Double cleansing is the two-step cleansing method that begins with an oil-based cleanser to help break down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, followed by a water-based cleanser to remove remaining remaining water-soluble impurities like sweat and environmental debris. This approach isn’t about over-cleansing — it’s about respecting how different impurities dissolve best in different textures.
When chosen appropriately for your skin type, double cleansing can help prepare the complexion for the rest of your skincare routine without relying on repeated washing with a single cleanser. The aim is to leave skin feeling comfortably clean rather than stripped, which is why many glow-forward routines pair the method with cleansers designed to support the skin barrier and maintain moisture balance.
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How Double Cleansing Fits Into A Skincare Glow Routine
Double cleansing isn’t meant for every cleanse — it’s a technique most commonly used when there’s more to remove than a single cleanser is designed to handle. In a glow-forward skincare routine, it’s typically reserved for evening cleansing, when sunscreen, long-wear makeup, or multiple skincare layers have built up throughout the day.
- Use it after wearing sunscreen to help remove water-resistant formulas before your second cleanse.
- After makeup application, especially to help remove long-wearing or full-coverage products.
- At the end of the day as part of an evening skincare glow routine when multiple products have accumulated on the skin.
- When skin feels coated or congested, rather than after every cleanse regardless of need.
Why We Love Double Cleansing For Glow
Double cleansing creates a clean foundation for everything that follows. When sunscreen, makeup, and daily buildup are thoroughly removed, the rest of your routine can focus on restoring hydration, supporting the skin barrier, and maintaining the kind of balanced complexion often associated with healthy-looking glow.
Instead of scrubbing harder or repeating the same cleanse, double cleansing uses two complementary formulas that work together, helping the skin feel refreshed, comfortable, and ready for the next steps in your glow routine.
GLOW MOMENT
The success of double cleansing often depends less on the number of steps and more on choosing cleansers that complement one another. A well-paired oil-based and water-based cleanser should leave skin feeling clean, comfortable, and ready for the rest of your evening routine.
Our favorite double cleansing duo consists of the Camellia Cleansing Oil which uses Japanese camellia oil to effortlessly dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup before transforming into a silky emulsion that rinses away cleanly. Followed by the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, a lightweight gel cleanser formulated with botanical extracts and gentle resurfacing complex to leave skin feeling thoroughly cleansed without a stripped finish.
Together, they create an elevated double cleansing ritual that prepares skin for the hydrating and treatment steps that follow, resulting in a clean, comfortable foundation for the rest of your evening skincare routine.
FAQ
Should you double cleanse if you only wear sunscreen?
Yes. Water-resistant sunscreen can be more difficult to remove with a single cleanse alone. Using an oil-based cleanser first is commonly used to dissolve sunscreen before following with a water-based cleanser to refresh the skin and prepare it for the rest of your evening routine.
Do you need an oil cleanser to double cleanse?
Traditionally, yes. Double cleansing begins with an oil-based cleanser to break down sunscreen, makeup, and other oil-soluble buildup before a second cleanse removes any remaining residue. While some use alternatives like cleansing balms, the goal is the same — allowing the first cleanse to dissolve what water alone cannot.
Can double cleansing damage your skin barrier?
Double cleansing itself isn’t inherently harsh — the experience depends largely on the cleansers being used and how they fit within an individual’s routine. Many cleansing formulas are designed to remove buildup while leaving skin feeling comfortable rather than stripped. If skin consistently feels tight, dry, or uncomfortable after cleansing, the products or techniques may not be the right match for that routine.
Is double cleansing better than using one cleanser?
Not necessarily — it depends on what you’re removing. A single cleanser is often enough for lighter routines, while double cleansing can be helpful after wearing sunscreen, long-wearing makeup, or multiple skincare layers. The goal isn’t to add extra steps, but to choose the cleansing method that best fits your routine that day.
For a more balanced, refined finish across different conditions, explore the Luster Selection.
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Balance (II) · Stabilize
Glow doesn’t end here — it evolves. Keep building it, your way.