Cleansing is the first and most basic step of any skin care routine. In order to maintain a healthy, clear complexion, you must keep it clean. And a clean canvas allows the skin to make the most of the ingredients in your serums and moisturizers.

While cleansing may seem to be a very basic step, keeping your pores clean is at times easier said than done. For many of us, clogged pores are what leads to breakouts and acne. Makeup and sunscreen can be quite stubborn and difficult to remove, leaving behind traces of product even after cleansing. These traces are all but impossible to detect.

In order to ensure the skin is thoroughly cleansed, many of us have incorporated the tried and true 'double cleanse' into our skin care routine -- this simply means using two cleansers instead of one. Typically a double cleanse will include an oil-based cleanser to break down stubborn product such as makeup and sunscreen, followed by a foaming cleanser to wash away the residue. Some may also use a miscellar water to break down the first layer of product.

What is triple cleansing?

Triple cleansing is an even more intensive method that uses not two, but three methods of cleansing. There are a couple of different variations of the triple cleanse -- one way is to first use an oil-based cleanser, then a cream cleanser, followed by a foaming cleanser. Another method is to first use miscellar water or a cleansing wipe to remove makeup and grime, followed by an oil-based cleanser and then a foaming cleanser.

Cream cleansers work to breakdown makeup and impurities, while soothing the skin and improving dryness, dullness and uneven texture. They're great for all skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin. 

Why triple cleanse?

The logic behind triple cleansing is that going one step further to remove the oil, dirt and residue from your pores will result in a cleaner complexion, better able to absorb the nutrients from your products.

While it may seem a bit high-maintenance, it only adds a couple more minutes to your skin care routine and may result in less breakouts due to clogged pores.

Whether or not you find triple cleansing useful, will depend on your lifestyle and skin type. If you live in the city where environmental pollution is relatively high, you may want to add this extra step to your routine. Oily and acne-prone skin can also benefit from triple cleansing, as it helps to ensure there is no makeup, dirt, oil, dead skin cells or product residue left in the pores which may result in a breakout.

In all, it's important to listen to your skin's needs and find the right cleansers for you. If your skin is very dry, over-cleansing can cause structural damage to your moisture barrier. While cleansing each morning and night is essential to a healthy skin care routine, the types and methods of cleansing will depend on your specific skin's needs.