What is Double Cleansing and Why You Should Do It

The idea behind double cleansing is simple: start with an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup and wash away any oils and impurities built up on your skin from the day. The second water-based cleanser is to really get in there and leave your skin feeling squeaky clean.

Now is the perfect time to get into this skincare trend — because you know you have the time. We’re sharing the perfect pairs for every skin type and budget to help you embrace double cleansing today.

Drunk Elephant Slaai-Makeup-Melting-Butter-Cleanser

Sephora

1 / 10

Best double cleansing duo

Step 1: Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

Drunk Elephant is my skincare addiction — I just can’t get enough of their clean skincare packed with nutrient-rich ingredients. So, I was more than happy to add this cleansing balm to my skincare routine this quarantine. It gets off all my makeup — even the bright neon eyeshadow and dramatic black cat eyeliner I favour – first try, which is quite a feat, yet leaves my skin feeling soft.

Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser, $45

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

Sephora

2 / 10

Best double cleansing duo

Step 2: Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

For step 2 of this routine, I turned to another tried-and-true DE product — No 9. Jelly Cleanser. This cleanser also removes traces of makeup left, as well as excess oils and pollution from the day. It’ll leave your skin feeling clean, but not too dry.

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, $42

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Walmart

3 / 10

Budget-friendly double cleansing duo

Step 1: Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser

Still skeptical about the benefits of double cleansing? Not ready to drop all that coin on doubling your cleansers? Have no fear, because I’ve got a beauty staple for you that works perfectly in this two-step routine, for less than ten bucks. Cold creams work as a super gentle, but surprisingly effective makeup remover, even on the toughest makeup. Just gently massage into skin and rinse away your day’s lewk with warm water.

Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser, $7

Well.ca

4 / 10

Budget-Friendly Double Cleansing Duos

Step 2: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

For our second step of this budget-friendly skincare routine, we’ll turn to another classique skincare product – Cetaphil. They sell this bad boy in Costco (yes – Costco!) and for good reason. It’s PH-balancing, fragrance-free and gentle enough that it’s appropriate for almost any skin type.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, $16

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Sephora

5 / 10

Vegan/Clean beauty double cleaning duo

Step 1: Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm

Vegan beauty lovers, melt away the day’s makeup with this paraben, SLS and SLES-free cleansing balm that gently breaks up any makeup or oil left on the skin. You may notice a bit of a film left behind on skin from this cleansing balm, but have no fear because your skin is now prepped and ready for step two…

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm, $63

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

Sephora

6 / 10

Vegan/Clean beauty double cleaning duo

Step 2: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator

This cleanser is fun to use and leaves skin bright, clean, and refreshed. Take a dime-sized amount of this powder cleanser, add a few droplets of water and mix in the palm of your hand into a paste, then get scrubbing. It’s gentle enough to be used every day, but it gently polishes the skin so you can put your best and brightest face forward.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator, $82

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DHC

7 / 10

Gentle double cleansing duo

Step 1: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

For those with sensitive skin, DHC has the perfect duo to gently cleanse the impurities of the day away. Apply the liquid cleansing oil, made with organic olive oil and naturally antibacterial rosemary leaf oil, to a dry face, massaging away the day’s impurities and rinse with warm water.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, $14 USD

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DHC

8 / 10

Gentle double cleansing duo

Step 2: DHC Mild Facial Soap

In a time where cleansers come in every form imaginable, from balms to oils to powders to liquids, what could be more novel than a simple bar of soap? This mild soap foams into a silky lather that leaves skin feeling cleansed without that tight, dry feeling.

DHC Mild Facial Soap, $9 USD

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Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

Sephora

9 / 10

Double cleansing duo for oily or acne-prone skin

Step 1: Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

The idea of using an oil-based cleanser may be off-putting for those with oilier or acne-prone skin, but look no further than this cooling cleansing oil to become a convert. It's packed with ingredients like avocado oil and olive oils that maintain skin's moisture barrier naturally (without that oily residue feeling), which will help your skin from overproducing more oil to compensate.

Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil, $42

Sephora

10 / 10

Double cleansing duo for oily or acne-prone skin

Step 2: Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser

For step two, this blemish-zapping cleansing gel full of naturally antibacterial ingredients is the perfect solution. With a fresh face from step one, this effective cleanser will work to unclog and purify pores, leaving you feeling fresh and clear without irritation.

Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser, $37

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