Have you heard about double cleansing? Double cleansing is a term where two different cleansers are used in the same skincare routine. There are so many myths associated with double cleansing, and today at Spheremedium we will share five double cleansing myths that you do not have to believe. Double cleansing has been gaining popularity over the past couple of years. And the reason why it’s getting more and more popular is that people are starting to realize that using a single cleanser sometimes is insufficient to remove most of the sebum, the gunk, and makeup (especially water-resistant ones) from skin.
As we know, cleansing is actually one of the three basic skincare steps, and the other two are hydration and protection from UV radiation. However, one of the things that most people fail to understand is that double cleansing has its benefits as well, so let’s debunk some double-cleansing myths that you do not have to believe.
Double cleansing myths
Oily Skin Shouldn’t Double Cleanse
It’s a very common misconception that people suffering from oily skin should not double cleanse because their skin is already producing excessive sebum or oil. Sebum is definitely good for skin, as it protects, hydrates, and nourishes skin at the same time. However, too much sebum tends to clog skin, leading to whiteheads, blackheads, and, in a lot of cases, nasty acne. Double cleansing is actually a great way to remove the excessive oil on skin. So it’s very important to choose the right cleanser for your skin.
Ideally, choose two different cleansers that are gentle and would help in removing the excessive sebum and clogged pores without injuring skin.
Oily skin should use harsh cleansers
As mentioned before, one of the issues with oily skin is having sebum clogged inside the pores, often called keratin buildup. Now keratin is actually the layer on top of the epidermis, which protects skin against sun rays, pollution, and dust. But in people with oily skin, the keratin tends to build up quite a lot, and that itself could also block pores. So in the past, strong, harsh Cleansers were introduced containing SLS, SLES and high concentrations of salicylic acid to thin out the keratin layer.
However, one of the issues with thinning out too many keratin layers and stripping too much of a sebum is that one is left with dehydrated, dry skin. And a dehydrated skin isn’t good because it actually signals to the skin that there’s insufficient sebum. Then skin thinks there’s insufficient hydration and insufficient sebum so it signals sebaceous gland to produce even more sebum, leading to skin becoming even oilier. Now in this case, double cleansing would be good because not only does it remove the sebum, but at the same time it will help hydrate skin.
Hence, for oily skin, the first cleanser should contain mild concentrations of salicylic acid or even micellar water to strip away the sebum without injuring skin. The second cleanser is mainly for removing traces of the first cleanser along with hydration because hydrated skin produces less sebum over time.
Double cleansing over strips your skin
One of the fears of using too many cleansers is that it actually removes too much sebum from skin. If right cleanser is selected, it not only removes the sebum but at the same time hydrates skin properly.
Double cleansing is not only for people with oily skin, but you could also double cleanse if you’re suffering from sensitive or even dry skin. So, how do you choose the cleansers for sensitive skin or dry skin? The first cleanser that you should use if you have sensitive or dry skin is an oil-based cleanser.
It will help maintain skin’s integrity without removing too much sebum from skin. The second cleanser should be a hydrating cleanser. It will return the hydration to skin, making sure that your skin is not overly dry.
Double cleansing is for Makeup Only
It’s a myth that double cleansing should only be reserved if one is wearing thick makeup. This is because the majority of the cleansers on the market are really harsh and over strips skin from its necessary hydration. However, these days, with the advancement of cleansing technology, lesser and lesser harsh ingredients like SLS or SLES are used in cleanser, and more and more hydrating ingredients are used.
Now here’s why you should double cleanse even if you’re not wearing thick makeup. First of all, over the course of the entire day, there is dirt and excessive sebum being built up on your skin and inside the pores. And of course, on top of that, we do wear sunscreen on a daily basis. There are definite remnants of SPF and physical sunscreen that sit on skin, and some of them even get into pores. So the act of double cleansing not only helps remove excess sebum and dead skin cells, it also makes sure it removes all SPF as well.
Over clean Skin
Another myth is that double cleansing will over clean skin. There is a possibility to over clean skin if harsh cleansers are used. Hence, this is why it is important to pair two different cleaners with two different properties. The first cleanser should be mild but able to reduce and remove sebum, whereas the second cleanser should be able to hydrate and repair skin.
Now these days, oil-based cleansers are pretty advanced, and not only do they help reduce the amount of sebum and clean skin, but they also preserve the integrity of skin. And more often than not, hydrating cleansers these days contain soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica or niacinamide, and they also contain ceramide to help repair skin to deal with damaged skin barrier.
Note: people suffering from inflamed skin conditions like eczema or rosacea should consult with a dermatologist first before incorporating double cleansing into their routine.
So do not be afraid of double-cleansing your skin. Remember to choose the right cleanser for your skin because no two people’s skin is alike. Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay informed.
FAQs
It involves two steps. The first oil-based cleanser is used to remove any visible dirt, makeup, or sunscreen. The second step involves using a normal water-based cleanser as per your skin type.
People suffering from inflamed skin conditions like eczema or rosacea should consult with a dermatologist first before incorporating double cleansing into their routine.
People having oily skin or regular makeup users, especially if they use water-resistant products (including sunscreens), are the best candidates for double cleansing.
Around a week
Your skin will reap the most benefits from the double-cleansing technique in the evening, because that’s when there’s accumulated grime from the day.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
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