Should a “double cleanse” be the newest addition to your Beauty ritual?

It’s the holy grail of Beauty: fresh, clean skin that feels as light and airy as the breeze on a Moroccan mountaintop. Yet all too often, life gets in the way and your skin bears the marks, from pollutants and grime to leftover make-up.

With the bitter cold days of winter among us, while we might be looking forward to cozy days inside and gentle snowfalls, we’re not so excited about the harsh winds, dry air, and the parched skin that comes along with them. Cleansers can often be daunting to use when our skin is at its driest, but a double cleanse might be a way to keep your skin fresh and nourished at the same time.

So here’s our take on the fresh beauty concept of the “double cleanse”: what it is, the benefits, and how to know if it’s right for you.

What is “double cleansing”?

The name might sound intimidating, but essentially “double cleansing” just means washing your face twice – first with an oil-based cleanser, then with another water-based cleanser. 

Once you’ve carved out some time to indulge in your Beauty ritual – after all, we always say the most effective skincare is the one that you do every day – use an oil-based cleanser to completely remove any make-up.

Then move onto your water-based cleanser. Massage it into your skin for around one to two minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and complete the rest of your skincare regimen, whether that’s a serum, moisturizer, oil or (as we’d recommend) all three.

The idea is to attack the different types of dirt, pollutants and irritants that can affect your skin – from make-up to subway grime – with the best tools to shift them. The oil-based cleanser breaks down oily residue from sebum, cosmetics and sunscreen, while nurturing the skin with nourishing oils, before the water-based cleanser rushes in to unclog your pores of any remaining dirt.

What are the benefits?

Even if you don’t know anything else, you’re probably aware that cleansing is one of the most fundamental parts of your Beauty routine and is something you should ideally be doing both morning and night – although you should only ever double cleanse in the evening to avoid drying out your skin.

Over the course of the day your skin is likely to encounter sunscreen, cosmetics, airborne bacteria, pollution and more, which if left untreated can lead to acne, enlarged pores, pigmentation, aging and dullness. The double cleanse’s double-pronged attack helps you to shift as much of this dirt as possible, paving the way to the healthy, glowing skin of your dreams.

Properly removing any leftover products from your face also helps your skin to regenerate and allows leave-on products like your moisturizer or serum to work effectively overnight so you can best experience the benefits, whether they be anti-aging or hydrating.

Is it right for me?

If you wear a lot of make-up or live in a city, double cleansing makes a lot of sense. It’ll help you to really slough away those built-up layers of dirt and get every scrap of slap off your skin. However, if this isn’t you, you might be doing yourself a disservice – excessive cleansing can dry out or even strip your skin of its natural barriers.

As ever, it all comes down to lifestyle and personal choice. And whether you opt to double cleanse or not, remember to choose a gentle, milky water-based cleanser to maintain the pH balance of your skin and keep it clean, hydrated and fresh.

Looking for a powerful yet gentle cleanser to lift your complexion? Enter Oasis Fresh, our Dissolving Jelly Cleanser inspired by the cool waters of the desert oasis.

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