How to build a double cleansing skin care routine

Do you actually need two cleansers?

Consider double cleansing when you wear makeup, especially waterproof makeup, or waterproof sunscreen. The oil cleanser helps break down those products before the second wash. A single thorough cleanse is enough for most people, even if it gives the bathroom shelf less to do. If you do not wear makeup or need help removing waterproof products, there is little reason to add another wash.1

How to double cleanse

1. 1Apply the oil based cleanser. Gently massage it over your face to loosen makeup, excess oil and sunscreen residue.
2. 2Rinse with lukewarm water. Leave your face damp rather than drying it between cleansers.
3. 3Apply a mild water based cleanser. Use your fingertips to massage it gently in circular motions, without scrubbing.
4. 4Rinse the second cleanser off completely. Gently pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel.

Keep the washing gentle from start to finish. Hot water can dry your skin, and scrubbing can irritate it rather than improve the cleanse. The second wash is not a reason to press harder or keep going over the same area. Thorough rinsing and a gentle pat dry are part of the process, not optional finishing touches.12

Which cleansers should you choose?

Choose gentle, unscented cleansers rather than harsh or excessively drying formulas. For dry or sensitive skin, a cream cleanser is less drying than a foaming cleanser. For combination skin, a water based foaming cleanser is an option. An oil cleanser can cause breakouts on acne prone skin, especially when used alone.1

Cleansers contain surfactants, ingredients that loosen oil and dirt so water can rinse them away. Each surfactant has a part that attaches to oil and a part that works with water. That is why plain water is not always enough to remove residue that sticks to skin. Lather, texture and how easily a cleanser rinses off depend partly on its surfactants.3

If you already use acne products that stay on your skin, be careful about adding an acne treatment cleanser. Too much treatment can cause excessive dryness and irritation. For acne prone skin, look for products labelled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Cleansers can still irritate or cause breakouts, so the label does not replace paying attention to how your skin responds.34

When and how often should you double cleanse?

Use the extra removal step in the evening when you have makeup to take off. Washing twice a day means a morning wash and an evening wash, not two cleansers at every wash. Most people should wash morning and night; oily or acne prone skin particularly benefits from that schedule. Wash after heavy sweating too.25

For dry or sensitive skin, a morning rinse with water and a cleanser only at night can be a better fit. If you only wash once a day, make it the evening wash. Washing in the shower counts as face washing, despite the absence of a dedicated sink ceremony. You do not need another wash at the sink afterward.5

How long should each cleanse take?

There is no standard washing time that suits every cleanser and skin type. A full minute is not a universal requirement. Cleansers with acne treatment ingredients can need a different contact time from plain cleansers, so follow the product's directions rather than stretching every wash to match a social media rule. Washing longer also removes more of your skin's natural oils and can leave it drier.5

What goes on after cleansing?

Cleansing comes before products that address your main skin concern. If you use vitamin C, apply it after the morning wash and before sunscreen. Moisturizer can help when skin needs extra moisture, including during dry winter weather. Before going outdoors, apply sunscreen last in your skin care routine and before makeup. Choose broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher with water resistance, and apply it 15 minutes before going outside.4

Can you use micellar water instead?

Micellar water followed by a gentle cleanser is another way to remove makeup without starting with an oil cleanser. Face wipes are useful in a pinch when you cannot reach a sink, but they should not be your regular replacement for washing. Their preservatives and the rubbing needed to remove makeup can be harsh on skin.5

When should you stop or change the routine?

Stop using a product that irritates your skin. Repeated cleansing can remove the surface oils that limit water loss, leaving skin dry, red or chafed. Stinging during or just after cleansing is especially common with sensitive skin. More cleansing is not the answer to those symptoms.34

See a dermatologist if a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea affects your quality of life. A routine can be tailored to your skin and adjusted when products become irritating. Avoid adding exfoliating products to compensate for a cleanse that feels inadequate: overusing exfoliators can damage the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps keep skin healthy.4