Why Double Cleansing Is Totally Worth It — Plus Our Favorite Cleansing Duos to Try

In skin care, there are only a handful of things that work for pretty much everyone, regardless of skin type, lifestyle and age. One such thing I tend to prosthelytize about to anyone who'll listen? Double cleansing.

If you're not familiar with the term, it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. You typically start with an oil or balm cleanser to remove makeup and grime, then follow with a regular cleanser to sweep the rest away. It may sound extra, but the two-step process honestly doesn't take much longer than your regular face-washing routine, especially since it's such an expedient means of removing makeup.

I'm not alone in my love for the process either: Soko Glam founder Charlotte Cho even launched her new skin care line, Then I Met You, with a double cleansing kit since she considers it "the most important step in [her] routine."

"Double cleansing effectively washes away any oil-based and water-based impurities, providing the perfect clean canvas to layer your skin with actives and hydrators that will prevent premature aging and breakouts," says Cho. "It only takes a few minutes and can help you de-stress as you remove the day away thoroughly from your skin."

So yeah, even if you're balking at the idea of adding a new step to your routine, just know that it's worth it. As Cho says, it's great for preventing breakouts and premature aging in equal measure — and, in my opinion, there's no better (or more gentle) way to remove stubborn waterproof mascaras than with a great cleansing balm or oil. It also helps to protect your skin from any pollutants it may have picked up over the course of the day.

Interested in giving the routine a try? Read on to see some of our favorite double cleansing duos.

Image via Imaxtree