Ok, we know that makeup wipes are the definition of evil (for your face and the environment), but I had reach my mid thirties to find out how to clean my face the right way: the double cleanse.
What the hell is a double cleanse?
Like pretty much every skincare trend, double cleansing came from Asia to Europe. Even though is not really the right word, because this way of cleansing the face has been used since the 14th century in Japan and Korea. Back then they would use a cleansing oil to get rid of the heavy, white base and then a foaming cleanser, to remove the rest of the oil.
So, double cleansing is exactly that: cleaning the skin twice. Traditionally, first with an oil based cleanser, followed by a water-based cleanser.
But… why?
Normally we don’t have 1cm of white paint in our faces on a daily basis, especially not in lockdown. So why should I bother cleaning my face twice?
Our “normal” makeup is not that easy to remove either. If I only use one cleanser, I might be able to get rid of the makeup but things like dust and dirt remain on the skin. That’s where the second cleanser does its magic and prepares the face for all the actives you are treating yourself with after! Especially waterproof makeup benefits from double cleansing.
So I only have to do it if I wear makeup?
No, of course not, because then life would be way too easy. I’m just going to assume that you are all very well behaved and you are applying sunscreen everyday (yes, also inside!). As soon as you are doing this, you can benefit from the double cleanse. Especially, if you wear waterproof sunscreen.
It is rare that one cleaner alone can remove your SPF and all pollutants on your face.
What should I use for a double cleanse?
1. Oil Cleanser
Please don’t use oil from your kitchen! No, coconut oil is also not ok. It is better to use formulations actually made for the face to prevent pore clogging.
Light oils can hydrate the skin at the same time, like squalane, rosehip seed oil, sunflower seed oil or grape seed oil.
My favorite oil cleansers
- The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
- bareMinerals Oil Obsessed
- MÁDARA Melting Cleansing Oil
- Balea Reinigung Öl
If you are interested in my favorite products from The Ordinary, you might want to read my blogpost: The best products form The Ordinary
2. Water-based Cleanser
Once upon a time, my dermatologist (head of dermatology in the University Hospital of Geneva) gold me that it doesn’t matter what you wash your face with, because you are washing it off again. After doing a little research, apparently dermatologists and scientists are very split about this.
I feel like it doesn’t harm anyone to watch out just a little bit of what you are washing your face with, you know, just in case.
Which water-based cleanser you should use depends on your skin type. Generally I would advise against everything that foams. These products tend to have a lot of sodium lauryn sulphate and they can change the pH of the skin quite dramatically, which destroys the acid mantle.
Good water-based cleansers:
- rejuvi „K“ Facial Cleanser
- Balea Med Ultra Sensitive Waschgel
- Paula’s Choice Earth Sourced Gesichtsreiniger
Should/Can everyone do this?
Generally speaking, yes, everyone can do double cleansing. But like always, everyone needs to listen to their own skin. If you have hypersensitive skin, it may well be that your might react with irritation.
Procedure:
Here is a video of me doing a double cleanse. Unfortunately it is in German, but even if you don’t speak German, you’ll get the gist 😉
And that’s it! That was easy, right?
See you next time and stay safe!
Maike Make up Artist Wien – Your cruelty-free makeup artist in Vienna