Is This Skincare Ritual Worth It for Women 40+?

If you've been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve no doubt seen double cleansing make its mark—this two-step method is trending in skincare with good reason. The technique involves an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and pollution, followed by a water-based cleanser to sweep everything else away.

The concept originated in Korean and Japanese beauty rituals, where glowing, glass-like skin is considered the ultimate goal. While it’s been part of East Asian skincare for decades, it’s only in recent years that it’s exploded in Western skincare circles—especially in the clean beauty space.

For women over 40, the topic of cleansing becomes more nuanced. Our skin changes with age: the natural lipid layer thins, cell turnover slows, and the barrier function can become more fragile. The wrong cleansing routine can leave skin tight, irritated, or even cause micro-tears in the barrier. The right one? It leaves skin supple, balanced, and ready to drink in the benefits of your serums and moisturizers.

Why Double Cleansing Can Be a Game-Changer for Mature Skin

By the time we reach our 40s and beyond, our days often include more than just “a bit of mascara.” We’re layering SPF (hopefully daily), possibly wearing makeup, and exposed to environmental stressors like pollution and heat. SPF and long-wear makeup are designed to stay put—which is great during the day, but tricky to remove at night.

A single cleanse often doesn’t cut it. That’s where double cleansing shines:

• Oil-based cleansers bind to makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum like a magnet.

• Water-based cleansers then remove any lingering residue, sweat, and debris.

The result? Clean skin without that squeaky, stripped feeling. When done right, double cleansing supports the skin barrier and helps your expensive facial treatments penetrate better. The result is naturally glowing skin with or without makeup!

My Double Cleansing Rule for Glowing, Comfortable Skin After 40

As a clean beauty expert and makeup artist who loves working with women 40+, I believe that double cleansing has its place.  I don't do it every day, but I've found a simple yet effective approach:

• Double cleanse on “full face” days—when you’ve applied a full face of makeup, SPF, or have spent time outdoors and your ongoing hot flashes have resulted in a face covered in a combo of makeup, SPF, and sweat. IYKYK!

• Stick to a single gentle cleanse on lighter days—especially during colder months when skin tends to feel drier. I love an oil-based cleansing balm like the Eternal Tallow Cleansing Butter or Helena Lane's plant-based cleansing balms.  If you're curious about what tallow can do for your mature skin, check out my YouTube video Discover the Secrets of Tallow for Skincare!

The key here is choosing nourishing, barrier-respecting formulas—those creamy, skin-loving textures that leave your skin feeling quenched, not squeaky clean. Check out the Cocoon Apothecary Petal Purity Milk Cleanser, which is soothing and helps remove dirt, make-up, and excess sebum without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.

Why not double cleanse every day? Because more is not always better—especially for mature skin. Over-cleansing can lead to dryness, tightness, or irritation. The aim is to clean your skin just enough to remove what’s sitting on the surface without stripping its natural moisture reserves.

A personal tip: I always massage my first cleanse in for about 45 seconds, using gentle circular motions. It’s not just functional—it’s a mini self-care ritual that melts away the day’s stress as well as the makeup.

When to Skip Double Cleansing (Especially for Sensitive, Mature Skin)

While double cleansing offers benefits, it’s not meant for every situation. Consider skipping it when:

• Your skin feels tight, flaky, or irritated after cleansing.

• You're not wearing makeup or sunscreen.

• You’re coping with rosacea, eczema, or any barrier-related sensitivity.

Skipping a second cleanse on those days can preserve your skin’s moisture barrier and reduce irritation risk. Gentler options like milks, balms, or cream cleansers often cleanse just as well while offering a soft, moisturizing touch. If you're using a face cloth to remove the cleanser, be gentle and choose a soft fabric.  Although I love essential oils, you might want to opt for a completely unscented cleanser when you're experiencing a flare-up or have always had sensitive skin. Having sensitive skin does not mean you have to do without active or effective skincare. You just have to make a few conscious tweeks and pay attention on how products feel on your skin.  We're often in a rush or distracted when applying skincare completely missing what triggered our sensitivity. Check out my video on how to apply actives on sensitive mature skin after double cleansing.

How to Choose the Right Cleansers for Your Double Cleanse

One of the most common mistakes I see is people using cleansers that are too harsh—foaming gels with sulfates or scrubs with sharp exfoliating particles. These products do more harm to your skin than good! For women over 40, I recommend:

• First cleanse: Look for plant-based oils or a tallow balm (if you love holistic ancestral skincare) with skin-loving ingredients like jojoba, squalane, beeswax, and calendula. These remove makeup effectively without clogging pores.

• Second cleanse: Choose a gentle, low-foaming or cream formula that respects your skin’s pH and won’t leave it squeaky-dry. Bonus points if it contains soothing botanicals like aloe, chamomile, or green tea.

Shop the Double Cleansing Edit

Here are clean, skin-loving picks from GreenBeautyCurator.ca that fit both steps of the double cleanse—or serve as a single-step hero on gentle skincare days:

• Three Ships Lavender & MCT Oil Cleanser – A non-comedogenic MCT oil cleanser enriched with lavender to gently melt away makeup. Great as step one of double cleansing—and it deeply hydrates without leaving a greasy feel.

• Helena Lane Cedar & Lemon Oil Cleanser – A beautifully aromatic, organic oil cleanser featuring cedarwood, steam-distilled lemon, and jojoba to cleanse while supporting the skin barrier. A luxe way to refresh your skin in the evening.

• Graydon Skincare Face Foam Cleanser – A fragrance-free, gentle foaming cleanser with bamboo, BHA, and azelaic acid. Perfect as the second cleanse to refine texture and brighten, especially for combination skin.

• Pure Anada Gentle Cream Cleanser – A silky, scent-free cream cleanser that removes makeup softly. Ideal for single cleanse days or when skin feels particularly sensitive or dehydrated. A beautiful reasonably priced cleanser!

Final Thoughts

Double cleansing can be a wonderful tool in your skincare arsenal, especially for days when your skin has more to remove. But like all beauty trends, the key is personalization. Your skin is unique—listen to it, adapt, and choose products that support its needs. Don't be taken by just the trend. You need to understand what it's doing for your skin.

If you’ve been curious about trying double cleansing, start slowly: once or twice a week, on heavy makeup or SPF days. Notice how your skin responds, and adjust from there. With the right approach, this ritual can be both deeply cleansing and deeply nurturing for your skin in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. If I can support your skincare rituals in any way, book an appointment with me and let's get your skin glowing!