How to double cleanse with G2G

Do you need two cleansers?

Double cleansing uses an oil based cleanser followed by another cleanser. A balm and facial wash can be paired to remove makeup, sunscreen, dirt and oil, but those are also things ordinary cleansing is meant to remove. Wearing sunscreen does not automatically mean you need two products to wash your face.134

Start with one gentle cleanser rather than adding a second by default. If you choose a balm and wash for makeup removal, judge the routine by whether it cleans comfortably, not by how many steps you complete. Two cleansing steps are an option for removing makeup, not a loyalty programme for buying two bottles.2

How to use a G2G balm or oil with a facial wash

1. 1Clean your hands before starting. Apply the balm or oil as its label directs, including whether your hands and face should be dry.
2. 2Massage gently with your fingertips. Focus on removing makeup without scrubbing or using a cleansing brush.
3. 3Rinse the first cleanser away thoroughly, following its directions for adding water.
4. 4Apply the facial wash as directed. For a conventional rinse off cleanser, wet your face with lukewarm water and use your fingertips to spread it gently.
5. 5Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then pat dry with a soft, clean towel.
6. 6Follow with moisturizer. In the morning, finish with sunscreen.

Do not borrow a massage time from another brand. For example, Glow Recipe tells users of its Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm to massage dry skin with dry hands for one minute, rinse, then massage Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser onto skin for another minute. Those timings belong to that pair, not automatically to G2G.1

Should you double cleanse morning and night?

General face washing guidance is to wash once in the morning, once before bed and after heavy sweating. That describes washing occasions, not a requirement to use two cleansers each time. If you use a double cleanse for makeup removal, bedtime is the practical place for it; keep the morning wash to one gentle cleanser.56

Moisturizer follows cleansing and helps reduce water loss from the skin. For daytime protection, choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher and water resistance. The second cleanser does not create a need for a toner, serum or mask; the wash count is not a shopping list.26

What does double cleansing actually do?

Cleansers use surfactants, ingredients that help loosen oil and dirt so water can carry them away. One part of a surfactant attaches to oil, while another interacts with water. This is why cleansing involves more than splashing water on your face, but it does not mean every face needs two separate formulas.4

Makeup and surface dirt removal happen during washing. Changes in oiliness take longer: allow a month or two to assess a broader routine aimed at oily skin before seeking additional help if nothing improves. That is not a G2G results timeline, and double cleansing should not be treated as a guaranteed treatment for breakouts.34

Who should be careful?

Oily skin is not an automatic reason to double cleanse. Oil based cleansing works well for some people with oily skin and causes breakouts for others. A mild cleanser is a better starting point than an aggressive wash intended to remove every trace of oil. Avoid rubbing hard: irritation can increase oil production.3

Dry or sensitive skin needs particular care with extra washing. Overwashing removes surface oils, increases water loss and can leave skin dry or irritated. Sensitive skin can sting during or just after cleansing. Choose a gentle, nonabrasive cleanser without alcohol, and avoid washcloths, mesh sponges and scrubbing.45

Be cautious if your cleanser also treats acne and you already use a leave on acne treatment. Combining them can cause excessive dryness and irritation. Introduce fewer new products at once and test them before facial use, rather than starting both cleansers alongside several new treatments.24

When should you stop?

Stop using a product that causes skin irritation or signs of contact dermatitis, an irritated skin rash, and arrange a dermatologist appointment. Redness, dryness and chafing can follow irritating cleansing; immediate itching and swelling can also occur with some cleanser ingredients. Do not keep adding washes to deal with these symptoms.24