Double Cleansing is one of those skincare tips that I give to people all the time. It is probably one of the most effective things you can do when trying to improve your skin. Our skin puts up with a lot. Changes in temperature, pollutants and air borne bacteria all contribute to those skincare problems we desperately seek solutions to. We spend a fortune on facials, serums and magic potion creams but unless you are applying them to clean skin, you are throwing your money away.
Double Cleansing is essentially exactly what it suggests. Cleansing your skin twice! First you use an oil based cleanser to break down dirt and makeup then you use a deeper water based cleanser to deep clean your skin. Anything you apply after this has a better chance at performing the way you want it to. The first step helps remove sebum, bacteria and old skin cells. The second cleanse will reach your pores to remove impurities. Your pores will be cleaner and therefor appear smaller, breakouts will improve and your skin will appear brighter, smoother and glowing.
So read on to see what products I recommend for a great double cleanse and do me one favour. Throw all baby wipes, face wipes etc in the bin where they belong! Why? They dehydrate your skin and are not effective at removing dirt. If you are familiar with skin queen Jennifer Rock (and you should be), she agrees. She tells us that wipes just move that dirt around your face without removing anything at all. So step number one to healthy skin is bin the wipes. Now lets get to the good stuff.
My first Double Cleansing Holy Grail
Has to go to the Cleanse Off Mitt. Developed by The Skin Nerd in an effort to encourage people to bin the wipes, this little mitt is fantastic. You can begin your double cleansing by just using it wet to begin to remove your makeup, to give skin a quick freshen up in the mornings or to remove the cleansers you apply. I use it for every aspect of my skin care and have several in rotation. It costs 5 euro HERE and if you want an inexpensive start in a better skincare routine, pick this up!!!
Double Cleansing – Oil Based Cleansers
I have five oil based products that I have tried and tested over the past six months. From cleansing oils to cleansing balms each of these will help to break down a face that’s seen a day of makeup, pollutants and bacteria.
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- Trilogy
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- Clarins
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- Shiseido
Trilogy Rosehip Cleansing Oil is my holy grail, can’t live without cleansing oil. It contains rosehip, sweet almond and grapeseed oils to cleanse and soothe your skin. I love it because the oil immediately breaks down my makeup without irritating my skin. Once wet, it emulsifies to a cleansing milk allowing me to rinse easily. Best thing is its under 20 euro, a little goes a long way and you can purchase HERE.
Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel comes in at a very close second. This is a beautiful product. Although it says it is a gel, it is in fact an oil that is a real pleasure to use. I apply it dry, then wet to emulsify and all of my makeup is rinsed away. It seems more expensive than it is but at 23 euro I think it is great value for money. You can purchase HERE.
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil is pricey at 50 euro but is another excellent oil cleanser. I love Shiseido as a skincare brand (as you will see through out the week), originating in Japan you know that the technology behind it is spot on. This doesn’t emulsify as well as the Trilogy Oil but it is gentle, effective at removing mascara without irritating eyes and has a subtle fragrance. If you want to add a touch of luxury to your double cleanse, then you can treat yourself HERE.
If you would rather a balm for your double cleansing routine then I can recommend:
Alpha-H Essential Cleansing Balm has a rose infused formula with essential fatty acids, geranium and sea buckthorn to replenish and nourish dry skin. This smells incredible, almost spa like. When my skin is extra dry and I am in need of something a little extra then this is the one I reach for. It has a pump top that dispenses just the right amount of product. This is also sanitary as you don’t have to scoop the product out with your fingers. It is under 30 euro (sign up for an account and get 15% off) HERE.
Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm is an oldie but goodie. Full of anti ageing ingredients like elderberry and starflower oils, it is a beautiful product for removing makeup. I have a travel sized tub that I keep in my travel bag and intend to purchase a full sized tub (once I have worked my way through all of my other cleansers). You can purchase HERE.
Cleansers For That Second Cleanse
Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is a cleanser packed full of ingredients that will leave your skin glowing. Vitamins, Pumpkin Enzyme, Starflower Oil, Magnesium and MSM will all help to improve sun damage, brighten and revitalize your skin. The formula helps to remove dead skin cells, clean pores, gently resurface, soothe and reduce inflammation. I had asked Instagram what they thought of this product before I purchased and everyone who tried it said it was well worth the hype. I have to agree. I alternate this with my Shiseido Cleanser and I love it. You can purchase HERE.
L’Occcitane Aqua Reotier Water Gel Cleanser was a god send for me during the summer months. When my skin felt hot and sticky this gel cleanser was cooling and soothing. It is the perfect cleanser for waking your skin up in the mornings. Described by the brand as ‘like splashing cold water on your face’, I found it so refreshing, it lathered gently and my skin feels soft afterwards. Best thing is it is under 20 euro and you can buy it HERE.
Oily Skin and double cleansing is just as important.
Shiseido Deep Cleansing Foam has you oily skinned gals covered! This foaming cleanser was formulated for oily/blemish prone skin to help lift dirt and impurities while softening and strengthening the skin. It contains sebum absorbing powder to lift oxidized sebum to help clear the skin, rice germ oil to soften and peony root for healthy looking skin. I have dry skin but use this twice a week for a deep cleanse before a mask. It is one of the newest cleansers for the brand so keep an eye on your local Shiseido stockists to buy.
Shiseido also has a beautiful cleanser for us dry skinned girls…
Shiseido Extra Rich Cleansing Milk contains Japan’s Kirishima mineral spring water, rice germ oil and Japanese Yuzu extract to remove pollutants and create a protective veil over the skin that helps prevent ageing. I’m sold. This formula is soap free and my dry skin loves how it gently lathers. I used it for a month for the purpose of this blog post and I do recommend it. Again, it is a newer release for the brand but I found a link for it HERE.
Image Vital C Hydrating Cleanser was one of the most popular Image skincare products you guys recommended to me when I asked on Instagram Stories what you use to double cleanse. I have used this for a year and it is a beautifully hydrating cleanser that leaves your skin glowing. You can only buy in salon so look for your nearest stockist to buy.
Yonka Lait Nettoyant is a beautiful cleansing and softening milk. Yonka is one of my favourite skincare brands and their products are just beautiful. This is soothing, gentle on the eyes and can be wiped off with cotton pads or washed off with a face cloth. There is a Yonka dedicated blog post coming this week so I’ll go into more detail then!! Meanwhile you can purchase HERE for 30 euro.
What Cleansers did my followers recommend for Double Cleansing?
I asked on Instagram and here is what you guys said:
- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil Cleanser (I have not tried this but 22 of you recommended this as your favourite cleansing oil. Buy HERE.)
- Enviorn Sebuwash – Elaine said this clears her breakouts right up
- Kinvara Oil Cleanser
- Image Ageless Cleanser (oily skinned follower)
- No7 Cleansing Balm
- Trilogy Cleansing Oil (a popular one! Not just me)
- Clinique Take The Day Off Balm
- Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm (I’ve been through a full tube of this last year and it is a beautiful product)
- Image Ormedic Cleanser
- Bare Minerals Total Cleansing Oil (another popular product from you guys HERE.)
- Dermalogica Ultra Calming Cleanser
- Declare Cleansing Milk
- Skinician Gel Wash Cleanser
- Youghurt of Bulgaria Probiotic Cleanser
- Aldi Hot Cloth Cleanser
- Nimue Cleansing Gel (I have used 2 bottles of this over the years and it is a gorgeous cleanser)
- Pixi Caroline Hiron Double Cleansing
- La Roche Posse Gel Foam Cleanser (came up a lot from oily skinned girls)
- Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser
- Aldi Lacura Facial Wash
- Pestle and Mortar Erase Balm (oily skinned follower)
- Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Balm
Finally if you must use a Micellar Water, Make it one of these….
Yonka Eau Micellaire is gentle and does not feel like it is stripping my skin. I am on my second bottle. It costs 30 euro HERE.
Bioderma Sensibo H2O is a cult classic at this point. I have lost count of how many bottle of this I have gone through. Great for a quick refresh in the mornings, doesn’t sting the eyes and if I remember correctly is Jennifer Rock approved. Big 500ml bottle will last you forever and you can purchase HERE.
SVR Sebia Clear Eau Micellaire is a good option for you if you have oily or blemish prone skin. 400ml bottle is 18 euro HERE.
So my lovelies, here we have it. My thoughts on Double Cleansing, the products I recommend and all of the products you guys have recommended too! Keep interacting with my Instagram posts this week and I will have 5 winners of skincare goody bags next week! Stay tuned for tomorrows blog post on Image Skincare Products and all about Acid Exfoliation.
Louise x