What is Double Cleansing and Is It Worth Doing? The Benefits of Double Cleansing and How To Do It Right.

Did you know that throughout the day, your face continually collects bacteria and pollution? With the addition of face masks, your face is especially a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Cleaning your skin thoroughly is not only important for washing away makeup, but also to get rid of the dirt that has accumulated within your pores. If you fail to unclog and clean your pores properly, it can lead to a whole variety of issues such as aging, pigmentation and breakouts. Is one single cleanse enough? Below we will discuss the concept of double cleansing and whether you should be incorporating that extra minute or so into your daily routine.

What is Double Cleansing?

Double cleansing involves using a cleanser on your face to break down make-up, SPF and sebum on the surface of your skin first, then following it with another cleanse to remove the remaining dirt (1). The second round of cleansing allows you to clean much deeper into your pores to remove sweat, bacteria, old skin cells and any other impurities. 

We caught up with skin care expert, Megan Felton from Lion/ne to hear her thoughts on double cleansing.

What Are The Benefits of Double Cleansing?

“Double cleansing can be beneficial to remove SPF, makeup, and excess oil. It can prevent congestion build up on the skin and is specifically recommended for those living in areas that are high in pollution.  

That said, we are of two minds about double cleansing at Lion/ne. Personally, I believe double cleansing is NOT always necessary with a separate cleanser (e.g oil or balm), especially if you have dry skin with a compromised barrier. If you are wearing makeup, I do recommend using your current cleanser two times, with a gentle muslin cloth - focusing specifically on the hard to reach places like around the nose and on the jawline! However, my co-founder Ksenia loves to double cleanse in the evening with a separate cleanser like an oil, balm or cream cleanser and follow with a separate, more targeted, cleanser. She has more combination skin and swears by the ritual of the double cleanse.”

Should You Double Cleanse In The Morning and Night?

“Double cleanser is NOT something we recommend both in the morning and at night. I would only recommend it in the evening. Why? The nighttime is when it is important to be more on the offence and focus on treating skin conditions and stimulating the skin cell renewal process. Here we can work on deep cleansing and nourishment of the skin in order to help it to repair itself and balance. Not to mention, we want to get all of the dirt and grime from the day off of the skin at night time.”

Personalisation Is Key

“Make sure that your cleansing routine is designed to suit your needs. 

Listen to your skin, if it is feeling dry/tight after cleansing, you may want to assess your cleansing routine and try to switch to cleansing that provides more nourishment and hydration. Stay away from foams that can strip the skin of natural oils it needs to support healthy skin cell function.”

While it can be helpful in some situations, the double cleansing method is not necessary for everyone. It depends primarily on your skin type. The most important step to take is to make sure you’re using a cleanser that’s right for your skin type.

Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier

As opposed to investing in two varieties of cleansers, Clinisoothe+Skin Purifier is a great additional step post cleansing for everyone. It is a gentle formula suited for all skin types and has antimicrobial properties which help to cleanse and protect the skin from pollutants and impurities. A spritz of Clinisoothe+ after cleansing each day can help to prevent breakouts and promotes rapid recovery from redness and irritation. 

Try Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier, a gentle product to add to your skincare routine. Simply spritz your skin after cleansing and allow the product to soothe redness or irritation. 

Clinisoothe+ Skin Purifier  £14.95/100ml

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Megan, Lion/ne Skin Consultant

Megan is a Lion/ne Consultant and Skin Expert. After a long journey to find her own ideal skincare regime that manages her Rosacea and skin sensitivity, she is passionate about sharing her experience and helping her clients to have the same success with their skin. Megan specialises in designing skincare regimes for those with a compromised skin barrier, eczema, and rosacea.

Sources: 

(1) Pestle and Mortar