Double cleansing: what it is, benefits and how to start

Double cleansing is now a well-established practice for skin care as it offers an innovative approach to free the skin from impurities, stubborn makeup, and environmental pollutants. It comes from the now-famous Korean skincare routine that takes place in ten steps and involves two distinct cleansers to ensure a complete cleanse in just two phases.

The skincare practice passed down from the Korean beauty routine is a ritual that goes beyond simple aesthetics and becomes a moment of authenticity and personal care. In this context, double cleansing has established itself as an essential practice, providing the skin with a thorough cleansing that translates into a better response of the skin to the active ingredients applied afterwards. 

Double cleansing is a beauty ritual but also a practice with functional action that brings multiple benefits to the skin, so let's discover what it consists of, how it is carried out, and which products to choose for your skin type.

What is double cleansing?

Once upon a time, we all believed that washing our face with water and soap was all the cleansing our skin needed before going to sleep. Then came double cleansing, and our nighttime routines were never the same.

What we have discovered is that removing makeup from the face with wipes or washing the face with water and soap is neither sufficient nor effective for removing dirt, impurities, and makeup from the skin and for preparing it to absorb the active ingredients of serums, creams, or face masks. 

In practice, double cleansing is a method to clean the face in two stages, the first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based cleanser, very simply. Double cleansing is perfect for removing the most stubborn impurities that clog the pores and cause acne and that often remain on the skin even after washing the face just once. 

The advantage of double cleansing is that the first cleanser dissolves makeup, removes dirt and excess sebum from the day, thus cleansing the skin. The second cleanser instead targets the specific skin type or issue and should contain ingredients to hydrate, smooth, or exfoliate and treat acne, redness, or specific skin type concerns. Performing both steps will ensure that any treatment and hydration is not done in vain.

Within the double cleansing routine, there are fundamental steps to follow, the first of which is the choice of ingredients, which becomes crucial. From the cleansing oil that dissolves stubborn makeup to a water-based cleanser that provides deep cleaning, each product plays a specific role in ensuring flawless skin.

The good oneseffects of double cleansing 

Double cleansing can be a two-step technique that adds just a few minutes to your usual routine, but like most things in skincare, it is not suitable for everyone. 

"Considering every skin type and taking into account specific issues, choosing the right double cleansing duo is essential to ensure you get the most benefit from this routine."

By choosing the best products for double cleansing based on skin type, it is possible to avoid excessively drying the skin. If the natural oils present on the skin are removed too much, the body may respond by producing more oil, which can lead to breakouts and irritations. In fact, double cleansing is often recommended in the evening to avoid excessively disrupting the natural balance of oils and bacteria present on the skin. 

Performing a double cleansing with specific products can bring significant benefits to the skin: 

1 - Illuminates the complexion and makes it more vibrant. Double cleansing not only removes makeup but also allows the skin to regain its vitality as it stimulates cell turnover and skin regeneration. 

2 - Effectively removes surface and deep dirt by eliminating excess sebum and all residues that a single cleaning might overlook. Moreover, double cleansing is particularly suitable for those who wear heavy makeup. 

3 - Helps prevent the onset of acne and skin breakouts: consecutive cleansing helps keep acne under control. By removing dead cells, excess sebum, and dirt. Double cleansing reduces the chances of skin breakouts, providing a defense against impurities.

How to do a double cleansing 

Regardless of skin type, the fundamental steps of double cleansing are the same: 

• Apply a cleansing oil, a balm, or micellar water to dry skin. 
• Use your fingers, a cotton pad, or a soft cloth to massage the first cleanser onto the skin, helping to dissolve makeup, sebum, and sunscreen residue with the warmth of your hands. 
• Wet the face with lukewarm water. 
• Apply the second cleanser also on damp skin, whether it is in gel or foam. 
• Rinse the face well and dry by patting with a clean cloth or one selected only for the face. 

The double cleansing process can vary slightly depending on the needs of the skin. It is often advisable to consult a dermatologist or an expert if you suffer from specific issues, as the methods should never be considered as a one-size-fits-all standard. Each of us has our own needs, and it is better not to stick to only the practices found online. 

We at LeLang offer a free consultation with a skin expert that will allow you to gain a deep understanding of your skin's needs and how to best meet them.

Double cleansing for oily skin

Massaging oil onto your face when you already have shiny skin seems like a recipe for disaster, but that's not the case. In fact, consider that cleansers with an oily texture remove dirt by affinity: oil attracts oil, so to speak, so this will help remove makeup, sweat, and any other oil that has accumulated on the skin throughout the day.

Alternatively, you can use micellar water made up of tiny oil molecules called micelles that can effectively remove dirt that clogs pores and excess oil present on the skin. 

Complete the cleansing of your acne-prone, combination, or oily skin with the use of a water-based product like Cleansing Active Mousse. Its purifying and anti-imperfection action helps to reduce enlarged pores, purifies the skin, and evens out the complexion, illuminating the skin.

Double cleansing for sensitive or acne-prone skin

If you have sensitive skin, you already know the importance of maintaining a simple and uncomplicated skincare routine. At first glance, double cleansing may seem counterproductive and may only increase the chances of irritation. Not to mention that some oils can be comedogenic and worsen acne-prone skin.

But as we all know, cleansing is the cornerstone of healthy skin, so for sensitive skin types, use a gentle cleansing oil when removing makeup. To prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated and to soothe irritation, opt for antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients like vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Burdock and Tea Tree Oil.

Cleansing Gentle Oil is the ideal cleansing oil for oily, combination, acne-prone skin, but also for dehydrated, sensitive, and reddened skin. It contains a mix of Hazelnut Oil rich in essential fatty acids, Almond Oil with vitamin E, antioxidant Carrot Oil, and Grape Seed Oil that protects against oxidative stress. 

Cleansing Gentle Oil is the ideal first step for the double cleansing of oily or sensitive skin, capable of preventing skin inflammation, balancing the skin's moisture, and regulating sebum production. 

Double cleansing for combination and normal skin

Combination skin can be difficult to manage: part of the face appears shiny and oily, while the rest is dry and flaky. For this reason, it is important to find products that can restore balance and improve texture and complexion. The best solution is nutrient-rich oil-based cleansers with ceramides, as they can help plump and hydrate the skin. The same applies if you have normal skin.

A detergent like Cleansing Detox Mousse is ideal for treating normal and combination skin because it does not dry out the skin and helps to remove makeup and impurities. 

Cleansing of mature skin

A more mature skin needs not only to remove excess oil and dirt through double cleansing, but also to restore the skin's basic functions and to improve dryness, dullness, and loss of firmness, common issues of aging skin.

From time to time, it is possible to use a gentle exfoliating product that stimulates cell turnover and skin regeneration. Mandelic Enzimatic Soft Peel is enriched with ingredients that can functionally act on the skin, such as Mandelic Acid, which exfoliates the skin without irritating it. It improves dull complexion, reduces spots, and smooths thickened skin caused by inflammation.