What is the Korean Double Cleanse?
Most people don’t realize this, but how you wash your face matters just as much as the serums and creams you use afterward.
In Korean beauty, the double cleanse isn’t rushed or aggressive. It’s intentional, gentle, and foundational.
Not washing your face the right way can lead to breakouts, dull skin, and loss of collagen...the opposite of a smooth glass skin texture.
And if your skin feels tight after washing, you could be stripping your skin of its natural oils and glow.
This is where the Korean beauty double cleanse comes in.
Table of contents
What Is the Korean Double Cleanse?
The double cleanse is a two-step cleansing method that removes makeup, sunscreen, pollution, and buildup without stripping the skin. It’s a cornerstone of K-beauty and one of the biggest secrets behind glass skin.
To properly perform a double cleanse, you need two cleansers:
A gentle milk or creamy cleanser (both water-based)
Done correctly, the double cleanse takes about 60 seconds and completely changes the skin’s foundation.
(Watch the video above for the full technique.)
💡 Did you know?
The average face has approximately 20,000 pores. A proper Korean double cleanse focuses on dissolving and lifting debris from each pore, not simply washing the surface of the skin.
This precision helps support a clearer complexion and a healthier skin barrier.
Step 0: Oil Cleanse
The first step uses a cleansing oil applied to dry skin with clean hands. It may sound counterintuitive, but oil is essential for a deep clean; even for oily or acne-prone skin. Why? Because oil dissolves oil.
Sebum, makeup, sunscreen, and long-wear products are often oil-based, which means water or foaming cleansers alone cannot fully dissolve them.
Use small, circular motions and take your time. This step loosens what your skin doesn’t need without tugging, rubbing, or disrupting the skin barrier.
Cleansing oil is the most effective way to break down makeup, sunscreen, mascara, pollution, clogged pores, and buildup from the day.
Step 1: Milk Cleanse
Here’s where many people go wrong with the K-beauty double cleanse.
Instead of rinsing the oil off, you layer a gentle, milky cleanser directly on top. Using the same circular motions, this second cleanse sweeps away everything the oil loosened while keeping skin soft and balanced.
Rinse with cool or lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a clean towel. (You don't want to introduce bacteria back onto the face.)
Your skin should feel clean, smooth, soft and never dry or tight.
A Simple Pro Tip
If there’s any leftover eye makeup, after your double cleanse don’t scrub or wipe with towels. A damp Q-tip is all you need for precise, gentle cleanup, no dragging required.
Why This Matters for Glass Skin
In Korean skincare, glass skin starts with a healthy skin barrier. When a double cleanse is done properly:
Moisture stays in
Irritation stays down
Treatments work better
Glow lasts longer
The double cleanse isn’t about splashing cold water and cleanser onto the face. It's about a thorough cleanse to clean out all 20,000 pores on your face.
Think of it as your daily reset: one minute, two steps, and a calmer relationship with your skin.
Angela Jia Kim
Founder of Savor Beauty, Mom to a teen daughter and mini golden, partner to a sweet soul, forever New Yorker, unfortunate carb lover, hopeless Aries 💞
A simple guide to the Korean beauty double cleanse and how to wash your face for soft, glass-skin results.
