Let’s talk about cleansing. What would a skincare routine be without cleansing? There’s something so refreshing about cleansing your skin after a long day. I like to think of it as a reset button for your face. Wash away the grime and stress of the day. Nothing feels better than a freshly washed face.
However, with our faces full of sunscreen, makeup, and pollution from the day, I’m not so sure it’s possible for one cleanse to wash it all away. Are you sure one cleanse is enough? Keep on reading to see why I always double cleanse and some of my favorite cleansers – including oil cleansers!
What is Double Cleansing, Anyway?
So you’re new to double-cleansing… no worries! According to Soko Glam, “The double cleanse is the cleansing method Korean women use for clear skin. It involves washing your face in two steps, first by using an oil-based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser. The first step draws out oil-based impurities such as sebum, SPF, and pollutants while the second step cleanses water-based debris such as sweat and dirt.”
Ever noticed how sometimes after cleansing your skin, it still has some residue or makeup on it? Try the white towel test – if after washing your face and patting dry with a towel there’s any sort of dirty-ness on the towel, you’re not cleansing well enough. This is why I love (and always do!) a double cleanse.
I like to think of starting with an oil-based cleanser as breaking down any makeup, SPF, or any gunk in your pores. Once you emulsify the oil (wet your hands with water and massage the oil into your skin further until the oil turns a milky white color), you can set up your skin for a second cleanse.
The 60 Second Method
Who’s guilty of washing their face for like, 10 seconds max then rinsing it off? I used to be, until I came across the 60 Second Rule, made famous by LABeautyologist. (Side note, If you aren’t already following LABeautyologist, you’re missing out. She’s a Los Angeles based esthetician and she always shares the BEST tips for taking care of your skin on twitter, instagram, and Youtube channel. I highly recommend checking her out!)
According to LABeautyologist, “Cleansing your face (with your fingers) for 60 seconds allows the ingredients in the cleanser to actually work”.
Combining double-cleansing with the 60-Second Rule was GAME CHANGING for me. Seriously, the next time you wash your face set a timer for at least 60 seconds. If anything, using an oil cleanser for 60 seconds is soooo relaxing, like a mini massage for your face. And if you’re looking to pamper yourself, do it for five minutes or more. I like to put on a 30-minute show on Netflix or youtube video and go to town – you will be amazed at how plumped and glowing your skin looks after. Seriously, try it! Check out LABeautyologist’s video on double-cleansing to learn even more.
Why Cleansing with An Oil is Actually So Great for Oily Skin
Ok, so if you’re like me (combo leaning towards oily skin) you’re probably thinking, why the F**K would I put more oil on my face?
I like to think of it like this: like dissolves like. It’s science! So when you’re massaging that oil into your face, it’s drawing out all the oil and sebum that’s inside your pores, bringing it to the surface to get washed away. See ya oil!
Follow Up With A Water-Based Gel or Foaming Cleanser
After oil-cleansing, which you can call your first-cleanse, follow with a water-based cleanser. This step will help remove any remaining debris and leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed. Be careful not to use stripping cleansers – ones that give you that ‘squeaky-clean’ feeling – there’s no reason to use cleansers that are drying to the skin. Your second cleanse should leave your skin fresh and ready for the rest of your skincare routine. I listed my favorite oil and water-based cleansers below 🙂
All Together Now
Alright, time to put all the steps together. Here’s a handy little checklist for double cleansing that I hope you find useful:
Banila Co Clean it Zero Original Cleansing Balm
My OG, first love, the first balm cleanser I ever used that got me into oil cleansing. The balm is really fun to use – dig about a dime-sized amount out of the tub with the included spatula, and watch it magically melt into your skin, dissolving oil and waterproof makeup in the gentlest way. If you’re new to oil cleansing I think you might love this one.
This all-natural, 6 ingredient cleansing oil can be used as both a cleansing oil and moisturizer. So if you’re into double duty beauty, definitely check this out. Why I like it: It only has 6 ingredients: hemp oil, manuka oil, red raspberry seed oil, black currant oil, Abyssinian oil, and plant-derived squalane. All ingredients you can easily read up on and find out why they are good for skincare products. This is a good oil cleanser for someone with drier skin, in my opinion, because I find it VERY moisturizing. No fragrance or added preservatives either – she’s all-natural baby.
This cleansing oil smells SUPER good and has “nutrient-rich camellia, juniper berry, and meadowfoam seed oils to purify without stripping natural moisture- leaving skin soft and clean.” I found it to be very good at removing makeup and it emulsified well. I think this would also be good for someone with drier skin.
Hanskin Hyaluron Bubble Pop Cleanser*
What a fun product! Foaming cleansers usually get a bad rap because they are drying to the skin – because of their high content of sulfates. Happy to announce that this foaming cleanser is not only sulfate-free, but also silicone-free, and artificial fragrance-free with a pH of 5.5. How’s that for a foaming cleanser?!
Hada Labo Japan Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Bubble Foaming Cleanser
This is another one of my first loves and first foray into Asian beauty. I found this cleanser on Amazon after tons of research and fell in love with its affordable price point and moisturizing capabilities. Because it has hyaluronic acid in it, it doesn’t leave the skin stripped at all – in fact, my skin feels softer and more hydrated after using this.
Holifrog Shasta AHA Refining Acid Wash
I already wrote about how much I love this product in my April Favorites post, but allow me to sing its praises one more time. This is the BEST acid cleanser I’ve found – it’s a milky, gel-like texture and feels luxurious. And because it has a blend of AHAs, you really feel like it’s cleaning out any gunk in your pores.
I got into this product when I first started using HelloAva, and I really love it’s clarifying and calming properties. From Indie Lee’s website: “Java Plum, Orange and Lavender extracts soothe the skin while dissolving excess sebum. Clove, Burdock, and Mandarin promote a clearer, brighter complexion.” One thing, I find this to ocassionaly be drying, so if you have dry skin I wouldn’t use this product. Indie Lee has other cleansers to choose from though, so definitely check them out!
Naturopathica Aloe Cleansing Gel
This natural and organic cleanser has ingredients like aloe vera, lavender water, and…coconut oil? Normally I wouldn’t touch anything with coconut oil with a ten-foot pole when it comes to skincare, but surprisingly this didn’t break me out. The ingredients are very botanical and smell like a spa day, my skin felt soothed and soft after rinsing.
*=product was gifted by the brand, but all opinions are my own.
Soooo, you’re double-cleansing tonight, right? Let me know your favorite cleansers down below and if you double-cleanse!
One of my favorite oil cleansers and whole skincare line with cbd is @craveskincare.
I’ll have to check that out! Thank you for the recommendation 🙂