Following a proper clean skincare routine is essential to seeing consistent results in the overall appearance and health of your skin. Cleansing and exfoliating are two essential steps in helping to remove buildup and impurities from the face, revealing a cleaner, more radiant complexion.
Your skin type, personal preferences and lifestyle determine how often you cleanse your face, along with the season and even the weather. To reduce congestion and increase clarity of the skin, it’s important to be consistent in your cleansing routing. Removing makeup, dirt and oils from the skin every night is important in preventing breakouts, reducing congestion and clogged pores, and helps to maintain the hydrolipidic balance on your skin.
Washing your face was a basic function, typically with either soap or by using a face wash. As we evolve with ingredients, function and technology, the latest skincare trend offers another option: Double Cleansing.
What is Double Cleansing?
Double Cleansing is a revolutionized way of cleansing the face with a 2-step process, using two cleansing products instead of just one. The first step is to apply a cleansing oil, followed by a face wash, which can be a gel-based cleanser, or a cream-based formula based on your skin type. The oil is used to remove makeup pigments and debris, then adding in a face wash to continue the cleansing process for a truly effective cleanse leading to the best results.
Importance of Double Cleansing
Double cleansing is a must for avid makeup wearers, ensuring the removal of impurities, makeup, sunscreen, and excess buildup. Adding the cleanser / face wash, building up a full lather, will work to further remove remnants of debris, sweat and oil, leaving the skin clean and completely free of impurities.
Origin of Double Cleansing
Double Cleansing originated in Korea, China, and Japan with some women opting for a 10-step process in their face care routine.
In Korea, women used plant-based cleansing oils to remove their makeup, followed by using rice water to deep cleanse their face. In Japan, women used cleansing oils to remove their face paint, followed by using a foamy cleanser to remove excess oil.
Benefits of Double Cleansing during Different Seasons
Double cleansing works well for skin in all seasons, as during summer, intense heat and humidity trigger the excessive production of sweat and oil that clog pores and cause breakouts. Double cleansing starts with the oil-based cleanser: oil and water repel each other, which means that a water based cleanser won’t effectively remove all of the oil-based ingredients and impurities on the skin.
During fall and winter, skin is usually dry, tipping the balance of water and oil on the skin’s surface. Double cleansing helps to remove oils, but also restores the skin’s oil balance, ensuring not to strip the skin of the necessary oils needed to protect and keep skin hydrated.
Benefits of Double Cleansing:
- Double cleansing aids in improving skin tone and brightening dull skin.
- Double cleansing helps in opening the pores of the skin, allowing other nighttime skincare routine products to deeply penetrate the skin, such as night creams to rejuvenate the skin and promote skin healing.
- Oil-based cleanser helps in balancing the drying effects of water-based cleansers that may strip the skin.
Which Cleansers to Avoid?
When looking to shop for double cleansers, avoid products containing sulfates and alcohol as they remove the skin's oils, making the skin irritated and dry. Always look for cleansers that meet the needs of your skin concerns. If you tend to be more sensitive, be careful of fragrance and active ingredients. Oily skin types benefit from a gel cleanser, and drier skins will prefer a cream-based cleanser.
Cleansers to Use According to Skin Type
Cleansers should be used according to skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, then you need to use non-irritating cleansers that may strip the skin of necessary oils and offset the PH balance.
If you have oily skin, then consider using lightweight cleansers that help in regulating oil production. Too much stripping of oils will trick your skin into creating more oils which can be a vicious cycle. If your skin is acne-prone, then consider using gentle, non-invasive cleansers to address bacteria and clogged pores. Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Retinoids will help to remove bacteria and break up the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin together, aiding with cell turnover and keeping the pores clean.
If you have combination skin, then consider using a cleanser that controls oil production without drying out the skin, spot treating areas of concern.
If you have normal skin, then you can use any cleanser as long as it does not irritate your skin.
How to Double Cleanse your Skin?
Step 1
Double cleansing is similar to a regular cleansing routine. First, use an oil-based cleanser that gently removes makeup and impurities from your face.
Step 2
The next step is to use a water-based cleanser such as Renu Naturals Purifying Gel Cleanser formulated with green tea to reduce sebum secretion, aloe vera to soothe inflammation, soy milk to moisturize the skin and lactic acid to break down dead skin cells.
For application, apply a small amount cleanser to dampened skin, working a lather in a circular motion. Rinse and pat dry.
What to do After Double Cleansing?
If you are double cleansing during the day, apply a moisturizer with sunscreen to protect your skin against UV rays. At night, follow cleansing with a toner and moisturizer. For a boost of hydration and nourishment, add our Luxury Face Oil after using one of our Pure Radiance Moisturizer to lock in all the nutrients, and increase radiance and overall skin health.
How Often Should Double Cleansing be done?
Double cleansing can be performed both in the morning and evening, based on your preference. Adding the cleansing oil at your nighttime routine allows for a more effective removal of impurities, buildup, and makeup from the day. However, double cleansing can also be done as part of a morning routine and throughout the day after a workout to remove excess oil and sweat build-up that causes clogged pores.
Incorporating a double cleanse option in your routine can be a game-changer for your skin’s overall tone, texture, and appearance. The benefits of using an oil to remove makeup and debris extend beyond ‘removal’, helping to balance, replenish and nourish your skin.
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