Double-cleansing is a habit I’ve gotten into for the past few years. I reckon it’s also because I started to wear makeup on a regular basis and also slather a lot more sunscreen than I ever did back in Malaysia. My skin needed better cleansing, and the double-cleansing routine has helped my skin tremendously.
I purchased Dermalogica’s Precleanse at the Dermalogica FITE Night event a while back. I’ve heard so many good things about this cleanser, I knew I simply had to give it a go.
Description:
A lightweight Olive and Apricot Kernel-based cleansing oil, fortified with Kukui Nut, Borage Seed and Rice Bran oils, that gently liquefies sebum and oil-based debris from the skin’s surface. The hydrophilic (water-loving) formula enables PreCleanse and oil-based debris to be readily rinsed away without leaving behind any greasy residue. Follow with prescribed Dermalogica Cleanser for a thorough double cleansing. Contains no artificial fragrance or color.
This is an oil-based cleanser. You start off by applying the clear oil to your dry hands, rub ’em palms together and then massage your face (make sure it’s dry). I normally give my skin a nice, gentle massage for a minute before I wash it off with water. When water touches the oil, it will emulsify to a milky substance.
Oh I’ll just come out and say it. I really, REALLY like the PreCleanse. First of all, it smells amazing. It’s a soothing scent of lavender and orange peel that immediately relaxes me as soon as I begin massaging my face with it. It doesn’t sting my eyes, although I do try to keep it as far away from them as possible. It also doesn’t make my skin feel dry or tight after cleansing.
I’ve been having crappy dry, peely skin around my mouth for the past couple of weeks, no thanks to my Clarisonic (I really have to do a review on it soon), and most skincare products have been wrecking havoc on my skin, including my cleansers. Thank the Lord, the PreCleanse did not sting my skin at all and made me want to tear it off.
In terms of makeup removal, this baby works well. My foundation, blush, concealer, etc washes right off to the milky bits. There would still be a sheen of oiliness on the skin after cleansing, which is fine by me as I would cleanse again with a separate cleanser after that.
For a cleanser, this is certainly not cheap. Would I repurchase once I’m finished? You know what, I would. Despite the hefty price tag, I find it very good for my skin, and anything that makes my skin go “Hello, I’m fabulous!” is absolutely fine by my wallet.
By the way, the PreCleanse is also sold as part of the FITE program, so if you buy one, you’ll be able to redeem the code, which will help contribute to microloans for women entrepreneurs in developing countries.
Dermalogica PreCleanse retails at AU$65.50 for 150ml and is available at selected beauty salons that stock Dermalogica (click for stockists) and Adore Beauty.
What I like about it: Relaxing fragrance, good for sensitive skin, cleanses the skin well.
What I do not like about it: It’s pretty pricey for a cleanser.
Fabulous post. I too am a avid supporter of double cleansing. I don’t know how I spent so many years previously not double cleansing. I’m using L’Occitane almond apple cleansing oil which I’m in love with but sadly is being discontinued. I’m liking your experience with this one but the price bites a little. but I’ll take your word for it that’s it’s fantastic & the fact you’ll repurchase. I may have to look for this to replace my cleansing oil.
Madam M: Oh I remember that cleansing oil, the L’occitane one. I never had the chance to try that one out. Aww. Guess I won’t have the chance no more 🙁
I do agree that this IS pricey for a cleanser. I’m just really glad it works for me, or else I would have wasted a LOT of money 😛 Have you tried other cleansing oils, like the very popular shu uemura ones?
this was the first cleansing oil that i have ever used, and in fact repurchased one more after finishing. but have long forgotten about it when there are so many brands of cleansing oil coming in the way
Xin: I think my first cleansing oil was from the Kanebo Blanchir range (those red bottles). Didn’t like, moved on to Kanebo Freshel C, repurchased those, until I started using the PreCleanse. There are just too many to try these days.
I really love this! 🙂 I’ve been using PreCleanse well over 2 years now (I lost track of how many bottles as well) and it’s the only cleansing oil that actually works for me and my sensitive skin! The only other cleansing oil I’ve tried is Shu Uemura’s original cleansing oil but it broke me out (Due to the mineral oil, which I am sensitive to), and when I started using PreCleanse I never looked back 😀
I don’t put on a lot of make-up, just loose powder over my skincare + sunscreen (Sunscreen was the main reason why I double cleanse), and the occasional eyeliner and mascara, and it does a superb job cleaning my skin and prepping it for double cleansing. It also worked removing all those full-faced make-up I had on every time I attended University prom and after the Estee Lauder model search 2 years or so back, though waterproof mascara needed a bit of help (Nothing a good eye make-up remover can’t settle).
I just can’t live without it. I tried 😛
Stephanie/Yukaeshi: Yeah, I heard that shu uemura’s cleansing oil contained mineral oil. I don’t think I’m sensitive to mineral oil per se but there’s something about the cleansing oil that just didn’t sit right with me.
That’s the reason why people should double-cleanse – what you said. Even without a full face of makeup, one should still get into the habit of double-cleansing. Me, I do it because sometimes I do use cheapie cleansers that don’t do a very good job, but I don’t want to waste it so I double cleanse 😛
I didn’t know I was sensitive to mineral oil until I tried Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil, then subsequently other products with mineral oil in them, though Shu Uemura was super-effective haha 😛
Yeah, completely agree with you 😀 Double-cleansing is a good routine to follow, and I’m glad I got into the habit either way 😀
I’ve been considering this for a while. I use the Dove foaming oil cleanser, but it burns my eyes. Savings may have to take a hit. (;
Michelle: Hahahaha, all for the skin, dearie, all for the skin 😉
Hi dear, great review on the PreCleanse, but I do have a question and I hope you don’t mind answering it. Cause I’m pretty clueless about it atm ><
It is necessary to double cleanse when you wear sunscreen? Cause I do apply it on a daily basis and I always forget to double cleanse at the end of the day, is it bad? Then what about moisturisers with SPF in it? Does this mean I have to double cleanse too? Cause I always take sunscreen as part of a skincare routine so I just cleanse once at the end of the day.
Thank you for your time (:
Biianca x
Biianca: Sesame (Vivawoman.net – one of my favourite bloggers) wrote a very good post on double-cleansing when you’ve had sunscreen on. You should check it out 🙂 http://www.vivawoman.net/2010/09/28/important-to-double-cleanse-after-using-sunscreen/.
Personally, I would still double-cleanse on days when I just have sunscreen on without makeup. I don’t think it will kill your skin not to, but it’s just an extra step to ensure all the gunk on your face is removed 🙂
PS: Erm, what is cleansing water, btw?
Thanks for the information!!! After reading all this I think I should change my skin care routine already hehe (:
Cleansing water is similar to cleansing oil, the only difference that its water based and used mostly for light makeup removal 😀
Biianca: Oh oh oh! In that case, that NP Set Cleanser thingy that I reviewed last week must be cleansing water then! Btw, that one sucks the big one, so if you do have access to that, stay away 😛
Haha yeah but I already bought it and throwing it away seems a bit wasteful so what I do is squeeze it onto cotton pads and remove my makeup that way. Works better too, maybe you should try it out. & I’m sorry to hear that you broke out from the NP Set Cleanser ):
Oh and is Cleansing Water ok for removing sunscreen at all at the end of the day?
Thanks again ya, (: