Double Cleansing: This Basic Beauty Step Is THE Most Important Of Them All

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There are certain steps in your skincare routine you can skip now and again, but there’s one thing above all, that should never, we repeat never, be skipped – especially if you like to wear makeup as much as we do. The basic essential beauty step? Double cleansing, AKA washing your face twice – we told you it was basic! If you’re already in on the secret, tell your friends, because honestly, you wouldn’t believe how many people don’t double cleanse.

Why Double Cleansing is Important

Double cleansing is THE fundamental rule of K-beauty routines and a must for anyone wearing makeup and/or sunscreen (the latter should be all of you!). If you’re not removing pollution and bacteria at the end of the day, which ultimately can lead to breakouts and aging, then no amount of moisturizer can fix that. It also means that your next layers of products won’t be able to effectively penetrate your skin.

Think about it, when you wash your face once, all you’re really doing is removing the makeup on top of your skin – you’ll notice if you’ve ever used toner after, that there’s still plenty of makeup left on your skin (toner should not have to remove leftover makeup!). This is why cleansing twice is SO important, as the second wash will actually be able to do its job by penetrating your pores and removing impurities from your skin.

Cleansers that contain active ingredients like salicylic acid to target blackheads or AHAs that gently get rid of dead skin cells are actually able to do their job in the second cleanse. However, double cleansing is only necessary in the evening – unless you slept in your makeup!

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How to Double Cleanse:

The best way to double cleanse is to start with a cleansing oil or balm, and then use a water-based cleanser:

Step 1: Use a cleansing oil or balm works to break down makeup, SPF, pollution, and sebum on the surface of the skin. This is a super gentle way of removing dirt as the oil binds with impurities and is washed away without stripping your skin. Balms and oils are usually made with natural oils that are packed with antioxidants that help to improve your skin texture while retaining your skin’s natural moisture level. Check out our fave cleansing oils and balms here.

Step 2: Use a water-based cleanser (like a foam, gel, or cream) to remove any last impurities. The formula will also be able to clean deeper into your pores now that makeup and surface dirt has been removed. Another important thing to remember is to massage both your oil and water-based cleanser into your skin for at least 40 seconds to a minute. Check out all our tips for finding the right cleanser for you here.

Hacks: If you don’t yet own a cleansing oil or balm, you can still double cleanse, just use your face wash twice. We’ll be honest, on the days when we really cake it on, sometimes we even go three times, using micellar water prior to a cleansing balm to get the worst of the makeup off. It’s also important to make sure you use warm water. If it’s too hot it can strip your skin of its natural oils and make acne or rosacea worse, so stick to lukewarm water. If it’s your day for exfoliating, make sure you exfoliate after you’ve double cleansed, and as always, be gentle.

No matter what your skin type, trust us, if you’re oily or acne-prone, cleansing oil is still amazing – it can actually help reduce blackheads! You can find different cleansing oils that have different ingredients to benefit different skin concerns, and it’s the same with your water-based cleanser.

Do you guys double cleanse? Let us know in the comments?