Should you double cleanse when you’re not wearing any makeup?

Let’s talk about a little skincare secret that’s all about simplicity: double cleansing. You might think it’s just for washing off a day’s worth of makeup, but there’s so much more to this one tiny extra step (it takes less than a minute, I promise!).

Even if you embrace a natural look and skip makeup entirely (or enjoy a bare-skin day at home), double cleansing can be a game-changer for your skin. 

Why? Let’s count the ways. From battling daily grime to keeping your skin glowing, we’ll uncover all the reasons double cleansing is the unsung hero of skincare. Ready to get started?

What Is Double Cleansing?

The double cleansing method, deeply rooted in Japan and Korea’s beauty traditions, is a two-step process that ensures your skin is free from dirt and grime.

The journey begins with an oil-based cleanser. Think of this as your trusty sidekick for tackling the tough stuff— sebum, sunscreen, and even the most stubborn makeup. 

Then, we move on to the water-based cleanser. This step targets dirt and sweat that are soluble in water. It’s the finishing touch in the cleansing process, ensuring your skin is thoroughly clean and every last bit of the day washed away.

Why Double Cleanse When You’re Not Wearing Makeup?

Should you double cleanse even on days when you skip makeup? Let’s bust a myth right away: double cleansing isn’t just for those rocking a full face of foundation and mascara.

Here’s the scoop: our skin faces invisible daily challenges, like pollution and oil buildup, that go beyond just makeup. Ready to understand these hidden foes?

Urban Living: Pollution

First up, pollution. Even if you’re makeup-free, your skin goes head-to-head with tiny pollution particles all through the day (and night!).

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these pollution particles are ten times smaller than your pores — which means they can get lodged there and cause all sorts of trouble, like irritation, premature skin aging, and a lackluster complexion.

This is where your oil cleanser becomes a superhero, grabbing onto those pollution particles and whisking them away, something that most water-based cleansers cannot accomplish! 

The Necessary Evil: Sunscreen

Then there’s sunscreen, our daily hero against UV damage. While indispensable during the day, sunscreen formulations are designed to adhere firmly to the skin, resisting water and sweat.

This is great during the day but can clog your pores if not properly removed at night.

Enter the oil cleanser: it dissolves sunscreen’s resilient formula, ensuring your shield by day doesn’t become a pore-blocking nightmare by night.

Balancing Your Skin’s Oil Production

Now, let’s talk about sebum. This natural oil keeps our skin hydrated and protected, but too much of a good thing can lead to clogged pores and acne.

The first step of double cleansing gently removes excess sebum without stripping away moisture, keeping your skin’s oil balance in check. And yes, all skin types need to remove excess sebum — whether normal, oily, dry, combination, or sensitive!

The Invisible Shed: Dead Skin Cells

Lastly, there’s the matter of dead skin cells. According to science, we shed 200,000,000 skin cells every hour (yes, look it up!). This translates to almost five billion skin cells daily, and if they’re not cleared away, they can clog pores and dull your skin.

The second cleanse with a water-based product ensures these cells are gone, letting your skin breathe and rejuvenate. And it helps balance acne-prone skin!

How to Double Cleanse Effectively

Starting your double cleansing routine is like kicking off a skin revolution, promising a journey toward a brighter, clearer, and happier face.

Let’s break down the steps to make double cleansing a breeze and a treat for your skin at the end of the day. 

First Step: Oil-Based Cleanser

Kick things off with an oil-based cleanser that vibes with your skin type. Whether you’re into a luxurious balm or a feather-light oil, this first cleanser is your skin’s new best friend for saying goodbye to excess oil, sunscreen, and daily grime.

Remember that oil-based products should always be applied on a dry face. Warm the cleanser between your palms, apply it to dry skin, and gently massage in circular motions.

Take your time here — think of it as pampering your skin, letting the cleanser do its magic. When you’re done, rinse with warm water or wipe away the day with a soft cloth.

Here are the six best oil-based cleansers (click to buy):

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm: A luxurious choice, transforming from balm to oil to milk to deeply cleanse and soften skin. The balm is enriched with nine essential oils, including lavender and chamomile, Padina Pavonica, and mimosa, for anti-aging benefits. 

Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant & Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil: Infused with moringa and green tea extracts, this oil-based formula is renowned for its efficacy in removing pollutants and clarifying the skin. 

Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil: This gentle mix of calendula, lemon balm, and yarrow rehydrates and addresses common skin concerns, making it ideal for all skin types.

​Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil: Perfect for sensitive, normal, and oily skin types, this gentle yet efficient cleanser uses CO2-extracted Andean Rosehip Oil, rich in Omegas and antioxidants, to brighten and repair skin​. 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil: Effortlessly removes even the most stubborn makeup without leaving any residue, suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin​.

Second Step: Water-Based Cleanser

Next up, bring in the water-based cleanser. This second cleanser is all about getting rid of any oily leftovers and tackling water-based debris like dirt and sweat. Lather it up on your damp skin, covering every inch, and pay extra attention to those nooks and crannies that love to hoard grime.

This is your moment for a thorough yet gentle cleanse. Rinse off with lukewarm water and feel the freshness!

Here are the six best water-based cleansers (click to buy):

DIOR La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Cleanser: This 90% natural cleanser contains water lily extract from Dior’s gardens and operates in two phases to remove impurities and enhance the skin’s barrier function​. The “OFF” phase deeply purifies, removing makeup and impurities, while the “ON” phase focuses on soothing and hydrating, thereby improving the skin’s barrier function. 

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser: This gentle cleanser combines the cleansing power of a water-based cleanser with the nourishment of avocado oil and squalane. It effectively removes dirt and oil without stripping the skin, maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Gentle Facial Cleanser: Features prebiotic thermal water rich in minerals and antioxidants. Its creamy formula is designed for dry or sensitive skin types, removing impurities while helping the skin retain essential moisture.

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser: This moisturizing, non-foaming face wash with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin hydrates and nourishes the skin while removing dirt, oil, and makeup​.

Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser: With sage, chamomile, and green grape extract, this cleanser hydrates while it cleans, working into a luxurious foam that leaves pores clean and less visible​.

Sisley Tropical Resins Gentle Cleansing Gel: A soap-free, non-comedogenic formula that intensely purifies and soothes the skin while maintaining moisture.

Making this two-step cleanse a nightly ritual is key to unlocking your skin’s potential. It’s not just about keeping your skin in top shape; it’s also about dedicating time to caring for yourself.

Stick with it, and you’ll see a transformation in your skin’s health and glow and enjoy the ritual of winding down and treating yourself right.

Have you tried double cleansing? How was your experience? Let’s share!