Twice as nice: The lowdown on double cleansing

Yes, double cleansing is a thing – and washing your face twice in lukewarm water, morning and evening, in is one of the best things you can do for your skin. “Start in your teens,” says Sonette Donker of Skin iD Skin Studio in Johannesburg. “The average person only cleanses their skin for eight seconds. Considering the amount of product layers you have on your skin (serum, moisturiser, foundation etc.) together with your skin’s natural production of new cells, oil and sweat mixed with pollution molecules, it is believed that you need to spend at least two minutes cleansing your skin.”

Think of it as 120 seconds

If you’ve ever treated yourself to a deep-cleansing facial, this should make sense – think about how long the therapist spends cleaning your skin before they begin the treatment. “This is where double cleansing comes in handy as you can clean for a minute at a time, really ensuring that you have removed all the dirt and makeup from your skin,” says Sonette. Be gentle though – don’t over-rub the skin thinking that more vigorous movement will get a better result. 

Cream, gel or foam?

Sensitive and acne-prone skin can become easily irritated if damp cotton wool is wiped on the skin. “A cream cleanser is not suited to oily or acne-prone skin. Very few consumers like a cream cleanser; gel and foam cleansers are far more popular,” says Sonette. 

The pH debate

If a product leaves your skin feeling tight or uncomfortable, it is stripping your natural acid mantle – your skin’s own protective mechanism designed to keep out harmful bacteria. “If this acid mantle is destroyed by a cleanser (an alkaline pH), your skin will take an average eight hours to rebuild it, leaving it prone to bacterial infection. Long term, the skin will also become severely dehydrated and sensitive,” says Sonette. 

You might have to try a few samples or travel sizes of different products before you find what you like, but the effort will pay off. A super-clean skin will be better prepared to absorb the revitalising and nourishing products you choose to use, especially at night.

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