Our ultimate XNUMX-step cleansing routine for your freshest face yet.

Here at Skincare.com, we take cleansing very seriously. It's one of the first things we do when we wake up and the last thing we do before our head hits the pillow at night, and for good reason. Daily cleansing is the key to clean and radiant skin.

If you use makeup, it's especially important to be as thorough as possible when it comes to cleansing. Makeup, excess sebum, dirt, sweat, and other impurities can mix with each other and clog pores, which in turn can lead to a dull complexion. Ahead, we'll share the three simple steps that make up our perfect cleansing routine and some of our favorite products from the L'Oreal portfolio of brands to use when completing them!

Step One: Remove Makeup with Makeup Remover Pads

Who needs raccoon eyes after you wash off your favorite cleanser? Not to us. To lend a helping hand to a cleanser, first wipe off makeup with a make-up remover tissue. We understand that makeup remover wipes often get a bad rap, especially for people with sensitive skin types. Some may irritate sensitive skin, but not all wipes are created equal! Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes are infused with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help purify skin, remove dirt, oil and makeup, and hydrate skin for up to eight hours. In addition, they are non-irritating, non-comedogenic and gentle enough even for sensitive skin. Does not require rinsing.

CeraVe make-up remover wipes. MSRP $8.99. 

Step two: clean your face with a cleanser

After making sure the makeup has been properly removed, it's time to wash your face. Washing your face up to twice a day helps prevent bacteria, excess sebum, and impurities from mixing on the skin's surface, which can lead to clogged pores and a dull complexion. It just so happens that one of our favorites also helps fight acne. Meet AcneFree Daily Skin Therapy Acne Wash. This pore-targeting salicylic acid cleanser, using patented avocado extract technology, removes impurities and helps prevent new breakouts.

For best results, apply a coin-sized amount of AcneFree Daily Skin Therapy Acne Wash to damp skin morning and evening and rinse well. If dryness occurs, use this product only once a day.

AcneFree Daily Skin Therapy Acne Wash, $ 6.87

Step three: tone your skin

Last but not least, complete your XNUMX-step cleansing routine with a toner. Tonics help provide thorough skin cleansing, but many formulas have more to offer than just that. From moisturizing to exfoliating to balancing the skin's natural pH, some toning formulas can address the specific skin concerns you may be experiencing. Best of all, they only take a few seconds to use!

One of our favorite toners to help mattify skin and tighten pores is Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Toner. This dual-phase pore-shrinking toner contains oil-absorbing Amazonian White Clay to help shrink pores and control shine. It can also help remove surface toxins from the skin to make it smoother and healthier. To use, shake the bottle well and apply the mixture to a cotton swab. After cleansing, apply the pad to the face and neck. If you'd rather skip the slapping round, simply squeeze Rare Earth Pore Refining Cleansing Toner into the palm of your hand and pat onto face, avoiding the eye area.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Toner. MSRP $21.00.

Editor's Note: Cleansing is important, but moisturizing the skin is just as important. After completing your cleansing routine, be sure to moisturize your skin with your favorite moisturizer morning and evening. Bonus points if you do this while your skin is still slightly damp!