Double cleansing means washing your face twice in the evening: first with an oil or balm cleanser to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and excess oil, then with a gentle water-based cleanser to clean the skin underneath. It is most useful if you wear SPF or makeup daily, and it is optional, not essential, if you do not.
Key takeaways
- Double cleansing is an evening step; one gentle cleanse is usually enough in the morning.
- The first cleanse dissolves oily, long-wear products; the second cleans the skin itself.
- Daily SPF and makeup wearers benefit most.
- Choose your second cleanser by skin type: gel for oily, cream for dry or sensitive.
- Gentle is the goal. Skin should feel clean and comfortable, never tight.
What is double cleansing and why does it work?
Many of the products we wear are designed to stay put. Long-wear foundation, water-resistant sunscreen and the skin’s own oil are all oil-loving, so they dissolve best in an oil-based cleanser. Water-based cleansers, on the other hand, are better at lifting sweat, dust and the residue the first cleanse leaves behind.
Using both, one after the other, means each cleanser does the job it is best at. The result is skin that is properly clean before your serums and moisturiser, without scrubbing harder or using a harsh product.
Who needs to double cleanse?
Not everyone needs a double cleanse every night. Use this as a guide.
| You… | Double cleanse? | Suggested pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Wear makeup most days | Yes, every evening | Balm, then gel or cream cleanser |
| Wear SPF daily but little makeup | Yes, most evenings | Balm, then a gentle second cleanse |
| Have oily or congestion-prone skin | Yes, often helpful | Balm, then a gel cleanser |
| Have dry or sensitive skin | Yes, if you wear SPF; keep it gentle | Balm, then a cream cleanser |
| Wear no SPF or makeup that day | Not necessary | One gentle cleanse |
How do you double cleanse properly?
Here is the method, step by step. It takes about three or four minutes.
The first cleanse
- Start with dry hands and a dry face.
- Warm a small scoop of balm between your fingertips until it melts.
- Massage it over your face for about a minute, including around the eyes if you wear mascara.
- Add a splash of lukewarm water to emulsify; it will turn milky.
- Remove with a warm, damp cloth or rinse thoroughly.
Cleanse Balm is a nourishing blend of grapeseed, jojoba, avocado and sunflower oils with squalane, vitamin E and CoQ10. It melts makeup and SPF without leaving skin feeling stripped, with a light grapefruit scent.
The second cleanse
- Wet your face with lukewarm water.
- Work a small amount of your second cleanser into a light lather or cream.
- Massage for 30 to 60 seconds, or use a sonic brush.
- Rinse well and pat dry with a clean towel.
For normal, oily or congested skin, Gel Cleanse is a gentle foaming gel with mild glycolic and salicylic acids, aloe and green tea. For dry, sensitive or reactive skin, Cleanse Hydrating is a creamy cleanser with aloe and squalane that is gentle enough for the eye area.
Should you use a cleansing brush for the second cleanse?
The second cleanse is the best moment for a sonic brush. Your makeup and SPF are already gone, so the brush helps your cleanser work evenly over the skin rather than just pushing foundation around.
The bt-sonic GEN2 Advanced Microsonic Cleansing Brush has three power levels and two silver ion-infused silicone heads, one with corundum for an extra exfoliating feel on the evenings you want it. The original bt-sonic is a simpler option with the same triangular head. Keep pressure light and use the lowest setting if your skin is sensitive. Our sonic facial cleansing brush guide has the full how-to.
Can double cleansing dry out your skin?
It can if the cleansers are too harsh, the water is too hot, or you scrub. Done well, though, double cleansing should leave skin feeling comfortable. Signs you are overdoing it include tightness straight after washing, flakiness, stinging when you apply serums, or redness.
- Use lukewarm water, never hot.
- Switch to a cream cleanser for the second step if your skin is dry or dehydrated.
- Keep the second cleanse short: 30 to 60 seconds is enough.
- On no-makeup, no-SPF days, skip the balm and cleanse once.
If your skin feels tight all the time, it may be dehydrated rather than dry. Our guide to dry vs dehydrated skin helps you tell the difference and adjust your routine.
Should you double cleanse in the morning?
Usually not. Overnight, your skin is not wearing makeup or sunscreen, so a single gentle cleanse, or even just water for dry skin, is plenty. Double cleansing twice a day can leave some skin types feeling dry.
The morning is about preparing for daily protection. Finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Shade SPF 30 Climate Control, which is exactly why the evening balm cleanse matters: it is the best way to remove it again. You can read why we recommend SPF daily in our article on daily SPF in the UK.
Where does double cleansing fit in your evening routine?
Double cleansing is always the first step of the evening. After it, apply toner, any treatment serum, eye cream and moisturiser. Our evening skincare routine order walks through each step, and if your skin tends to be oily, our routine for oily, congested skin shows how to keep it balanced. Explore all the cleansers in our Bio-Therapeutic collection.
Related reading
- Evening Skincare Routine: What to Use and in Which Order
- Sonic Facial Cleansing Brushes: Benefits, How to Use and Which to Choose
- Dry or Dehydrated Skin? How to Tell and the Routine That Helps
- The Calm Routine: Skincare for Sensitive, Reactive Skin
Frequently asked questions
Can you double cleanse with the same cleanser twice?
You can, and it is better than one rushed cleanse, but it is not as effective as using two different types. A water-based cleanser on its own is less good at dissolving water-resistant SPF and long-wear makeup. If you only own one cleanser, use it twice, keeping the first round brief and the second slightly longer.
Is a cleansing balm suitable for oily skin?
Yes. Oily and congestion-prone skin often benefits from an oil or balm cleanser, because oil dissolves oil, including sebum and long-wear products. The key is to emulsify it with water and remove it thoroughly, then follow with a water-based gel cleanser so no residue is left behind.
Do I need to double cleanse if I only wear mineral sunscreen?
It is a good idea. Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are designed to cling to the skin and can be stubborn to remove with a single water-based cleanser. A balm or oil cleanse first breaks them down, so your second cleanse can leave skin properly clean before your evening skincare.
How long should double cleansing take?
About three to four minutes in total. Spend roughly a minute massaging your balm or oil into dry skin, then emulsify and remove it. Follow with 30 to 60 seconds of your second cleanser before rinsing. Taking your time with the first cleanse is what helps dissolve makeup and SPF without any rubbing.
