By now you know washing your face every night matters. But are you double cleansing? It's the single habit I recommend most in my treatment room, and once you try it, you'll feel the difference. Here's what it is, why it works, and exactly how to do it with any cleanser, including creams.

What is double cleansing?

Double cleansing simply means cleansing your face twice in a row at night: first with a cleansing oil (your pre-cleanse), then with your regular cleanser. You only need to do it at night, because that's when your skin is carrying the whole day.

Why it matters

Throughout the day, your skin collects sweat, oil, dirt, pollution and free radicals, plus everything you put on it: makeup, sunscreen and skincare. Left on overnight, all of that can contribute to congestion, dullness and premature aging. Night is when your skin rests, repairs and renews, so a truly clean canvas helps everything you apply afterward work better.

• The first cleanse removes "the day": makeup, SPF, sweat, oil and grime. It does the prep work.
• The second cleanse actually cleans: it reaches into pores and lifts away anything left behind.

What a single cleanse can leave behind, shared by Sweet Cheeks VIP Crystal.

How to double cleanse, step by step

Step 1: Pre-cleanse with oil. Start with dry hands and dry skin. Massage one pump of cleansing oil over your face, eyes, brows, neck and décolleté. Add a few drops of water to emulsify; you'll feel it turn milky as it melts away makeup (even waterproof mascara) and sunscreen. Rinse well.

The cleansing oil melting away mascara, foundation and sunscreen before rinsing.

Step 2: Pat dry. Pat your face dry with a clean towel, and dry your hands too. It's okay if a little residue remains; your second cleanse will take care of it.

Step 3: Cleanse. Massage your regular cleanser over your face, neck, hairline, brows, the edges of your nose and mouth, and your jawline for about 60 seconds. Rinse until your skin feels clean and comfortable.

After the second cleanse: clean, calm and ready for the rest of your routine.

Step 4: Pat dry and continue your routine. Use a clean towel (or the clean side of the same one), then follow with your toner, treatment and moisturizer.

Using a cream or milk cleanser? Here's the secret

If a cream cleanser has ever left you feeling like your skin wasn't quite clean, it's usually about how it's used, not the cleanser itself. Cream and milk cleansers are wonderful for dry, dehydrated, sensitive and mature skin because they clean while helping protect your skin's natural moisture barrier. To get the most out of them:

1. Start with dry hands and dry skin, even if that means patting your face dry after your oil cleanse.
2. Work it in first, then add water. Massage the cream in until it starts to absorb like a moisturizer, then add a few drops of water to activate and emulsify it.
3. Use a little more than you would with a gel, and take your time, about 60 seconds.

Used this way, your cream cleanser cleans beautifully, and your bottle lasts longer too.

My favorite double-cleanse pairings

For your first cleanse: Stone Crop Cleansing Oil, my go-to for every skin type. It's non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores, and it melts makeup and SPF away without leaving skin greasy.

For your second cleanse, choose by skin type:

• Most skin types: Stone Crop Gel Wash
• Dry or mature skin: Tulsi & Snow Mushroom Cleansing Milk or Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser
• Sensitive or redness-prone skin: Calm Skin Chamomile Cleanser
• Dull or uneven texture: Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser. Use it like a cream cleanser: work it into dry skin until it feels tacky, then add water.

A few things to remember

• Double cleanse at night only. In the morning, one gentle cleanse is plenty.
• Follow with your treatment products. Night is when corrective skincare does its best work.
• Consistency over perfection. Done is better than none. Even a quick double cleanse beats skipping it.
• There's no such thing as perfect skin. The goal is healthy skin you love.

Not sure which cleanser is right for you? Take the skin quiz for a routine curated by your esthetician, or book a consultation and we'll build it together.

xo, Tiffanie