Double cleanse for a fresh-faced finish

The double cleansing method involves delivering a strategic one-two punch as part of your daily routine. The first step involves an oil-based makeup remover balm like Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. This silky, lightweight product delivers over 95% removal of stubborn face makeup, sunscreen, and pollutants.¹

The next step is to immediately follow with a non-drying, water-based facial cleanser tailored to your skin type, like All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap. Available in three different formulas, this product will loosen surface flakes on the skin and remove traces of sweat, pollution, dirt, and accumulated oil still on your skin.

Sunscreen is your skin's daily defender against harmful UV rays, but at day's end, those protective particles need to be thoroughly removed. Daily SPF protection is absolutely necessary for skin health, but its stubborn, stay-put formulation—much like long-wearing foundation—makes it particularly challenging to remove with a simple cleanse. When sunscreen residue remains on your skin overnight, it can mix with natural oils and environmental pollutants, potentially leading to clogged pores and dullness.

Double cleansing ensures that every trace of sunscreen is effectively dissolved and washed away. The oil-based first cleanse specifically targets the water-resistant properties of SPF, breaking down its stubborn formulation in a way that water-based cleansers alone cannot achieve. This thorough removal not only helps maintain clear, healthy-looking skin but also ensures that your nighttime skincare products can penetrate properly, helping maximize their effectiveness while you sleep.

Does your face still feel a little dirty or dull after you wash it? The double cleansing method dissolves excess debris, resulting in a fresh-faced glow, while also clearing the way for better absorption of skincare treatments. Here are some other benefits of following this method before you turn in for the night:

• Helps take the day off: By removing surface-level makeup, sunscreen, and deeper impurities such as pollutants, double cleansing helps clean your skin thoroughly, reducing the likelihood of pore-clogging impurities being left behind. As a result, you achieve a clean, healthy-looking glow.
• Thoroughly cleanses: Going to bed with traces of makeup, stubborn waterproof mascara, or SPF residue still on your face can clog pores, which can lead to blemishes. Thoroughly cleansing your skin helps dissolve dirt, makeup, sunscreen, pollution, and impurities.
• Helps improve absorption of the rest of your routine: Layers of dirt, makeup, and other pore-clogging impurities can create a barrier between your skin and your skincare. When you take it all off, it helps create a clean canvas for your treatment products so that there’s nothing between your skin and the products that come next. That’s why serums, anti-aging creams, and lotions will be better absorbed when skin is clean and can get to work faster—giving you results.
• Enhances makeup application: When you’re working with a clean canvas, makeup applies smoothly on your face. As a result, you can achieve a polished finish, elevating the overall makeup application experience.
• Promotes long-term skincare consistency: Incorporating double cleansing into your nightly skincare routine establishes a consistent and effective practice. This builds a great foundation for your skin’s healthy appearance.

The double cleansing process involves the simple two-step method below:

1. Remove your makeup with an oil-based cleanser. This is your first cleanse. Oil-based cleansers can help remove makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. That’s why your first cleanse should use an oil-based product like Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips. This cleanser helps remove stubborn makeup, including waterproof mascara, as well as sunscreen and pollutants that have adhered to your skin throughout the day. Plus, it’s gentle yet effective: non-irritating, non-stinging.

There's a good reason Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm is called a makeup artist's best friend. The solid balm transforms into a silky oil that effortlessly dissolves even the most tenacious makeup and sunscreen formulations, and leaves skin brighter, with a healthy-looking glow. For a deep cleanse, try a product with detoxifying and purifying properties like Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm.

For our best cleansing balm technique, take a small scoop of balm and massage onto dry skin using circular movements from the center of your face outwards. Delicately massage your eyes last. Then, dampen a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it out, and hold it over your face for 5 seconds. Use the cloth to gently wipe away all traces of makeup.

Rinse the cloth again in cool water and reapply it to your face to tighten pores. Leave your skin damp in preparation for the second cleanse.

2. Follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove sweat, dirt and excess oil. This is your second cleanse. After the first cleanse, there could still be oil and dead cells clinging to the skin’s surface. With makeup and grime now out of the way, your water-based cleanser can really get down to business.

This second cleanse works to remove impurities and purify your skin, and give you a thorough cleanse.

While your skin is still damp, apply a non-foaming cleanser like All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Extra-Mild. This product is non-drying and is well-suited if your skin is on the dry side. If you have oily or combination skin, try a cream mousse, such as All About Clean Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser.

After massaging your cleanser of choice into your skin, rinse well with water and apply a clean washcloth to your face to dry off.

The double cleansing method is suitable for all skin types. Depending on your specific concerns, you’ll need to use cleansers that are formulated for your skin. Which Clinique Skin Type are you? Think about how your skin feels at midday without moisturizer and consult the following list:

Skin Type 1 (Very Dry to Dry): If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable all over and dry to the touch, you should reach for a non-drying, non-stripping formula to help protect skin’s natural moisture balance. All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Extra-Mild

Skin Type 2 (Dry Combination): If your skin feels tight and uncomfortable in the cheeks but comfortable in the T-zone, try All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Mild.

Skin Types 3 & 4 (Combination Oily to Oily): Is your skin oily in the T-zone or shiny all over with a greasy appearance and prone to clogged pores? Try a rich foaming cleanser specially formulated for oily skin like All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap Oily Skin Formula. If you’re prone to blemishes, use a medicated foaming cleanser like Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam. It contains salicylic acid that can help clear breakouts.

For sensitive skin (which can occur across any skin type): Try Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam. This velvety-soft, silky foam is suitable for all skin types and cleanses even sensitive skin with care.

Whether you're removing transfer-resistant foundation, waterproof mascara, or necessary but stubborn sunscreen, this double cleansing approach ensures your skin is truly clean and ready for rest and renewal.

¹ Average removal of long-wearing foundation, hybrid sunscreen, and carbon powder.