The Double Cleanse Debate

While there are some non-negotiables when it comes to how to wash your face, the most important part is to get your face clean. Leftover makeup and environmental grime left behind cause clogged pores, free radical damage, and premature skin aging.

But even with our obsession with cleansing, we don’t necessarily double down on double cleansing. So if you are wondering how many cleansers you need or if you are doing it right, read more!  

First, the right cleanser should be able to cut through dirt, oil, and makeup. Too often, people think cleanser is the least important product because "it just washes down the sink." But don't underestimate the power of a good cleanser, it's a skincare MVP! Using a cleanser that doesn't really clean your skin just doesn't cut it. Creamy and non-surfactant cleansers can be okay if they are formulated well, but generally, if you wear makeup and are acne-prone, you want a good old-fashioned sudsy wash.

So how do you know if your cleanser is doing a good job? Enter the toner. Swipe it on a cotton pad after cleansing to make sure your skin is clean. No leftover makeup allowed! Learn how to tone here.

You can use two different cleansers or you can use one cleanser twice. The benefit of two cleansers is that one of them would be a gentle one that can stay on your skin for longer than something more active or exfoliating. If you use the bulk of your cleanse with something gentle to remove the makeup, then you can come in with something stronger that will only stay on your skin for a minute. Every night time cleanse should be at least two minutes long in total! If using two cleansers, we recommend cleansing one to two minutes with a gentle cleanser and one minute with an active cleanser.

What about oil cleansing? An oil cleanser can be nice to break down heavy, oil-based makeup. Some praise oil as a magnet for collecting oil and dirt in the pores, but we approach it cautiously. While it can help attract makeup, purifying the pores with oil is too good to be true. Skin MPLS takes a clinical, science-based approach to the skin, so we see oil as an acne trigger – not a helper.

Other ideas say the opposite. Different experts say different things about skin health, just like medical health. We see best results with exfoliating and then adding nourishing hydration to balance exfoliated skin. If you are not experiencing active acne and feel like your skin could use some additional moisture support, you can add an oil into your routine post-cleansing for ultimate absorption. Our favorite is rosehip oil.

There are different ways to achieve the same result, but ultimately, the goal is clean, balanced skin. Find what works for you, whether it's a double cleanse routine or a single effective cleanse. We recommend saving yourself time and using an effective cleanser to remove makeup and prep the skin for high-quality serums.

We don't find joy in using oil or creamy cleansers, so we don't suggest them often – but everyone has their own opinion. At the end of the day, just make sure you wash your face with a quality cleanser. Want to find a quality cleanser? Ask your trusted esthetician for cleanser recommendations tailored to your skin.