Double Cleansing: Who Needs It and How to Do It Properly

Double cleansing means washing your face twice in the evening: first with an oil-based cleanser, then with a regular water-based one. It sounds excessive until you understand why it works — and once you do, it is one of the easiest upgrades you can make, especially if you wear sunscreen and makeup every day.

Why one face wash often isn't enough

Sunscreen, long-wear foundation, waterproof mascara and your skin's own oil are all designed to resist water. A foaming face wash removes some of it, but often leaves a thin film behind, which can clog pores and stop your serums from working properly. Oil dissolves oil: an oil-based cleanser breaks all of that down in under a minute, and the second cleanser then cleans the skin itself.

Step 1: the oil-based cleanse

Options include cleansing balms, cleansing oils and micellar water.

• Balms and oils: massage onto dry skin for 30–60 seconds, then add a little water to emulsify (it turns milky) and rinse. The The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is a balm-to-oil cleanser that is very gentle on dry and sensitive skin. A cleansing balm or cleansing oil works the same way.
• Micellar water: fine for light makeup and sunscreen; press a soaked cotton pad on the eyes for a few seconds before wiping. A micellar water is also handy for travel.

Worried that oil will break you out? A cleanser that rinses off properly is not the same as leaving oil on your skin. Many people with oily skin find their pores look clearer once they start double cleansing.

Step 2: the water-based cleanse

• Oily or acne-prone skin: COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser or La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Peeling Purifying Gel, both with salicylic acid to keep pores clear. Our acne routine guide covers the rest.
• Normal to dry skin: Arencia Rice Mochi Cleanser, COSRX Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser or CeraVe Foaming Cleanser.

Your skin should feel clean but not squeaky or tight afterwards. Tightness means the cleanser is too strong for you.

Who needs to double cleanse — and who doesn't

• Yes: anyone who wears sunscreen daily (which should be everyone), makeup wearers, and oily skin in hot, humid weather.
• Morning: no. One gentle cleanse, or even just water, is enough.
• Very dry or sensitive skin with no makeup: on light days, a single gentle cleanse or a cleansing balm alone may be enough.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying balm or oil to wet skin — it won't dissolve makeup properly.
• Scrubbing hard or using hot water. Lukewarm water and gentle circles are enough.
• Skipping the second cleanse — oil-based cleansers can leave a residue on their own.

Next, apply toner and the rest of your routine — our Korean skincare routine guide shows the full order.