Double Cleansing & Saying No to Makeup Wipes

I bring you another post I ended up rewriting because I felt like it was lacking in true knowledge dropping on here. I want to cover double cleansing and why I love it so much...but first we need to address why using a makeup wipe is an excuse for cleansing your face. Settle in and get excited to take your makeup off!

I'll easily tell you I was an avid makeup wipe user for years. Probably since my first trip to MAC in 2013. For every day I wore a full face of makeup after that, I most likely took it off with a Neutrogena makeup wipe and went to bed. Typing that sentence now and knowing that I did NOTHING afterwards makes me cringe. Since Kylie Jenner has joined the skincare world *eye roll* she even made her own makeup wipes...come on Kylie...you had so much potential.

After some research, I stumbled upon this Glamour article, sharing the negatives of makeup wipes. For instance, they move around whatever makeup, dirt, and dead skin is still on your face which can lead to irritated skin. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital went further to say that consistent makeup wipe use can cause inflammation in the skin and the appearance of fine lines faster because you're moving the surface of your skin around too much.

Watch the skincare goddess Caroline Hirons talk about why they're the worst in this video at :45 and 2:13 and 3:08. And she provides more useful information here.

The Body Shop recently took a bold step by discontinuing all of their makeup wipes. Read more here

After working at Sephora for a while, I began double cleansing as a means for removing my makeup and also being gentler on my eyes because that's where I wear the most makeup. After testing a bit of this and that, here are my thoughts on how to do a double cleanse properly. Always start with a balm/oil/milk, apply right on dry skin and massage it all around your face to break up that first layer of makeup and SPF. Adding a bit of water can help some of these products move or emulsify to further rinse away any and almost all makeup and SPF.

Glossier Milky Jelly has been my go-to for over a year because of its gel consistency and it gets almost everything off my face with just a pump and a half. I also love Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Cleansing Oil and Sunday Riley's Blue Moon Cleansing Balm, the most luxurious of balms if there was one. I'm currently using the Clinique Take the Day Off Balm as my first cleanse and while I'm not a fan at all of Clinique products, I like this one. I've found Drunk Elephant Slaai to be too hydrating for me but one of my friends says she uses an exfoliating cleanser afterwards and likes the combo! You really don't need a lot with these either, like I said above, I'd use a pump and a half with Milky Jelly and for Clinique I use a fat blueberry size.

The second cleanse is just as flexible but you could make it more tailored to your skin needs compared to the first cleanse. I'd recommend something that also removes makeup so you know everything is off but if you don't wear the usual full coverage foundation with contour, blush, and concealer, then you're probably fine with any ol' cleanser.

My favorites? Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip or Ole Henriksen Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser for oiliness/pores/acne, Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser or Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser for dry/combo, and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser or Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser for anyone (including men!!).

Send anymore of your questions towards my Instagram where I frequently post about my nightly routines and dry, witty commentary about skincare and what have you. Also follow Caroline Hirons if you don't already.

PSA Cleansing is my favorite part so I really had to reign in my enthusiasm with this one.