Routine basics
Double cleansing: why Koreans wash their face twice
4 min read
The two-step cleanse
Double cleansing means washing your face with an oil-based cleanser first, then a water-based cleanser. The oil dissolves makeup, SPF, and sebum; the water cleanser removes sweat and water-soluble debris. Together they clean what one alone can't.
Why it matters
Sunscreen and makeup are oil-based — water-based cleansers alone leave a residue. That residue clogs pores and dulls skin over time. Double cleansing leaves skin genuinely clean without scrubbing or harshness.
Do you need it?
If you wear SPF (you should) or makeup, yes — every night. Mornings can be a single gentle cleanse or just water. A cleansing balm or oil is the satisfying first step; the famous 'no-rub mascara melt' is real.
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