I’m going to make this short and straight to the point because I am really late for my gym class (I still don’t know why Jessica made me pay for torture) but also, I am really excited to tell you guys about double cleansing; it’s something I scream about all the time.
Double cleansing as the name implies, is a 2- step cleansing routine borrowed from the 10-step Korean beauty routine.
It basically involves using an oil based cleanser first, followed by a water based cleanser.
Ps: To know a water based cleanser, you can check the ingredient list on the product and if the first ingredient is water or “aqua” then you have yourself a water-based cleanser.
Double cleansing actually makes a lot of sense because of a scientific principle that “like dissolves like”- this means that oil based cleansers would be better at dissolving oil-based dirt, cosmetics and any other oil based residue while water-based would remove non-oil based cosmetics and residue.
If you had a chemistry-related major, you can refer back to polar and non-polar compounds, that’s literally the basis of this.
The oil cleanser in this method is a great way to get rid of oil which is overproduced in acne, makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day.
(You cleanse by rubbing the oil all over your face, smearing everything you have on and just either wipe off or wash off, depending on the kind of oil cleanser you’re using.)
If you live in a city like Lagos (deep sigh!) with enormous pollution in the air, wear sunscreen, 5 layers of foundation and concealer, mascara, sweat as a result of Lagos sun and have all those invisible microbes sticking to your face, I think you should really consider using this double cleanse method more than anyone. Lol.
But seriously though, sunscreen and makeup products are really heavy and have oil compounds which may not be completely washed away by water-based cleansers. Leaving these on your face could cause a buildup of residue, oil, dirt… which can give the skin a dull appearance. it would also contribute to clogging your pores, which then can lead to acne or enlarged pores.
The double cleanse method is also a really mild way to get rid of dirt on your face, making way for all the other luscious products to penetrate freely into your skin.
The thing with having makeup on your skin and using a water based cleanser is that you would have to wash like 4-5 times before all the makeup goes away and while cleansing is important, you don’t want to over cleanse your face (this may be really harsh and give you dehydrated skin) but the oil cleanser would get it off in no time.
The best part?
It doesn’t even have to be expensive, you can use a pure oil (I recommend Rosehip oil) on your face or a soft butter, or, you can buy a good oil cleanser from a store; which in my opinion would give a better skin feel. While pure oils would cleanse your skin, it would leave your skin feeling really greasy and you may not want that. Most brands formulate their oil cleansers with emulsifiers; which means that when you wash off after cleansing, it turns milky once the oil gets in contact with water and all the oily goop would go down the drain, no greasy feeling afterwards. Perfect, if you ask me.
I’m not making any strong recommendations, but, If I was, I would say you go with the latter.
The double cleanse method was the game changer in my routine. There’s also satisfaction in watching your makeup being smeared all over your face and then the transformation to an incredibly clean and fresh face.
If you wear makeup, sunscreen (this should be everyone), use any product on your face or as I mentioned, live in Lagos, Nigeria(lol), you should consider trying this out.
Feel free to let me know how it goes after about a week or two.
I have to go now; hopefully, 2020 is the year I finally get my banging body. I’ll keep y’all updated on this.
Love x Light
Your soon-to-be-body-banging neighborhood Cosmetic Chemist,
Mae
The Chemist. 