There is one skincare step that almost everyone takes for granted, yet it is the one that everything else depends on: cleansing. It is not just a detail before the "real" treatment — it is the foundation upon which toner, serum, and cream can actually work, or not.
Why skipping it is a mistake
It often happens, especially in the evening after a busy day: you skip cleansing, or you rush through it in one quick step. The problem is that two very different types of residue accumulate on the skin during the day: on one hand, makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and smog (oil-based), and on the other, sweat, dust, and lighter impurities (water-based). A single cleanser, no matter how good, struggles to remove both effectively.
The result of skipping or shortening this step: pores that clog more easily, subsequent products that struggle to penetrate because they encounter leftover residue on the skin, and over time, a duller complexion.
The role of the oil cleanser (Step 1)
The first step of the Korean double cleanse uses a cleansing oil. It may seem counterintuitive — putting oil on skin that might already be oily — but the principle is simple: like dissolves like. The oil binds to makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum, dissolving them without the need to scrub or be harsh on the skin. Unlike a foaming cleanser used on its own, it does not dry out or strip the skin: its job is precisely to soften and lift away oil-based impurities, leaving the skin already cleaner and ready for the second step.
The role of the foam cleanser (Step 2)
The second step completes the job. A foam (or gel, depending on the formula) cleanser removes water-based residue — sweat, dust, dead skin cells — while simultaneously eliminating any lingering traces of the cleansing oil used in the first step. It is only at this point that the skin is truly clean, not just in appearance: ready to absorb toner, serum, and cream the way they are meant to.
How to do it, in practice
- Apply the cleansing oil to dry skin and hands, massaging gently to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and impurities.
- Add a little water and continue massaging: the oil turns into a milk, which is easier to rinse off without leaving a residue.
- Rinse with lukewarm water — never hot, because it tends to dry out and irritate the skin.
- Move on to the foam cleanser, massaging it in gently, and rinse again with lukewarm water.
A common mistake at this stage: thinking that hotter water or more vigorous scrubbing "cleans better." In reality, they have the opposite effect — they irritate the skin without removing anything extra.
Is it always necessary to do both steps?
Honestly, it depends. On days when you don't wear makeup or sunscreen, a single gentle cleanser may be enough — there's no need to complicate your life when it isn't necessary. But on days with makeup, SPF, or simply after prolonged exposure to smog and dust (a full day out of the house, for example), double cleansing really makes a difference: it is the only way to be sure you have removed everything, not just the surface layer.
A distinction should also be made between morning and evening: double cleansing makes sense especially in the evening, when there is actually something to remove (makeup, SPF, accumulated smog). In the morning, the skin hasn't gotten dirty in the same way overnight — often a single, lighter step is sufficient.
Not sure what the right choice is for your skin and habits? The quickest way to find out is to answer a few targeted questions: take the cleansing quiz and find the routine that suits you, with the right products already ready in your cart.
