Would you take a shower with your clothes on? Of course not. Think of makeup like clothes on your face. If makeup isn’t properly removed before washing your face, it acts like a barrier between your skin and the facial cleanser.

To give your face a deep clean at the end of the day, there are two types of impurities to tackle—makeup and the day’s build up of grime. In order to break it all down, you need a strategic one-two punch: first, an oil-based makeup remover to dissolve tenacious long-wearing makeup (foundation, concealer, blush, etc.), followed by a water-based facial cleanser to remove sweat, pollution, dirt, and any accumulation of oil stuck in your pores. That’s what we call double cleansing.

Makeup Removal 101
The fastest way to take it all off? A makeup remover wipe. Ideal for those nights when you just can’t deal, each super-saturated sheet sweeps away makeup effortlessly—no cotton ball, scrubbing, or rinsing required. Use both sides of a sheet and keep going until no more makeup comes off (that’s how you’ll know you really got it all). Try Take The Day Off Micellar Cleansing Towelettes for Face & Eyes, which contains micelles, tiny oil molecules suspended in water that pick up impurities, while still being gentle.

Have time for a little more pampering at the end of a long day? A cleansing balm that melts into your skin, like Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, is a spa-like experience. Take a few extra minutes to give yourself a facial massage, using circular movements from the center of your face outwards. Delicately massage your eyes last to avoid spreading makeup over your entire face (that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish here). Then, dampen a clean washcloth in warm water, ring it out, and press onto your face for 5 seconds. Use the cloth to gently wipe away all traces of makeup. Rinse the cloth again in cool water, and re-apply it to your face to close pores. Repeat after us: ahhh.

The Clean Sweep
With makeup and grime out of the way, your cleanser can really get down to business. This second cleanse works beyond superficial impurities and goes deeper to purify your skin and give you the ultimate clean. Your face wash will also be better able to target your unique skin concerns (think dryness, breakouts, etc.). Another bonus of skin this clean: serums and lotions are better absorbed and can get to work faster—giving you maximum glow for your buck. Win, win. 

Haven’t met your face wash soul mate yet? Look for a non-drying, non-stripping formula for optimal gentleness. Other ingredients to know: glycerin, algae extract, and hyaluronic acid all attract moisture, meaning you won’t get that dry, tight feeling after washing your face. For the ultimate clean sweep, pair your face wash with a Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush, to further unclog pores and improve surface texture. We like to team up Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam with Extra Gentle Cleansing Brush Head.