Cleansing is the first and most important step in the skincare routine to achieving healthy skin. Without proper cleansing, buildup from traces of dirt, sweat and makeup prevents the skin from being able to breathe, repair and renew itself. This may cause a blockage of skin follicles leading to acne, blotchy skin, irritation and overall unhealthy-looking skin. Definitely not ideal at all!
Double cleansing is not just a new trend that everyone raves about. In fact, double cleansing has been around for ages! Originating from Japan (like many other miraculous beauty rituals), double cleansing is, without a doubt, the best way to thoroughly cleanse the skin, without stripping off its natural oils.
It involves a two steps process, first by using a facial cleanser that will break down any makeup, remove dirt and excess oils from the day and clean your skin. The second facial cleanser will address your particular skin type or concern and should have ingredients to hydrate, smooth or exfoliate and treat acne.
According to Barbara Sturm, an aesthetic medical doctor in Germany, the function of a daily cleanser should be straightforward. It’s “to remove dead skin cells, oil, dirt and other pollutants from the skin, unclog pores, prevent skin conditions such as acne, and prepare the skin for the next step in your skin-care regimen.”
In reality, though, it’s a formulation challenge: The best facial cleanser is one that whisk away the bad stuff, yet magically leave your skin microbiome (that is, microorganisms that naturally live on your epidermis) relatively unscathed.
The Power of Cream Cleansers
Cream cleansers are great for all skin types as it adds on extra boost of gentle hydration, which allows the skin to naturally give off a radiant glow. Furthermore, cream cleansers prep the skin for absorption of nutritional care such as a light moisturiser or toner.
It’s a common misconception that cream cleansers are not suitable for oily skin. However, if you struggle with oily skin, using an oil-based cleanser is even more important! Cream cleansers are useful for removing buildup of your day while being gentle on your face too. Mona Gohara, a Danbury, Connecticut dermatologist agrees: “Creamy cleansers are great at helping keep your skin’s barrier intact,” she says. “This helps guard against inflammation, making them a great choice for acne-prone as well as sensitive skin types.”
What gives these cleansers the dense, milk-like texture is a mixture of emollient-rich ingredient breaking down grime with the oils and emollients in their formulas, rather than with a high level of surfactants. They gently cleanse your skin without stripping it off its natural oils and helps to keep your skin’s PH levels more balanced. The result? A clean (yet calm) complexion.
Product Recommendation – Super Moisture Cleanser
Super Moisture Cleanser – 160ml
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Mirage Miracle’s Super Moisture Cleanser gently removes all traces of makeup and impurities while leaving a deep moisture layer and soft supple skin that lasts long after cleansing.
If you’re thinking about starting on this double cleansing journey, start with Mirage Miracle’s Super Moisture Cleanser! An effective and affordable cream cleanser that uses natural oils and emulsifiers to gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities, while helping to soothe any redness/inflammation and leave a deep moisture layer and soft supple skin that lasts long after cleansing.
To Exfoliate or Not to Exfoliate
Our skin consists of living cells which is covered in layers of dead cells (approximately 15-20 layers)! Thus, exfoliation is the key to maintaining healthy and functioning skin. Although our skin goes through a natural shedding process and reproduces healthy new skin to the surface, this process does not happen regularly and it may happen slower than it should. This leads to dead skin build-up, and eventually result in flaky, dull and uneven skin.
Exfoliating through skincare and facial routines can help speed up the process; making your skin looks and feel better! By getting rid of dead skin cells, it opens up our pores and enable our skin to receive the nutrients we’re feeding them! Also, exfoliation smoothens the skin beautifully and will even out uneven tone and texture for baby soft skin that deserves to be shown off! If you exfoliate regularly, you’ll notice your skin starts to become more beautiful with a radiant glow. However, over-cleansing and over-exfoliating go hand in hand. Be wary of cleansers loaded with acids.
Product Recommendation – Refining Face Polish
Refining Face Polish – 160ml
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Fruit enzymes like papain (papaya!) and bromelain (pineapple!) are perfect exfoliants for those with sensitive skin—they’re not nearly as harsh as BHAs or AHAs. Fruit enzymes break down the keratin in skin and target the outermost layer of the epidermis.
Mirage Miracle’s Refining Face Polish, the winner of Women’s Weekly Best Beauty Buys 2020 under the best facial cleanser category contains 100% natural ingredients such as papaya extract and hyaluronic acid which removes dead skin cells, unclog pores and hydrates the skin at the same time. Unlike most exfoliators in the market, the Refining Face Polish is suitable for daily use and can be used as part of your double cleansing routine!
