Are You Washing Your Face the Right Way? Let’s Talk Double Cleansing.
Jul 22, 2025@samanthaschneidermd Want to make sure you’re actually getting ALL that makeup & sunscreen off? 🫧✨ Double cleansing is the way to go! 🧴➡️ Step 1: Use an oil-based cleanser or micellar water to break down makeup & SPF. 🚿 Step 2: Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to wash away any residue. Your skin will thank you! 💖 Do you double cleanse? Let me know below! 👇 #DoubleCleansing #SkincareTips #DermApproved #GlowUp ♬ original sound - Samantha Schneider, MD
Are You Washing Your Face the Right Way? Let’s Talk Double Cleansing.
By Dr. Schneider, Board-Certified Dermatologist
If you wear makeup, sunscreen—or both—this one’s for you. We need to have a quick chat about how you're washing your face, because chances are... you're not cleansing thoroughly enough.
I'm Dr. Schneider, a board-certified dermatologist, and I'm here to tell you: one cleanse isn't enough if you're wearing makeup or SPF.
Why Double Cleansing Matters
Even if you're using a great cleanser, that first wash often isn’t getting everything off. Waterproof mascara, tinted sunscreens, long-wear foundation—all of it clings to your skin in ways a single cleanse just can’t fully tackle.
When you don’t remove it properly, it can lead to:
- Clogged pores
- Irritation
- Breakouts
- Dull, congested skin
Step 1: Start With an Oil-Based Cleanser or Micellar Water
The first cleanse is all about breaking down the layer of sunscreen and makeup so the second cleanse can actually clean your skin.
Here are two great options:
🧴 Micellar Water
I love Bioderma’s micellar water—it’s gentle and effective, and the push-top packaging makes it super easy to use. Just saturate a cotton pad, swipe across your face, and watch the residue come off.
🧴 Oil-Based Cleanser or Balm
If micellar water isn’t your thing, try an oil-based cleanser or balm. These products bind to oil, makeup, and SPF, allowing you to rinse them away more effectively.
Step 2: Follow With a Gentle Cleanser
After you’ve broken down the grime, you need to wash again—this time to actually clean your skin.
My go-to?
🧼 Cleansers like CeraVe or Sente.
Sente's cleanser, in particular, is a favorite of mine. I have rosacea and sensitive skin, and it’s creamy, non-irritating, and leaves my face feeling clean but never stripped.
The Bottom Line
If you’re investing in skincare—and especially if you're wearing sunscreen daily like you should—double cleansing is a non-negotiable step in your evening routine.
✨ First cleanse: Remove SPF and makeup
✨ Second cleanse: Clean your skin
Your skin will thank you with fewer breakouts, less irritation, and better results from all those other products you're using.
Need help building a routine for sensitive or acne-prone skin? I’ve got you. Follow along for more dermatologist-backed skincare tips—or drop your questions in the comments!
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Want the transcript for this video instead?
We need to have a chat about how you're washing your face. You are wearing makeup. If you are wearing sunscreen. Let's talk. I'm Dr. Schneider. I'm a board certified dermatologist, and we need to talk about why you need to be washing your face twice. IE doing a double cleanse if you are wearing makeup or sunscreen.
The reason being the first cleanse is not getting all of it off, especially if you're wearing waterproof mascara, especially if you're wearing like a tinted sunscreen. You gotta do it twice. So here are your options. You wanna use something like Mycellar water? This one by Bioderma is awesome because it has this little push button so you can literally just push it.
My, my cotton pad is all wet now and you can literally do your first pass of cleansing with your cotton round like this, all the sunscreen that's coming off.
You wanna get as much of that off as you can. If you don't wanna use something like a mis cell water, then we're talking about an oil-based cleanser. Or some type of balm principle with both of these is that the oil is going to grab the makeup and then you're gonna kind of rinse it off with water and on that, it's really not enough.
You need to follow with a second round of cleanser. So I use something like cean. Another one that I love is by Sente, because again, I have sensitive skin, I have rosacea. This product is designed for people with sensitive skin. It's creamy. It feels amazing. Follow me for more skincare tips.
