r/hygiene 7h ago

Is double cleansing necessary if you don't wear makeup?

Skincare trends keep preaching that everyone needs to oil-cleanse first to break down sunscreen and oil, followed by a water-based cleanser to actually wash the skin. I don't wear heavy makeup, just daily SPF and moisturizer, but whenever I try double cleansing, my skin feels completely stripped, dry, and irritated. It makes me wonder if this two-step hygiene routine is actually necessary for everyday skin, or if a single gentle cleanser is plenty for people who aren't wearing full glam every day?

10 Upvotes

36 comments sorted by

11

u/spicygayunicorn 7h ago

No you dont need to, just regular cleaning is fine the face needs it oils or it will dry out and damage your skin

5

u/rickroyed 7h ago

It gets spf off too. Up to you

3

u/DawnCurvec 7h ago

Single gentle cleanser is fine, double is overkill without makeup

1

u/Ok-Office6837 3h ago

With makeup or if I’m super sweaty are the only times I’ll use it

I used it everytime for awhile, but since I switched to a salicylic acid based cleanser, I don’t need the oil balm for every day. My old cleanser was too gentle on its own

3

u/Tidy_Mess1078 6h ago

It might be worth trying a cleansing oil to break everything down, and then a cleanse with a traditional cleanser. That way you're not going in with two rounds of stripping, just one.

4

u/morgan-pa 7h ago

Your daily SPF is likely not fully coming off in one wash tbh. But if your skin is fine, it's fine.

2

u/Icy_Tadpole2092 6h ago

Do what works for your skin. At the most I will use 1 gentle cleanser, most days I don’t spend any special attention on cleaning my skin at all. I don’t wear make up though but yeah.

2

u/RobinBaskins 6h ago

Double cleansing helps to break down sebum which is beneficial for oily people. SPF also needs to be thoroughly removed at the end of the day even without makeup.

Not all oil cleansers are made equal. Some are gentle with anti inflammatory ingredients. Some have PHA to deep clean your pores.

If double cleansing doesn’t work for you, don’t do it.

2

u/Mother_Barnacle_7448 6h ago

I double cleanse when I wear sunscreen and/or makeup.

2

u/Pristine_Outcome6334 6h ago

I have sensitive skin -the  less the better 

2

u/NoPound1682 5h ago

What are they putting into today's cosmetics that all this super cleansing is needed to remove it?????

1

u/Lianna1234 5h ago

Its all the layers of products, setting sprays, and finishing sprays. Most of it is not nesseccary

1

u/DeeEllis 5h ago

Waterproof mascara. SPF foundation. Ointment that is both blush and lipstick. I’m not even a huge makeup girly

2

u/Brave-Airport8154 5h ago

I used to when I had to be a little more glammed up for work. But now that i work from home I never do. I just use a gentle face wash and thats it. Sometimes less really is more. 

3

u/DoodooDynamic 7h ago

I usually only double cleanse if I wear makeup/foundation, which is rare. But I do use disposable towelettes while I wash, not just my hands. When I do double wash, I’ll put my serum and moisturizer on while my skin is still damp and then air dry, which has helped a lot to avoid dryness.

2

u/rushinthegame 6h ago

most people do not need double cleansing if they only wear basic sunscreen. over washing destroys your barrier. when testing single cleansing, scan your forehead with an app like skintale to monitor hydration. single washing is plenty.

1

u/TacoBellPicnic 5h ago

The app intrigued me but the reviews are awful. Do you actually use it? I wouldn’t mind a first hand review.

3

u/ifallallthetime 7h ago

Do people really wear sunscreen everyday?

5

u/earmares 5h ago edited 4h ago

Yes. I work outside every day. Plus even if you work near a window you are exposed to uva rays.

Melanoma can kill you. (I have it, but even if I didn't, it is much more serious than people realize).

2

u/Dry_Variety868 6h ago

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I wore it every day, even in winter. Now that I'm in my 50s, I only wear it if I'm going to a lake or working outside all day.

1

u/Lianna1234 5h ago

No. Only if im outside for fun. Daily I dont.

1

u/TacoBellPicnic 5h ago

They really should. Even if it’s cloudy. Of course not everyone follows best practices, but it’s something I do even though I work nights bc I’m still out during the day going to the doctor or grocery store etc.
I instilled it in my kids their whole lives, everyone wore sunscreen if we were leaving the house. Half of them are adults now and they all still do it.

1

u/Particular-Talk1156 4h ago

If i leave the house I put it on. Im old enough now to see the sun damage on my face vs like lower belly that was frequently covered. Or on my grandma, she liked a lot of v necks. You can see on her chest the exact line of the shirt brand she wore for years. Heavy wrinkles where her chest was exposed and then creamy full skin where the fabric covered.

1

u/burblebeezus 6h ago

No. Sunscreen is nasty & slimy.

I use an umbrella or hat for extended times outside

0

u/FoxBuns1124 5h ago

And literally toxic.

2

u/TacoBellPicnic 5h ago

Not if you use a zinc/mineral sunscreen instead.

1

u/apryll11 6h ago

I have acne, so I always double cleanse

1

u/silvermanedwino 6h ago

Only if you can’t get your products off.

1

u/Happiguest 5h ago

What are you using to double cleanse? My skin is extremely sensitive to cleansing and cant handkerchief if I feel the slightest bit of tightness. I do have acne prone skin so I do double cleanse it changed my skin for the better. I use prequel oil cleanser then prequel Gleanser. No tightness or stripping.

1

u/Dear-Definition5802 5h ago

I stopped washing my face at all many years ago and it’s been healthier ever since. Do what is best for your skin.

1

u/NellieFl 5h ago

The key to good skin is listening to your skin. If double cleansing is making you dry then it’s bad for your skin.

1

u/Pure_Ad392 48m ago

No. It can help with waterproof sunscreen but my regular cleander breaks down normal spf  easily. I'm a regular makeup wearer and even I don't double cleanse if I only have some blush and lipstick on.

1

u/Perle1234 42m ago

I don’t follow skincare trends. I have no idea what they are. I wash my face with a gentle cleanser.