what is double cleansing

woman washing face

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What is double cleansing?
Benefits of double cleansing
When to double cleanse
How to double cleanse
The best double cleanse for your skin type

what is double cleansing?

Double Cleansing is cleansing the skin twice, first with an oil-based cleanser, then with a water or surfactant-based cleanser. The Dermalogica Double Cleanse - aka the secret to ultra-clean, healting-looking skin - easily removes layers of buildup, make-up, products and oily debris. The process of double cleansing allows your second cleanse to penetrate even further, for a professional level of clean.

why is double cleansing important?

If you're like most people you only spend about 20 seconds cleansing with standard face washes or make-up removal wipes. That’s not enough to penetrate the layers of debris that can accumulate throughout the day, especially if you love to wear make-up or live in a congested area. Even after a single cleanse, you’re left with excess sebum, make-up, pollutants, and grime that give your skin a dull, congested appearance and prevent your skin care from doing its best work.

Cleansing your skin twice with the same cleanser also doesn’t necessarily thoroughly cleanse the skin. As chemistry tells us, “like attracts like,” which is why Dermalogica developed a Double Cleanse technique that involves first cleansing with an oil-based formula that can deconstruct and dissolve layers of oily buildup for a deeper clean.

here's how it works

At Dermalogica, we recommend a special double cleansing method to revitalise your skin.

Step One: PreCleanse

Massage either our original PreCleanse oil or NEW Micellar Prebiotic PreCleanse over your dry face and eyes to attact and dissolve surface oil and dirt and remove all traces of make-up. Concentrate on areas of congestion or stubborn debris. Wet hands and continue massaging to create a milky emulsion. Rinse with lukewarm water.

precleanse vs micellar prebiotic precleanse

Step Two: Cleanser

Wash your face with your prescribed Dermalogica Cleanser to remove any residual impurities and treat your skin's specific needs.

The result? A thorough clean that sets you up for your healthiest-looking skin, daily.

benefits of double cleansing

Double cleansing offers multiple benefits for those who wear make-up or not. The oil-based cleanser doesn’t just break down debris; it helps fortify your skin barrier, softens the skin, and allows the targeted ingredients in your second cleanser and other products to work more effectively to get you the results you’d like to see.

the best benefit led cleansers according to your skin type

Your prescribed Dermalogica cleanser targets your skin's specific needs. Read on to learn which is best for you and your skin condition.

all skin conditions, all-in-one formula

Oil to Foam Total Cleanser
Oil to Foam Total Cleanser

In some cases, time is of the essence and you might not have room in your schedule to cleanse twice - this is the perfect opportunity to try Oil to Foam Total Cleanser. Our new formula offers all the benefits of double cleansing, in half the time. Within seconds, this innovative golden gel-oil transforms into a rich foam to remove layers of daily buildup and cleanse the skin so it’s instantly soft and smooth.

adult acne and breakouts

Clearing Skin Wash
Clearing Skin Wash

This foaming cleanser helps clear skin and reduce the signs of skin aging. It stimulates natural exfoliation to help clear clogged follicles and smooth away dullness that contributes to visible skin aging.

dry skin

Intensive Moisture Cleanser
Intensive Moisture Cleanser

When skin feels tight, itchy, and flaky, use this- , a light, creamy cleanser enhanced with BioReplenish Complex to remove impurities while actively nourishing dry, depleted skin.

double cleansing for sensitive skin

UltraCalming Cleanser
UltraCalming Cleanser

Gentle cleansing requires products that delicately fortify the skin’s protective barrier without leaving an irritating residue. Wash your face with UltraCalming Cleanser to keep it feeling refreshed. It’s a gentle cleanser with a non-foaming gel/cream base that helps calm and cool reactive, sensitised or over processed skin. Remember that less is more with sensitive skin so you may choose to only cleanse once a day to avoid overstimulating the skin.

oily skin

Active Clay Cleanser
Active Clay Cleanser

Oily skin needs to have a cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin but protects the skin barrier to help balance excess oil production. Try cleansing your skin with a dual-action, mineral-rich clay cleanser like active clay cleanser with a charcoal formula. It actively cleanses and purifies while helping to protect the skin’s natural lipid barrier. This promotes a healthy microbiome while leaving skin smooth, refined, and revitalised.

dull or lacklustre skin

Daily Glycolic Cleanser
Daily Glycolilc Cleanser

This skin type is often caused by a buildup of environmental factors, sebum, and dead skin cells. For radiant, healthy-looking skin, wash your face with daily glycolic cleanser - a brightening and conditioning cleanser that renews dull, uneven skin tone. It also helps to condition and replenish skin while maintaining the skin's lipid barrier.

all skin conditions

Special Cleansing Gel
Special Cleansing Gel

Cleansing your skin with a soap-free, foaming cleanser with a gel base is essential to most skin care routines. Special Cleansing Gel works to cleanse all skin conditions with a refreshing lather that thoroughly removes impurities without disturbing the skin’s necessary natural oils and moisture balance.

Find the right cleanser for your skin here. Or, make use of our Face Mapping Skin Analysis tool to get professional skin analysis results direct to your email.
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