The concept behind double cleansing is to use a cleansing oil, cleansing balm, or similar products to first remove your makeup and sunscreen and follow that up with a regular water-based cleanser.
“Double cleansing means cleansing your face twice, first with an oil-based product and then followed by a water-based cleanser,” explains Dr. Wu. The first step of using an oil-based cleanser is helpful when it comes to removing waterproof makeup and sunscreen.
It's common to only double cleanse at night. After all, this is the time when skin is likely to be covered in makeup and grime. But you can adopt the technique in the mornings, too, as sebum can be produced while you sleep. Pick a frequency that suits your lifestyle, and try to stick to it daily for the best results.
Essentially, the double cleanse aims to clean your skin as thoroughly as possible by using the two kinds of cleansers to get rid of the different kinds of dirt on your face. Your face is getting cleaner than if you used only one cleanser that might not fully take off the makeup or sweat or SPF.
Should I double cleanse every day? According to Dr. Green, a daily double cleanse is only necessary if you wear makeup because most other things can be easily removed with normal cleansing, and Hassani agrees. “Double cleansing definitely isn't a necessity for all as an everyday practice,” Hassani says.
Yes, you can definitely use micellar water for double cleansing. Micellar water is a no-rinse cleanser that uses micelles, which act like a magnet to gently lift dirt and makeup off skin.
Double cleansing in the morning will remove any oil and sweat your skin has produced overnight, as well as any remaining products from the night before. Double cleansing in the evening will remove any makeup, SPF, and other impurities your skin has collected throughout the day.
Oil cleansing ingredients
The oils most commonly used in DIY recipes are olive oil and castor oil. Most recipes recommend starting with a one-to-one ratio of these two oils, then increase the amount of olive oil for dry skin or castor oil for oily or acne-prone skin.
You can use the same cleanser twice
For those who find a foam cleanser too harsh or want to avoid an oil-based cleanser all together, it's possible to use the same product twice in a double cleanse.
“Double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: First, with an oil-based cleanser and again with a water-based cleanser. It can help remove stubborn, pore-clogging and acne-causing impurities that can remain on the skin even after washing your face once,” says Dr.
If you have oily skin and/or wear makeup daily, you might find double cleansing every evening works just fine for you. If your skin isn't particularly oil-prone or you're only an occasional makeup wearer, double cleansing every single day probably isn't necessary — a gentle cleanser alone should do the job, says Dr.
Double cleanse and moisturize before you get in the shower.
Once that's done, I double cleanse to remove any face makeup, SPF, and impurities sitting on my face. Since hot steam from the shower will open up my pores, I want to make sure that there's no makeup and gunk sitting on my face when that happens.
The short answer is "it goes after cleansing," according to Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist based in New York City. She recommends including toner in both your day and night skin-care routines. To get more specific, you should use toner after you double cleanse and exfoliate your skin, both Cho and Chang agree.
Double cleansing is typically reserved for nighttime. In the morning, your skin may have some oil and impurities that have built up overnight, but it shouldn't be coated in heavier formulas that need to be removed.
Q: Is Micellar Water Oil Based? A: No. Unlike most face cleansers, micellar water is not oil based—it is water based. In fact, none of the Garnier micellar water products contain any traces of oil, despite being a great makeup remover and facial cleanser.
Essentially, micellar water is billed as an all-in-one makeup remover, cleanser, and semi-moisturizer. While other cleansers can strip natural oils from the skin, micellar water is much gentler.
If you want to remove very heavy makeup, opt for cleansing balms, whereas the micellar water assists in removing light makeup. Using Micellar water to remove heavy makeup will involve much rubbing and tugging. But, if cleansing balms are not washed well, they can clog your pores.
Korean double-cleansing is a method that uses two types of cleansers to clean the skin of all impurities and dirts that dates back to the fourteenth century. Each method should be done on average 1-2 times a day for best results.
These little babies are suspended in soft water, just hanging out until they meet dirt and oil. It just happens that micelles are attracted to these impurities and draw them out of your skin. Think: a magnet that sucks up makeup residue and atmospheric pollutants. Bonus: You don't even have to wash your face after.
“All skin types can benefit from micellar water, but I especially recommend it for those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.
If you're the type of person who doesn't wear makeup or isn't applying more skin-care products after cleansing, then you're good. "In this scenario, there's absolutely nothing wrong with using only micellar water as your cleanser," she says.