CLEANSING 101

Cleansing your skin properly is the foundation for your entire skincare routine. In a KBeauty skincare routine, keeping skin clean and pores clear is a top priority, without which nothing else you do to your skin will be as effective. For optimal skin purity and clarity, Korean skincare routines focus on a thorough double-cleansing routine to remove dirt and excess oils, but without stripping or drying out the skin.

A double-cleanse is the most important in the evening, to wash off the dirt and makeup of the day. There’s generally no need to double-cleanse in the morning if you have thoroughly washed your face the night before. Instead, we suggest using a gentle foaming or water-based cleanser in the morning to refresh your skin and get it ready for the day.

First Cleanse: An Oil-Based Cleanser

Cleansing your skin well doesn’t mean bombarding it with harsh cleansers. In a KBeauty skincare routine, an oil-based cleanser is used as the first part of a two-step cleansing routine. Because oil dissolves oil, an oil cleanser effortlessly dissolves makeup and excess sebum, along with dirt and pollution, without stripping skin of its natural defenses. Using an oil cleanser allows you to avoid using harsh foaming agents that can irritate the skin.

Korean first cleansers are innovative products that combine oils with gentle emulsifiers. This means that they remove makeup easily, but the emulsifiers allow them to be rinsed off completely with water without needing to be wiped off with washcloths that can over-stimulate the skin.

Korean oil cleansers can come in liquid oil form, or balm form. Whichever oil-based cleanser you choose, massage the cleanser gently over your face to dissolve makeup and oil. Once makeup has been fully dissolved, rinse your face thoroughly with lukewarm water and continue massaging as you rinse. The oil cleanser will emulsify and turn white and milky, allowing it to be rinsed off cleanly without residue. Face is left clean, soft, and makeup-free.

Another option for a first cleanser is using a micellar water or cleansing water to remove the makeup from your skin. Saturate a cotton pad with the cleansing water and wipe over the face. Follow up with a second cleanser to rinse off any residue.

Second Cleanse: A Gentle Foaming Cleanser

In a Korean skincare routine, a gentle foaming cleanser is typically used as the second step in your cleansing routine. This refreshing cleansing step removes any traces of makeup or oil cleanser that may be left over after the first cleanse. Because the bulk of dirt and makeup has already been removed in the first cleanse, the second cleanse should be very gentle to prevent over-drying the skin. Look for gentle surfactants and avoid harsh foaming agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). 

Apply a small amount of the cleanser to your hands and rub hands together to create a lather. Gently massage the foam over your face and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

If your skin is particularly sensitive to foam cleansers, we suggest looking for non-foaming water-based cleansers for your second cleanse. A cleansing cream or a non-foaming gel cleanser can effectively remove any residue without causing irritation or dryness.