Double Cleansing: How to Do It and When You Need It
Routine · Al Mahara · Updated 1 Nov 2026
Double cleansing is a Korean routine step: an oil or balm cleanser first, to dissolve sunscreen and makeup, followed by a gentle water-based cleanser to wash away what's left.
It is useful in the evening if you wear sunscreen every day — which in the UAE you should. In the morning, one gentle cleanse is enough. Washing advice here follows the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD); sources are linked at the end.
Step 1: oil or balm cleanser
Cleansing oils and balms are designed to turn milky when they meet water, so they rinse away instead of leaving your face greasy.
- Use dry hands on a dry face.
- Massage the oil or balm over your face for about a minute, including around the hairline and jaw where sunscreen collects.
- Wet your fingertips and keep massaging until it turns milky.
- Rinse well with lukewarm water.
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Step 2: gentle water-based cleanser
Follow with a mild gel or foam cleanser. The AAD recommends a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that doesn't contain alcohol, applied with your fingertips and rinsed with lukewarm water.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin
The AAD advises people with oily skin not to use oil-based cleansers, because they can irritate. If that's you, try a light rinse-off oil only on nights you wear heavy sunscreen or makeup and watch how your skin responds, or use a micellar water as the first step instead.
If you notice more breakouts, go back to a single gentle cleanser.
Don't over-wash
The AAD suggests washing your face twice a day and after heavy sweating, without scrubbing. Double cleansing in the evening counts as one wash, not two. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel and moisturise afterwards.
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Sources
Product facts are taken from these pages and our product listings. This is a product guide, not a personal review.