Korean Double Cleansing: The Routine and Steps, Made Simple

June 11, 2026

Close-up of a woman applying a cleanser to her face, illustrating the steps of a Korean double cleansing routine

If you have ever washed your face, looked in the mirror, and still felt like something was "on" your skin — that is the exact problem Korean double cleansing solves. It is not a 10-step ritual. It is two steps in the right order, every evening. Here is the routine, the steps, and the honest before-and-after of doing it versus skipping it.

The whole idea in one line: oil-based cleanser first (to dissolve sunscreen, makeup and sebo), water-based cleanser second (to wash away the rest). Oil lifts what water can't.

One cleanse vs two: what actually changes

❌ One cleanse only

Sunscreen and makeup don't fully come off
Residue clogs pores → more breakouts
Skin can feel "clean but not clean"
Serums and creams absorb worse over a film of leftover product

✔️ Double cleanse

Oil dissolves sunscreen, makeup and excess oil
Foam clears the rest → fewer clogged pores
Skin feels genuinely clean, not tight
Everything after it works better

This is why double cleansing is treated as the double cleansing foundation of a Korean evening routine: it is not the fancy part, it is the part that makes everything else worth it.

The two steps

Oil-based cleanser — on dry skin

Dissolves sunscreen, makeup and sebo

Start with dry hands and a dry face. Massage an oil cleanser over your skin for 30–60 seconds — this is what breaks down sunscreen and makeup that water just slides off. Then add a little water to emulsify (it turns milky) and rinse.

Why oil first: sunscreen and makeup are oil-friendly, so an oil cleanser lifts them far better than foam alone.

Water-based cleanser — foam

Clears whatever the oil left behind

Follow with a gentle foam cleanser to wash away sweat, dirt and the last of the residue. Massage lightly, rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry — don't rub.

Why foam second: it removes what is left without stripping the skin, so you finish clean but not tight.

The steps at a glance

Step	Cleanser	Skin/hands	Removes
1	Oil-based	Dry	Sunscreen, makeup, sebo
2	Water-based foam	Damp	Sweat, dirt, residue

Common questions, quick answers

Morning too? No need. Double cleanse at night; in the morning a single gentle cleanse (or just water) is enough.
Oily skin? Still yes — oil cleansing dissolves sebo without stripping. It is a core step in a routine for oily skin.
No makeup days? If you wore sunscreen (you should), you still need the oil step to remove it properly.

Where to find your two cleansers

Korean facial cleansers — both oil and foam options for the two steps.
SKIN1004 cleansing oil — the dry-skin first step.
SKIN1004 centella foam — the gentle second step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the steps of Korean double cleansing?

Two steps, in the evening. First, an oil-based cleanser on dry skin to dissolve sunscreen, makeup and excess oil; emulsify with a little water and rinse. Second, a gentle water-based foam cleanser to wash away sweat, dirt and any residue. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Why use an oil cleanser before a foam cleanser?

Sunscreen and makeup are oil-friendly, so an oil cleanser lifts them far better than foam or water alone. The foam then clears whatever is left without stripping the skin, so you end up clean but not tight.

Should I double cleanse in the morning too?

No. Double cleansing is an evening step. In the morning a single gentle cleanse — or even just water — is enough, since your skin only needs to remove overnight sweat and oil.

Is double cleansing good for oily skin?

Yes. Oil cleansing dissolves excess sebo without stripping the skin, which actually helps oily skin stay balanced. Skipping it tends to leave residue that clogs pores and leads to more breakouts.