The method
- First cleanse: an oil, balm, or cream cleanser dissolves sunscreen, sebum, and pigment. These are oil-soluble and plain foam cannot lift them fully.
- Second cleanse: a gentle water-based cleanser removes the residue and any sweat or dust.
Why it matters
Sunscreen filters and long-wear makeup are engineered to stick. Removing them with a single aggressive foam usually means either leftover product or a stripped, squeaky feel — both problems for the barrier.
When one cleanse is enough
On no-sunscreen, no-makeup days, a single gentle cleanse is fine. Over-cleansing is its own barrier risk.
Coyglow note: Gentle Enzyme Cleanser was formulated as the second step — pH-balanced, enzyme-based, so the double-cleanse never turns into double-stripping.