How double cleansing cleared up my long-term acne

“When done correctly, double cleansing will leave your skin feeling clean and revitalised.”

My relationship with acne is like that of a stubborn ex who won’t let go. It has bugged me with red, pus-filled pimples and hormonal bumps for over a decade since my teenage years. By the time I reached my mid-twenties, I’d hoped to be free from the wrath of acne. My friends who’d experienced similar issues in teenagehood now had flawless, scarless skin, so why wasn’t it the same for me?

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It turned out I wasn’t as fortunate as them, and my ‘glow-up’ didn’t quite happen how I imagined. Despite my low self-esteem, I continued to battle acne by exploring different solutions to salvage my skin. I tried cleansing my face with organic facial soaps, visited reputable dermatologists and even invested in expensive skincare products and tools. None of the methods worked until I introduced double cleansing into my skincare routine.

What is double cleansing?

For the unacquainted, double cleansing is as literal as it sounds. You wash your face twice: first with an oil-based cleanser, and then a water-based cleanser to achieve a deeper clean. The oil-based cleanser removes impurities on the skin like makeup and sebum, while the water-based cleanser washes away sweat residues and lingering dirt.

I know – washing your face twice may raise concerns, like the fear of stripping away too much moisture from the skin. But when done correctly, double cleansing with two different products will leave your skin feeling clean and revitalised. Even better, your skin will be able to properly absorb the goodness from the products you apply post-cleanse.

FYI, double cleansing is not limited to those who suffer from acne. It’s suited to most skin types, it may just take some trial and error to find the perfect cleansers to suit you. But trust me, the result is worth the effort.

Step one

Not all heroes wear capes. My oil cleanser, Elemis’ Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter, comes in a glass bottle that closes with a white cap. It’s a versatile oil-based cleanser that doubles as a facial mask.

Like any good oil-based cleanser, this one effortlessly ‘melts’ into your skin, effectively removing makeup, dust, and everyday debris when massaged. Elemis’ Cleansing Butter has the added benefits of chia seed oil and mango butter – omega fatty acids that smooth out rough skin and reduce inflammation.

Once you’re done massaging the oil-based cleanser onto your dry face, you can wash it off immediately or leave it on for an extra 10 minutes for added nourishment. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with soft, supple skin.

Step two

Moving on to the second step of double cleansing, my go-to water-based cleanser is Elemis’ Superfood Facial Wash. Described as a “fresh pressed juice for your skin”, it appears green and gives off a subtle, grass-like scent, courtesy of ingredients like broccoli, avocado and pumpkin seed oils.

What I love most about this cleanser is the fact that I only need a pea-sized amount to cleanse my face. Plus, its gentle formula doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and dry like some cleansers do after a wash.

The result

I have diligently stuck to my double cleansing routine for almost a year, and my skin has significantly improved in terms of radiance or pigmentation. With a clean face, I’ve noticed my skin is also able to effectively absorb the other skincare products I use after the cleansing routine.

Although I still occasionally develop hormonal acne, I’ve noticed the blemishes are less red, no longer inflamed and subside much faster than before. But as we know, good things take time – my advice is to stick with a simple routine (like this one!) and pivot if you aren’t seeing results.

For more on the benefits of double cleansing, head here.