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Have you ever wondered why Korean skincare is coveted? Well, simply looking at the dewy skin of K-pop stars and K-drama actors shows why it's trusted. But what we love about it is that Korean skincare has its priorities set straight – hydration, hydration, and (you guessed it) hydration. In every step of viral Korean skincare routines, hydration takes centre stage. And whether it’s a multi-step process or a quick regimen, the one common thread is always double cleansing.
To put it simply, double cleansing means washing your face twice. If you really delve deep, you will see how this two-step washing process serves a deeper purpose than just cleansing. Along with removing dirt and impurities, double cleansing hydrates your skin and prepares it for the next steps in your skincare. It helps you create a fresh canvas for other skincare essentials to do their job and also for your makeup to stay on for a longer time. Let’s look at what double cleansing is in detail and how it benefits your skin.
What Is Double Cleansing?
Double cleansing is a skincare method that involves cleaning your face thoroughly. As the name suggests, it is a two-step process that requires the successive use of oil and water-based cleansers. The oil-based cleanser helps remove stubborn forms of impurities such as sunscreen, makeup, and any other water-proof and sweat-resistant formulations. It emulsifies the dirt into a solution and breaks down even the toughest specs. Once you wash this off, the second step with the water-based cleanser removes any of the lighter impurities such as dirt, dust, sweat, and oil residue from the skin. Now let’s see why this method is proven to be better than regular face washing.
Benefits Of Double Cleansing
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Cleanses Thoroughly
No matter how water-proof or sweat-proof your sunscreen, moisturiser, or makeup is, the double cleansing method will completely break down these formulations and allow your skin to breathe.
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Deeper Cleanse
A single wash only cleans the outer layer of the skin. When you double cleanse, the formula penetrates deeper layers of your epidermis and cleans out your pores for fresh, clear skin on the outside.
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Preps The Skin
When your skin is cleansed deeply, it becomes highly absorbent. This allows serums, moisturisers, creams, skin treatments, and sunscreens to do their job better. Even your makeup looks smooth and one with your skin without any texture or clogged pores.
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Prevents Breakouts
When your pores are unclogged and all the excess oil or sebum is gone, your skin becomes less likely to have acne breakouts and pimples.
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Maintains Skin Health
The skin’s overall health improves, with balanced natural pH levels. Double cleansing also boots moisture retention, making your skin look hydrated even after long days outdoors.
Who Should Double Cleanse And When
Double cleansing helps remove even the most stubborn forms of impurities and thus if you wear sunscreen and makeup, and experience dust in your everyday lives, make double cleansing a part of your everyday skincare habits. The best time to double cleanse is at night when all the makeup, dust, and skincare needs to be washed off. This way your skin can restore itself without the added burden of impurities and dead skin cells. Your skin repairs itself faster when it is completely clean.
Although double cleansing sounds like a great option for a completely clean and hydrated face, it is not meant for everyone. There are certain people for whom this cleansing ritual must be a daily thing, while for others it should be an additional step for special occasions. Double cleansing can dry your skin out and strip away any little natural oil that your skin produces if you have dry or sensitive skin. You can double cleanse the days you wear makeup or accumulate a lot of dust and grime. On other days, cleansing your face once is enough.
Consider double cleansing if you…
- Have an acne-prone or oily skin type
- Wear makeup regularly
- Live in an urban city with high exposure to dust and pollution
- Travel a lot during the day or work outdoors
Double cleanse once in a while if you…
- Have a dry skin, sensitive skin, or combination skin type
- Don’t step out a lot
- Wear makeup for only special occasions
- Struggle with skin concerns
How To Do Double Cleansing
This is how you can double cleanse your face:
Step 1: Start With An Oil-Based Cleanser
Take one pump of any oil-based cleanser, and make sure it suits your skin type. It can be an oil, a cleansing balm, a cleansing lotion, or a cream. Take some and rub them with your fingers to emulsify. Apply it to your face, especially your T-zone and your chin. If you have makeup around your eyes, you can rub this cleanser near your eyes as well, as long as the formula is fragrance-free. Run your fingers in circular motions until you see your makeup and skincare breakdowns. Continue this for around 45 seconds to a minute. Make sure all the impurities are emulsified and continue rinsing with some lukewarm water.
Step 2: Follow With A Water-Based Cleanser
Take a pump of any water-based cleanser, such as a gel, foam, or cleansing water that suits your skin type and follow the same process you did with the oil cleanser. Make sure you cover your hairline, your T-Zone, your eyes, your neck, and even your ears. Gently massage the product for 30 seconds in circular motions. Rinse this off with some water, dab your face gently with a washcloth, and continue with your skincare routine (we love the CSMS method ).
Double Cleansing Products For Every Skin Type
Oily Or Acne-Prone Skin
Oil-Based:
Enriched with jojoba oil that melts blackheads, whiteheads, excess sebum, and makeup from oily skin, this oil-based cleanser is perfect for acne-prone and oily skin types. The hydrophilic property and biomimetic function cleanse even the toughest of impurities. When mixed with water it forms a milk-like texture that enhances the process and nourishes the skin.
Water-Based:
The 2% salicylic acid helps prevent any acne breakouts caused by excessive oil and sebum. It also reduces skin inflammation, treats acne marks and dark spots, and exfoliates the skin to completely eliminate any evidence of impurities when followed by an oil-based cleaner.
Dry Or Sensitive Skin
Oil-Based:
Although dry skin doesn’t need double cleansing, on the days you wear smudge-proof makeup or water-proof skincare, you can use this oil-based cleanser that is tough on impurities and soft on the skin. Nourished with coconut oil, jojoba seed oil, castor oil, and ceramides this cleanser offers hydration and protection.
Water-Based:
Made with niacinamide, panthenol, and hydrating glycerin, this gentle cleanser repairs moisture barrier, improves water retention and soothes dry and sensitive skin. Lock in moisture and repair the damage done during the day with this dermatologist-approved cleansing lotion.
Normal Or Combination Skin
Oil-Based:
If you have a normal or combination skin type, you can use this oil-based cleanser from Biotique that focuses on bringing back the lost glow with the power of papaya juice, wild turmeric, and neem leaf extract. It helps in de-tanning, deep cleansing, and brightening the complexion.
Water-Based:
Restore glow, soothe skin, reduce tan, and inflammation, and prevent dark spots with Jovees Herbal De-Tan Face Wash, an aloe vera-infused cleanser. With added hydrating ingredients such as green tea extract, mallow blossom extract, sweet cherry fruit extract, carrot extract, bearberry extract, walnuts and liquorice extract this cleanser exfoliates, brightens skin, and reduces oxidative stress.
How To Know If Double Cleansing Is Making An Impact
If you double-clean your skin regularly, you will see the following impact:
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Clear Skin
This one goes without saying, but your face will be clearer than ever because it is receiving a deeper cleanse. Your pores get cleansed, white and blackheads diminish, and the number of breakouts is reduced.
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Texture Improves
When your skin stays clean and clear, acne, clogged pores, whiteheads, blackheads, and other impurities start to reduce, leaving your skin smooth and soft, thus improving the texture.
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Soothes Inflammation & Irritation
Cleaner skin means lesser chances of irritation, inflammation, redness, or other sensitivities. This is because your skin experiences moisture retention, balanced pH levels, and unclogged pores.
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Better Absorption
When your face is clean and the canvas is clear, your skin will agree more with the other skincare products you offer. The serums and creams will better absorb into the epidermis and offer better results since the formulation has a chance to better penetrate the skin.
Parting Thoughts
K-Beauty, as well as Japanese beauty regimens, have been at the top of their skincare game because of their simple yet effective techniques to keep skin clean, clear, and smooth. One of the methods is double cleansing, which is so easy yet so beneficial for people with oily, acne-prone skin and exposure to pollutants. If you demand a thorough cleansing every night due to the dust, makeup, sunscreen, and more then don’t think twice and indulge in this affordable yet luxurious skincare routine.
FAQs
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Will double cleansing strip my skin of its natural oils?
Double cleansing can strip off the natural oils of your skin if it is prone to dryness or sensitivity. If you have oily and acne-prone skin, then double cleansing is ideal for you, as it will control the excess oil and sebum production, leaving your skin clean and oil-free.
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How often should I do double cleansing?
You should double cleanse only once a day, we recommend you do that at night when your skin has accumulated dust, dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and grime.
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Can I use any cleanser for double cleansing?
The double cleansing method requires you to first use an oil-based cleanser to break down impurities, and then a water-based cleanser to wash it all away and hydrate the skin. You will also need to choose products suited to your skin type.
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Can double cleansing be beneficial for all skin types?
Ideally, double cleansing helps people with oily and acne-prone skin. But if you have dry and sensitive skin but wear makeup, and sunscreen, and are likely to come in contact with a lot of dust and other impurities, then you can also indulge in double cleansing once in a while.
