The foundation lasts until the evening. It would only be nice if it were a little less persistent when removing make-up. There is still paint on the sides of your nose, as well as on your hairline, and you don’t really want to rub the washcloth over them again.

A cleansing oil can be helpful for such evenings. Whether a second cleanser is needed afterwards depends on what you want to remove and how well the first product copes with it. We’ll go through both calmly.

What the two cleaning steps do

With Double Cleansing , an oil-based cleaner is followed by a water-based cleanser, such as a washing gel. A cleansing balm that becomes soft when distributed can also take the first step.

A wash-off cleansing oil is formulated to dissolve makeup and greasy residue. If you add water, it can be rinsed off. An ordinary facial oil does not automatically have this property. Therefore, look at the name and application of your bottle.

The second cleanser removes any remaining residue if necessary. It doesn’t have to form a big mountain of foam. It’s better to choose one that you are already comfortable with and check the application on its packaging.

The combination is worth a try, especially if a single cleaning step does not sufficiently remove stubborn make-up. If your cleanser alone does the job and your skin feels nice afterwards, there’s no reason to add another bottle just because of the name Double Cleansing.

What if you only wear sunscreen?

Even then it depends on the wording. The statement “Sunscreen always needs two cleansers” is too general.

In a small study with 20 people, the non-waterproof sunscreen tested could be removed with both the foam cleanser tested and the cleansing oil. The oil performed better with the waterproof product. Individual products were tested, there was no general comparison of all cleaners and no evidence that a second step was necessarily necessary. To the original study .

For your selection this means: First check which cleaning method the manufacturer of your sun protection recommends. Water resistance is a helpful hint to take a closer look at the acceptance.

Use cleansing oil without turning it into an evening routine

The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is an example of this first cleansing step. According to the manufacturer, it is applied to dry skin and is emulsified with water. This is what the process looks like:

1. Start dry. With dry, clean hands, apply the oil according to the instructions on the package.
2. Spread gently. Carefully remove make-up. Follow the product instructions for the eye area.
3. Add water. Moisten your hands and continue to spread until a milky mixture is created.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Use lukewarm water. Take the edge of your chin and hairline with you.

If any residue remains, follow the mild cleanser according to its instructions. Then pat your face with a soft towel. You can do without vigorous rubbing or a cleaning brush. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends cleaning with fingertips and lukewarm water .

According to the manufacturer, SKIN1004 oil contains, among other things, bergamot, geranium and rose oil. If you avoid scented vegetable oils, another product may be a better fit. To do this, check the current list of ingredients in your pack; the Centella name alone does not determine compatibility.

Two small decisions make shopping easier

Before a set ends up in your shopping cart, think about which part of your previous cleaning is difficult. Does long-lasting makeup remain? Then you specifically look for something to take away. On the other hand, if you just don’t like the feel of your wash gel, the answer doesn’t have to be additional oil. Maybe another single cleaner would be a better fit.

And if you want to try a cleansing oil, try not to change the cleanser at the same time. Having a familiar second product makes it easier to assess whether the supplement is pleasant and actually saves you work when removing make-up.

A feeling of tension after washing is no reason to clean more thoroughly. If a product burns or the skin becomes noticeably red, stop using it. Persistent complaints should be clarified dermatologically. Further purification experiments are of little help with the classification.

Where Double Cleansing has a place in your routine

An evening with waterproof makeup does not create an obligation to use both bottles again the next morning. In the article about the morning and evening skincare routine you will find a comparison of the times of day.

If you came across the 4-2-4 rule while searching: This is where we classify the fixed minutes of this cleaning trend. To get started, all you need to do is use your specific product, without a stopwatch at the sink.

You can read the steps after cleansing in our overview of the Korean skin routine . Choose the supplements that fit your existing routine and your everyday life.

What we know for sure

• Double Cleansing combines an oil-based and water-based cleaning step. The combination is not necessary for every routine.
• How well sunscreen can be removed depends on the specific formulations. The aforementioned study only included 20 people and selected products.
• With the SKIN1004 oil described, emulsification with water before rinsing is part of the manufacturer’s application.
• The American Academy of Dermatology recommends gentle cleansing without scrubbing.

Sources

• Chen et al.: The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen: Water, cleanser or cleansing oil? – Original study. Pay attention to the limitations of the product combinations examined.
• American Academy of Dermatology: Face washing 101 – dermatological tips for facial cleansing.
• SKIN1004: Centella Light Cleansing Oil – Manufacturer’s information on application and ingredients.