Cleansing oil or cleansing balm for double cleansing?

Is cleansing oil or cleansing balm better for double cleansing?

Both are options for removing makeup before your regular cleanser. An oil based first cleanse is particularly useful for waterproof makeup and sunscreen, and can help remove excess skin oil. Both belong in the makeup removal slot, so the word "balm" does not come with a promotion.23

For normal skin, either is a reasonable first step. With oily skin, an oil based cleanser can help remove excess sebum, the oil your skin produces. Acne prone skin needs more caution: an oil based cleanser can cause breakouts, especially when used alone. Neither category name is a promise of clear skin. Price is not a useful shortcut either: expensive cleansers can contain ingredients similar to cheaper ones.124

Which is easier to rinse off, cleansing oil or balm?

There is no category wide winner to choose here. How easily a cleanser rinses depends on its formula, including its surfactants, the cleansing ingredients that loosen oil and dirt and help water wash them away. Judge the individual cleanser rather than assuming every oil rinses more cleanly than every balm. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water; hot water can dry your skin. If you have rosacea, leftover cleanser can irritate your skin, so thorough but gentle rinsing matters.245

Do I need a second cleanser after cleansing balm?

Yes, if you are double cleansing: the balm is the first step, followed by a water based cleanser. That second cleanser removes remaining oil and water soluble impurities such as sweat and dirt. But you do not need to double cleanse just because the routine exists. For most people, one thorough wash with a gentle cleanser is enough. Waterproof makeup or sunscreen is a stronger reason to add the first step than the wish to make your routine longer.2

How to double cleanse at night

1. 1Gently work your first cleanser over your face with your fingertips to loosen makeup, sunscreen and excess oil. Avoid scrubbing or cleansing tools.
2. 2Rinse the first cleanser off with lukewarm water.
3. 3Keep your face damp and gently apply your water based cleanser.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.
5. 5Apply moisturizer after cleansing to help keep your skin hydrated.

Keep the extra cleansing step for evenings when you need makeup or sunscreen removal. Two washes in one evening are not the same as washing morning and night, despite the skincare industry's enthusiasm for making counting complicated. There is no standard washing time that everyone needs to meet. For dry or sensitive skin, washing with water in the morning and using cleanser at night is an option.13

When should you skip the extra wash?

Dry, sensitive skin, including skin prone to eczema or rosacea, can find double cleansing too stripping. Start slowly rather than adding two washes automatically. If cleansing leaves your skin dry or irritated, switch to a gentler cleanser and reconsider the extra wash. A gentle cream cleanser is less drying than a foaming cleanser. If you already use acne treatments that stay on your skin, adding an acne treatment cleanser can increase dryness and irritation. Persistent breakouts deserve a dermatologist's help, not more scrubbing.12346