The most important step in any skincare routine is undoubtably the cleansing of your face, especially if you wear make-up. A quick swipe with a facial wipe only removes the most superficial dirt, grime and make-up residue, so that won’t achieve the deep cleaning your skin needs. Apart from your make-up, skin attracts airborne dust, bacteria and pollutants, which can lead to ageing, pigmentation and breakouts. This is where double cleansing shows its value…

Double cleansing involves using a cleansing oil or balm, or micellar water to break down make-up, SPF and sebum on the surface of your skin, followed by a deeper water-based cleanse.

So how do you double cleanse?

• Use a make-up remover and cotton swabs on your face until no make-up remains – this could take up to 4 or 5 goes!
• Follow this with a full water cleanse – it’s important to massage your cleanser into your skin for at least a minute. This ensures you get all the benefits of the ingredients of your cleanser. Remember to use lukewarm water – hot water can aggravate sensitive skin.
• Ensure that all the cleanser is rinsed off.
• Pat the skin dry… be gentle with your skin. Avoid rubbing or drying your skin too harshly. Double cleansing is a daily task – it needs to be done thoroughly, but with care.

Remember: Cleansing your skin isn’t about how quickly you can get the product on and off your skin. Count to 120 to get into the routine of taking your time to work with the cleanser, so it can do the job correctly.

What are the benefits?

As double cleansing is the only way to ensure your skin is properly cleaned of dust, grime, pollutants and make-up, it’s something you should really try and implement in your routine before bed. By cleaning your skin properly, you’re giving your skin cells the best chance at regenerating overnight.

Double cleansing also brightens and lifts your complexion and allows your serums and moisturisers the best chance to penetrate the skin and work their magic.

But can you over-cleanse?

A double cleanse is only needed once a day, at night, with a single cleanse in the morning to prepare your skin for day creams or moisturisers. Over cleansing can lead to dryness, sensitivity and irritation, so it’s vital to find the right sort of product – sulphate-free cleansers are ideal. Using regular soap can break down the skin’s acid mantle, which takes more than a night to repair naturally.

What does Gina recommend?

The Lamelle Serra cleansing gel is an amazing make-up remover, followed by the Dermaheal Foaming cleanser, or Luminesce Brighter cleanser. This combo ensures a really good, thorough cleanse.

Another great brand is Exuviance – their Gentle Cleansing Crème, followed by their Purifying Cleansing Gel produce fantastic results.

A non-negotiable for all Professional Skin Care Lab clients is a Smitten – a natural microfibre mitt to use with the cleansing products. I have seen such dramatic positive results on my clients that use Smittens.

For oily congested skins, I recommend cleansing twice with  Lamelle’s Clarity cleanser, with the Smitten, before applying any other products.

Neostrata’s Exfoliating Wash, and Clarifying Cleanser are 2 very popular products, well worth the cost!”