- Double cleansing, a trend that involves washing your face with two different types of cleanser, has gone viral on TikTok.
- Experts say double cleansing can prevent pore-clogging, thoroughly remove makeup and sunscreen, and make your skin care products more effective.
- However, it isn’t suitable for everyone and may cause irritation if overdone.
- Experts recommend choosing an oil-based cleanser and a water-based cleanser that suits your skin type if you want to try double cleansing for yourself.
TikTok is often rife with beauty advice that quickly gains popularity. The latest skin care hack to go viral on the social media platform is double cleansing.
As the name suggests, double cleansing involves cleansing your skin twice each time you wash it, using two different types of cleanser.
Content creators on TikTok say double cleansing gives them clearer, healthier, brighter-looking skin, but how effective is it, and are there any risks to consider?
“The idea behind double cleansing isn’t just to repeat washing your face two times in a row,” explains Valerie Aparovich, biochemist and certified cosmetologist-aesthetician at OnSkin. “Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing routine, and the key to this approach lies in switching the types of cleansers you wash your face with.”
This means using an oil-based product first, like a cleansing balm or hydrophilic oil, and a water-based cleanser, like a cleansing foam or gel, second.
Why is it important to double cleanse in this order?
“Oil-based cleansers
Unlike many other TikTok skin care trends, double cleansing appears to offer real benefits. And it may be particularly beneficial if you regularly wear makeup or use sunscreen.
“Double cleansing provides a more thorough cleanse, helping you tackle both surface and deep-down impurities accumulated due to wearing heavy or waterproof makeup and sunscreen throughout the day,” Aparovich points out.
An oil-based cleanser breaks down oily substances on your skin and loosens makeup and sunscreen. This step allows your skin care products to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
“It enables a water-based cleanser to do its job easily, removing all remaining impurities, ensuring no culprits compromise the skin’s well-being and regeneration processes, and allowing active compounds from your following skin care products to penetrate the skin unhindered and efficiently,” Aparovich surmises.
Double cleansing may be especially helpful for people with oily skin types, too.
“Oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum production, but the buildup of sebum – the skin’s natural oil – is easily dissolved by oil-based cleansers,” Aparovich explains. “Therefore, double cleansing helps to eliminate unhealthy shininess and reduce the risk of pore-clogging and blackhead formation.”
Overall, double cleansing could help you achieve healthier, more radiant-looking skin.
“Double cleansing helps maintain skin hydration by preventing the stripping of natural oil,” says Alexis Pfropper, licensed esthetician and founder of ästhetik skin care. “It improves the overall texture and appearance of the skin too, resulting in a clearer, more radiant complexion.”
However, as is often the case with skin care advice, it won’t be right for everyone.
“If you have sensitive or compromised skin barriers, over-cleansing with harsh or drying cleansers can lead to irritation, dryness, and inflammation,” Pfropper warns.
Aparovich agrees. She says the “squeaky clean” feeling people often aim for when washing their skin can often do more harm than good.
“Overwashing adversely impacts all skin types, sharpening the associated concerns and inducing the risk of extremums,” she points out.
It can compromise the skin’s barrier, resulting in dryness, tightness, redness, and irritation in people with dry and sensitive skin.
Aparovich says oily skin types can have the opposite reaction.
“Overwashing can trigger increased sebum secretion and exacerbate oiliness,” she explains.
Those with specific skin conditions should also proceed with caution.
“If you have eczema or rosacea, you should consult with a dermatologist before incorporating double cleansing into your routine as it has the potential to exacerbate symptoms,” Pfropper notes.
Not everyone will be able to tolerate oil-based products. It’s highly individual, and Aparovich says it’s best to patch-test new products on a small area of your skin before introducing them to your face.
The first and most important step in adopting a double cleansing routine is finding cleansers that suit your skin type.
“For dry or sensitive skin, opt for gentle, hydrating formulas. For oily or acne-prone skin, choose cleansers with natural ingredients like essential oil to help control excess oil and breakouts,” Pfropper advises.
No matter your skin type, it’s a good idea to look for cleansers with no fragrance and no harsh chemicals to minimize the risk of irritation, she adds.
Aparovich says picking cleansers formulated with plant extracts can promote additional benefits. She recommends aloe vera and green tea extracts if you want to add moisture, and chamomile, calendula, and lavender extracts to reduce redness and inflammation.
Meanwhile, oily and combination skin will benefit from alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, such as salicylic acid, mandelic acid, or glycolic acid. These exfoliate the skin, reduce sebum secretion, and prevent blackhead formation.
What about frequency? Can you double-cleanse every day? As you might expect, this will largely depend on how well your skin tolerates it.
For most people, though, Aparovich believes double cleansing daily isn’t necessary. The main reason for this is due to the risk of over-cleansing.
“Face cleansers can wash away the skin’s natural protective barrier, dehydrating the skin, disrupting its barrier defenses, and making it less resistant to bacteria and toxins,” she explains.
“Ultimately, double cleansing is a go-to part of the evening skin care routine on the days when you wear makeup and sunscreen or if your skin is generally very oiliness-prone.”
During your morning routine, Aparovich says it’s better to only wash your face with a gentle water-based cleanser as this should be enough to cleanse the skin.
Double cleansing appears to have many benefits – it thoroughly removes makeup, sunscreen, and oil, helps to prevent blackhead formation, and allows your products to penetrate more deeply.
Ultimately though, every person’s skin will respond differently. If you’re trying double cleansing for yourself, Pfropper advises noticing how your skin responds and adjusting your cleansing routine accordingly.