Double Cleansing in Nairobi: Do Dust and Pollution Mean You Need Two Cleansers?

Double cleansing means washing your face twice in the evening with two different cleansers: first an oil-based or balm-style cleanser, then a water-based one. If you live or work in Nairobi, where traffic, dust, sweat and daily sunscreen all end up on your skin, double cleansing can be a sensible habit. It is not something everyone needs, though.

This guide explains what double cleansing is, why a single wash sometimes leaves residue behind, who benefits and who can skip it, and how to do it step by step. You will also find Oriflame cleansers from My Oriflame Kenya Shop for each step, based on what their product pages state.

What is double cleansing?

Double cleansing is a two-step way of cleansing your face once a day, in the evening. The first cleanse uses an oil, butter, balm or micellar water to dissolve things that do not mix well with water, such as sunscreen, makeup and excess oil. The second cleanse uses a gentle water-based gel, foam or cream cleanser to wash away what is left, including sweat, dust and any residue from the first step.

Double cleansing is not washing your face more often

The American Academy of Dermatology advises limiting face washing to twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, plus after heavy sweating. Its face washing 101 guidance also recommends a gentle, alcohol-free cleanser, lukewarm water, fingertips instead of cloths or sponges, and no scrubbing. Double cleansing fits within that advice as long as it happens once, in the evening, and stays gentle. It is a technique for a more thorough evening cleanse, not a reason to wash your face more times a day.

Why double cleansing makes sense in Nairobi

City life puts a lot on your skin in a single day. Here is why a single quick wash may not always be enough:

• Sunscreen and makeup are designed to last. They are made to stay on your skin through the day, so one wash may not fully remove them, especially waterproof formulas.
• Dust and traffic fumes settle on your skin. They cling to the natural oils on your face and can build up over a long commute.
• Heat and sweat mix everything together. A warm day in the city leaves a mix of sweat, oil, sunscreen and dust.
• Clean skin lets your products work better. Serums and moisturisers are meant to be applied to skin that is properly cleansed.

The goal is thoroughness, not harshness. You should never need to scrub, and your skin should feel clean but comfortable afterwards.

Who should double cleanse, and who can skip it

Double cleansing may suit you if you:

• Wear sunscreen every day, which you should
• Wear makeup, especially long-wear or waterproof formulas
• Have oily or combination skin
• Spend a lot of time commuting, outdoors or in dusty, busy areas
• Sweat a lot during the day

You can probably skip it if:

• You wear no makeup and only a light sunscreen, and a single gentle cleanse leaves your skin clean
• Your skin is dry or sensitive and often feels tight after cleansing. In that case, a single gentle cleanse is kinder, and our dry skin routine in Kenya guide explains how to keep your skin comfortable
• Your skin barrier is irritated, for example from over-exfoliating

If your skin feels tight, itchy or stings after double cleansing, go back to one gentle cleanse and see how it feels.

How to do double cleansing, step by step

First cleanse: dissolve sunscreen, makeup and oil

Start with clean hands and a dry face. Massage a cleansing oil, butter or balm over your skin for about 30 to 60 seconds, then add a little water so it turns milky and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover first if you wear waterproof mascara or liner.

If an oil-based cleanser feels too heavy for your skin, a micellar water on a cotton pad is a lighter first step. It works well when you wear light makeup or just sunscreen.

Second cleanse: wash away what is left

Wet your face with lukewarm water and massage a small amount of gentle gel, foam or cream cleanser into your skin with your fingertips for about 30 seconds. Rinse well and pat your face dry with a soft towel. Avoid anything harsh, strongly foaming or alcohol-heavy.

The full evening routine

1. Wash your hands.
2. Remove eye makeup if needed.
3. First cleanse: oil, butter, balm or micellar water on dry skin, then rinse.
4. Second cleanse: gentle water-based cleanser on damp skin, then rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Pat dry and apply your serum or treatment, if you use one.
6. Finish with a moisturiser or night cream.

In the morning, a simple rinse with water or one gentle cleanse is usually enough.

Choosing cleansers for your skin type

• Oily skin: Choose a lighter first cleanse, such as micellar water or an oil-to-milk cleanser, and a light-foaming gel wash for the second step. Our guide to the combination skin routine in Kenya also covers how to keep oily areas clean without stripping dry ones.
• Dry skin: Choose a nourishing butter or oil first, and a creamy or very gentle second cleanser. Consider double cleansing only on nights you wear sunscreen or makeup.
• Sensitive skin: Choose fragrance-free formulas and keep the routine short. Patch test anything new.
• Deeper skin tones: Avoid scrubs and harsh cleansers. Irritation can leave marks that last longer than the irritation itself, so be gentle.

Oriflame products for double cleansing

These products can help you build your double cleansing routine, and they are available at My Oriflame Kenya Shop. The details below come from their product pages. Prices can change, so check the current price on each page before you order.

First cleanse

• Comfort Oil-to-Milk Cleanser: Starts as a nourishing oil and turns into a light milky texture with water. The product page says it removes makeup, impurities, pollutants and SPF residue without stripping the skin of its natural lipids, and that it can be used before a water-based cleanser for a double cleanse. Listed at KSh 4,000 at the time of writing.
• Level Up Butter Cleanser: A vegan cleanser that changes from butter to oil to milk when mixed with water, designed to melt away makeup and dirt. The product page says it suits all skin types, even sensitive skin, and nourishes dry skin. Listed at KSh 3,500 at the time of writing.
• Relaxing Micellar Facial Cleansing Water with Chia and Organic Honey: A lighter option applied with a cotton ball that the product page says helps remove makeup and dirt without drying the skin and suits all skin types. Listed at KSh 2,300 at the time of writing.

Second cleanse

• Novage+ Refresh Gel Cleanser: A gel that turns to soft foam with water and is formulated to remove makeup, pollutants and SPF. The product page says it respects the skin’s natural lipid balance and suits all skin types, including sensitive skin. Listed at KSh 3,500 at the time of writing.
• Purifying Gel Wash with Organic Tea Tree & Lime: A light-foaming gel wash for oily skin that the product page says removes makeup, impurities and excess sebum, and contains salicylic acid to help target blemishes. Listed at KSh 2,300 at the time of writing.
• Skinrelief Pro Resilient Foam Cleanser: A mild foam cleanser made for sensitive skin. The product page describes it as pH-balanced, fragrance-free and dermatologically tested. Listed at KSh 4,000 at the time of writing.

Common double cleansing mistakes to avoid

• Scrubbing hard or using a rough cloth. Use your fingertips and a light touch.
• Using hot water. Lukewarm water is kinder to your skin.
• Double cleansing in the morning as well as in the evening. Once a day, at night, is enough.
• Choosing a harsh, tight-feeling second cleanser that undoes the gentleness of the first step.
• Skipping moisturiser afterwards, especially if your skin is dry.
• Forgetting your hairline, jawline and the sides of your nose, where sunscreen and makeup collect.
• Using bar soap or body wash on your face.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

Double cleansing is simply a more thorough evening cleanse: dissolve first, then wash. It makes the most sense if you wear sunscreen and makeup, deal with city dust and sweat, or have oily skin, and it is easy to skip if your skin is dry, sensitive or bare. Keep it gentle, keep it to once a day, and moisturise afterwards.

Ready to build your evening routine? Explore the cleansers at My Oriflame Kenya Shop and choose one for each step.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have persistent breakouts, irritation or other skin concerns, speak to a dermatologist or another healthcare professional.