Latest news with #EmmaWedgwood
Refinery29
07-07-2025
- Health
- Refinery29
The Best Double Cleansing Routine For Every Skin Type, According To Experts
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Summer's combination of heat, humidity and heavier sun protection creates the perfect storm for clogged pores — which means your cleansing routine needs to work harder, too. Enter: double cleansing, the K-beauty face-washing technique that's become essential for everyone, but especially those dealing with daily buildup in the hot weather. Think of double cleansing as giving your skin a fresh start, twice over. The first cleanse, typically with an oil-based cleanser, helps break down sunscreen and makeup, while a second water-based product gently rinses all of that away, alongside excess oil and daily pollutants. But skincare can be overwhelming, so to help you figure out the perfect double cleansing routine, I've tapped dermatologists and beauty professionals to share their recommended product pairings for each skin type. Whether you're dry, oily, sensitive or somewhere in between, there's a combination here that will keep your skin feeling extra clean and refreshed but never stripped. Double cleansing for dry skin If your skin often feels tight and looks flaky — especially after washing your face — you're likely dealing with a dry skin type. Thoroughly cleansing your skin without compromising hydration or the integrity of the skin barrier is key. With that in mind, cleansing balms make a good first step in your face-washing routine, as they're effective at breaking down stubborn products without being harsh on the skin. Aesthetic Nurse Emma Wedgwood highly rates the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £49, for dry skin. This beauty editor's favourite is effective at removing makeup, sunscreen and the oils that accumulate on your skin throughout the day. 'The balm has a rich, luxurious texture that transforms into a silky oil as you massage it in,' she says. 'It leaves my skin feeling soft, nourished and hydrated — never tight or stripped.' For the second step, Wedgwood recommends following up with the CeraVe Blemish Control Face Cleanser, £14.50, which works to cleanse deeper into the pores. This gel-to-foam contains 2% salicylic acid, an exfoliating ingredient that helps remove dead skin cells and clears out any buildup in your pores. 'Salicylic acid is fantastic for addressing concerns like acne, clogged pores or uneven texture,' she adds. 'It's gentle enough for regular use since it's formulated with ceramides and niacinamide, which help maintain and support your skin barrier.' If your skin is very dry, and you're not keen on foaming cleansers, consider a cream-based face wash instead. We love Skin + Me Cream Cleanser Sensitive Skin, £9, with moisturising glycerin and isoamyl cocoate. Double cleansing for oily skin Oily skin is pretty unmistakable: excess sebum leaves your face looking shiny, while enlarged pores and frequent breakouts are common concerns. If this sounds like you, a double cleansing routine can be especially beneficial, helping to remove makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum while keeping the skin balanced and preventing spots. For oily skin, consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips recommends lightweight micellar water over an oil or balm cleanser. '[Micellar water is] non-comedogenic, meaning it is less likely to clog the pores,' he says. As such, Dr Phillips suggests starting with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Triple Micellar Water, £8.20, which is infused with hyaluronic acid and three different micellar molecules to effortlessly remove makeup while keeping skin hydrated. Next, follow with a water-based gel or foaming cleanser, says Dr Phillips, to lift away all traces of oil. Look for ingredients like niacinamide, which helps regulate oil production and soothe inflammation, and salicylic acid, which exfoliates deep inside pores to dissolve buildup and prevent congestion. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid are also great, as they help retain moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dehydrated; this can encourage the skin to produce more oil to compensate. ' CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser, £18.50, is an excellent choice,' Dr Phillips says. 'It contains niacinamide to calm the skin, ceramides to strengthen the natural skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to maintain hydration.' Double cleansing for combination skin Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like: oily in some areas (typically around the T-zone) and dry or 'normal' everywhere else. You might notice shine and occasional breakouts on your forehead, nose and chin, while your cheeks feel tight or appear flaky. 'Double cleansing for combination skin is all about balance,' says Emily West, aesthetic nurse practitioner at Creo Clinic. 'It's about finding products that effectively cleanse without disrupting the delicate balance between oily and dry areas.' West's go-to product is a cleanser that contains gently exfoliating enzymes, such as iS Clinical's Warming Honey Cleanser, £48. 'It leaves skin feeling soft and refreshed without over-drying or leaving behind an oily residue,' she adds. 'The natural honey and royal jelly extract provide gentle hydration to combat dryness, while papaya enzymes and antioxidants help to dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells.' As a second step, West chooses a gel or foam cleanser to balance oiliness without aggravating dryness. Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser, £38, is a great option for soothing and brightening the skin, thanks to kale and alfalfa plant, which are rich in antioxidants, as well as calming spinach extract. Double cleansing for sensitive skin Sensitive skin reacts quickly to new products or environmental changes, leading to frequent stinging, burning or redness. Double cleansing with products that are fragrance-free and specifically formulated for sensitive skin is important, says Dr Ellie Rashid, consultant dermatologist and pro medical director of Klira. Dr Rashid swears by the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, £16.50. 'This is a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic product, minimising the risk of irritation,' she says, 'and the creamy texture gently dissolves makeup and sunscreen.' The formula also features glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin. Niacinamide further soothes the skin barrier and reduces redness and sensitivity. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £12.50, is Dr Rashid's recommended second step. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid, which helps keep moisture under lock and key, while ceramides reinforce the skin barrier. She has another top tip: 'People with sensitive skin types should always cleanse with lukewarm water, since hot water can strip the skin of natural oils and dilate blood vessels, leading to inflammation and discomfort,' she adds. Post-cleanse, Dr Rashid says it's best to pat your skin dry with a soft towel and to avoid excessive scrubbing, which will only worsen sensitivity. Double cleansing for 'normal' skin So-called 'normal' skin is well-balanced, with an even texture and a strong barrier that rarely gets irritated. Dr Alexis Granite, consultant dermatologist and founder of Joonbyrd thinks that double cleansing is only necessary for those with normal skin if heavy makeup has been applied, especially foundation. 'In these cases, I typically recommend cleansing first with micellar water,' she says. 'These products are formulated with special surfactants designed to be gentle to the skin, but effective at removing makeup and dirt.' Bioderma's Sensibio H2O Micellar Water, £19.99, is her favourite. For your second cleanse, consider following with a foaming cleanser such as Natura Bissé's Oxygen Mousse, £52, featuring hydrating mushroom extract and a refreshing citrus scent. If you prefer a more gentle lather, The Inkey List's Hydrating Cream To Milk Cleanser, £13, contains 5% rice milk, to soothe and support the skin barrier.
The Independent
30-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Peptides: An expert explains the ins and outs of the popular anti-ageing ingredient
Peptides are the talk of the skincare sphere at the moment and are popping up in new products left, right and centre. Take Medik8, for instance; just two days ago (28 January) the brand launched its liquid peptides advanced MP serum (£79, which claims to reduce wrinkles in as little as eight weeks. Likewise, earlier this month Paula's Choice dropped a new pro-collagen peptide moisturiser (£49, and, back in 2024, we saw peptide-led formulas introduced from the likes of Glow Recipe, L'Oréal and more. There's no denying the ingredient's popularity but what are peptides, really? We wanted to get granular about the science behind the supposedly anti-ageing component. How does it work? And are they sensitive skin approved? We reached out to an expert in the skincare field to inform our research, garnering kernels of cosmetics wisdom from their numerous years in the industry. Here's what they had to say. Meet the expert Emma Wedgwood is an advanced aesthetics nurse of more than 20 years. As well as working as an intensive care nurse for the NHS, she trained in aesthetic medicine on Harley street where she now works within her self-founded clinic, Emma Wedgwood Aesthetics. What are peptides? 'Peptides are small chains of amino acids, which are the basic components that make up the proteins found naturally in your body,' reveals Wedgwood. She goes on to say that they're very important in terms of skincare because they help to support your skin's structure and functions. What do peptides do? Putting their purpose into simple terms, Wedgwood explains: 'Peptides send signals to your skin which essentially tell your skin cells to do certain things.' Breaking this down, she credits peptides as anti-agers, owing to the fact that they 'signal your skin to produce more collagen, which makes your skin firmer and less wrinkled'. She adds that peptides boost hydration and, by working to support the natural healing process, thus promote a healthier skin barrier. 'Some peptides can even calm inflammation and help heal signs of damaged skin,' she says, which makes them particularly good for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Are peptides good for skin? 'Definitely!' Wedgwood confirms. Circling back to the function of peptides, she adds that they're great for 'improving skin texture and increasing hydration'. Which peptides are best for anti-ageing? For those who don't know, there are thousands of different types of peptides, 7,000 of which (according to LA-based private healthcare providers, Next Health) are naturally occurring in our own bodies. Touching on this, Wedgwood pinpoints four types of peptides she recommends for more mature skin types. ' Matrixyl is one of the most popular peptides for boosting collagen and reducing wrinkles,' she begins, adding that ' copper peptides promote collagen and elastin production while also helping to heal the skin.' Both of these, respectively, are featured in No7's protect and perfect intense day cream (£24.95, and Cosrx's 6 peptide skin booster (£18.90, Completing her trifecta of collagen-producing peptides, Wedgwood recommends palmitoyl tripeptide-1, which is one of the key ingredients in The Inkey List 's affordable collagen peptide serum (£11.25, Finally, Wedgwood suggests argireline. Surprisingly, she adds that 'it's sometimes compared to botox because it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines by relaxing the facial muscles'. Any alternative to injectables has our attention so, after spotting The Ordinary's very own argireline solution (£9.20, we'll be stocking up. Who needs peptides, typically? While Wedgwood admits that peptides are good for everyone to use, she does caveat that they're particularly good for people who are concerned about ageing, dry, or sensitive skin. To this, she adds that they can be an effective skincare addition to those suffering sun damage or acne scarring because 'they support skin healing'. Wedgwood goes on to say that people with younger skin can benefit from peptides, too, largely because of their hydrating and skin health-boosting properties. Can peptides cause acne? Dispelling rumours that peptides are bad news in terms of breakouts, Wedgwood states that they're are actually good for acne-prone skin. This, she says, is because they have both skin healing and anti-inflammatory effects. Can peptides be used with retinol? In short: Yes! In fact, Wedgwood assures: 'They can help calm some of the irritation that comes with retinol, so they are great to use together.' Can peptides be used with vitamin C? Again, it's a yes from Wedgwood. Though, she suggests using your Vitamin C product first, followed by peptides. Are peptides safe? Wedgwood confirms that peptides are 'very safe and gentle', adding that 'they're less likely to irritate your skin compared to stronger products like acids or retinol'. Taking us through their origins, she details how peptides are natural amino acids – AKA the building blocks of proteins – from plants such as soy, rice or sometimes animals. However, you can also get synthetic peptides, which involve a chemical process called synthesis. Wedgwood assures that most people would be fine using both types, natural and synthetic. As ever, caution is advised for anyone particularly irritation-prone and, indeed, Wedgwood recommends those individuals always carry out a patch test on a small area of skin.
