What is double cleansing? Think about double cleansing your hair. Wash, rinse, repeat. The same applies to your skin. There are both pros and cons to double cleansing as a part of your evening skincare routine. The idea behind the double cleanse is that the first cleanse removes the day’s makeup, SPF, and excess oils, allowing the second cleanse to truly provide the skin with the benefits of the cleanser. There are a couple of things to consider before hopping on the double cleanse bandwagon– skin type and product choice.

What is your skin type? There are often common misconceptions made about skin types. It is highly recommended that you be assessed by a trained medical professional to truly understand what your skin type may be. After you have an idea of where you fall on the dry, sensitized, combo or oily scale, you may move on to choosing the right type of products most suitable for your skin type. All skin types MAY benefit from double cleansing in the PM, but choosing the wrong products may do more harm than good.

Picking the right products for your skin type is a key factor in your double cleanse journey. It is essential that you choose the right cleanser for both your skin type and lifestyle. Let’s dive in– Do you consider yourself outdoorsy? Do you wear a good amount of waterproof SPF? Are you acne-prone? These are all good things to consider when choosing product. If you answered yes to most of these questions, you may want to use caution with an oil-based cleanser and choose one with salicylic acid, for example. This would aid in fighting sebum and allow for better penetration for your following products. Win-win.

Of course, there is always a catch. Inflammation, excessive dryness and further breakouts are a few adverse reaction that are possible with double cleansing. Again, this is likely related to your skin type, skin barrier function, and product choice. We highly recommend speaking with a medical professional about your skin type, current skin barrier function, and which medical-grade products that would be right for you.

Lara Clinic | Kalli K. Rohleder RN, BSN