Is double cleaning really necessary according to science?

face cleaning

The principle of double cleaning


Our facial skin is a veritable magnet for impurities, accumulating particles such as pollution and dust throughout the day. For clean skin, it's essential to cleanse every night before bedtime. Double cleansing is the solution for effectively eliminating these impurities, but it's not enough. what does science have to say about double cleaning?

Step 1: The oil phase

The initial phase of this routine focuses on the use of a cleansing oilmilk or balm. These products are specially designed to dissolve lipophilic residues such as sebum, make-up and sunscreen. fat dissolves better in fat. They are applied directly to dry skin using the hands, covering the entire face and neck in gentle circular movements.

pore cleaning

Second stage: The aqueous phase

After the oil phase, it's time to move on to the cleaning with a water-based formula, such as a cleansing gel or foam. This step is designed to remove any hydrophilic residues. It's advisable to opt for gentle cleansers, enriched with moisturizing and soothing active ingredients. Indeed, beyond deep cleansing of the epidermis, this secondary step aims to treat a specific skin problem. Whether it's to moisturize, nourish, purify, regulate or soothe, it's essential to select a cleansing product in line with your skin's needs.

The scientific study in question!

The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen:Water, cleanser or cleansing oil? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Janvier

  • Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning sunscreen, with or without water resistance, using water, a foaming cleanser or a cleansing oil.
  • Methods: VISIA photos of 20 participants were taken before and after sunscreen application, and the number of residues remaining after cleansing was analyzed.
  • Non-water-resistant sunscreen cleaning result: For non-water-resistant sunscreen, the residue rate for the water, cleanser and cleansing oil group was 54.0 % , 15.6 % and 13.4 %, respectively.
  • Result for water-resistant sunscreen cleaning: the residue rate for the water, cleaner and cleaning oil groups was 59.3 % , 36.8 % , 5.8 % , respectively.

My opinion on double cleaning

I recommend double cleansing to remove make-up if you wear make-up, or to remove waterproof sunscreens if you use them.

On the other hand, in the absence of make-up and water-resistant sun protection, it's possible to use a simple cleanser, but double cleansing is still necessary. my preferred option provided you use a mild cleanser.

Advice for all skin types


Dry skin : Choose a cleanser with a rich consistency, enriched with lipid-replenishing ingredients such as vegetable oils, squalene, plant butters and waxes, in the form of a cleansing balm. This choice removes impurities without irritating your skin, while providing a layer of protection against dryness.

Follow with a cleanser in the form of milk or cream. gel containing only mild surfactants and rich in moisturizing ingredients (such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera) to maintain the comfortable feeling of tightness-free skin.


For combination to oily skin: it's crucial to regulate sebum levels without upsetting the skin's balance. The use of a cleansing oil or balm is an optimal solution for effectively removing greasy impurities without compromising the skin's protective barrier. This is followed by the application of a medium-power cleansing gel is recommended.

Source:

Chen W, He M, Xie L, Li L. The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen:Water, cleanser or cleansing oil? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Jan;19(1):180-184. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12995. Epub 2019 Jun 3. PMID: 31157512.

Auteur/autrice

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *