.  

Second Cleanser:

The second cleanser can be chosen from a wide category, but try and go for one that is rich in anti-aging ingredients or antioxidants. Eg. Green tea, vitamin C, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, etc. This keeps your dry skin from aging prematurely.  

3. Sensitive Skin:

First Cleanser:

Sensitive skin type needs to keep the skincare routine minimal, fuss-free, and low-key. Double-cleansing may seem a little redundant here but it is essential to get rid of excess oils, makeup, and grime. Or these may end up irritating your sensitive skin. So it is best to choose a gentle cleanser, that is preferably fragrance-free and alcohol-free, with anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, glycolic acid, etc. 

Second Cleanser:

For your second cleanser, use a gentle exfoliating agent with salicylic or glycolic acid. If you have sensitive acne-prone skin then this goes a long way in unclogging pores, brightening your skin, and clearing blemishes.  

The bottom line is, double-cleansing is not a rule of thumb in skincare. It is an added topping to your routine. You can add it as per your requirements. Some people need to do it every night, some plan it only on weekends. As long as your skin remains clear and bright, you are doing it right. Just make sure that you don’t overdo it. Sensitive and acne-prone skin types must especially keep their double-cleansing gentle so that they don’t end up rubbing and irritating their skin or breakouts.  

What also goes a long way in keeping your double-cleansing routine effective is choosing the right products. You should go for natural cleansers that suit your skin type. They are made from natural ingredients and rarely irritate or inflame your skin. Savarnas Mantra’s Natural Cleanser Collection is one such example.  

Savarnas Mantra® Natural Rose Cleanser

Infused with rose hip seed oil, it serves to unclog your pores, clean pollutants and oils, as well as regenerate lost skin cells. 

Savarnas Mantra® Natural Wheat Cleanser

Our natural wheat cleanser is rich in derivatives from sunflower oil and coconut oil, gently deep cleansing your skin. It is suited for even sensitive skin types as it is hormone-free and fragrance-free. 

Savarnas Mantra® Natural Wheat Germ Cleanser

A  natural cleanser that helps with moisture retention and stimulates proper cell function. It is rich in wheat germ oil, grapefruit seed and seaweed extracts.