Do You Really Need to Double Cleanse? The Korean Way, Step by Step
Short answer: you only need to double cleanse on days you wear sunscreen or makeup. Step 1 is an oil or balm cleanser on a dry face to melt sunscreen, makeup and excess oil. Step 2 is a gentle, low-pH foam on a damp face to rinse away what is left. On bare-skin days, one gentle wash is enough.
What is double cleansing, and why do Koreans do it?
Double cleansing means washing your face twice in one routine: first with an oil-based cleanser, then with a water-based one. Sunscreen, long-wear makeup and sebum are oily, so water and foam alone often leave a thin film behind. Oil dissolves oil, so the first step loosens that film, and the second step washes it away together with sweat and dust.
In Korea, this is an everyday evening habit rather than a special treatment, mostly because daily sunscreen is the norm here. Korean beauty stores like Olive Young even sort their cleansers into these two groups: oils and balms for the first step, foams and gels for the second.
Who actually needs it, and who can skip it?
- Double cleanse: days with sunscreen (especially water-resistant), cushion foundation, long-wear or waterproof makeup, or very oily skin by evening.
- One wash is enough: mornings, and days with no sunscreen or makeup.
- Be careful: if your skin feels tight, itchy or red after washing, you may be over-cleansing. Dermatologists warn that washing too much can dry out skin and weaken its barrier.
How do you double cleanse the Korean way?
- Dry hands, dry face. Scoop the balm or pump the oil onto dry skin. Water at this stage stops it from melting makeup well.
- Massage for 30 to 60 seconds. Use light circles, a little longer around the nose and hairline where sunscreen builds up. No scrubbing.
- Emulsify. Add a splash of lukewarm water and keep massaging until the balm turns milky, then rinse.
- Second cleanse on damp skin. Lather a pea-sized amount of foam in your hands first, wash gently, and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Pat dry and move on to toner or moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.
Step 1 pick: BANILA CO Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
This sherbet-textured balm is one of the most familiar first-step cleansers in Korea, and the brand reports over 100 million units sold. It melts into an oil as you massage, so it takes off sunscreen and waterproof makeup without tugging. Jojoba seed oil helps soften hardened sebum around the nose. Because it rinses off milky rather than greasy, it suits normal to dry skin and anyone who wears long-wear base makeup.
See BANILA CO Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original 180ml
Step 2 pick: TORRIDEN Dive In Cleansing Foam
A weakly acidic (low-pH) foam is the classic Korean second step, because it cleans without leaving skin squeaky-tight. Torriden's Dive In foam uses mild amino-acid cleansing agents from coconut and a blend of hyaluronic acids, so skin still feels hydrated after rinsing. It won the cleansing foam category of the 2022 Hwahae Beauty Awards for new products. It is a good match for oily, combination and dehydrated skin that gets tight easily.
See TORRIDEN Dive In Cleansing Foam 150ml
FAQ
Can I double cleanse in the morning?
Usually there is no need. Overnight there is no sunscreen or makeup to remove, so a single gentle wash, or even just lukewarm water for very dry skin, is enough.
Can I use micellar water instead of a balm?
Yes. Micellar water on a cotton pad can replace step 1, especially for light makeup. A balm is easier for water-resistant sunscreen and waterproof eye makeup.
Is double cleansing okay for acne-prone skin?
It can be, as long as the first-step cleanser is rinsed off completely by the second step. Watch how your skin reacts for two weeks, and drop back to one wash if you notice more breakouts.
The bottom line
Double cleansing is not about washing more; it is about washing smarter on the days your skin carries sunscreen and makeup. Melt first with BANILA CO Clean It Zero, then rinse gently with TORRIDEN Dive In Cleansing Foam. You can find more first- and second-step cleansers in our Cleansing collection, all shipped from Seoul by K-Packet.
Want quick K-beauty routines like this every week? Follow us on Instagram @koinshopsns.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic: double cleansing explained · American Academy of Dermatology, "Face washing 101". Product details are from each brand's official product information.
Koinshop Team, Seoul · October 21, 2026