Make Up Lovers: How to Double Cleanse Like a Pro & Why It Matters for Skin Health

What Is Double Cleansing And Why Single Cleansing Isn’t Enough

Double cleansing means washing your face twice, but with intention.

1. First, use an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, SPF, and sebum buildup.
2. Then follow with a water-based cleanser to lift impurities, sweat, and pollutants left behind.

Makeup and sunscreen are oil-based, so only an oil cleanser can truly dissolve and lift them. When you skip this step, residue stays on your skin, leading to congestion and dullness. The second cleanse then works to deeply purify, rebalance, and restore clarity.

It’s not about washing more, it’s about washing smarter.

As the founder of ST.SAJ and honestly, looking tired as hell after a long day this is exactly how I start every evening: ready to reset, cleanse, and restore my skin barrier with our two-step cleansing ritual.

Step 1: The Oil Cleanse; Melt Away the Day

Every great double cleanse starts with an oil cleanser. Oil attracts oil, so instead of stripping your skin, it melts away makeup and sunscreen gently and efficiently.

Our Glow Cleanse was formulated to do exactly that. It’s powered by natural AHAs for micro-exfoliation and a blend of jojoba, almond, and sunflower oils to nourish while they cleanse. Together, they dissolve makeup, pollution, and excess sebum while maintaining balance.

How to use:

• Start with dry hands and a dry face. This is key to getting the emulsification right.
• Massage gently for 30–60 seconds.
• Add a splash of water to emulsify into a silky milk, then rinse thoroughly.

The result? A clean, soft base that feels nourished, not tight.

Step 2: The Foaming Cleanse; Purify, Protect, and Reset

The second step is where clarity and balance happen.

Our Clear Cleanse is a non-stripping foaming wash enriched with triple ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid. It’s formulated to reinforce your skin barrier, hydrate deeply, and provide micro-exfoliation without irritation.

How to use:

• Apply to damp skin.
• Lather in your hands first activate it before applying to your face.
• Massage in circular motions and rinse.

The velvety texture and microfoam are designed to remove impurities while keeping your barrier intact. You’ll notice the difference immediately fresh, supple, balanced skin that’s ready for serums.

Morning vs Evening Cleansing - The ST.SAJ Way

We recommend double cleansing at night only.

In the morning, skip the cleanser and simply rinse with water. Here’s why: while you sleep, your skin produces a thin, protective layer of natural oils your acid mantle. This layer helps balance pH and defend against bacteria. Over-cleansing in the morning can disrupt it.

Nighttime cleansing, however, is essential it removes makeup, SPF, sweat, and pollutants, allowing your skin to restore its natural equilibrium overnight.

Think of it as:

• Morning = preserve your protection.
• Night = reset your barrier.

The Science: Why Clean Skin = Healthy Skin

Your skin barrier is made up of lipids and cells that protect against irritants and lock in hydration. When makeup and pollutants linger, they oxidise, weakening the barrier, clogging pores, and reducing your skin’s ability to absorb active ingredients.

Double cleansing supports your barrier by:

• Gently dissolving oil-based impurities.
• Removing leftover surfactants and micro-residue.
• Allowing your actives (like vitamin C or peptides) to penetrate properly.

Healthy cleansing isn’t just about clean skin it’s about functional skin that can heal, renew, and glow.

Common Mistakes Make-Up Wearers Make

Even the most devoted skincare lovers sometimes get this wrong. Here are the big don’ts:

• 🚫 Using makeup wipes as your only cleanser they’re harsh and leave residue.
• 🚫 Over-cleansing or scrubbing this damages the barrier.
• 🚫 Skipping hydration after cleansing.
• 🚫 Using water that’s too hot it strips essential oils.
• 🚫 Not emulsifying your oil cleanser before rinsing.

Pro tip: If your skin feels tight after cleansing, you’ve gone too far. Healthy skin feels soft, balanced, and hydrated not squeaky.

The ST.SAJ Ritual; Cleanse Smarter, Glow Harder

The ST.SAJ two-step cleanse is simple:

1. Glow Cleanse – oil-based, melts makeup and SPF.
2. Clear Cleanse – foaming, purifies while protecting your barrier.

Use this ritual every night, skip the morning cleanse, and within two weeks, you’ll see your skin transform smoother texture, balanced oils, and that post-cleanse glow you can feel.

Conclusion + Call to Action

Beautiful skin doesn’t start with the serum it starts with how you cleanse.

By embracing a mindful, science-backed double cleanse, you’re doing more than removing makeup you’re protecting your skin’s natural intelligence.

Explore the Glow Cleanse and Clear Cleanse to start your ritual, or browse the Skincare  Journal to learn more about the science behind every ST.SAJ product.

Written by Emmylou MacCarthy, founder of ST.SAJ