Double cleansing questions

[wade2190]

Hey everyone —

I’ve read a lot of posts and articles about double cleansing as well as cleansing balm. I’m pretty much a novice with most of this, and am entering grad school, so my budget is pretty tight. 

Basically, I’m wondering if it would be worthwhile for me to try. I’m a guy in my early 30s, a little facial hair, and don’t wear makeup. I’ve struggled with acne since I was a teen that I’d chalked up to football, but it seems to still be following me. I’m finally FINALLY getting my breakouts to a minimum (like a 2-3 whiteheads /week [I bet that’ll change now that I’ve said that 😜😩]) and am having some residual discoloration/texture issues from all the years of worse breakouts.

I feel like I’m in a good spot with my cleansing, serums, and moisturizer, though in the winter months I can tell my dryness has rallied itself more than usual. I have normal-dry skin in the winter months, and normal-combo skin in the warmer months generally. I use a lot of Drunk Elephant products, but with returning to school and a significant cut in my hours at work, I’ll be transitioning to something more affordable, so any suggestions along that route would be welcome too! Thanks for reading this! 

AM routine:

Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Cleanser 4 oz/ 120 mL  

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum .94 oz/ 28 mL  

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum with Hyaluronic Acid 1.69 oz/ 50 mL  

After work/workout (mid-afternoon/evening):

OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Juice™ Gentle Glow Daily Cleanser 5.0 oz/ 148 mL  

*OR*

The INKEY List Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser 5 oz/ 150 mL  

PM:

Kate Somerville again (if I feel I need another wash)

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum  

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury  Face Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL  

Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Firming Refillable Moisturizer 1.69 oz/ 50 mL  

And I do use Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 1 oz/ 30 mL  one to two times during the week (day) and use Drunk Elephant F-Balm™ Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask 1.69 oz/ 50 mL  the night I use the retinol. 

[wade2190]

Thanks everyone for the advice and thoughtful replies! I guess I did skip that I DO use sunscreen if I’m going to be out during the daylight, however, I’m a healthcare worker, and usually go in in the dark and come out in the dark - not much sun in the hospital 😂. I did learn VERY quickly (like day 1) of my first beach trip after starting to use TLC that not only did I need to be conscientious about my facial sunscreen, but that it also needed to be about SPF 100000 (hello Irish skin). And thank you for taking the time to list the more cost effective products - advice heard and will be taken @WinglessOne ! 

[WinglessOne]

Hi @wade2190 ! Double cleansing isn't a necessity unless your usual cleanser doesn't remove all your makeup (which you don't wear anyway) or sunscreen (which you should definitely add to your routine). There's nothing wrong with trying it, of course, but... eh, you might not need a 2-step cleanse. 

Spoiler

A cleansing balm can be step 1 of a double cleanse. So can an oil cleanser. So can various other kinds of cleansers. Even micellar water can be step 1. Your usual cleanser can be step 2. 

Which step 1 cleanser is right for you depends a lot on your personal preference. I personally hate using most jarred cleansing balms on my face; I use them to remove makeup swatches/blends from my arms and hands instead. Those types of balms usually irritate my eyes or temporarily blur my vision, and some of them are loaded with bad-for-me essential oils. (My mostly-dry combo skin is quite reactive/inflammation-prone and hates essential oils.) My 2 favorite cleansing balms come in tubes: The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5 oz/ 150 mL  and Paula's Choice Omega + Complex Cleansing Balm 3.5 oz/ 104 mL . In fact, I sometimes use them as morning cleansers—if I even need an AM cleanser at all. Some mornings I just wipe my face down with a wet microfiber cloth. I always wash my face at night, though, to remove the day's cooties and pollutants. 

About sunscreen: you absolutely need to use one since you're using DE TLC Framboos. I mean, we should all wear broad spectrum sunscreen anyway, each day our skin's exposed to sunlight (even if we'll be indoors sitting beside a window with open blinds/shades/drapes), regardless of weather or season, all year long. If you already do this and forgot to mention it in your post: great! Hooray for sunscreen! But if you don't: an AHA exfoliant like Framboos will make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, which is why the FDA requires a warning label on AHA products sold in the US. Even if you use the AHA at night, you need sunscreen during the day if your skin will be exposed to sunlight. Also, there's no reason to use any skin brightening discoloration-fighting products (like a vitamin C serum of an AHA exfoliant) if you won't also stop the sun from causing more discoloration and undoing those products' hard work. And plus also, sunscreen helps protect against skin cancer. You don't want skin cancer. /lecture 

A few money-saving swaps for Drunk Elephant: 

Spoiler

Paula's Choice CLINICAL Anti-Aging 1% Retinol Treatment 1 oz/ 30 mL  is a slightly less expensive option than DE A-Passioni. Paula's Choice frequently has sales at their own site, and they sell foils and/or travel sizes of many of their products, so checking their site is worthwhile. 

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream may be a good dupe for DE Protini and costs just $16-20 USD. Target might still carry it, but you can also buy it direct from the brand. 

Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA is how I usually exfoliate my face 1-3 times a week. It's missing DE Framboos's 1% BHA, but I also use a separate BHA exfoliant sometimes (also by Paula's Choice; they make them in a range of strengths) so that's no big loss for me. 

The Ordinary Buffet Anti-Aging Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL is my favorite hydrating serum and, for me, works better than DE B-Hydra. It's loaded with hydrating ingredients, including various peptides. I use it a few times a week, though more often during winter. 

e.l.f. Nourishing Facial Oil is my favorite facial oil and I hope e.l.f. doesn't plan to discontinue it. Compared to DE's Marula OIl, this is a great $10 blend of beneficial facial oils with no essential oils in the mix. If you like a heavier feeling hydrating and somewhat moisturizing oil, The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL  is a good option. 

[newcarlee]

@wade2190 , I’m no expert but I’m not sure you need to double cleanse with the current products you use. I find double cleansing necessary to remove makeup and/or sunscreen, both of which you don’t use. That said, you may want to reconsider the sunscreen.

You are using some really nice products! 

[sister13]

You are using some great items and looks like you have a great routine. I am guessing some others will chime in with some recommendations, but I had to offer you one of my favorite, affordable  cleaning balms. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser - Hydrating Makeup Remover  is amazing! It takes off everything and rinses clean. I love a double cleanse with that one and then the fresh Soy Makeup Removing Face Wash 6.7 oz/ 200 mL . While the Fresh is not cheap, a little goes a long way so it lasts forever. 

You could try a prescription retin-a product too, if you have insurance. I know they say cosmetic retinols should do similar and be more gentle, but I seem to do much better with the prescription tretinoin. Or, actually, I think one is available non-prescription these days. Of course, you have to start slow and often a lot of peeling and redness before settling down and clearing. Just something to co spider, I am not an expert! 

My only other advice is to introduce new items one at a time, if possible, especially if your skin has been pretty stable. I made the mistake again recently of adding too many new products at once. Best of luck to you! @wade2190 

[MvLL]

@wade2190. The advice from all the others is top. I'd add a UV50 Hat, of natural fibres, if you're open to wearing one. I love my 'Tilley Endurables' brimmed hat. Perfect, as you want to protect not just the forehead, but the Scalp too. Golf visors are insufficient, as many get sunspots, etc. on 'forgotten' areas of head. Cheers!