Double cleansing may seem like just another skincare trend, but it can actually give amazing results to many different skin types! But what about acne-prone skin, is this a helpful way to heal breakouts or should you pass?
Is Double Cleansing Good for Acne Prone Skin?
Double cleansing is highly beneficial for acne-prone skin! It ensures that 100% of the makeup you’ve applied, excess oil, and any grimy buildup from the day are removed from your skin. Double cleansing also cleanses deeper into your pores compared to just using a regular face cleanser. This two-step cleansing routine will help prevent future breakouts and can help heal current acne flares up.
Most double cleansing routines will start with either a cleansing balm, facial oil, or micellar water. This first step breaks up oils and makeup and helps your second cleanser to reach deeper into the pores. The second water-based cleanser step of your acne-prone double cleansing routine will focus on treating your skin issues and gently cleanse the skin without stripping too much moisture.
Double cleansing is a great choice for acne-prone skin because it effectively cleanses your skin without leaving the skin feeling dried out or stripped. Oil-based cleansers are actually a wonderful option for oily acne-prone skin even if it may seem counterintuitive to apply oil to oily skin. Using an oil formulated for skincare will balance the natural oils of your skin and help tame excess sebum.
When we are struggling with oily skin we tend to gravitate towards super sudsy cleansers that remove all traces of any shine on the skin. When you strip the skin of most of its oil your pores will actually go into overdrive to compensate for the lack of moisture, and you can actually end up in an even worse situation than when you started.
The majority of cleansers marketed towards acne-prone skin lean towards the harsher side and can actually damage your skin barrier with daily use. A double cleansing routine takes two gentle cleansing steps to thouroughly cleanse the skin without overly stripping the natural oils in your skin barrier.
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Stage One Double Cleansing Products for Acne-Prone Skin
The first step to creating your double cleansing routine is to choose an oil-based cleanser. Here are some acne friendly oil-based cleansers to start your new routine:
The Inkey List Oil and Water Double Cleanser $9.99
This is a combination oil and water cleanser that quickly breaks down even the toughest of waterproof makeup. This fragrance-free cleanser is formulated with sweet almond oil, sea buckthorn oil, and panthenol. You shake the bottle to emulsify the ingredients and apply it to a cotton pad or cloth, and then rinse your skin. A little goes a long way with this cleanser and it also comes in at a very affordable price point!
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm $10-31
This fragrance-free cleansing balm transforms from a silky balm to a makeup removing oil. This is mainly formulated with safflower oil which is high in Vitamin E and fatty acids which help retain moisture in the skin and has anti-aging and anti-oxidant benefits.
The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm $9.99
From the brand:
It combines soothing colloidal oatmeal with ceramides to support the skin’s natural protective barrier. It is also formulated with oat kernel oil, a natural antioxidant that fights environmental stress.
Product Page Sephora
This oat-based cleanser is a wonderful first step for anyone with acne-prone skin. Oatmeal is a natural anti-inflammatory and has been shown to relieve many skin concerns caused by acne such as irritated, red, or dried out skin. Those suffering from acne can also find relief from painful breakouts by using a facial soap formulated with oatmeal like this soap I reviewed here by Potager Soap CO.
Stage Two Double Cleansing Products for Acne-Prone Skin
After you’ve used an oil-based cleanser to break up all that oil and makeup it’s time to seal the deal with a water-based cleanser. The main job of your first cleanser was to tackle the grime of the day, and now that that’s out of the way your second cleanser can focus on more important things like helping heal blemishes and prevent future breakouts.
Here are some amazing double cleansing products for the second step of your acne skincare routine:
PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash $9.48
PanOxyl is a 10% benzoyl peroxide facial wash that gently exfoliates the skin, prevents future breakouts with gentle anti-bacterial ingredients, and treats current blemishes as well.
This is suitable for all skin types and is tough on breakouts but gentle enough for everyday use. It has almost zero lather and has a creamy consistency that feels lovely on the skin. I personally have this ready to go on my bathroom counter to tackle any future acne flares!
Dr. Brandt Skincare Clean Biotic pH-balanced yogurt Cleanser $35
This playful yogurt textured cleanser has been a long term favorite of mine for double-cleansing. It has a light and refreshing texture that’s perfect for rounding off a double cleanse and it’s also formulated with lactic acid and chlorophyll which are both highly beneficial ingredients for treating irritated acne-prone skin.
Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser $19
This is a foaming green tea cleanser by Neogen Dermalogy with real tea leaves suspended in the bottom of the pump! There’s a built-in strainer that keeps the tea from being pumped out. It’s like having a freshly steeped cup of tea infused into your skincare!
The main ingredient in this formula is fermented green tea extract, which helps to brighten, soothe, and boost skin hydration. It’s a lightweight and hydrating cleanser that’s perfectly suited for a double-cleansing routine.
Can Double Cleansing Cause Breakouts?
The act of double cleansing in itself is highly unlikely to cause breakouts. A thoughtfully put together double cleanse routine is an easy and effective way to thoroughly cleanse and treat acne-prone skin.
Just keep in mind that a water-based cleanser should always follow the first oil-based skincare product. This will ensure that there is no dirt or oil residue left behind that could cause future breakouts.
It is also important to stay away from harsh overly foaming cleansers. The beauty of a two-step cleansing routine is that you can reap amazing results from using two gentle products, instead of one stripping cleanser. If you throw a super sudsy face wash into your routine and then cleanse a second time you run the risk of stripping your skin or even damaging your skin barrier. I have a full article where you can learn more about your skin barrier and how to avoid damaging it here.
