Double cleansing: what it is and how to do it with the right products

WHAT IS DOUBLE CLEANSING?

Double cleansing means washing the face with two cleansers: one foaming and one oil-based.

With the foaming cleanser, a contrast cleansing is performed, in which the substance responsible for the cleansing action is the surfactant. Dirt removal is ensured by the presence of surfactants, which can dissolve and carry oil and dirt into the water.

With the oil-based cleanser, on the other hand, asimilarity cleansing is performed, in which the substance responsible for the cleansing action is the lipid (oil), which has a solvent effect on the fats in which dirt is trapped (like dissolves like).

WHY USE TWO CLEANSERS?

Double cleansing comes from usingtwo facial cleansers, specifically:

• Oil-based cleanser that removes oil-based impurities, including makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and pollution;
• Foaming cleanser that removes dirt residue.

DOUBLE FACIAL CLEANSING: WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?

All skin types. Basically, it is very useful for those who opt for heavy makeup.

HOW DO YOU DO DOUBLE CLEANSING AND WHICH OIL SHOULD YOU USE?

Apply the oil-based cleanser to the palm of your dry hand and use your fingers to gently massage it into the dry skin of your face in circular motions for about 30 seconds, or until you have dissolved all the makeup.

Do not use just any oil as an oil-based cleanser; instead, choose an oil specially formulated for cleansing: it will contain an emulsifying agent that will allow you to remove oil and makeup residue more easily, creating a milky microemulsion.

Then dampen your face, apply the foaming cleanser, and massage in circular motions.

Finally, rinse with lukewarm water and pat the skin dry with a soft towel.

HOW MANY TIMES A DAY SHOULD DOUBLE CLEANSING BE DONE?

It is recommended to do double cleansing only during your evening skincare routine. After all, this is when your skin is most likely to be covered in makeup and dirt.

WHERE DOES THIS TECHNIQUE COME FROM? HERE'S WHYIT IS CALLED KOREAN DOUBLE CLEANSING

Japan and Korea are the founding fathers. It is said that Japanese geishas used cleansing oils and then foaming cleansers to remove white makeup.

The technique then became popular with the 10 steps of the Korean skincare routine.

DOUBLE CLEANSING FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES: DOES IT ALWAYS WORK?

One of the questions I am asked most often about double cleansing is the one about skin types: does this technique always help, or are there specific skin types on which it would be better to avoid it? Well, the answer is that double cleansing can be used to thoroughly clean any skin type, naturally taking the necessary precautions from time to time.

DOUBLE CLEANSING FOR DRY AND DELICATE SKIN

Sometimesdouble cleansingis not recommendedfor delicate, sensitive, or dry skin because it is considered too harsh. In reality, with the right care, it can be done without too many problems. The important thing is always to avoid wipes and cotton pads, since they can scratch the skin, limit the double routine to the evening so as not to stress the skin too much, and choose gentle, hydrating products. In this case, the recommendation is amakeup-removing cleansing oilfor the first step of the Korean cleansing routine, followed by a foaming cleanser.

DOUBLE CLEANSING FOR COMBINATION SKIN

And in the case ofcombination skin and Korean cleansing, how should you proceed? Is it a winning pair? The answer is yes in this case too: this facial cleansing method can be used successfully, especially on combination skin. In fact, if carried out with the right products, this cleansing technique can be gentle enough to respect and keep dry areas soft while thoroughly cleansing oily ones at the same time.

DOUBLE CLEANSING FOR OILY SKIN

The case in whichKorean double cleansingnaturally works best is undoubtedly that ofoily skin: the two-step cleansing process can go deeper, cleansing the face thoroughly and freeing it from impurities, sebum, and makeup. Not only that: far from making the skin oilier, the oil-based cleanser binds to sebum by affinity, helping us remove it more easily. However, care must be taken with the foaming cleanser for the second step: if we choose one that is too harsh, our skin may start producing sebum in an attempt to rebuild its protective barrier.

KOREAN DOUBLE CLEANSING: IS IT RECOMMENDED FOR ACNE?

Another case you often ask me about isdouble cleansing and acne: is the Korean technique recommended for blemish-prone and acne-prone skin? Here too the answer is yes, but with the necessary limitations: first of all, if you suffer from severe acne, you should always consult your dermatologist before choosing a routine or a specific product. Every case is different, and what may work for one person may turn out to be disastrous for another. Also, remember that the first step is the most important one: despite concerns about using an oil on already oily skin, it is precisely the oil-based cleanser that makes double cleansing perfect even in cases of acne, because the oil base binds to sebum, helping you remove it more easily.

CAN DOUBLE CLEANSING ALSO BE DONE WITH OTHER PRODUCTS?

At the beginning of the article, we saw together that double cleansing should be done with an oil-based cleanser and a foaming one; but what if we wanted to use other products—would it still work? The answer is no: to be truly effective,double cleansing cannot be done with micellar water, coconut oilor other cosmetic and non-cosmetic products. The products to choose are exactly the ones we recommended, following the correct order of use: first the oil-based product to dissolve makeup, sebum, and impurities, and then the foaming cleanser to deeply cleanse the skin. Using other types of products that have not been specifically formulated for cosmetic use and facial cleansing can undermine the process, ending up irritating the skin without removing impurities.