How are you cleansing your face right now?
You may be using a gentle cleanser, rinsing it off, then leaving it to dry. While this one-step routine is a great start, your skin might benefit further with a double-cleansing routine.
Hi, I'm Elaine, a pharmacist and founder of Melvory. In this article, we will explain the benefits of double-cleansing and how you can implement it in your routine.
If you're seeking that luminous, glass-skin glow that seems effortless, read on!
We'll discuss:
- What double cleansing is
- How to choose your Oil Based Cleanser
- How to choose your Second cleanser
- A practical and easy-to-achieve double cleansing routine
- Address FAQs such as how often you should double-cleanse.
HOW TO TACKLE BLACKHEADS
You know that luminous, glass-skin glow that seems effortless on K-beauty stars and enthusiasts? The secret isn't just in their serums or sheet masks (although they help!) It starts with how they cleanse.
Double cleansing is the foundation of K-beauty routines, and it's the simple fix that could transform your complexion.
We often blame blemishes, congestion and dullness on everything from hormones to weather to stress. And yes, those factors matter.
But there's one culprit that's incredibly easy to fix: improper cleansing.
When makeup, sunscreen and oil-based impurities sit on your skin because your regular cleanser can't break them down, they create a barrier that traps dirt, clogs pores and prevents your expensive serums from doing their job.
The solution is two cleansers working in harmony.
An oil-based first cleanse to melt away everything your water-based cleanser can't touch, followed by a targeted second cleanse to leave your skin truly, deeply clean.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly why double cleansing works, how to do it properly and most importantly, which cleansers you actually need.
The difference between confused, congested skin and that glass-skin glow might just be one extra step away.
What is double cleansing?
Double cleansing is exactly what it sounds like: washing your face twice using two different types of cleansers.
These aren't just any two random face washes, but a long-standing approach that originated in Korean skincare and has become a global phenomenon for one simple reason: it works.
The method is straightforward.
- First, you use an oil-based cleanser to break down and remove oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, sebum and environmental pollutants.
- Then, you follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue, sweat, dirt and water-soluble debris.
The science behind this is simple: like dissolves like.
Oil-based products (your foundation, SPF, excess sebum) can only be properly dissolved by other oils. Water-based cleansers, no matter how expensive or how long you massage them in, simply can't break down these oil-based substances effectively. They might remove surface-level dirt, but they're leaving behind a film of everything else.
Think about trying to clean oil off your hands with just water, it doesn't work. You need soap (which contains oils) to break down the grease.
And your face is no different.
Step 1: Use an Oil-Based Cleanser
Why You Need an Oil Based Cleanser
Your regular face wash is missing the ability to dissolve oil. Throughout your day, your skin accumulates a mixture of oil-based substances. Your SPF, your makeup, the natural sebum your skin produces, exhaust fumes and even some environmental pollutants are all oil-based. These sit on top of your skin, creating a barrier.
When you go straight in with a water-based cleanser, you're essentially trying to wash oil away with water. It doesn't work.
You might feel clean, but you're leaving behind a film that clogs pores, causes congestion and prevents your serums and moisturisers from penetrating properly.
An oil-based cleanser works with your skin, not against it. The oils in the cleanser bind to the oils on your skin, dissolving them completely. This process is gentle and effective.
TYPES OF OIL CLEANSERS
Oil-based cleansers come in two main forms and while they work on the same principle, the experience can be quite different.
Cleansing oils are liquid formulations that you pump or pour into your hands. They're lightweight, spread easily and have been the traditional format for oil cleansing. They work beautifully but can be a bit messy and travel can be tricky with liquid formulations.
Cleansing balms start as a solid butter-like texture that melts into a silky oil when it comes into contact with your warm skin.
This format has become increasingly popular and for good reason. Balms are less messy, easier to control, more travel-friendly, and many people find the transforming texture to be luxurious and deeply satisfying to use.
The solid format also means you can see exactly how much product you're using, making it easier for beginners to get the hang of oil cleansing.
Introducing our Peach Melt Cleansing Balm
Our Peach Melt Cleansing Balm is specifically formulated to be the perfect first step in your double cleansing routine.
The moment you use the peachy-soft balm, you'll understand why texture matters. It melts instantly on contact with your skin, transforming into a silky, luxurious oil that glides effortlessly across your face.
Our Peach Melt Balm is formulated with nourishing ingredients that breaks down even the most stubborn makeup and SPF while simultaneously caring for your skin.
Unlike harsh cleansers that leave your face feeling tight and uncomfortable, this balm leaves your skin soft, balanced and perfectly prepped for your second cleanse.
Step 2: The Water Based Cleanser
Why you Need a Second Cleanse
After your oil cleanse, your skin might feel clean, and it is mostly. The oil cleanser has removed all the oil-based impurities, but now you need to remove the water-based ones: sweat, dirt, water-soluble debris and any remaining traces of the oil cleanser itself.
This second cleanse ensures your skin is completely and thoroughly clean. It's like washing your dishes. The oil cuts through the grease, but you still need that final rinse to remove the soap and leave everything spotless.
More importantly, this second cleanser is where you can target your specific skin concerns.
While the first cleanse is universal (everyone needs to remove oil-based impurities), your second cleanser can be customised based on whether you're dealing with dryness, sensitivity, oiliness or other concerns.
A proper second cleanse also ensures that all the beautiful serums, treatments and moisturisers you're about to apply can actually penetrate your skin and do their job.
Clean skin absorbs products better, which means you get more value from every drop of that expensive serum.
Choosing Your Second Cleanser: Which One is Right for You?
Now that you understand why you need a water-based second cleanser, let's talk about which one is right for your skin. We've made this easy with three distinct options, each formulated for different needs and preferences.
Green Tea Cleanser
Best for: This is our top cleanser pick as the second step to your double-cleanse. An especially great choice for those with oily skin.
Green tea is a powerhouse ingredient and in cleanser form, it is particularly effective at balancing and purifying the skin.
Rich in antioxidants, green tea helps combat free radical damage while its natural astringent properties help control excess oil without stripping your skin.
CUCUMBER MILK CLEANSER
Best for: Dry, sensitive and mature skin types, or anyone who experiences tightness or irritation after cleansing.
The creamy, milk-like texture feels soothing and luxurious on the skin, providing a thorough cleanse without any of the tightness or discomfort that harsher cleansers can cause.
Cucumber is naturally cooling and anti-inflammatory, making this cleanser particularly good for sensitive or reactive skin. It calms redness, soothes irritation and leaves skin feeling soft and comfortable. The milk formula adds an extra layer of hydration, ensuring that even the driest skin types feels nourished after cleansing.
Mature skin also benefits from this gentle approach, as it cleanses effectively without exacerbating any dryness or sensitivity that may come with ageing skin.
BLEMISH CONTROL JELLY CLEANSER
Best for: Normal, combination and younger skin types.
Formulated with gentle, plant-derived surfactants instead of traditional soap, this jelly cleanser maintains a skin-friendly pH balance.
It's hydrating enough for normal-to-dry areas but effective enough to handle the oilier parts of combination skin making it a great choice for younger skin or for anyone who doesn't have specific skin concerns but wants a reliable, effective second cleanse.
Your Complete Double Cleansing Routine
Let's put it all together. Here's exactly how to incorporate double cleansing into your daily routine.
Evening Routine (Essential)
Step 1: Peach Melt Cleansing Balm
- Use on completely dry skin
- Massage for 60 seconds to dissolve makeup, SPF, and oil-based impurities
- Emulsify with water until milky
- Rinse thoroughly
Step 2: Your Chosen Foamimg Cleanser
- Apply to damp skin
- Massage gently for 30 seconds
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Pat dry
Total time: About 2-3 minutes.
Morning Routine (When Needed)
In the morning, you typically don't need to double cleanse unless you have very oily skin or applied heavy overnight treatments.
Most people can simply use their foaming cleanser in the morning.
However, if you wake up with noticeably oily skin or you used a heavy sleeping mask or facial oil the night before, a quick oil cleanse with Peach Melt followed by your water-based cleanser can be beneficial.
Avoid these Common mistakes
Not using enough product: Don't be stingy with your oil cleanser. You need to use enough to properly massage over your entire face and dissolve all impurities.
Rushing through the first cleanse: It takes time for the oils to properly break down everything on your skin.
Using water that's too hot: Hot water can irritate and strip your skin. Stick with lukewarm.
Over-cleansing: Double cleansing once per day (in the evening) is plenty for most people. Don't do it multiple times a day unless you have a specific reason.
Now you know the Secret to Glass Skin
The secret to glass skin isn't complicated, it starts with proper cleansing. While we often focus on serums, treatments and masks, none of those products can work their magic if your skin isn't truly clean.
Double cleansing is the foundation that makes everything else in your skincare routine more effective.
By using an oil-based cleanser first to remove oil-based impurities, followed by a foaming cleanser to remove everything else, you're giving your skin the clean slate it needs to absorb all those beneficial ingredients you're applying afterward.
The best part? This isn't a complicated, time-consuming process. It takes just 2-3 minutes in the evening, and the results are worth every second.
Your journey to glass skin starts here, with this simple shift in how you cleanse. Give it two weeks and you'll wonder how you ever cleansed any other way.
Ready to transform your cleansing routine? Shop Peach Melt Cleansing Balm and find your perfect second cleanser now.
FAQS
Will oil cleansing make my oil skin worse
This is one of the biggest misconceptions in skincare, and the answer is no. Oil cleansing will actually help your oily skin. When you use harsh, stripping cleansers, your skin goes into panic mode and produces even more oil to compensate.
Oil cleansing works with your skin's natural biology, removing excess sebum without triggering that rebound effect. Many people with oily skin find that oil cleansing actually helps regulate their oil production over time.
Do I need to double cleanse morning and night?
For most people, double cleansing once per day in the evening is sufficient.
At night, you're removing a full day of SPF, makeup, oil and environmental buildup, which is why the double cleanse is so important.
In the morning, your skin is relatively clean. You're just removing sweat, excess oil, and overnight skincare products. A single water-based cleanse (or even just water) is usually enough.
However, if you have very oily skin or you apply heavy overnight treatments, you might benefit from a morning double cleanse as well.
Can I skip the first cleanse if I don't wear makeup?
Even if you don't wear makeup, you're still wearing SPF (right?), producing natural sebum and accumulating environmental pollutants throughout the day. All of these are oil-based and can't be properly removed with a water-based cleanser alone.
So no, you shouldn't skip the oil cleanse just because you're not wearing makeup. The oil cleanse is about removing all oil-based impurities, not just makeup.
How do I know if I'm over-cleansing?
Your skin will tell you. Signs of over-cleansing include tightness, flaking, increased sensitivity, redness, and ironically, increased oiliness (as your skin overcompensates for being stripped).
If you're experiencing any of these, you might be double cleansing too frequently, using water that's too hot, massaging too aggressively, or using a second cleanser that's too harsh for your skin type.
What's the difference between a cleansing balm and cleansing oil?
Both work on the same principle: using oil to dissolve oil-based impurities. The main difference is texture and format.
Cleansing oils are liquid and come in pump bottles, while cleansing balms are solid and come in jars. Balms melt into oil on contact with your skin.
Many people prefer balms because they're less messy, more travel-friendly and the solid format makes it easier to control how much product you're using. In terms of effectiveness, they're equally capable of doing the job.
Can I use Micellar Water instead of an oil cleanser?
Micellar water is a makeup remover, not a true oil cleanser. While it's great for quickly removing makeup or as a morning cleanse, it doesn't provide the deep, thorough cleansing that an oil-based cleanser does.
Micellar water works by trapping dirt and oil in tiny micelles, but it doesn't dissolve oil-based impurities the way an actual oil cleanser does. For a proper double cleanse, stick with a true oil-based product like the Peach Melt Cleansing Balm.
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about the author
Elaine Yong
This article is written by Elaine Yong the founder and CEO of Melvory. She is a Pharmacist, who lives with her husband and 3 young children in Adelaide. All of Melvory's products are handmade with love in South Australia and are formulated with the highest quality ingredients. Seeing Melvory's products help families achieve better skin health fills Elaine's heart with so much joy, and that's why she does what she does!
