First off – double cleansing? Just a cheeky attempt to get us to buy two cleansers?

Ha-ha no! There is a real skin health benefit to this method, which is why it’s so often recommended. Essentially, the first cleanse is with an oil-based product as oils cleanse other oils particularly well. Trapped in the sebum on the surface of your skin are molecules of pollution, makeup and SPF leftover from the day. If left overnight they can trigger sensitivity, redness and accelerate skin aging, so step one is to remove these thoroughly, without disrupting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Step two is the second cleanse with your regular cleanser, which is often a gel-like texture that can then target the skin itself to refresh, tone and supply a quick flash of active ingredients like antioxidants. Often this cleanse is tailored to your skin’s individual needs (oily, breakout-prone, dryness, dullness etc).

By the way, I am such a geek with this stuff that I bought a skin microscope to look at my skin before and after double cleansing – a total visible difference vs using one cleanser alone. Using great skincare after bad cleansing is like trying to eat a chocolate with the wrapper still on. Deeply unrewarding.

What REN Clean Skincare cleansers are you using to double cleanse with?

I love to use the Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Cleanser followed by the Evercalm™ Gentle Cleansing Gel. I’ll double cleanse in the evening and then just use the Evercalm™ Gel in the morning. This always keeps my skin looking bright and in great condition. Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Cleanser is cleansing … but elevated. It feels and smells so good, it’s become the step I look forward to most in my routine.

How have cleanser formulas changed in your 20+ years in the industry?

Um… tight doesn’t mean right!

I remember when cleansers used to make your skin feel taut and dry. Thankfully, we don’t use those old fashion cleansing agents anymore. In fact, REN pioneered alternatives 20 years ago. I remember using a REN skin cleanser and instantly knowing it was different because of how my skin felt afterwards.

I also feel we’re finally acknowledging the skin’s natural barrier and the importance of the microbiome. Bad cleansing is like tearing down a wall that’s built to protect you before the danger even arrives. Totally pointless! A bad cleanser can invite acne and inflammation by disrupting the skin’s barrier. It’s so crucial to get this step right.

What was the first cleanser you ever used at REN and what drew you to it?

It was the Evercalm™ Gel Gentle Cleansing Milk, which at the time was called the Calendula and Arctic Blackcurrant Seed Cleansing Milk. I had been given it to try when my skin was breaking out due to a chronic illness, and this cleanser, alongside the Vita Mineral™ Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil were literally the only two products I could use. My skin turned around in two weeks, I demanded a job with REN, and 15 years later I’m still their biggest fan!

Any top tips?

• Leave your gel cleansers in the fridge for an extra toning treat
• Leave the Clean Jelly Cleanser on the skin for 10 minutes before rinsing to double as a nourishing mask
• Turn Clean Jelly Cleanser into a milk in the palm of your hands and dab with a reusable cotton round to create the perfect eye makeup remover – all components are then sustainable and recyclable too!
• Please don’t forget to recycle. Both products mentioned are designed to be thrown directly into your plastic recycling bin and are made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Remember – we can’t have a clean face with a dirty planet!

About the Author

With over 20 years experience in luxury beauty, David Delport brings both cosmetics and skincare expertise to his role as REN Clean Skincare’s Global Ambassador, having worked for renowned brands like NARS, Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy. During his 12-year career at REN Clean Skincare, David has worked in-hand with product development, while employing his own industry knowledge.

Based in London, but regularly working between LA, New York and Paris, David shares expertise through clean skincare masterclasses. His enthusiastic and educational talks help to create press and customer engagement on a global scale.

Personally, David is super-passionate about the environment, especially the protection of our oceans. A trained scuba diver, and advocate of nature conservation, he embodies the "Clean to Skin. Clean to Planet." ethos of REN Clean Skincare, making him an ideal and authentic international ambassador for the brand. Follow him @david_renskincare for more skincare and wellness advice.