Memory Lane: Before Double Cleansing Became A Trend

Currently, there is a K-Beauty wave in the U.S.  One of the greatest things about K-Beauty is all of the steps used to get better skin. The first step in any routine is the cleaning of the skin. The new trend, to us, is the first step of double cleansing. If you do not know what that is, let me explain... 

The first part is cleaning the face with an oil-based cleanser. The theory is oil attracts oil. No, you should not use the same oil you cook with to rub on your face! The oil based cleanser will breakdown the sunscreen and makeup too. Once the oil based cleanser is washed off, follow up with a water-based cleanser.

Back in the day, my mother would get a catalog from a company called DHC. They have been around for a while and they have great items. When the catalog was mailed, it included a sample of their deep cleansing oil, their bar soap, and a facial oil/moisturizer. I remember reading the instructions on how to use the samples and couldn’t wait to try. 

I would go into the bathroom and rip open the sample of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. I loved getting the mail in order to call first dibs on the samples. Happily, I squeezed the contents into my free hand until the pack was empty. Then the oil was rubbed all over my face. The scent wasn’t strong or pungent and after rubbing, it was washed off. It looked a bit greenish-yellow. The color could be attributed to the fact that olive oil appeared to be an important ingredient. Some times I used my hands to remove the oil and if I wanted to really give myself that spa experience, I would use a fresh washcloth and remove the oil with warm water. Once the oil based cleanser was removed, the small clear bar of soap was opened and used too. It was circular and thin, yet always managed to get the job done. Oh, so fresh and clean! The sample routine was completed when the facial oil was applied to my face. As I look back now, I think I may have used too much of the moisturizing oil.

At that time in my life, I had no clue about K-Beauty or any Asian beauty routine. I just saw free samples and wanted to try them. Certainly other people in the states that received those catalogs shared my excitement. Who knew I was into double cleansing before the K-Beauty trend blew up a couple of years ago?