Your Guide to Double Cleansing | Clean Nectarine Australia

The perfect nighttime skincare routine starts with a great cleanse, and nothing washes away the day's SPF, makeup and stress better than double cleansing! This two-step process, also known as the double cleansing method, is an ancient Japanese beauty technique used by the Geishas to remove their thick, white oshiroi makeup. They would use Camellia oil to dissolve the makeup, then a foaming soap to wash away the residue. This traditional practice is now an iconic Korean beauty hack used to achieve that super-clean "glass skin" base, helping beauty serums and creams be absorbed more effectively.

What is Double Cleansing?

So, how does it work? Think of it like this: oil attracts oil. The first step uses an oil cleanser (or an oil based face wash balm) to dissolve and lift away everything oily on your skin. This includes your makeup, sunscreen, and even excess sebum your skin produces throughout the day.

Then comes the second step, a water-based gel or foaming face wash. This step washes away the oily residue and all the makeup and grime it has lifted, leaving the skin completely clean. By removing all that leftover residue, the skin is not just clean, it's also perfectly prepped and ready to absorb all the beneficial ingredients from your serums and moisturisers. This is why I love using this method at night, it's when our skin does its most important rejuvenation work, so I really want to give that process a boost.

How to Double Cleanse

Ready to give it a try? Here's the simple routine that I follow. I find this really easy to do, even when I'm tired.

Start with an oil cleanser. Massage a natural oil cleanser onto dry skin, over your makeup, focusing on any areas with congestion or heavy makeup. The oil will melt everything away, including zinc sunscreen, mineral makeup, mascara, and lip stains.

Emulsify and rinse. Add lukewarm water with your hands to create a milky texture, then rinse thoroughly or remove gently with a damp washcloth. This step ensures all remnants from step one are lifted away.

Follow with a water-based cleanser. A gel or foam cleanser will work beautifully to remove anything that's left. Pat your skin dry, then follow with a toner-soaked cotton pad. This step is important because it removes any leftover cleanser or dead skin cells that can block your serums and moisturisers from fully absorbing. Now your skin is prepped and ready for overnight nourishment.

My Top 5 Double Cleansing Combos

Finding the perfect double cleansing duo for your skin can be a bit of an experiment, and I've had a lot of fun mixing and matching to find what works best. Here are some of the best combinations that work really well together.

1. Normal to Oily Skin

The MooGoo Oil Cleansing Method followed by the MooGoo Gentle Foaming Face Cleanser is a great option for normal to oily skin. The blend of castor, rice bran, grapeseed, jojoba and avocado oils dissolves sunscreen and makeup without clogging pores or stripping the skin's natural oils, which is important for oily skin types where over-stripping can trigger even more sebum production. The foaming cleanser follows with papaya AHAs for gentle enzymatic exfoliation and soothing calendula to calm the skin, sweeping away dead skin cells and balancing oil for a clear, fresh finish.

2. Dry & Sensitive Skin

The Raww Hydrating Cleansing Oil paired with the Andalou Sensitive 1000 Roses Gentle Cleansing Foam is a beautifully nourishing combination for dry or sensitive skin. The Raww oil is formulated with superfood macadamia, jojoba and avocado oils to deeply hydrate while melting away impurities, transforming into a milky emulsion with water and rinsing clean without greasy residue. The Andalou foam follows with its Rose-Biotic Blend™ of alpine rose stem cells, rosa centifolia and postbiotics to strengthen the skin's microbiome and barrier, while certified organic aloe and vitamin E soothe and protect.

3. Blemish-Prone Skin

The Tuttofare Cleansing Oil paired with the Noosa Basics Foaming Face Wash is an excellent duo for blemish-prone skin. The Tuttofare oil uses skin-balancing castor oil alongside hydrating jojoba, antioxidant-rich olive and nourishing coconut oil to dissolve sunscreen and makeup, including the SPF residue that can sit in pores and contribute to congestion and breakouts. The Noosa Basics foaming wash then purifies with tea tree and neroli hydrosol for natural antibacterial action, and white willow bark, a botanical source of salicylic acid, to unclog pores and clarify blemish-prone skin without stripping or disrupting the skin's natural pH.

4. All Skin Types

The Kora Organics Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil paired with the Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser is a wonderful certified organic duo that suits all skin types. The Milky Mushroom oil is formulated with hydrating silver ear mushroom, nourishing babassu oil and antioxidant apple seed oil, transforming into a silky milk when mixed with water to remove all traces of makeup including stubborn waterproof mascara, without clogging pores. The Turmeric Glow cleanser follows with antioxidant-rich turmeric to brighten dull skin, soothing aloe vera to maintain hydration, and a natural sugar complex to bind moisture after rinsing, leaving the complexion soft, smooth and glowing.

5. Sun-Damaged Skin & Uneven Skin Tone

The 100% Pure Blood Orange Cleansing Balm paired with the LAMAV Sweet Orange Balancing Cleanser is a brightening combination for sun-damaged skin and uneven skin tone. The Blood Orange balm is rich in vitamin C and antibacterial olive leaf in an avocado oil base, melting away stubborn waterproof mascara, long-wear lipstick and excess oils while deeply nourishing without stripping moisture. The LAMAV gel cleanser follows with Australian botanicals including sweet orange, papaya extract, desert lime and mountain pepper leaf, plus lactic acid and naturally derived fruit AHAs to lift excess sebum and support a fresh, luminous complexion.

Double Cleansing: Your Questions Answered

Can I double cleanse every day?

Yes, and after wearing makeup or sunscreen all day it's one of the best things you can do for your skin at night. The key is choosing gentle formulas that work with your skin's natural barrier rather than against it. Look for an oil cleanser free from mineral oil, and a foam or gel cleanser free from SLS. If your skin ever feels tight or dry after cleansing, it's worth checking the ingredients, as harsh chemicals can be the culprit, but even with natural cleansers it's important to use the right cleanser for your skin type.

Will double cleansing break me out?

I know it can seem strange at first, but the trick is to fight oil with oil. For blemish-prone skin, the real game-changer in step two is a purifying gel or foaming cleanser with tea tree or salicylic acid to clear congestion and keep breakouts in check. We love the Noosa Basics Foaming Face Wash for this, and the 100% Pure Tea Tree Detox Cleanser and Botani Rescue Acne Foaming Cleanser are also excellent options.

Do both cleansers need to be from the same brand?

Not at all! Some of my favourite combinations mix brands entirely. It really comes down to what your skin needs at each step, whether that's extra hydration in the first cleanse or more clarifying power in the second.

Is it ok to use oil cleansers on oily skin?

Absolutely, and this one surprises a lot of people. The principle is simple: oil attracts oil. A gentle oil cleanser draws out excess sebum and dissolves SPF far more effectively than a foaming wash alone, without triggering the skin to produce more oil in response. When oily skin is over-cleansed with harsh detergents, it often compensates by producing even more sebum.

Is double cleansing needed in the morning?

Usually not. After a night's sleep, a single gentle cleanser is all you need. I save the double cleanse for the evening, when there's a full day of SPF, makeup and pollution to clear away before my serums and moisturisers can really get to work.