It Takes Two

Though it may sound like a chore to some, double cleansing is well worth the time for clearer, brighter skin

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Though it may sound like a chore to some, double cleansing is well worth the time for clearer, brighter skin

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Double cleansing may sound like a lot of hard work but this practice dates back to the Japanese Edo period in the 17th and 18th Century, when geishas and maikos (apprentice geishas) used the technique to remove their heavy, lead-based makeup. Flash forward to 2017, and double cleansing is as useful a ritual than ever. 

But why waste time? Advocates swear by double cleansing as they believe it helps purge skin of impurities, without stripping away essential moisture. Dr Teo Wan Lin from TWL Specialist Skin & Laser Centre recommends using an oil cleanser before a foaming one, especially for those who wear makeup. Oil cleansers effectively dissolve and break down foundations and sunscreens. After the cleansing oil is rinsed off, a foaming cleanser is used. This step helps get rid of any other oil remnants, leaving skin purified and ready to absorb subsequent skincare products. 

It’s undeniable that the effort pays off. With well-cleansed, moisturised skin, it’s easier to maintain a radiant and blemish-free complexion. 

CLEANSING OILS 

FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil, $30 (120 ml).

Formulated to instantly dissolve makeup without leaving residue, this gentle oil also preserves the natural oils within your skin while lifting away impurities to leave the face feeling fresh and soft. 

Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $65 (150 ml). 

At the heart of this cashmere-like oil are eight botanical oils, infused with Asian life-energising plants to carefully condition, nourish, and protect the skin while cleansing. 

Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, $41 (300 ml). 

A cult favourite, this lightweight oil can be used on both dry and damp skin to remove  all traces of makeup, without stripping your skin of moisture. Stubborn, waterproof makeup won’t stand a chance against it. 

FOAM CLEANSERS 

ORBIS Aquaforce Mild Wash, $23 (120 g).

This cleanser foams up to create dense, luxurious suds which gently captures and removes dirt and grime. Skin feels clean and refreshed, without any squeaky feeling or dryness that comes with harsher cleansers. 

Albion Excia Cell Clarity Cleansing Foam, $90 (150 ml). 

This foam cleanser contains four cleansing ingredients to remove dirt and other surface impurities, while accelerating whitening processes to deliver silky-soft and luminous skin. 

Bio-essence 24-K Bio-Gold Skin Radiance Cleanser, $10.90 (100 g). 

Go for gold with this rejuvenating cleanser, which contains herbal extracts, amino acids, and real gold flakes to deeply cleanse skin and promote radiance from within.