Cleansing: the first section of your skincare regime that holds great opportunity to fast-track your way to reaching your skincare goals, if done correctly. Cleansing can help to remove any build up of impurities lying on the skin’s surface, leaving your complexion refreshed, and ready for the rest of your CSA routine. If you do decide to forgo cleansing, you can only begin to imagine what you are trapping on the skin when layering skincare, leaving dirt, pollution and general everyday grime to wreak havoc on your path to flawless-looking skin.
This leads us to our recommended two-step cleansing method, that we believe is the key to upping your skincare results. We want to share some of the key benefits of integrating a Double Cleanse into your daily regime.
What is double cleansing?
First things first, let us explain the concept of Double Cleansing, in case you aren’t already in the know. It involves using an oil or emulsion-based cleanser first to remove heavy makeup/sunscreen, and then following up with a water-based cleanser (foam, gel or mousse cleansers) afterwards to remove any remaining dirt and/or to target a specific skin need.
Oil or Cream cleanser to remove face makeup Makeup, sunscreen & sebum are generally oil-based. To best remove them we need an oil or emulsion based cleanser to dissolve & lift from the skin most thoroughly
Gel, Mousse or Foam cleanser to target skin need
The majority of the makeup/sunscreen has been removed, therefore the second cleanser takes off any leftover impurities and delivers any activity (exfoliating acids) to clean skin.
Do I need to Double Cleanse?
As all Medik8 product recommendations obviously include sunscreen, one of the three key components in our CSA strategy, we recommend to double cleanse in your PM routine to ensure optimum sunscreen removal. Double cleansing is particularly good for those with congestion, city-skins, heavy makeup or sunscreen wearers, mask wear, exercise. The list is endless.
The Benefits of Double Cleansing
- If you miss any areas on the first cleanse, you will likely hit them on the second, resulting in a more effective cleanse
- Helps actives (like exfoliating acids in Surface Radiance Cleanse) from the second cleanser to work on the skin better
- A more thorough first cleanse not only means better penetration of active ingredients in your second cleanse but also in your subsequent skincare regime
- For all of the sensitive skins out there, two quicker cleanses can be more gentle on the skin than one long one
Putting Double Cleansing to the Test
Putting research to the test is a core part of our DNA. We wanted to demonstrate how double cleansing is the most effective way to remove sunscreen, in a simple test using our trusty skin analysis camera device.
Firstly we captured an image using the UV filter on our skin analysis camera, to show what the skin looks like with no sun protection on. Features like dark spots, freckles and areas of UV damage are evident by dark grey spots on the skin, representing where skin is more prone to absorbing UV rays. We then applied our recommended amount of sunscreen (¼ teaspoon) to the face. In the images below, we are able to see where the layer of sunscreen (a UV absorber that shields the skin) is present on the skin, as it is represented by the dense dark grey colour.
Then we cleansed once with Medik8 favourite, Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil, and took a photo to see how much, if any, sunscreen was left on the skin.
You can see how effective Lipid Balance is at removing sunscreen on the majority of the face, however there is still some sunscreen left on some areas of the face. It can be seen mainly around the hairline, nose and eye area. This shows how human error in cleansing can often result in unwanted residue being unknowingly left on the skin.
We then completed our double cleanse with one of our foaming cleansers and took another photo. We can see that all of the remaining sunscreen was removed.
This shows just how important it is to always double cleanse when wearing heavy sunscreen, for a truly effective cleanse.
Sold on Double Cleansing? Here are our some of Medik8’s favourite perfect cleansing partners:
Heavy Makeup Wearers
Double Cleanse Step 1: Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
Double Cleanse Step 2: Micellar Mousse
Micellar Mousse joins forces with Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil to break down heavy make-up, sunscreen and impurities on the skin, whilst using Anti-Pollution Technology to neutralise any damaging free radicals on the surface of the skin.
For Glowing Skin
Double Cleanse Step 1: Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
Double Cleanse Step 2: Surface Radiance Cleanse
The key to a glowing start to your skincare regime; Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil and Surface Radiance Cleanse come together to deliver a visibly smoother, brighter complexion through the use of an AHA/BHA complex.
For Congested or Blemish-Prone Skins
Double Cleanse Step 1: Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
Double Cleanse Step 2: Clarifying Foam
For a visibly clearer complexion, look no further than this double cleansing combo. Salicylic acid-infused Clarifying Foam’s decongesting power is reinforced by Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil to effectively break down the build up of impurities within pores that can trigger breakouts on the skin.
Dry or Sensitive Skin
Double Cleanse Step 1: Cream Cleanse
Double Cleanse Step 2: Gentle Cleanse
Cream Cleanse holds effortless cleansing power in a melt-upon-application, nourishing cream texture which makes for a perfect first step of a Double Cleanse for these skin types, while foaming cleanser Gentle Cleanse rounds off this sensitive-friendly cleansing routine to catch any remaining impurities.
For Speed Cleansing
Steps 1 & 2: Micellar Mousse
If speed is your thing and just the thought of double cleansing is too time-consuming for you, first of all thank you for reading the entirety of this blog post - are you sure you aren’t swayed into the double cleansing lifestyle? On a serious note, please be rest assured that we mainly recommend double cleansing only in your evening regime, and that all of our cleansers are powerful enough to remove light makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities in one single cleanse. But to make the most out of your cleansers, and achieve optimal results? Double Cleansing is the way forward.
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