If you've ever washed your face at night and still found traces of sunscreen or makeup on a cotton pad afterward, you already understand why Korean skincare starts with a double cleanse. It's two quick steps that get skin truly clean without leaving it tight or stripped.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing means washing your face twice in a row with two different types of cleanser:
- An oil-based cleanser first. Oil dissolves oil, so it melts away sunscreen, makeup, and the day's excess sebum.
- A water-based cleanser second. A gentle gel or foam wash removes sweat, dirt, and any leftover residue from the oil.
Each step does a job the other can't do well on its own. Water-based cleansers struggle with long-wear sunscreen and makeup, and oil cleansers alone can leave a film behind.
How to double cleanse, step by step
- Start with dry hands and a dry face. Massage one to two pumps of cleansing oil over your skin for 30 to 60 seconds, paying attention to the hairline, nose, and jaw where SPF builds up.
- Emulsify. Add a splash of lukewarm water and keep massaging. The oil will turn milky. That's what lets it rinse clean.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm (not hot) water.
- Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser. Work a small amount into a lather, cleanse for about 30 seconds, and rinse.
- Pat dry and move straight on to toner while your skin is still slightly damp.
When should you double cleanse?
Most people only need to double cleanse at night, especially on days you wore sunscreen or makeup (which should be every day for sunscreen). In the morning, a single gentle cleanse, or even just a splash of water if your skin is dry, is usually plenty.
Is double cleansing good for every skin type?
- Oily or breakout-prone skin: a light, rinse-clean oil is a great way to dissolve excess oil without harsh scrubbing. Choose a low-pH second cleanser so skin doesn't feel tight.
- Dry or sensitive skin: keep both steps gentle and short, and skip anything that leaves skin squeaky. That squeaky feeling usually means you've stripped too much.
- Combination skin: double cleanse at night and use a single gentle cleanse in the morning.
Our double-cleanse picks
SKIN1004 Light Cleansing Oil
Anua Heartleaf Cleansing Oil
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser
- SKIN1004 Light Cleansing Oil: a lightweight, easy-rinsing oil, great for first-time oil cleansers.
- Anua Heartleaf Cleansing Oil: a fan favorite that melts sunscreen and makeup fast.
- Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil: a slightly richer oil for drier skin.
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: a gentle, low-pH gel wash for step two.
- medicube Zero Foam Cleanser: a fluffy foam for oilier skin types.
Browse all of our Korean cleansers, or see the full routine in Shop the Routine.
The bottom line
Double cleansing takes about two minutes and sets up everything that comes after it. Your toner, serum, and moisturizer can only do their job on clean skin. Start tonight with an oil, follow with a gentle wash, and notice how much smoother your skin feels the next morning.