Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez swears by 'double cleansing': Here's what it is and why you should try it
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has informally campaigned her way to becoming one of the most relatable elected officials in our eyes, especially when it comes to the topic of beauty.
The 29-year-old congresswoman first gave us a glimpse into her makeup bag when she shared her $9 press-on manicure on social media. And she recently revealed on her Instagram Story the exact steps of her skin care routine. With a consistent three-step skin care regimen, it’s no wonder Ocasio-Cortez has such a clear complexion. Her secret: double cleansing.
Encouraging her 2.1 million Instagram followers to “look it up,” Ocasio-Cortez advises individuals, particularly those who wear foundation, to “cleanse w/ a balm or oil to melt off the makeup and then use a usual soapy cleanser to wash your skin.”
It may seem like double cleansing requires a lot of time you probably can’t afford to tack on to your skin care routine. However, board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, says that the trendy face-washing technique is surprisingly quick and simple. “It provides a very deep clean, but does so in a very gentle way, preserving the skin’s barrier and even preserving your collagen,” she says.
So how exactly do you double cleanse? As Bowe explains, “For the first step, start with an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup and dirt, pollution particles, etc., from your day. For the second step, you follow your first cleanse with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser.”
Yahoo Lifestyle asked Bowe, who teamed up with skin care brand Dermalogica to promote its new PreCleanse Balm, to explain which skin types can truly benefit from washing their face twice, as well as the downside of chasing that “squeaky clean” feeling. Here’s what we learned:
If you have oily skin or suffer from acne, double cleansing is one of the best ways to remove excess sebum and buildup.
“Double cleansing allows the initial grime, makeup, pollution and dirt from your day to be effectively and gently cleansed,” says Bowe. “I always explain to my patients that ‘like dissolves like.’” So she recommends using a gentle, oil-based cleanser to combat excessive oil, minimize breakouts and thoroughly break down makeup and skin care products that are also formulated with oil.
If you have dry skin, eczema or psoriasis, Bowe advises double cleansing only about three times a week, and following your double cleanse with a rich moisturizer. She adds, “It’s also important to only double cleanse at night, especially for people with preexisting conditions or sensitive skin.”
The dermatologist also suggests double cleansing if you wear heavy makeup — particularly stage, screen and TV performers — because it’s a much gentler way to remove makeup residue and maintain the health of your skin’s barrier.
If you live in an urban area, you too can benefit from this cleansing method. “Pollution levels tend to be higher in cities, and those tiny pollutant particles can dive into your pores and create free radical damage, which in turn promotes brown spots and premature aging,” says Bowe. “Thus, people who are prone to problems with pigmentation or uneven skin tone are ideal candidates for double cleansing.”
Aggressive cleansing routines can create tiny tears in the skin.
According to Bowe, overcleansing is a key cause of many skin issues. She adds, “Many of my patients use scrubs, loofahs and harsh washcloths to cleanse their skin, and they rub and scrub to get that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling.” This can pierce your skin, impair its ability to hold moisture and block allergens and irritants from entering, triggering inflammation.
“Your skin should not feel tight or dry after cleansing,” says Bowe. To prevent or minimize further damage, use your fingertips to massage cleanser onto your face and neck in an upward motion.
In the morning, try using a pH-balanced water-based cleanser. Stay away from antibacterial cleansers or harsh soaps. “Both can actually disrupt the skin barrier and eventually lead to overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria on the skin,” says Bowe. “In fact, soaps that are basic (pH higher than 7) tend to create inflammation, dry out skin and promote collagen degradation.”
This is why Bowe is a fan of Dermalogica’s PreCleanse Balm, “because it locks in your skin’s hydration, maintains the health of your skin’s barrier and is so effective in only one application.”
Over time, double cleansing can slow down signs of the aging process by ensuring that free radical damage is minimized.
It sounds a bit far-fetched, we know. But double cleansing acts like a primer to prepare your skin to absorb the full benefits of the antioxidants and other powerful ingredients in your serum and moisturizer, according to Bowe. “If you wait too long between cleansing and applying your serum and cream, you’ve missed that window to trap needed moisture in the skin,” she says.
Allow us to break it down with this simple calculation: Double cleansing + hydrating skin care = youthful-looking skin.
Eager to give double cleansing a go? Shop our product recommendations below for cleansing oils.
Shop it: Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil, $60, barneys.com
Shop it: Tatcha 1-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, $60.69, amazon.com
Shop it: Birchrose + Co Cleansing Oil, $24, birchroseco.com
Shop it: Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, $32, kiehls.com
Shop it: Dermalogica Precleanse, $45, nordstrom.com
The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shares her $9 press-on manicure on social media
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Spoke Up For Intersectional Feminism At The Women’s March
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
