Everything You Need To Know About Double Cleansing

by Nurain Alicharan

Published Apr 12, 2023

Every solid skincare routine starts with clean skin, so there’s only one skincare step that’s worth doing twice—cleansing. Clean skin doesn’t just get rid of dirt and impurities but also allows the rest of your products to absorb better.

What is double cleansing?

It doesn’t just mean washing your face twice, but rather washing it with two different strategically selected cleansers. The right cleansers will get your face as clean as possible—minus any irritation—and help target specific skincare concerns at the same time.

And before you even ask—yes, double cleansing is recommended even if you aren’t wearing makeup. Double cleansing can help effectively take off sunscreen (which I know you’re wearing every day) along with any oil, sebum, dirt, pollution, and bacteria your skin attracts throughout the day. The buildup can lead to clogged pores, acne, dullness, or visible signs of aging. Do we need any more reason to get our skin as clean as possible?

How to double cleanse

Step 1:

Start with an oil-based cleanser, micellar water, or a cleansing balm to help remove any makeup, sunscreen, sebum, or impurities on the surface of your skin.

For cleansing balms, Beautylish recommends: Good Molecules Instant Cleansing Balm or Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm

If you prefer micellar water, Beautylish recommends: Bioderma Sensibio H2O , Bioderma Sebium H2O, or Bioderma Hydrabio H2O based on your skin type

Step 2:

The second cleanser goes a step further to get rid of any remaining sweat, pollutants, or debris. While any gentle cleanser can do the trick, using a more targeted cleanser can help tackle specific skin concerns. Win-win.

For dull skin, Beautylish recommends: Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser or Holifrog Sunapee Sacred-C Powder Wash

For acne-prone skin, Beautylish recommends: Good Molecules Acne Foaming Cleanser or Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clearing Wash