While it may take a few weeks to notice the benefits of double cleansing, you can expect to see brighter, more glowing skin with fewer breakouts. As with any skin care routine, find what works best for you—and stick with it.
The double cleansing method helps clear off all the impurities from the skin by effectively breaking down any excess oil, makeup, or product build-up. One of the most important double cleansing benefits includes lowering the chances of acne breakouts.
Using an exfoliating face wash like SLMD Salicylic Acid Cleanser twice a day will help remove buildup trapped inside pores. Over the course of a month to six weeks, consistent cleansing with a gentle exfoliant can have an impact on both noninflammatory and inflammatory acne.
To my delight, I noticed that after just a few days of double cleansing, my skin felt softer and smoother than ever before. My pores were less visible and I had a more even complexion. This convinced me to keep up with the routine and now I'm reaping the benefits!
Dr. Lal recommends double cleansing for those who wear a lot of makeup or have very oily skin, in particular. “If you're wearing makeup every day, tinted sunscreen, or you're wearing things that are occlusive, then you should be double cleansing,” he says.
While it may take a few weeks to notice the benefits of double cleansing, you can expect to see brighter, more glowing skin with fewer breakouts. As with any skin care routine, find what works best for you—and stick with it.
Potential Downsides of Double Cleansing
This makes your skin dry, damages your protective barrier to leave you vulnerable to breakouts, and makes you more prone to inflammation and irritation.
Double cleansing is a popular Korean skincare technique that involves using two different cleansers to remove dirt, makeup, and other impurities from your face. By adding a toner to your double cleansing routine, you can take your skincare to the next level and get that enviable glowing and clear skin.
Even if you're the lowest maintenance person out there, you should still moisturize when you're done double cleansing. This holds true no matter what skin type you have—yes, even if you have oily skin! After cleansing, you should always smooth a hydrating moisturizer onto your skin.
Washing your face several times a day can further irritate your skin, leading to more breakouts. What to do instead: Wash your face twice a day — when you wake up and before you go to bed. You'll also want to wash your face when you finish an activity that makes you sweat.
Even with a good skincare routine, breakouts can still happen if the routine isn't matched to your skin's specific needs. Your skin might benefit from tweaking the products you use, possibly changing ingredients or dosages in your acne treatments.
In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.
Should You Double Cleanse Everyday? Badreshia says that those who regularly wear heavy makeup and sunscreen or live in polluted environments are the ones who benefit most from double cleansing everyday. If you're more dry or sensitive, you don't have to double cleanse daily—or even at all if your skin can't take it.
Why is my face still dirty after double cleansing? You must use an appropriate cleanser based on your skin type and concern for double cleansing to work properly. Check your skin type and use a cleanser that deeply removes impurities.
Korean women know that if you want perfectly clean skin, this second step is fundamental. It completes the cleansing process by eliminating any other impurities or oily residue on the skin and helps to prevent the appearance of spots, redness or blackheads.
Can double cleansing cause purging? Yes, for some people double cleansing – usually the first oil cleansing step – can cause some purging. However, this is only temporary and can be reduced by only double cleansing in the evenings, rather than twice daily. Stick to a single cleanse in the mornings.
Some dermatologists recommend double cleansing, while others tread more cautiously due to concerns that people may end up over-cleansing, leaving skin sensitized, stripped and uncomfortably dry. This is why the gentleness of the products you use really matters.
By washing your face twice, you can cause more harm than good. “Overwashing can lead to dryness, irritation and the breakdown of the skin barrier, which subsequently causes issues like breakouts and eczema,” warns Dr. Wu.
When done correctly, the double cleansing method can be a useful tool for many individuals and skin types, especially for those who wear makeup daily or anyone with oily or acne-prone skin.