How to Double-Cleanse?

Double-cleansing is making news, although this technique is nothing new. Some sources claim that the double-cleansing method originated in European spas, while others argue that facial cleansing oil has been a staple of Asian skin care rituals for a very long time. No matter where it comes from, double-cleansing can make a whole world of difference, if correctly used and adjusted to your skin’s needs and its current condition.
During the first step, use an oil-based cleanser to get rid of the surface dirt, which, as we already know, consists of airborne particles, dust, makeup, sebum, dried sweat, dead bacteria, and residue from moisturizers and sunscreens. The higher the content of oil, the better the cleansing power. All you need is to massage the cleansing oil onto your dry face with dry fingertips to dissolve the makeup gently. Some cleansing oils will stick to your face and be hard to wash off. To speed things up, use a soft muslin cloth, available from many health stores.Cleansing creams may feel oilier to the touch, because of the low emulsifier content, but they are much safer on sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Contrary to popular belief, oily cleansers will not aggravate acne or cause new outbreaks because they are much gentler to the skin than conventional cleansers with sulfate-based surfactants. When stripped of the skin’s own sebum and further irritated by antibacterial agents and penetration enhancers found in synthetic cleansers, some skin may experience dryness, and to compensate for this dryness, your skin will secrete more sebum Some people may experience whiteheads a few days after they start using the cleansing oil. This happens when you use a second cleanser to complete the double-cleansing ritual or when you do not remove the first cleanser properly.
I found that many good cleansing oils and creams do not effectively tackle the task of removing mineral makeup, which is not oil-based. They want to get hold of oil, but there isn’t any. If you are, like me, a diligent user of mineral makeup, you are far better off with a plain bar soap cleanser.

As for pH, the issue is more complicated. You have probably heard that good cleansers won’t alter the skin’s natural alkaline balance, or pH. The pH of a substance is a measure of its acid or alkaline content. Science ranks pH on a scale of 0-14, with pH 7, the natural acidity of water, being neutral. The further below 7 a pH value is, the more acidic the substance; the higher above 7, the more alkaline.
Our skin is naturally acidic. The pH of healthy skin is 5.5. This level of acidity helps ward oft certain microorganisms from the skin’s surface. Opponents of soap used to say that soaps, which are very alkaline (the opposite of acidic), remove too much natural fatty acid from sebum covering the skin’s surface, thus leaving it tight, dry, and vulnerable to bacterial attacks. However, research dating back to the 1980s says that our skin has excellent self-protecting capacities that can neutralize even the most alkaline substances in soaps, but not sulfates and other synthetic chemicals that make up the bulk of those fragrant bars that we traditionally associate with bar soaps. At the same time, plant-based soaps formulated without sulfates are proven safe for the most intolerant skins. This is why it’s very important to check the quality of the ingredients in the cleanser you plan to buy or prepare yourself: natural ingredients with their naturally balanced pH levels will give your skin all the protection it needs.

When you have melted the dirt and makeup using oil or soap, rinse your face and apply the second cleanser. This time you purify your skin, not remove makeup. If you were using oil, you should now use a gentle foaming cleanser to remove the oil residue. If you were using soap, choose a soft, milky, non foaming cleanser to remove soap residue and soften your skin. The second cleanser may contain additional benefits, such as oil-absorbing clay, herbal astringents, soothing infusions, or exfoliating particles that will cleanse your pores and deliver a treatment of your choice deep down where it’s needed. Work your cleanser in a circular motion for no less than one minute and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm tap water. Finish with a cool rinse with tap, filtered, or better yet, mineral water with essential magnesium.

After you’re done cleansing, gently pat your face with a facial towel. Don’t use your regular bath towel. Don’t rub, either—this may cause unnecessary pressure and increase irritation. Be as gentle as possible.
Most people with acne think that frequent and vigorous cleansing with abrasive or antibacterial washes will reduce the oiliness and keep skin clear and healthy. However, no scientific evidence proves that the lack of washing is associated with skin problems or that frequent washing improves
the condition of skin Instead, intense cleansing and scrubbing can worsen the inflammation in acne breakouts, and synthetic antibacterial agents such as Triclosan and chlorhexidine do not affect acne bacteria.

Beauty Shopping List

No matter how exciting the product looks and how green the label reads, choose products that are packed in pump bottles or at least in bottles with a narrow spout. Even the best formulation will quickly go rancid if packed in a jar that leaves the product exposed to less-than-clean fingers, humidity, and the warmth of your bathroom The following are my recommended cleansing products, rated from one to three leaves, with three being my favorite.
When I do my weekly grocery shopping, I make sure to pick up some staples that can be used in homemade cosmetics:
• Avocado (for instant facial packs and masks).

• Baking soda (quick face and body scrub).

• Eggs (for masks).

• Epsom salts (for soothing baths).

• Chamomile tea (for baby diaper wash, toners, masks, and hair rinses).

• Lemons (for facial exfoliants, hair rinses).

• Cornmeal (great filling agent for masks and scrubs).

• Milk of magnesia (indispensable for acne, canker sores and irritated skin).

• Organic mayonnaise (a great moisturizer and foot mask).

• Milk (used in masks, baths, hair packs).

• Oranges (to be used in a flavorful bath; peel can be used, too).

• Green tea (makes great toner, goes into masks, eye compresses, baby diaper wash).

• Honey (a luxurious mask on its own, can also be added to hair treatments).

• Sour cream (a wonderfully nutritious exfoliant).

• Sea salt (makes a great body scrub).

• Extra virgin olive oil for hair masks and body scrubs, extra light olive oil for facial cleansers and moisturizers, both preferably organic

• Strawberries (useful for bleaching teeth and making a nourishing whitening mask).

• Oat bran and oatmeal (scrub, cleanser, bath bomb—you choose).

• Tomatoes (great for invigorating hair packs).

• Greek-style plain yogurt (makes a great mask; can be added to cleansing creams).

• Powdered milk (can go in many lotions, potions, and bath preparations).

• Sugar (choose organic brown sugar that can be used in facial scrubs, hair treatments, and hand exfoliants).Green Beauty Recipes