Double cleansing: an essential ritual for healthy, glowing skin
Double cleansing is a technique that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly due to its effectiveness in removing all the impurities accumulated during the day. Inspired by Asian skincare routines, it consists of using two types of cleansers in succession to rid the skin of all traces of makeup, pollution, sebum and other residues. This ritual, often recommended for the evening, can also be beneficial in the morning, particularly for oily skin or summer periods when sebum production is higher.
In this article, we'll explore in detail how double cleansing works, why it's beneficial for all skin types, and the mistakes to avoid to avoid disrupting the skin barrier.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing consists of two separate steps:
- Makeup removal with oil or balm.
- A water-based cleanser with a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type.
These two steps effectively remove both fat-soluble impurities (like makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil) and water-soluble impurities (like sweat, pollutants, and dead skin cells). Combining the two products helps prevent the buildup of residue that can clog pores, cause breakouts, and lead to a dull complexion.
Why is double cleansing important?
Double cleansing offers several major benefits for skin health and beauty:
1. Thoroughly eliminate accumulated impurities
Every day, the skin accumulates impurities due to the environment: pollution, dust, sweat, makeup, excess sebum, etc. The first cleansing, often oil-based, is essential to dissolve lipophilic impurities. Oil-based products bind to oily substances such as sebum and pollution particles, allowing them to be removed effortlessly and without excessive rubbing.
2. Prepare the skin to receive care
Effective cleansing is the first step to ensure that your skin is receptive to the active ingredients in the treatments applied afterwards (serums, moisturizers, etc.). By freeing the pores of their impurities, double cleansing allows better penetration of the active ingredients present in the treatments applied afterwards, thus maximizing their effectiveness.
3. Prevent blemishes and clogged pores
The impurities that build up on the skin throughout the day, combined with excess sebum, can clog pores and lead to blackheads, pimples and even microcysts. Double cleansing helps to clean pores deeply, helping to prevent these problems.
4. Preserve the skin barrier
Contrary to what you might think, using an oil for the first cleansing is not too “greasy” for the skin. On the contrary, makeup remover oils are formulated to bind to the sebum and oils present on the surface of the skin without drying it out. In addition, they respect the hydrolipidic film, this thin protective layer that prevents the skin from dehydrating. When the oil is followed by a gentle water-based cleanser, the skin is cleansed without being attacked, thus preserving its natural balance.
Double evening cleansing: a crucial step
Why double cleanse at night?
In the evening, the skin must get rid of all the impurities accumulated during the day. Whether it's makeup, sunscreen or pollution particles, these elements clog the pores and interfere with the skin's natural nighttime regeneration process. During the night, the skin actively regenerates itself and it is therefore essential that it is clean so that the care applied after cleansing can penetrate effectively and support this natural process.
• Step 1: removing makeup with oil or balm
This first oil-based cleanser is particularly effective in dissolving fat-soluble oils and impurities present on the surface of the skin. It is particularly recommended to use a cleansing oil or a cleansing balm that easily emulsifies with water, to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum accumulated throughout the day.
Why is oil so effective? Contrary to popular belief, oils do not leave a greasy residue. They bind to the oils present on the skin and emulsify with water, allowing them to be rinsed off without leaving an occlusive film. This type of cleanser is gentle, but very effective at removing resistant products like waterproof makeup and mineral sunscreens.
• Step 2: Water-based cleaner
After removing impurities with oil, the second water-based cleanser purifies the skin and removes any remaining residue. It is important to choose a gentle cleanser that is suited to your skin type and does not unbalance the skin's pH or cause dehydration. Choose sulfate-free cleansers that contain gentle cleansing agents such as coco-glucosides or betaines that respect the skin's hydrolipidic film.
Double cleansing in the morning: for whom and why?
While double cleansing is often recommended at night, it can also be helpful in the morning, especially for oily skin or in the summer when sebum production is higher. During the night, skin produces sebum and eliminates toxins through sweat. For skin prone to excess oil, doing a light double cleanse first thing in the morning can help rebalance skin and set a healthy foundation for your next skincare routine.
When and why should you double cleanse in the morning?
- Oily skin: Oily or acne-prone skin often produces more sebum. Double cleansing can help remove excess sebum produced overnight, helping to regulate sebum production throughout the day.
- Summer periods: In summer, heat and humidity promote the production of sweat and sebum, making the skin more prone to blemishes. A gentle double cleanse in the morning helps keep pores clean and prevent impurities from accumulating in sebum.
However, for dry or sensitive skin, simple cleansing with a gentle cleanser may be enough to avoid damaging the skin barrier.
Double cleansing: mistakes to avoid
Although very beneficial, double cleansing must be done correctly to avoid damaging the skin.
1. Using cleaners that are too aggressive
Always choose gentle cleansers, without aggressive foaming agents such as sulfates, which can irritate the skin and destroy its hydrolipidic film. Gentle cleansers purify the skin without causing dryness or sensitization.
2. Excessively rubbing the skin
Makeup removal and cleansing should be done with gentle movements, without excessive rubbing. The skin on the face is thin and fragile, especially around the eyes. Rubbing too hard can cause micro-lesions and irritation.
3. Forgetting to adapt products to your skin type
It’s essential to use products that are right for your skin type. For example, sensitive skin may benefit from cleansers rich in ceramides or soothing agents, while oily skin may want to opt for lightly exfoliating cleansers to remove excess oil without irritating the skin.
Conclusion: double cleansing, a key step for radiant skin
Double cleansing is much more than just a cleansing step: it is a real ritual that purifies, strengthens, and prepares the skin to receive the following treatments. This ritual, both gentle and deep, guarantees a fresher complexion, deeply cleansed pores, and skin that is more receptive to the active ingredients in your serums and creams. Practiced in the evening to eliminate all the impurities of the day, and sometimes in the morning for oilier skin, double cleansing ensures healthy and luminous skin every day.
Adopting double cleansing in your routine gives your skin the best chance of preserving its youth, radiance and purity in the long term. Don't forget to adjust the products used according to your skin type and weather conditions to get the most out of them.
