The cornerstone of every good skincare regimen, careful cleansing is essential not only for ridding your face of makeup and grime, but also for preparing your skin to make the very most of your serum and moisturiser. Now, thanks to Korean beauty and the elaborate multi-stepped skincare regimes of South Korean women, a quick once over with micellar water simply won't cut it.
As the name would suggest, double cleansing involves washing your face twice. The first cleanse lifts off all the surface stuff, and is more of a makeup remover, melting what you’ve put on your face. The second is there to dissolve deeper dirt, pollution and more oil and dead skin cells, giving you a deeper cleanse. The two steps, performed in sequence, are based on the idea that no one product is able to remove both makeup and cleanse the skin.
How to double cleanse
Using an oil based cleanser, gently massage the product onto your face (yes, makeup and all) for about 30 – 60 seconds. Use slow, firm movements to work the oil into your skin. Next, take a warm washcloth and lay it over your face for about 30 seconds before using that same cloth to wipe everything away. For the second cleanse, you’ll want to use a foam or gel based product for a deeper cleanse. Use a small amount of your chosen cleanser and massage into your skin for about one minute using your fingertips. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
First cleanse: Erborian Black Cleansing Oil
Erborian’s purifying charcoal cleansing oil is enriched with Japanese charcoal to remove impurities and leave skin looking radiant.
First cleanse: Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil
This gentle, antioxidant rich formula leaves skin feeling balanced, refreshed and supple. It removes dirt, makeup and grime without aggravating your skin, even for super-sensitive skin types.
First cleanse: Dermalogica Precleanse
A cult cleanser, this plant-based oil, fortified with olive and kukui oils, thoroughly melts layers of excess sebum, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, environmental pollutants and residual skin products that accumulate during the day.
Second cleanse: Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser
Caudalie’s natural blend of grape extracts, sage and chamomile effectively cleanses and removes makeup and impurities while soothing skin.
Second cleanse: Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Foaming Cleanser
This gentle yet deep-cleansing formula works to purge pores of impurities, without leaving skin feeling overexposed.
Second cleanse: Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Oskia’s cleansing gel is a non-foaming formula that melts into skin to gently but effectively dissolve away dirt and excess makeup. It’s blended with vitamins A, C and E, omega-rich starflower oil and pumpkin enzymes to soften and smooth texture, while improving elasticity and firmness over time.
A hair scrub is the vital product your haircare routine is missing.
