What is double cleansing – do I really need to wash my face twice?

Why do I need to double cleanse?

Your skin goes through a lot in a day. It’s not just covered in makeup, it’s also exposed to stressors like pollution, which can cause inflammation and accelerate the ageing process. By giving your skin a proper, thorough cleanse at the end of the day (as opposed to a cursory dab with a makeup wipe) you’ll notice it looks brighter and clearer, with a smoother, more even texture.

The first cleanse will remove any surface level makeup, SPF or grime from the skin, clearing the way for the second cleanse to dive in and give your pores a thorough clean. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, and double cleansing means you’re not relying on just one cleanse to do all the heavy lifting. The pressure is off, and your (now super clean) skin can reap the rewards.

There are differing opinions within the skincare sphere about the type of cleanser you should use for each step. For the ultimate cleansing journey we suggest your first cleanser is oil-based and your second water-based, but understand this depends on both your budget and level of skincare obsession. Double cleansing can simply be using the same cleanser twice (as long as it’s not micellar water or a wipe) in order to make sure you’ve removed every trace of daily grime.

Step 1: Massage in your balm

Oil likes oil, so an oily balm cleanser will attract and cut through daily grime. Take 1-2 pumps of your Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser and massage onto dry face and neck. Wet your hands to emulsify the mixture and activate the next phase of the cleanser.

Step 2: Rinse and get ready to repeat

Use a muslin cloth soaked in lukewarm water to gently remove your balm cleanser. Don’t move on to your second cleanse until you’ve successfully removed every scrap of makeup with your first cleanser. In the case of particularly stubborn SPF, this might mean an extra rinse, or using both sides of your muslin cloth to ensure you have removed everything effectively.

Step 3: Go in with the gel

Work your Trinny London Better Off AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser into damp skin. Taking this time to get into the nitty gritty and crevices of your face will give the active ingredients the chance to work their magic. Satisfied your skin is clean? Rinse with lukewarm water.

Should I double cleanse twice a day?

You only need to double cleanse at night. The main reason for double cleansing is to ensure that you have fully removed the day before you move onto your evening skincare routine. You won’t be wearing makeup or SPF overnight (we hope!), so there won’t be anything heavy duty to remove in your morning cleanse. That being said, it’s still important to clean your skin once when you wake up, in order to whisk away the witches' brew of sweat and impurities that build up as we sleep.

Should everyone be double cleansing?

Broadly speaking, mostly anyone who wears makeup, SPF or both would benefit from double cleansing in the evening. With these distractions out of the way, skin can fully reap the benefits of the exfoliants, serums and moisturisers that follow.

The only caveat to this is if your skin is seriously sensitive or you suffer from a condition like rosacea, which can make rinsing your face with water a thoroughly unpleasant experience. In this case, less is definitely more.