Double Cleansing: What It Is & Why It’s So Important for Your Skin

Double cleansing is more than just a buzzy phrase circling the beauty blogosphere. In fact, double cleansing is a small change you can make to your skincare routine that can have big results. But this South Korean beauty practice isn’t just washing your face twice! Keep reading to learn more about double cleansing, and how to incorporate double cleansing into your daily skin regimen.

What is Double Cleansing? 

Double cleansing uses oil-based and water-based cleansers to thoroughly cleanse the face. Why? As you may recall from chemistry class, like dissolves like. Sebum, an oily substance produced by our skin, clings to dead skin cells and holds them in our pores. An oil cleanser gently dissolves excess sebum and any impurities caught in that sebum. Oil cleansers are also effective at dissolving oil-based products like makeup and sunscreen. Once this layer of grime has been cleared away, you can use a water-based cleanser to wash away water-based impurities like pollution and sweat.

So why should you double cleanse? Here’s a few reasons:

• Double cleansing makes your other skincare products more effective. By completely cleansing the face of excess oil, dead skin, and other impurities, you’re creating a completely blank canvas. This allows your other skincare products to better penetrate into the skin and work their magic. 
• It may sound counterintuitive, but double cleansing is actually a great way to help treat acne. Acne skin types produce more oil. Many people use harsh astringents and acids to remove this excess sebum. However, this can cause the skin to produce even more oil to compensate. On the other hand, oil cleansing gently removes that excess sebum without drying out the skin. Thus, double cleansing can help to balance oil production and reduce breakouts in acne skin types. 

How to Double Cleanse 

Many bloggers tout coconut, argan, or olive oil as oil cleansers. However, pure oils can actually clog pores when used for double cleansing. A true oil cleanser must include a surfactant, which traps makeup and other impurities on the skin and washes it away. Otherwise, the impurities will stay on the surface of the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.

Instead, use a cleanser that’s infused with oils like Herbacin 2-Phase Makeup Remover. 2-Phase Makeup Remover uses sweet almond oil to gently cleanse the skin, leaving it velvety soft.

Next, follow with a gentle, water-based cleanser to rinse away water-based impurities, as well as residue from the oil cleanser. Then follow the rest of your skincare routine as normal.

You should double cleanse twice per day, both in the morning and in the evening. And yes, you should double cleanse, even if you don’t wear makeup! Makeup is just one type of oil-based impurity. Double cleansing balances excess oil production and also rinses away SPF (which you should always be wearing). The oil cleansing step is essential for rinsing away non-makeup impurities and balancing oil production for all skin types.

Have you tried double cleansing yet? Let us know in the comments!

Wedding Countdown: 6 Ways to Prep Your Skin for the Big Day

If you’re a bride-to-be, you know there’s a lot that goes into planning a wedding. And developing a pre-wedding beauty routine is just another part of the planning! After all, your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and you want your skin to look its absolute best. If you plan ahead, you can definitely have the gorgeous, glowing skin every bride dreams of on your big day. Keep reading for our guide to prepping skin for your wedding.

1. See a Dermatologist 

If you have any skin concerns (i.e. hyperpigmentation, scarring, acne, etc.), you’ll want to see a dermatologist as soon as possible, ideally one year before the wedding. Why so early? Because some skin issues take at least six months to treat. You want to get a head start!

2. Create a Skincare Routine 

If you don’t already have a solid skincare routine, now is the time to start one. Talk to your dermatologist about what kinds of products will work best for your skin type and concerns. Then stick to it! Consistency makes all the difference when it comes to great skin.

3. Exfoliate! 

Exfoliating removes dull, dead skin cells on the surface of your skin. As a result, your skin will look gorgeous and radiant. Make sure your pre-wedding skincare regimen includes exfoliating two or three times per week.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re exfoliating your entire body, especially if your dress shows off your skin. If your dress is backless, purchase a dry brush with a long handle. This will help you to exfoliate those hard-to-reach areas. After exfoliating, make sure to moisturize! Herbacin Kamille Body Lotion with Argan Oil nourishes skin with vitamin A and E, so your skin will be extra soft on the big day.

4. Start Getting Facials 

If you’ve never had a facial before, now is the time to start! An aesthetician can help you get your skin into shape before your wedding. Just make sure you don’t get a facial too close to your wedding, since your skin needs time to heal. Let your aesthetician know your wedding date so they can help you schedule that last pre-wedding facial.

5. Change Your Diet 

Make sure you’re incorporating plenty of skin-loving foods into your diet in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Think lots of leafy greens, fresh fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats like avocado. You may also want to take a supplement like a multivitamin to make sure your skin is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs for a healthy glow.

6. Manage Stress 

Stress can worsen skin conditions like eczema and acne. To keep your symptoms under control, try to reduce your stress levels in the months and weeks leading up to your wedding. Easier said than done, right? Start an exercise routine, learn how to meditate, start journaling, or engage in another activity that helps you to blow off some steam. Your skin will thank you!

Are you a bride-to-be? How are you prepping your skin for your wedding? Let us know in the comments!

Facial Massage: Its Benefits & How to Do It at Home

Just like the rest of your body, your facial muscles require exercise to keep them strong and youthful. So how do you exercise your facial muscles? Facial massage!

Facial massage has long been a staple of professional spa treatments, but you don’t have to leave this youth-giving practice to the pros. You can actually incorporate facial massage into your everyday beauty routine! Not only is it relaxing, but it also helps to improve the condition of your skin.

Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of facial massage, and how to do it at home.

The Benefits of Facial Massage 

1. Prevents Wrinkles 

Tense facial muscles can lead to the formation of a certain type of wrinkle called stress lines. Massage can help to relieve tension in the facial muscles, thus preventing wrinkles.

2. Increases Circulation 

Facial massage increases blood flow to your facial tissues. This helps to bring more oxygen to the area, which in turn can help improve collagen production. Collagen is an important protein which gives skin a youthful, smooth texture. However, our skin’s collagen production declines as we age. Since facial massage stimulates the production of this youth-giving molecule, it can actually slow the aging process.

3. Reduces Puffiness 

Do you ever wake up with a swollen, puffy face? Since facial massage stimulates circulation, it can also help to drain some of that excess fluid from your face. As a result, your skin looks more radiant and wide-awake.

4. Promotes Relaxation 

If the benefits for your personal appearance weren’t enough, facial massage just feels nice! Performing a facial massage in the evening is a good way to unwind after a stressful day at work, and can even help you to fall asleep.

How to Do a Facial Massage at Home 

Follow these simple steps to perform a facial massage:

1. Cover your fingers and face with a small amount of non-comedogenic oil to lubricate your skin, preventing wrinkle-causing tugging and pulling. We like coconut oil, argan oil, or rosehip oil. You could also use our 2-Phase Makeup Remover, which will allow you to cleanse your face while you massage. 
2. Starting at the center of your face, gently sweep your fingers across your skin from your nose to your hairline, following the contours of your cheeks in an upward motion. 
3. Knead out worry lines by repeating the same sweeping motion on your forehead, from the center of your forehead to your hairline. 
4. Use only your ring fingers to massage your eye area, since this area is more delicate and requires less pressure. 
5. And don’t forget your neck! Use light, upward strokes from the neck to the jawline to lift and firm. 
6. Rinse your face with cold water, then continue on with your regular skincare routine. 

You can also experiment by using facial massage tools. Jade or quartz rollers are an easy, inexpensive way to get started. But if you’re looking for something more high end, you can also buy a facial massage device that does the work for you.

Do you massage your face daily? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!