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Double cleansing means washing your face twice: first with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve sunscreen, makeup and sebum, then with a gentle water-based cleanser to rinse away the rest. It is a cornerstone of Korean skincare routines, and it is most useful on days you wear sunscreen or makeup.
Double cleansing is one of the first steps people learn when they start Korean skincare. The idea is simple, and you do not need a ten-step routine to use it.
What is double cleansing?
It is exactly what it sounds like: two cleansers, in order. Cleveland Clinic defines it the same way, as washing your face twice in a row, first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a water-based one.
- Cleanser one is oil-based (an oil, balm or oil-to-foam). Oil attracts oil, so it helps lift away sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum that a water-based wash can leave behind.
- Cleanser two is water-based (a gel or foam). It rinses away the oily residue and the day's remaining impurities, so your skin is ready for toner, serum and moisturizer.
Why is it popular in Korea?
Korean routines put a lot of weight on sunscreen and layered base makeup, and both are made to stay put. A two-step cleanse is the common way to remove them thoroughly in the evening. It is a habit, not a rule, and plenty of people keep it to evenings only.
Do you need to double cleanse?
- Probably yes on days you wear water-resistant sunscreen or full makeup.
- Probably not if you wore little or nothing and your skin is dry or sensitive. A single gentle cleanse may be enough.
- Use your skin as the guide. If skin feels tight or irritated afterward, scale back.
What dermatologists say is more cautious than the Korean habit. Cleveland Clinic says people who wear waterproof makeup or waterproof sunscreen, and people with oily skin, may benefit, while dermatologist Jane Wu, MD, tells the clinic that most people do not need it and that one thorough wash with a gentle cleanser is usually enough. The clinic adds that washing too often or too harshly can dry the skin, cause irritation and weaken the skin barrier, and that dermatologists worry more about overwashing than about skipping a second cleanse. NBC Select's December 2025 experts add that people with rosacea, eczema, dryness or sensitivity may want to avoid it, and that it is best used at night and not necessarily every day.
Korean cleansers to look at
These cleansers are available through the Daebak Shop and shipped by the brand. Details come from the product pages.
| Product | Step | What the brand says |
|---|---|---|
| NIDA Perfect Clear Oil-To-Foam Double Cleanser | Step 1 and 2 in one | A 2-in-1 cleanser that starts as an oil to dissolve makeup, sunscreen and impurities, then turns into a soft foam when water is added. |
| SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin Brightening All-In-One Cleanser | Step 2 | A weakly acidic gel cleanser with yuja extract, niacinamide and PHA that lathers to remove impurities and makeup. |
| SOME BY MI Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Low pH Gel Cleanser | Step 2 | A gentle gel cleanser with a low pH of 5.5 that lathers into a soft foam. |
| NIDA Centella Deep Pore Cleansing Foam | Step 2 | A foam cleanser with centella that removes excess oil and impurities, for oily or combination skin. |
NIDA Perfect Clear Oil-To-Foam Double Cleanser. See details.
How to double cleanse
- Apply the oil cleanser to dry skin and massage gently for about a minute.
- Add a little water to emulsify, then rinse.
- Lather the water-based cleanser with water and wash gently.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Cleveland Clinic advises lukewarm rather than hot water.
- Follow with your usual toner, serum and moisturizer.
If you would like to sample a mix of Korean skincare before building a full routine, see the Daebak K-Beauty Box, a curated seasonal box from Seoul. Contents change each season, so specific products are not guaranteed.
FAQ
Do I double cleanse in the morning?
Usually not. Many people rinse with water or use one gentle cleanser in the morning and double cleanse at night.
Is an oil-to-foam cleanser enough on its own?
An oil-to-foam cleanser works as both steps in one, which is why it is popular for simple routines. Some people still add a second cleanser on heavy makeup days.
Will oil cleansers make skin oily?
Rinsed properly, they are designed to wash away. If your skin feels greasy, follow with a gentle water-based cleanser. Cleveland Clinic notes that people with acne-prone skin may break out if they use an oil cleanser alone.
Can double cleansing irritate skin?
It can if you scrub hard or cleanse too often. Be gentle, use lukewarm water, and cut back if skin feels tight.
Daebak is a Seoul-based Korean culture and product company. Learn more in our Korean beauty box guide.
