Double Cleansing, Explained

We'll get into double cleansing, but first, let’s talk about toner for a second.

For a lot of people, it’s become this default step. Cleanse, then toner. For some, it’s not even about hydration or skincare goals. It’s because their skin still feels like there’s something left behind after washing. Ew.

So they grab a cotton pad, swipe it across their face, and see leftover makeup, dirt, or residue. And the assumption is: “Good thing I used toner to get the rest off!”

But that’s not actually what toner is for. Or at least… it shouldn’t be.

Quick reality check on toner

Toner has evolved a lot over the years, but historically it’s been used for a few main things.

One of the biggest was pH balancing. Back when cleansers were harsher and not always formulated with the skin in mind, toners were marketed as a way to “restore” your skin after washing. These days, well formulated cleansers are already pH balanced, so this step isn’t nearly as necessary as it once was.

Toners have also been used for hydration. Some formulas are designed to add a lightweight layer of moisture back into the skin, especially after cleansing. But realistically that’s something a good quality serum or moisturizer can do more effectively, so having a "moisturizing toner" feels a bit redundant here.

Then there are toners that actually do something more targeted. This is where active ingredients like glycolic acid or lactic acid come in, helping with exfoliation, texture, and overall skin appearance. In this case, toner has a clear purpose. That’s really the difference. Intention over habit, not just buying another step because you were told you needed one.

What toner is NOT meant to do

Toner is not supposed to act as a backup cleanser.

I was talking to a customer recently who was looking for a toner. After asking a few questions, she mentioned that when she washes her face, it still feels like there’s makeup or residue left behind. So she goes in with toner on a cotton pad to remove whatever her cleanser missed. This is a pretty common habit a lot of people can fall into, and likely still isn't actually getting all the grime off your skin.

That cotton pad coming away with leftover makeup isn’t proof that your toner is doing something amazing. It’s proof that your cleansing step didn’t fully do its job.

That can come down to a few things:

• the cleanser might not be very good
• you may not be cleansing long enough
• or you’re asking one product to do everything

Instead of fixing that first step, a lot of people end up adding another product to compensate for it.

Which brings us to the real fix...

Instead of layering on another product to clean up what your cleanser missed, it’s worth taking a step back and looking at how you’re cleansing in the first place. Because if step one isn’t working, adding step three isn’t going to fix it. That’s where double cleansing comes in.

So wth is double cleansing?

Double cleansing sounds like one of those skincare trends that got overcomplicated along the way, but it’s actually really straightforward.

It just means using two different types of cleansers to do two different jobs:

• Step 1 | oil-based cleanser to break down makeup, SPF, excess oil, and daily buildup
• Step 2 | water-based cleanser to actually wash the skin itself

You’re not washing your face twice for the sake of it. You’re using the right type of cleanser for what you’re trying to remove. Voila.

Why this works

It's basic chemistry: like dissolves like, so oil dissolves oil.

Makeup, sunscreen, and sebum are all oil-based, so trying to remove them with just a water based cleanser can be hit or miss. An oil cleanser breaks all of that down first, gently and effectively. Then your regular cleanser can actually do its job, cleansing your skin, not fighting through layers of buildup.

A lot of people are expecting one cleanser to do everything, remove makeup, break down SPF, deeply cleanse, and still be gentle enough not to strip the skin. Sometimes that’s just asking too much from one product. This is where double cleansing really makes sense.

It’s not "extra." It’s just using the right tool for the job. Two gentle, intentional steps often work better than one aggressive one.

Do you actually need to double cleanse?

Short answer? Not always.

If you don’t wear makeup, don’t use much SPF, and your cleanser leaves your skin feeling clean and comfortable, then you’re probably fine with a single cleanse. Not everyone needs more steps, but if you enjoy the process of showing yourself a little extra pampering, then by all means, treat yo'self.

Double cleansing can make a noticeable difference if:

• you wear makeup regularly
• you use SPF daily (which you should)
• your skin still feels like there’s buildup after washing
• you find yourself going in multiple times with the same cleanser
• you’re relying on toner to “finish” cleansing
• you like it!

Listen, if your routine is working, leave it alone. Don't add more steps because someone on the internet or an influencer looking to make commission told you to.

You don’t need more products, just a routine that actually works. So if your skin doesn’t feel clean after cleansing, it might not be about replacing your cleanser but supporting it with the right first step.

That’s also exactly why I formulated my Unfiltered Cleansing Oil. It’s designed to gently break down makeup, SPF, and buildup without stripping your skin, so your regular cleanser can actually do its job.

When your skin is actually clean, everything else works better.