The Cleanse That Fits
Is one cleanse enough? Why is everyone talking about double cleansing, and should I be doing it?
This note breaks down oil cleansers, gel cleansers, and how to decide if one cleanse is enough or if your skin needs a little more that day.
Cleansing is the absolute first step in your skincare routine.
I mean, honestly, I labeled cleansers 1.0 and 1.1, so let's not overcomplicate your routine right off the bat. The answer is yes.With all the talk about double cleansing, oil cleansing, gel cleansing, and having multiple cleansers for different reasons, it can start to feel like there is a right answer you are supposed to know.
There is not.
So what needs to come off?
♡ makeup
♡ sunscreen
♡ product residue sitting on the skin
♡ excess oil
♡ sweat
♡ buildup from the day
Some nights, one cleanse is enough. Other times, especially on days with extra makeup, SPF, heavier products, or a good sweat from a hot yoga class, a second cleanse can help remove the little extra sitting on the surface.
Double cleansing is not a rule. It is a tool. Take it or leave it depending on your day.
If you are exhausted, one cleanse 100% is enough. If you have the time, energy, or more to remove, go for the second cleanse.
The goal is not to make cleansing feel like one more thing you have to get perfect. The goal is to choose the cleanse that fits your skin and your schedule and be consistent.
When I formulate cleansers at Back Bar, I usually start with two base options: oil and gel.
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What an oil cleanser does
An oil cleanser is made to break down oil-based buildup on the skin.
That can include:
♡ makeup
♡ sunscreen
♡ heavier skincare products
♡ excess oil
♡ anything that feels like it is sitting on top of the skin
This works because oil attracts oil. So instead of trying to scrub makeup or SPF away, an oil cleanser helps loosen and dissolve what is sitting on the surface first.
Oil cleansing can be especially helpful around the eyes. If you wear mascara or eye makeup, you know that scrubbing at the eye area is not the move. An oil cleanser can help soften and loosen makeup so you are not tugging at that delicate skin.
You apply it first, let it break down what needs to come off, then remove it with water or a warm muslin cloth and pat dry. There should not be a greasy residue left behind.
If you have oily skin, an oil cleanser might sound like the last thing you would want to use, but it can be such a good first step. Oil cleansing can help you use less product overall because you are not trying to scrub everything away. You are just loosening and dissolving what is sitting on top first.
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What a gel cleanser does
A water-based cleanser is made to remove water-based buildup on the skin.
That can include:
♡ sweat
♡ water-based products
♡ dirt and pollution
♡ anything that feels like it needs a gentle wash
This is the cleanser that feels like a traditional cleanser. It usually foams or has a gel texture. It is the step that feels like you are actually washing your face.
A water-based cleanser is usually gentler than an oil cleanser because it is not breaking down oil-based buildup. It is just rinsing away what a water-based cleanser can remove.
You apply it after your oil cleanser (if you are double cleansing), massage it in, then rinse with water. It should feel clean and comfortable, not tight or stripped.
If you have sensitive skin, a water-based cleanser can be a good option because you can find gentler formulas that are not going to strip your skin. If you have oily skin, a water-based cleanser can help you feel like your skin is actually clean without the heaviness of an oil cleanser.
So...one cleanse or two?
This is where you make the call. Skincare has to fit real life.
One cleanse can be a great choice when your day was lighter, you did not wear much makeup, or you just need your routine to stay simple enough to actually do it.
A double cleanse can be a great choice when you have more sitting on the skin at the end of the day.
Neither option is better across the board: A simple cleanse you actually do is more useful than a perfect routine that only happens once in a while.
A good cleanse should leave your skin feeling fresh, comfortable, and ready for your next step.
How cleansers are customized at Back Bar
At Back Bar, cleansers are built around how your skin behaves and how your routine works at home.
That may mean:
♡ a gel cleanser for a simple daily cleanse
♡ an oil cleanser for makeup, SPF, and eye makeup removal
♡ oil cleanser first and gel cleanser second for a double cleanse routine
Customize your cleanser
The point is not to add more steps. The point is to make the first step fit you.
Start with your cleanser
If your routine feels confusing, your cleanser is a good place to start, because it literally is the first step. It sets up everything that comes after it.
Make it in person
Still not sure which cleanse fits?
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay, but which one would you make for me?” send me a message. I can help you decide if your routine makes more sense with a gel cleanser, an oil cleanser, or both.