Double cleansing by skin type

Cleansing oils for oily, sensitive, and dry skin.

Stephanie Papanikolas
Nov 04, 2020 · 3 min read

Woman rubbing skincare cream on her face

We’re here to share what we know — but don’t take it as medical advice. Talk to your medical provider if you have questions.

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Anything worth doing is worth doing twice — so let the double cleansing commence. Double cleansing combines the oil cleansing method with a water-based cleanser. It’s a gentle and thorough way to clean your skin. It also helps remove makeup, sunscreen, sweat, dirt, and any other buildup from throughout the day.

If you want to give double cleansing a shot, here are my go-to products by skin type. These are just suggestions based on what I’ve learned from my time as a skincare blogger. At the end of the day, what works for your unique skin is subjective. That said, if you need a little inspiration, I hope these recommendations help!

Image of woman-s skincare routine with Curology Micellar Makeup Remover

Duo #1: Oily or combination skin

That’s right — counterintuitive as it may seem, those with oily/combo skin can still enjoy double cleansing, even with an oil cleanser! Of course, you’ll want to reach for lightweight cleansers that won’t make your skin feel weighed down. That’s why I think using a micellar water is best as your step 1 — it’s water-based and gets its power from micelles, which are tiny oils suspended in water. Follow up with a foaming cleanser to keep things extra light and airy.

Micellar water

The micellar makeup remover by Curology is great option for acne-prone and sensitive skin. Gentle micelles lift away even the most stubborn waterproof makeup—so your Custom Formula can get to work.

Foaming cleanser

Duo #2: Normal to dry skin

If your skin is on the dry side, then you’ll want to reach for a cleansing duo that packs in extra hydration. There are plenty of options when it comes to hydrating facial cleansers, including oil cleansers. You might also enjoy topping off your routine with a deeply hydrating moisturizer, like the Curology rich moisturizer.

Hydrating oil cleanser

Hydrating facial cleanser

Duo #3: Sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin — that is, skin that’s prone to redness, itchiness, or irritation — you’ll probably want to avoid products with potentially irritating ingredients including alcohol and added fragrance. If you’re acne-prone, all of the products suggested in this post should work for your skin, since they’re non-comedogenic (meaning not known to cause breakouts).

Fragrance-free cleansers

Simple oil cleansers

Want more help getting a new skincare routine started? Take the guesswork out of it when you sign up for a free trial of Curology.

Custom superbottle for breakouts | Free Trial button

You’ll be paired with one of our in-house medical providers who will prescribe you a custom cream with a mix of up to 3 ingredients for your unique skin. You can add any of our other products (including our cleanser) at no extra cost. Curology providers stick with you throughout your skincare journey, so you’ll be able to seek their advice as long as you’re a member. Your first box is free — just $4.95 (plus tax) to cover shipping/handling.

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Empowering you with knowledge is our top priority. Our reviews of other brands’ products in this post are not paid endorsements—but they do meet our medically fact-checked standards for ingredients (at the time of publication).

We’re here to tell you what we know. That’s why our information is evidence-based and fact-checked by medical experts. Still, everyone’s skin is unique—the best way to get advice is to talk to your healthcare provider.

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Written by

Stephanie Papanikolas