It’s summer time here and I’ve been layering on the sunscreen before hitting the beach and gardening. I want to walk you through my process of cleansing the skin to avoid clogged pores, especially if you’ve been wearing heavy sunscreens or makeup.
In general, if you don’t wear heavy sunscreen or makeup, you can get away with a single cleanse, morning and night.
Choose the cleanser that suites your skin and cleansing preference (either gel or cream cleanser), and do a deep thorough cleanse. This will be sufficient enough to clean your skin and prepare it for your moisturizer.
But, for the sake of this post, I’m referring to when one is wearing thick sunscreen or heavy makeup. The best way to get the skin clean and pores clear is double cleansing. This is cleansing twice, to cut through the oils.
Double Cleanse
- Double cleansing is a two step process. The first cleanse removes surface oils (makeup, sunscreen). Then the skin is rinsed and ready for the next cleanse.
- Second cleanse clears the pores and effectively ensures that all the products that were on the skin are thoroughly removed so the skin is clean and ready for moisturizer. Take your time with this step and get into all the areas where congestion in the skin occur, such as nose, forehead, chin. This will help prevent clogged pores.
Dry Skin Types
- Start with a cream cleanser/makeup remover such as Replenish Cream Cleanser.
- Follow with Gentle Cleanser, a gel based cleanser, for the second cleanse.
Normal Skin
- Start with a cream cleanser/makeup remover such as Replenish Cream Cleanser.
- Follow with Gentle Cleanser, a gel based cleanser, for the second cleanse.
Oily Skin
- Use a gel type cleanser, such a Gentle Cleanser for both cleanses.
The above is optimal . However, if you only have one cleanser, for times when you’re wearing heavy sunscreen and makeup, go ahead and preform a double cleanse with what ever cleanser that you have.
What About Oil Cleansing?
Oil dissolves oil, but doesn’t rinse clean from the skin. If one only uses an oil cleanser, there will be a film of oil left on the skin, preventing active serums from penetrating. I suggest following up with a gel cleanser to allow active ingredients in creams and moisturizers to penetrate as well as achieving the clearest pores.
Final Thoughts
I admit, I don’t always double cleanse. But I certainly do whenever I wear heavy sunscreens and I’ve been reapplying and sweating. For the best results, it is a good idea to perform a double cleanse especially at night. This is a professional way to clean your skin and ensure that you’ve removed all makeup and sunscreen, resulting in clear pores and optimal product penetration of active products.