What, Why, and How to Double Cleanse With Elemis

While cleansing may only occupy one stage in many skincare routines, double cleansing splits it into two for optimal results.

The first stage entails removing any impurities from the surface of the skin. This includes make-up, SPF, excess sebum, and dead skin. You can usually carry out this step with a cleansing balm or oil.

With the second stage — the ‘double’ part of the cleanse — you focus on cleaning deeper within the skin, free of any barriers. This should leave your skin prepped and primed to receive the full benefits of any other products that follow, such as moisturisers and serums.

The origins of the double cleanse

In recent years, Korean beauty bloggers have popularised the approach hugely, introducing skincare approaches featuring up to 10 different steps to the mainstream.

But did you know that the double cleanse method actually dates back a lot further? In fact, Japanese women have been double cleansing with oils for centuries. And at ELEMIS, we begin every one of our spa treatments with an invigorating double cleanse.

Why double cleanse?

As well as making sure any traces of make-up, products, and dirt are lifted from your skin, double cleansing brings additional benefits.

By using two separate products that are specifically targeted at your skin concerns, you’re able to maintain the skin’s natural oils and hydration levels more effectively and bring any breakouts back under control. Whatever your skin type and goals, it’s a tried and trusted way to boost your overall skin health.

This is achieved both through the act of cleansing itself and by unlocking the potential in the other products applied after the skin has been thoroughly prepped.

STEP ONE

Choose your First Cleanser

Your first cleanse should utilise a cleansing balm or oil-based formula to dissolve makeup, dirt and daily impurities.

STEP TWO

Choose Your Second Treatment Cleanser

Follow with a treatment cleanser- usually a gel, clay or foam texture - to target your individual concerns, such as blemishes, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, dryness.

1. Stubborn make-up removal:

Your make-up remover comes first. Apply a couple of drops to a cotton pad or cleansing cloth and simply hold it over your eyes and lips to melt away any mascara, eyeliner and lipstick.

2. Now for your first cleanse:

Depending on products and preference, you may choose to rinse your face with lukewarm water first, or apply your cleanser on dry skin.

Put some of your cleanser into the palm of your hand and use the fingers on your other hand to massage it into your face. Use circular motions for around 30 seconds, and remember to take it below the jawline and around the ears where you might have blended in your foundation or applied sunscreen.

Saturate a muslin cloth or flannel in running water and use it to wash off the product. Gentle circular motions should suffice for most of the face, but you may need to apply more pressure around the T zone and the ridges around your nose to dislodge any impurities. As the cloth accumulates grime, rinse and repeat to prevent the dirt from transferring back to your skin.

3. The second cleanse

To apply the second cleanser, you more or less repeat the previous steps applying and rinsing. This time, however, your massaging motions can be a little less rigorous now the make-up an SPF layers gave been removed.

4.

Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel, taking care not to rub or scrub.

5.

After double cleansing, always finish your skincare routine with a high-quality moisturiser to lock in hydration and keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and supple.

Double cleansing is very straightforward but knowing how to start can seem daunting. Do you just use your current cleanser twice? Or do you need specific products? Don’t worry, we’ve got all the guidance you need to incorporate this cleansing method into your daily skincare routine with zero stress.

While some cleansers can remove all make-up at once, the skin and eye areas hugely benefit from a little extra care and attention. The make-up you use on these areas is typically more stubborn, and your skin here is more delicate at the same time.

You’ll then need a cleansing oil or balm for the first stage. These formulas are targeted at removing make-up and impurities thoroughly without agitating the skin. Our Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm and Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil are all great options. 

If you’d rather not use oil in both stages, micellar water is equally effective at removing oil and water-based dirt. We’ll get to choosing the right product for your skin later.

Then comes your treatment cleanser. This will likely be a gel, clay or foam, and again will be targeted to your skin concern. Whether it’s aimed at combating blemishes, fine lines, dullness or dryness, treatment cleansers such as our Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash or Superfood Facial Wash pack a punch in delivering these added benefits.

You’ll also need facecloths or pads. Look for those made from soft, natural materials, like our Luxury Cleansing Cloth Duo. These cloths are made from super soft cotton to prevent any skin abrasion and add a touch of luxury to your day-to-day.

It’s when you need to remove make-up at the end of the day that double cleansing really becomes beneficial. Throughout the day, your skin will have also gathered dirt, pollutants and other impurities — all of which can be washed away with this thorough approach before bed. Your skin will then be working optimally as it enters its renewal stage overnight.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t double cleanse in the morning, too. Sebum and sweat can still build up on the skin’s surface overnight, especially in the summer when the weather heats up.

It also depends on which other products you use in your morning skin regime.

As a general rule of thumb, we’d advise a double cleanse twice a day, but the evening is the more essential of the two. You may also want to stick to once a day if you have particularly sensitive or dry skin.

Dry skin

Step one: Is dryness your main skin concern? If so, you’ll want a cleanser that removes any impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Our Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil has been formulated to protect your skin's moisture barrier while gently lifting your make-up away. It also offers you a healthy dose of oil-rich hydration at the same time.

Step two: Water-based gel cleansers are much less likely to dry out your skin, and can even help it maintain hydration throughout the day. A true hydration hero, our Superfood Facial Wash takes it one step further. It’s essentially a green juice for your face, packed with nutrient-rich superfoods that leave your skin feeling revived and refreshed.

Oily skin

Step one: For oily skin, you want to gently blot excess sebum. First, we recommend using cleansing micellar water to lift impurities and sebum from the skin’s surface without compromising its delicate acid mantle.

Step two: Tough on blemishes and blackheads but gentle enough for daily use, a clarifying clay wash is another great choice for oily skin. It cleanses deep within the pores whilst lifting away any excess oil, and the results get better and better through consistent use as it improves the appearance of your complexion’s texture.

Combination skin

Step one: Knowing how to handle combination skin can seem tricky at first. Chances are, you need to navigate both dry patches and oily areas. Fortunately, our Superfood Glow Cleansing Butter is the ideal initial cleanser for combination skin. This award-winning all-rounder features a unique blend of fermented pumpkin enzymes and a buttery texture that helps combat dryness. Meanwhile, acerola cherry is deeply hydrating while helping to keep any oils at bay.

Step two: Providing exfoliation without irritation, our Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash targets multiple skin concerns to restore balance in your complexion. Hero ingredients include antioxidant-rich moringa and patented Sri-Enzyme technology. Through daily use, it supports your skin’s natural microflora and leaves it feeling silky-smooth.

Mature skin

Step one: If you’re looking to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay, try our Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. This daily hero has been formulated to improve skin firmness and elasticity while visibly reducing the signs of ageing. It also transforms into three unique textures — a cleansing oil to remove make-up; a nourishing balm; and a hydrating cleanser to wash the day’s impurities away. No wonder it’s one of our best sellers.

Step two: Another collagen-boosting saviour, our Pro-Collagen Energising Marine Cleanser is packed with essential minerals and a trio of acids to deliver a deep second cleanse. It also minimises the look of pores while maintaining essential moisture. This luxurious gel is a true glow reviver.

ELEMIS products all contain powerful active ingredients to not only clean your skin but repair and protect it, too. And when you combine these products in a multi-stage cleanse that targets your specific skin concerns, you get to enjoy even more of the benefits. By incorporating double cleansing into your daily skincare routine, you can give your complexion the TLC it deserves and feel glowing and confident every day.

You may already be familiar with the types of products that tend to work for your skin, but we’d always advise you to attend a virtual or inshore consultation to get your own personalised ELEMIS Skin Wellness Plan. This way, you know you’re doing the best for your skin’s unique microflora with clinically-proven results.

For more advice, visit an ELEMIS Store or Spa near you. You can also explore our full range of cleansers to find your perfect double cleansing partners today.