Heard of “Triple-Cleansing”? Here’s How to Do It Right for Amazing Skin
Hi everyone, John here! Today, we’re diving into a skincare trend that might sound a little intense but promises big rewards: triple-cleansing. You’ve probably heard of double-cleansing, but what’s this extra step all about? Is it something you should be doing? Let’s break it down together in the simplest way possible.
Imagine you’ve just painted a room. You wouldn’t just rinse the paintbrush with water and call it a day, right? You’d probably use something to dissolve the paint first, then wash it with soap and water, and maybe even give it a final deep clean to get it ready for next time. Triple-cleansing is kind of like that, but for your face!
So, What Exactly Is Triple-Cleansing?
At its core, triple-cleansing is a three-step method to wash your face. It’s designed to give you a much deeper clean than your usual routine. Think of it as a weekly “reset” for your skin. The goal is to thoroughly remove every last bit of makeup, sunscreen, sweat, oil, and grime that can build up on your skin and clog your pores.
According to experts like board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., this method can be especially great for getting smoother skin and dealing with pesky blackheads. But—and this is a big “but”—it’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not for every day.
The 3 Steps to a Super-Clean Face
Ready to see how it works? It’s pretty straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step guide to your once-a-week deep clean.
Step 1: The Oil Cleanse (Your Makeup’s Worst Enemy)
The first step is to use an oil-based cleanser. This might sound strange, especially if you have oily skin, but there’s a simple science to it: oil dissolves oil. All that stubborn, waxy stuff on your face—like heavy foundation, waterproof mascara, and sunscreen—is oil-based. A regular water-based cleanser can struggle to break it down.
How to do it: Apply the cleansing oil or balm directly onto your dry skin. Gently massage it all over your face in circular motions for about a minute. You’ll literally feel your makeup melting away! Then, add a little water to emulsify it (it will turn milky) and rinse it off.
Step 2: The Water-Based Cleanse (Washing It All Away)
Now that you’ve dissolved the oily layer of impurities, it’s time to wash everything away. For this step, you’ll use your regular gentle cleanser, which could be a cream, gel, or foam cleanser.
How to do it: On your now-damp skin, apply the water-based cleanser. This step removes any leftover oily residue from the first cleanse, plus it takes care of water-based impurities like sweat and dirt. Lather it up, wash your face as you normally would, and rinse thoroughly.
At this point, you’ve completed a “double cleanse,” which is a fantastic daily routine for many. But for our weekly super-clean, we have one more step.
Step 3: The Exfoliating Cleanse (The Grand Finale)
This is the step that takes cleansing to the next level. The final step involves exfoliation, which is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This helps to unclog pores at a deeper level, prevent blackheads, and leave your skin looking bright and feeling incredibly smooth.
Lila: “John, hold on. You lost me a bit. What exactly does ‘exfoliation’ mean? And the original article mentioned things like ‘AHAs’ and ‘BHAs.’ That just sounds like science homework!”
John: “Great question, Lila! Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it sounds. Think of exfoliation as gently buffing away the top layer of old, dead skin cells. Just like a snake sheds its old skin, we need to help our skin get rid of the old stuff to reveal the fresh, new skin underneath. You can do this in two ways:
- Physical Exfoliation: This is using something with a gentle, gritty texture, like a scrub with fine particles (like jojoba beads) to manually slough off the dead cells.
- Chemical Exfoliation: This sounds scarier, but it’s often more gentle! It uses special ingredients to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells together. AHAs (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) and BHAs (Beta-Hydroxy Acids) are examples of these. Think of them as little Pac-Men that gobble up the gunk on your skin’s surface and inside your pores without any scrubbing.
For this third step, you could use a gentle exfoliating cleanser, apply an exfoliating peel, or even use a purifying clay mask. The key is to choose one that’s right for your skin type and to be very gentle.”
Is Triple-Cleansing Right for You?
This is the most important question! As Dr. King points out, this deep-cleaning routine is powerful, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Triple-cleansing can be a game-changer for you if:
- You have oily or acne-prone skin that gets congested easily.
- You regularly wear heavy or long-wear makeup.
- You apply thick layers of mineral sunscreen every day.
You should probably AVOID triple-cleansing if:
- You have dry or sensitive skin.
- You have a skin condition like eczema or rosacea, as this could cause a major flare-up.
Lila: “Wait a minute, John. Why would more cleaning be bad for your skin? That seems backward. Shouldn’t everyone want their face to be as clean as possible?”
John: “That’s a fantastic point, Lila, and it’s a common misconception. Our skin has a natural protective layer on top called the skin barrier or moisture barrier. I want you to picture a brick wall. The skin cells are the ‘bricks,’ and the natural oils and fats are the ‘mortar’ holding it all together and sealing the cracks. This ‘mortar’ is your skin barrier. It’s brilliant at keeping moisture in and keeping irritants and germs out.
If you cleanse too often or too aggressively, you start to wash away that precious mortar. Your brick wall becomes weak and leaky. This is what we call a ‘stripped’ or ‘compromised’ skin barrier. It leads to dryness, tightness, redness, irritation, and can even make your skin produce more oil to compensate, leading to more breakouts. So, being ‘squeaky clean’ is actually not what you want!”
The Golden Rule: Don’t Overdo It!
Even if you have the perfect skin type for triple-cleansing, the absolute number one rule is: do not do this every day. This is a once-a-week treatment, max. Think of it as a special spa session for your face. Overdoing it will, without a doubt, damage your skin barrier, leading to the exact problems you’re trying to solve.
Listen to your skin. If it feels tight, dry, or irritated after trying this, it’s not for you, and that’s perfectly okay! A simple double cleanse is more than enough for most people on most days.
A Few Final Thoughts
John: For me, learning about triple-cleansing is a great reminder that skincare isn’t about doing the most—it’s about doing what’s right for you. This is a targeted tool for specific concerns, not a daily necessity. It’s about being smart and strategic with your routine.
Lila: As someone just figuring this all out, I find that really comforting! The idea of a special, once-a-week deep clean makes a lot of sense, especially before a big event or when my skin feels extra grimy. It’s good to know I don’t have to add three more steps to my routine every single night!
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
Do This Once A Week For Smoother Skin & Fewer
Blackheads