The first step in getting great skin is to make sure that you’re cleansing well every night.

Enter the double cleanse. This routine is guaranteed to make your skin healthier by getting it cleaner in the most gentle of ways. If you haven’t tried double cleansing, now is the time!

And especially if you’re using any SPF products with zinc oxide or heavy makeup, this routine is for you! Some ingredients are difficult to remove with one cleanse alone, and this routine will ensure that you not only clean your skin well, but also preserve moisture. We don’t need any over-drying going on!

Here’s How to Double Cleanse Effectively

The First Cleanse

This one should be done with a cleansing oil or balm–something that you apply to dry skin.

Now here’s the thing: It’s going to feel a little weird slathering oil or balm all over your face, especially if you’re wearing makeup. But just power through it, because this is the most important part of the double cleanse! You’re removing your heavy makeup and skincare products with this step.

The Best Products for the First Cleanse

I squirt three to four pumps of Tatcha’s Camellia Cleansing Oilinto my palms, rub them together, and get started on my cheeks. I massage there for a good 10-15 seconds, then move up to my eyes, where I gently rub to remove any eye makeup for another 10-15 seconds. Be gentle on the eye area!

Another good option for the first cleanse is Glossier’s Milky Jelly cleanser. This should also be applied on dry skin, and you can use it in the same way.

I’ve also pictured the awesome Beautycounter Cleansing Balm, which is super moisturizing and comforting to the skin as a first cleanser.

In all, you should be oil or balm cleansing for about 30-45 seconds. Then rinse well with water. It will usually take a few rinses to get everything clean.

This step should remove almost all of your face and eye makeup. I would say my skin is about 90% free of makeup and skincare at this point.

The benefit of oil cleansing? It’s the gentlest way to remove all of your makeup and skincare without drying out your skin.

I cannot stress enough how much this step alone can change the health of your skin. Say it with me: Don’t be scared of oil!

The Second Cleanse

This is where you would use what is considered to be the more traditional cleansers that we are all used to using–the foamy ones.

I have been using Indie Lee’s Rosehip Cleanser, which is a lightly-lathering gel, as my second cleanse lately (just because I wanted to try out the brand). But I also love using my Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser as a second cleanse, or Tula’s Purifying Face Cleanser.

While your skin is still wet after your first cleanse, lather up a little bit of cleanser between your palms and gently swipe over your skin, being careful to get near the hairline and your neck–areas where you might not have cleansed with your oil cleanser. Rinse well, and your skin should be feeling not only super clean, but also super moisturized.

The best way to clear skin is to make sure you’re cleansing well, but not stripping your skin. The two-step routine is perfect for that.