What Is Double Cleansing and How to Do It

What is double cleansing?

While the idea is to wash your face two times, the key is the kind of cleansers you use. Double cleansing means cleansing your face twice, first with an oil-based product and then followed by a water-based cleanser.

The first step of using an oil-based cleanser is helpful when it comes to removing waterproof makeup and sunscreen. It can also be helpful in patients with oily skin as a first step to remove excess oil or sebum from the skin.

This extra step can help water-based cleansers work and also allow your other skin care products (think serums, moisturizers, sunscreen, night creams) to penetrate your skin better.

So how do you do double cleansing? Here are a step-by-step instruction.

Apply an oil cleanser to the palm of your hand and gently massage the cleanser into skin to help remove makeup, sebum, and sunscreen residue.

Rinse with a towel or your hands with warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot as it can dry out your skin.
Instead of reaching for a towel to dry your face, keep your skin moist. Then apply a water-based formula and gently massage into your skin.

Rinse off the cleanser and pat your skin dry with a soft towel.

However, Dr. Sam Bunting believes that it’s not always necessary to double cleanse on a daily basis. In this video, she will break down the practical issues with the double cleansing method, and how you can effectively wash your face with a simpler cleasing routine.

Disclaimer: The content in this video is provided for medical education purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek private professional help if you suffer from any dermatological condition.