If you've spent any time in the world of skincare, you’ve heard of "double cleansing." For many, the term conjures up images of meticulously melting away layers of foundation, waterproof mascara, and stubborn liquid lipstick. This has led to a widespread myth: that double cleansing is an intensive, unnecessary step for anyone who doesn't wear a full face of makeup.

But what if we told you that your skin is coated in hard-to-remove grime at the end of the day, even if you haven't touched a single makeup product?

The truth is, double cleansing isn't just for makeup wearers. It's for sunscreen wearers, for city dwellers, for anyone with oily skin; frankly, it's for almost everyone. This is because the logic behind the method is based on simple chemistry, not cosmetics.

The Science: "Like Dissolves Like"

The principle behind double cleansing is that "like dissolves like." This means that oil-based substances are most effectively broken down and removed by other oil-based substances.

At the end of the day, your skin is covered in a film of impurities, many of which are oil-based. A single pass with a traditional water-based cleanser (like a foaming or gel face wash) often struggles to break through this stubborn layer, leaving residue behind.

This is where the two-step process comes in.

Step 1: The Oil-Based Cleanse

The first step involves using a cleansing oil or balm. This initial cleanse is specifically designed to latch onto and dissolve all the oil-based impurities that have accumulated on your skin throughout the day. This includes much more than just makeup:

• Sunscreen: Modern sunscreens, especially long-wear and water-resistant formulas, are designed to cling to the skin. They are lipophilic (oil-loving) and require an oil-based cleanser to be properly broken down.

• Excess Sebum: Your skin naturally produces its own oil, sebum. An oil cleanser efficiently dissolves any excess sebum without aggressively stripping the skin.

• Pollution: Many airborne pollutants found in urban environments are oil-soluble particles that settle on your skin and can contribute to inflammation and premature ageing.

Step 2: The Water-Based Cleanse

After rinsing off the oil cleanser, you follow up with your regular water-based face wash. This second step serves two purposes:

1. It washes away any light residue left behind by the oil cleanser.

2. It effectively removes any remaining water-based debris, such as dirt, dust, and sweat.

This one-two punch ensures that your skin is left impeccably clean, allowing your subsequent skincare products, like serums and moisturisers, to penetrate more effectively and do their job properly.

So, Who Really Needs to Double Cleanse?

While makeup wearers will see a huge benefit, they are far from the only group. You should be double cleansing if:

• You wear sunscreen daily (and we all should!).

• You have oily or combination skin and want to manage excess sebum.

• You live or work in a city or are regularly exposed to pollution.

• You want to ensure your skincare products are as effective as possible.

Don't think of double cleansing as a chore reserved for heavy makeup days. Instead, see it as a fundamental part of a modern skincare routine, a non-negotiable step to properly remove the daily build-up of sunscreen, sebum, and environmental grime, revealing a cleaner, healthier canvas.