What is the double cleanse? And should I be doing it?

It can sometimes seem that skincare just gets more complicated every year. What happened to the days when a bar of soap and a slick of Pond’s Cream was enough? Education is what happened. We know so much more about how our skin works now than ever before, and how to work with our skin to get the very best results - skin cell regeneration, proper protection and maximum hydration, all resulting in a natural glow, and a slowing down of the natural symptoms of ageing.

So, what is the double cleanse and why is it a good idea?

A double cleanse is one that first uses an oil-based cleanser and next a water-based cleanser. It’s an end-of-the day skincare routine that will pay dividends, especially if you finish with a magic ingredient.

The first cleanse is one to remove all makeup, SPF and indeed our own sebum from the skin. It needs an oil-based cleanser because this is most effective in lifting and washing away oil-based products such as foundations and concealers, SPF skin-protection products, and sebum, which is the oil naturally produced by your skin during the day.

A water-based cleanse is the next step, as this will remove sweat and grime (especially important for those living in areas with a lot of traffic and pollution) and any skin cells you have shed during the day.

You can then choose to moisturise with your favourite overnight skin cream (we recommend our Cream Repair, as it’s packed full of antioxidants to give your skin the nighttime boost it needs, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid and a tad of retinol, for its smoothing properties) - or you can add another quick step and really ramp up the care you are giving your skin, and the payback you will receive.

So, what’s the third step in the Double Cleanse routine? It’s actually a step you need only take two or three times a week, building to every evening as your skin gets used to it - the application of our super retinol serum, Power R1%.

Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, acts to lift away dead skin cells, allowing the production of new skincells to flourish - exchanging dull skin for new, fresh and glowing skin. It is also an active ingredient needed for the natural production of hyaluronic acid - which we all know keeps skin hydrated and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. When you apply Retinol to the skin, it can be converted to the form of Vitamin A used to regulate your cells’ production of HA. I love this - it’s the perfect example of how science can help nature. Vitamin A serves to strengthen skins’ own natural processes, helps regulate the production of HA, helps maintain healthy sebum production levels and even helps your skin protect itself against the sun. It’s a challenging product to use, for many people, however, so baby steps are important. Learn more in my Retinol blog post.

On those nights you do choose to boost with retinol, either don’t apply a moisturiser, or use something that doesn’t contain retinol, such as our Cream Drench.

Next day, simply wash your skin with warm water, and follow your usual serum, moisturiser and SPF routine.

So here I have taken the undoubted benefits of a double cleanse and added a third step - not a cleanse, but a skin boost that takes full advantage of you presenting a clean, clear and so perfect surface upon which to smooth a little retinol.

If you want to learn more, arrange a consultation, we can have a no-charge chat and plan the best approach for you to take.