Cleansing. It’s one of the first skincare pillars we are taught. It’s our first step, an introduction, the opening of our ritual. But are we really doing it right?
If you are wearing makeup, heavy duty SPF (an essential) and multiple skincare products, there is a chance that your regular cleanser will just remove the aforementioned, leaving behind the oil, grime and bacteria that can sit within the pores. Double cleansing (which means, put simply, cleansing your skin twice in a row) allows you to sweep the skin of topical oils before deeply cleansing the pores. This in mind I personally choose to double cleanse exclusively in the evenings (preferring a regular cleanse in the morning) however, as with everything in skincare, personal preference is paramount.
Where some will insist that a first cleanse should be executed using either an oil or balm solution and followed by a lighter, water-based formula (ie. a foam, gel or cleansing milk), I am of the belief that a double cleanse can take shape using whatever texture you see fit. I, currently, am beginning my cleansing routine with an oil and finishing with a balm. As long as you are dedicating time to thoroughly clean your skin, your cleansing routine will be effective.
how to cleanse with an oil-based cleanser
Consider an oil or balm cleanser your heavy duty makeup remover. Where I find water-based cleansers simply move makeup around my face and leave the heavy lifting to my face cloth, oil and balm cleansers almost “melt” my makeup off. This means I don’t have to be as rough when I wipe the formula off, meaning I’m not left tugging at my skin and potentially causing long term damage.
To use an oil or balm cleanser, begin with dry skin. If you’re using a balm, melt the product by rubbing it between your fingertips until its consistency is akin to an oil. Massage the oil into your face until your makeup appears to melt. Take a warm cloth (many use muslin, I prefer to use a Bisous Cleansing Cloth and have done so for three years) and gently wipe your face until you have removed any cleanser or makeup residue.
For those with naturally oily skin, the idea of using an oil-based cleanser may feel counterproductive. Quite the contrary- oil loves oil, so an oil cleanser can work to sweep the skin of the excess sebum the skin may have naturally produced throughout the day or overnight.
Glow Journal Loves:
Go-To Skincare Fancy Face Nourishing Oil Cleanser
La Mer The Cleansing Oil
Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil
Eve Lom Cleansing Balm
Cosmetics 27 Cleanser 27 Cleansing Balm
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
how to DOUBLE CLEANSE
Even if your skin looks and feels clean after your first cleanse, there may still be oil, grime and bacteria hidden within your pores. This is where a second cleanse can help.
A second cleanse can follow the same steps as your first cleanse, or you can use a different formula- water-based cleansers like foams, milks and gels are often favoured here (although I personally find foaming cleansers aren’t compatible with my skin). For a really deep second cleanse, I use this step to add in a cleansing device, like the Foreo Luna, to ensure I’m removing as much grime from my pores as possible.
Glow Journal Loves:
LA ROCHE-POSAY TOLERIANE DERMO-CLEANSER
OBAGI NU-DERM GENTLE CLEANSER
OMOROVICZA CASHMERE CLEANSER
Photography: Melissa Cowan
Hair & Makeup: Sophia Pafitis
Model: Kate Mogg at Precision MGMT
Styling & Art Direction: Gemma Watts
Loved reading this article Gemma, just wondering with the Foreo Luna do you use this every morning and night? Only at nights? Or periodically throughout the week? Thanks xxxx
And p.s. loving the new website look.
Thank you lovely!
I use it twice a day now. I used to only use it in the evenings, then the amazing Jade Kisnorbo told me that using it before makeup would completely transform my foundation application- and she was absolutely right!