Let’s start with a truth bomb: most people are under-cleansing.
We’re layering SPF, makeup, city air, sweat, and sebum onto our skin all day — then rinsing it off with a quick once-over and wondering why our serums aren’t sinking in, or why our skin feels dull, dry, or constantly breaking out.
There’s a better way. And it starts with one of the most underrated rituals in skincare: the double cleanse.
💧 What Is Double Cleansing, Anyway?
Double cleansing is a two-step face-washing method designed to treat skin more thoroughly — and more mindfully:
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First cleanse breaks down SPF, makeup, excess sebum, and pollution. Think of it as your skins reset button after the day.
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Second cleanse goes deeper — but it’s not just about getting squeaky clean. This step is where you can get intentional with your ingredients: opt for something hydrating, balancing, or gently exfoliating, depending on your skins needs.
✨ Think lactic acid for dry skin or salicylic for congestion
Imagine washing your hair: you wouldn’t shampoo over a head full of dry shampoo and styling products and call it clean. Skin works the same way — it needs the grime lifted before you can actually treat it.
🌿 Why Double Cleansing Matters
We like to think of double cleansing as a ritual of release and renewal. One step to let go of the day; another to nourish what’s underneath. But there’s also science behind the softness:
✅ It Lifts the Layers
Makeup, SPF, sweat, oil, and microscopic pollutants create a film over your skin. If you don’t break through that first, your second cleanse (and your serums) won’t reach the skin properly.
✅ It Improves Product Absorption
You’re not buying beautiful serums and oils just to have them sit on a film of residue. Clean skin absorbs active ingredients more effectively — meaning your skincare actually works.
✅ It Reduces Breakouts & Texture
Congested skin often stems from leftover sunscreen, dirt, or oil trapped in pores. A proper double cleanse helps keep those pores clear — without stripping your barrier.
✅ It Protects the Skin Barrier
When done right (read: gentle formulas, no harsh foaming agents), double cleansing supports your skins natural lipid layer — keeping it strong, calm, and balanced.
🧴 How to Double Cleanse (Without Overdoing It)
Here’s how to transform your cleanse into a nightly ritual that’s both effective and intentional:
Step 1: Begin with a Cream or Gentle Gel Cleanser
Start by cleansing away surface-level impurities like sweat, environmental dust, and general daily buildup. This prepares your skin for the deeper, more targeted cleanse to follow. Massage into damp skin, then rinse.
Step 2: Follow with a Targeted Treatment Cleanser
Now that the surface is clean, go in with a second cleanser that delivers specific benefits.
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Lactic acid for hydration and mild exfoliation
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Salicylic acid for decongesting pores
Apply to damp skin, massage gently, and rinse thoroughly — this is the step where your skin gets exactly what it needs.
✨ Pro tip: Avoid harsh foams. Look for low-foaming, pH-balanced cleansers that cleanse deeply without compromising your skin barrier or microbiome.
✨ Who Is It For?
Double cleansing isn’t just for the makeup-wearers or skincare obsessives. It’s for:
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Anyone wearing SPF (aka everyone)
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Urban dwellers exposed to pollution
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Breakout-prone skin that needs a clear start
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Dry or sensitive skin craving a gentle reset
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Those investing in serums, oils, and actives — and want them to actually work
🕯 A Final Word: Ritual, Not Just Routine
Skincare is more than surface-deep. Your cleanse should feel like a return — to softness, to presence, to skin that feels seen.
So next time you reach for your cleanser, pause. Ask what your skin is asking for. Then honour it — twice.
Because sometimes the simplest rituals are the most powerful.