DOUBLE CLEANSING VS. THE ONE-STEP SKIN RESET

Double cleansing is often seen as a solution, pairing an oil and a water-based wash to remove impurities in two stages. Effective, yes, but it can also be repetitive, and not always tailored to what every skin type requires. NIOD Hydro-Ester Cleaning System (HECS) redefines the process. It’s a foundational, single step reset that cleanses, removes makeup and impurities, enhances skin barrier function and replenishes for peak skin optimisation. 

Before rethinking the future of cleansing, it’s worth understanding why double cleansing has become such a widespread practice and what makes it appealing to so many.

The concept of double cleansing is not new, but its recent resurgence owes much to the rise of Korean skincare rituals shared widely across social platforms. Today, it’s recognised worldwide as an effective way to remove makeup, sunscreen, and daily buildup in order to leave skin better prepared for the steps that follow.

Double cleansing is thought to target a wider range of impurities than a single cleanse. The first oil-based surface-level cleanse dissolves oil-soluble residues, including dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum. The second, water-based cleanse removes any leftover residue and oil from the previous step, helping to complete the cleansing process and prepare the skin for the steps that follow.

More reasons people may be drawn to this method include:

• Two-step ritual: a deliberate sequence that adds structure to cleansing.
• Textural contrast: the balance of oil and water-based formulas creates a varied sensorial experience.
• Efficacy: Thorough cleansing of skin and removal of any residual oil cleanser.
• Cultural tradition: a practice long established in East Asian skincare that has since found global recognition.
• Social influence: popularised through shared routines and demonstrations on digital platforms.

While double cleansing can be a valuable addition to your skincare regimen, it’s not universally necessary. For those who don’t routinely wear heavy makeup and sunscreen, or are not exposed to the environmental stress of urban areas, one-step cleansing can be sufficient.

Additionally, excessive cleansing, regardless of skin type, can compromise the skin’s integrity, and over-washing or using harsh formulations can strip the skin of essential lipids, proteins, and natural moisturizing factors that maintain its protective barrier.

Your lifestyle may also determine whether double cleansing is a necessary part of your regimen. Many people enjoy devoting extra time to their skincare, whereas others prefer a simpler regimen or formulations that multitask. Ultimately, the decision to double cleanse comes down to whether the added steps serve a meaningful function for your skin.

Whether you cleanse once or twice, a nightly reset is important for restoring your skin to a balanced state. Thorough cleansing can serve as this critical reset, helping to clear away accumulated impurities and support the skin’s optimal function. 

With NIOD Hydro-Ester Cleaning System (HECS), this skin reset can be achieved in a single step. Its multi-action cleansing system combines biotechnologically-engineered surfactants and emollients to completely remove makeup, including waterproof formulations, thoroughly cleanse the skin, and support the skin’s barrier.

This high-performance formulation unites bio-active surfactants with oils, lipids, and oil-like molecules, dissolving makeup and debris as an oil cleanser would, while emulsifying cleanly with water like a second-step wash. Beyond removal, its emollient blend of bio-inspired triglycerides, upcycled tomato fruit lipids, and refined oils actively supports the moisture barrier.

Hydro-Ester Cleaning System (HECS) continues NIOD’s pursuit of advanced skin technologies. It uses newly developed cleansing agents that bind to dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and other residue, and then easily rinse away when emulsified with water. HECS also contains bio-inspired moisturizing agents, including refined torula oil, rice lipids, and tomato fruit lipids, to replenish skin hydration and support the skin’s barrier.

Formulated in a lightweight oil base, HECS offers a multi-action approach that:

• Dissolves makeup, including waterproof products, sunscreen, and impurities.
• Thoroughly cleanses the skin.
• Enhances moisture barrier function with instant and lasting improvements in hydration.
• Leaves skin feeling smooth and soft after cleansing

With gentle purifying mechanisms and lipid-rich qualities, HECS is suitable for all skin types, including oily, dry, and sensitive.

HECS key ingredients include:

• Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate (and) Ethyl Olivate: These olive oil-derived cleansing agents are sourced from olive trees. They rinse away cleanly with water.
• Methylheptyl Pelargonate: This emollient is naturally derived. It cleanses the skin and emulsifies with water.
• Linoleic, Oleic, and Palmitic Triglycerides: These bio-designed oils are made from biofermentation with yeast. 
• Rice Lipids: Derived from whole ground rice, these emollients hydrate the skin by reducing water loss. 
• Tomato Fruit Lipids: These fatty acids are upcycled from tomato peels and seeds. They hydrate and soften the skin.

Step 1: Cleanse

• Purpose: Cleansing provides an important reset for your skin, helping clear away impurities accumulated throughout the day and restoring a healthy-looking baseline state.
• NIOD recommendation: Use Hydro-Ester Cleaning System (HECS), formulated with bioactive surfactants and emollients, to effectively remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and support the skin barrier in one step.

Step 2: Support the skin

• Purpose: Our serums are engineered to deliver active ingredients into the skin to help maintain optimal function and a healthy-looking appearance.

NIOD recommendation: Apply Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3:1:1 (CAIS3), which harnesses the power of copper peptides to aid the skin’s self-repair mechanisms, reduce visible lines and wrinkles, and regenerate the look of ageing skin.

Step 3: Care for the eye contour

• Purpose: Formulations designed for precision care focus on areas with unique requirements, such as the delicate eye contour.
• NIOD recommendation: Fractionated Eye-Contour Concentrate (FECC) uses 28 technologies to address eye-area concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, textural irregularities, and wrinkles and expression lines.
  
  

Step 4: Seal in hydration

• Purpose: Our hydrating formulations help strengthen the skin’s barrier and minimise water loss.

NIOD recommendation: Hydration Vaccine (HV) seals in the barrier-supportive ingredients in your regimen and uses a flexo-silicone mesh to create a layer that is both protective and permeable. This mesh forms a physical barrier that seals in moisture, yet remains lightweight and breathable.

With the right formulation and targeted ingredients, it’s possible to achieve meticulously clean skin in just one step. Advanced, one-step cleansing systems like HECS suit all skin types, by removing even waterproof makeup without stripping or irritating the skin. One-step cleansing also reduces the amount of time and products required to reset your skin each night, ensuring a thorough cleanse whether you’re rushed, travelling, or you’re a skincare minimalist. 

Discover the HECS one-step reset, and subscribe to NIOD updates for forthcoming innovations and launches.