What’s the Deal with Double Cleansing?

No, it doesn’t mean just washing your face twice

When it comes time to remove all the makeup, oil residue and pollution from a long day, it can be a struggle to prioritize your skin care routine over unwinding with a glass (or three) of wine. You might opt for a quick solution like an all-in-one face wash, a makeup remover wipe or worse, going to sleep and worrying about it in the morning. Even if you do dedicate the time to giving your face a good cleanse, you might still be missing a crucial step in your skin care regimen: the double cleanse.

Double cleansing is the two-step process of removing daily skin pollution with an oil-based cleanser, balm or micellar water first before using a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining contaminants, leaving your skin thoroughly refreshed and deep-cleaned. When done well, double cleansing is gentle enough to be part of your everyday skin care routine without stripping your face of the natural oils that keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Not sure where to begin? Consider these Cynthia Rivas-approved tips for successfully embarking upon your double cleansing journey and giving your gorgeous face the wash it deserves.

OIL-BASED VS. WATER-BASED CLEANSERS

The first phase of double cleansing should include a product that can breakdown oil. Great options are oil based cleansers, cleansers with surfactant to breakdown down oils or micellar waters. These products are effective in breaking down makeup, sebum buildup and toxins that collect on your face throughout the day. Think of it like your elementary school science class: when you put oil and water together, they don’t mix! However, oils have a tendency to bond to other oils, thus making them the perfect solution for removing the harsh oils produced on your skin and in your environment. If you don’t want to use an oil cleanser, using cleansers with a surfactant help bind oil to water to remove buildup.

Once you’ve addressed the oil-related pollutants on your face, this is where the water-based cleanser comes in to finish the job. Water-based cleansers are well-equipped to penetrate clogged pores and remove any additional dirt, like sweat, that isn’t caused by excessive oil production. The quickest way to confirm if a cleanser is water-based is by checking the ingredients; water is almost always listed first. This is also the time to use a treatment cleanser appropriate for your skin type or concern. For example, choose an acne cleanser, hydrating cleanser or brightening cleanser. Think of it this way, the first cleanse cleanses away make-up, oils and pollution while the second cleanse actually cleans and treats your skin.

USE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Do you have oily, dry or combination skin? Are you prone to acne or redness? Is your skin sensitive? These are some of the initial questions you will hear from any skin care professional as they develop a treatment plan for your skin. Likewise, you should also take those questions into consideration when deciding which products are best for your double cleansing needs. If you are still a novice when it comes to skin care routines, keep it simple with products that indicate they are for all skin types, like the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex followed by iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser. If you are in need for some brightening or have hyperpigmentation, try RestorseaPro Foaming Cleanser as your 2nd cleanse.

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
Soap free cleanser
Contains BHA
Great for all skin types
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iS Clinical Warming Honey
This dual-action cleanser hydrates with royal jelly honey, and is  antimicrobial which kills bacteria
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RestorseaPro Foaming Cleanser
Sulfate free foaming cleanser that gently exfoliates and brightens the skin
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This deep-cleansing duo is gentle enough for daily use and includes a strong cocktail of antioxidants, enzymes and natural extracts to promote healthy skin.

If you are a skin care enthusiast and have more specific skin care concerns, like hyperpigmentation, acne, dryness, fine lines, and so on, you can further review the ingredients of your chosen cleansing combination to determine which products work best for you.

DON’T OVER (OR UNDER) DO IT!

Over-washing your face or even using really hot water can dry out your skin or trigger inflammation and redness. It isn’t necessary to do the double cleanse in the morning because you are usually just washing off any serums or moisturizers that were on while you slept as opposed to removing a day’s worth of makeup, SPF, heavy creams and exposure to outdoor pollutants, making the double cleanse a better option for the evening. Additionally, it’s important to apply the products of your double cleanse for at least one minute each before washing them off so that they can penetrate the skin more effectively and dissolve any unwanted impurities. Anything less than a minute is really just wasting time and product without delivering the results you desire.

No matter if you are a beginner or an expert in the field of skin care, the double cleanse is an easy addition to any face-washing regimen you currently follow. Check out the Cynthia Rivas Skin Care Shop for some of Cynthia’s top picks for cleansers or schedule a 1-on-1 virtual consultation to chat about the products that would be best for your individual skin needs. ♡