The best Korean face wash for you depends on your skin and what you wore that day. In the evening, use a cleansing oil or balm to dissolve sunscreen and makeup, then a gentle gel or foam to rinse skin clean: this is double cleansing. Oily skin usually suits a light oil and a gel, dry or mature skin a balm and a creamy foam, and sensitive skin a mild formula without added perfume. In the morning, water or one mild cleanser is often enough.
What do Koreans use to wash their face?
A typical Korean routine uses two kinds of cleanser. The first is oil-based, a cleansing oil or balm that melts sunscreen, makeup and excess oil. The second is water-based, a foam or gel that lathers with water and rinses away what is left. Many Korean water-based cleansers are labelled low pH or pH-balanced. In the morning, many people use just water or the mild second cleanser.
Cleansers work because they combine water-loving and oil-loving parts that lift makeup, sunscreen, dirt and excess oil so they can be rinsed off, as DermNet explains.
Do you really need to double cleanse?
Not every night. A second cleanse helps when:
- you wore makeup or a water-resistant sunscreen that one cleanser does not fully remove;
- your first cleanser is made mainly to dissolve makeup and leaves a light film;
- your skin still feels comfortable, not tight, after both steps.
If one mild cleanser already removes what you wore, a second full wash adds rubbing without adding much. The goal is clean, comfortable skin, not a squeaky finish. Fell asleep in your makeup? Here is what to do if you left your makeup on overnight.
Cleansing oil, balm, gel or foam: what is the difference?
| Type | Texture and use | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| Cleansing oil | Massaged onto dry skin, turns milky with water, then rinses off. First cleanse. | Most skin types, including oily skin; heavy makeup and sunscreen |
| Cleansing balm | Solid in the jar, melts into an oil on the skin. First cleanse; some also foam up. | Dry, mature or sensitive skin, and travel |
| Gel cleanser | Light gel with a soft lather. Second cleanse. | Oily, combination and sensitive skin |
| Foam cleanser | Lather from airy to creamy. Second cleanse. | Normal to oily skin; creamy foams also suit dry skin |
| Exfoliating pad, toner or mask | Used after cleansing, not every day for most people. | Rough texture, blackheads and whiteheads |
Browse our oil-based cleansers, cleansing balms and water-based cleansers to see each type.
Which Korean face wash should you choose for your skin type?
Choose your first and second cleanser as a pair. If you are unsure of your skin type, our skin quiz can help.
Oily or combination skin
A light oil rinses clean without a heavy film. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil - 2 Size blends six plant-based oils with centella extract in a lightweight formula that the brand says suits oily skin and people new to oil cleansers. Follow with Torriden Balanceful Cica Cleansing Gel 200ml, a cleanser made for combination skin that works into tight, dense bubbles and contains LHA, a mild exfoliating ingredient.
Dry or mature skin
No cleanser changes how skin ages, but mature skin often feels drier, so choose formulas that leave it comfortable. Pyunkang Yul Deep Clear Cleansing Balm 100ml melts away makeup and sunscreen with green tea seed oil and rice bran oil, and the brand recommends it for skin that feels dry or tight after cleansing. Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil 200ml blends 14 plant oils, including argan kernel and jojoba, and turns milky with water. For the second step, Dear Klairs Gentle Black Facial Cleanser 140ml is a low pH foam with a creamy, dense texture and a hydrating finish.
Sensitive skin
Keep it short and gentle, and skip scrubs on reactive days. Etude House SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser 250ml is a mild foam with panthenol and madecassoside, made for sensitive skin and free of synthetic perfume. If you prefer one product, Dr.Ceuracle Hyal Reyouth Melting Foaming Balm 100ml is made for dry and sensitive skin: it melts makeup and sunscreen on dry skin, then turns into a foam when you add water, so it covers both steps. It also contains PHA and LHA, and its ingredient list includes fragrance, so patch test it first if your skin is reactive.
See all our Korean cleansers to compare more textures.
Is there a number one cleanser or cleansing oil in Korea?
No. There is no official number one face wash, cleansing oil or skincare brand in Korea. Rankings come from single shops, sales periods or social media, and they change all the time. A much-loved foam can feel stripping on dry skin, and a rich balm can feel heavy on oily skin. Even one brand can make very different cleansers: Pyunkang Yul, for example, makes a melting cleansing balm, a pore-focused cleansing cake and a low pH foam, so compare the formula and texture with your skin rather than the ranking.
Good Korean cleansing oils share three traits: they spread easily, turn milky with water and rinse off without a greasy film. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil, for instance, is a lightweight apricot kernel oil formula made as the first step of a double cleanse, and Su:m37 Skin Saver Essential Clear Cleansing Oil is made without synthetic fragrance.
How do you double cleanse the right way?
- Start with dry hands and a dry face for most oils and balms. Follow the label, since some are made for damp skin.
- Massage gently with your fingertips, not a brush or washcloth, until makeup and sunscreen have melted.
- Add a little water and keep massaging until the oil turns milky, then rinse well with lukewarm water.
- If you need a second cleanse, lather a small amount of gel or foam, wash briefly and rinse.
- Pat dry and apply toner or moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp.
How do you remove blackheads and whiteheads gently?
Blackheads are open pores filled with oil and dead skin that look dark at the surface. Whiteheads are similar but closed under a thin layer of skin. Many grey dots on the nose are sebaceous filaments, a normal part of pores that fill up again after you clear them, so aim for visibly clearer pores rather than none at all.
- Cleanse thoroughly every evening. An oil cleanser helps loosen oily buildup; Ma:nyo, for example, suggests massaging a little longer around the nose.
- Add a pore-focused step once or twice a week. THE LAB by BLANC DOUX BlueClay Blackhead Melting Balm 17g is a stick balm you roll over the nose and T-zone on clean, dry skin, leave for three minutes and rinse off. The brand advises skipping scrubs on the same day.
- Use one leave-on exfoliant, such as a BHA or LHA pad, a few evenings a week (see below).
- Do not squeeze or scrub hard. If spots are painful, swollen or keep coming back, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
AHA, BHA, PHA, LHA or enzymes: which exfoliant fits?
Exfoliating means loosening and removing dead skin cells from the surface so skin looks smoother. The names below describe ingredient families, not strength levels: how a product feels depends on the whole formula, its pH and how often you use it. Professional chemical peels, described by DermNet, use some of the same acids, such as glycolic and salicylic acid, at much stronger levels than home products.
| Exfoliant | What it is | Often chosen for |
|---|---|---|
| AHA (glycolic or lactic acid) | Water-soluble acids that work on the surface | Rough, dull-looking texture |
| BHA (salicylic acid) | Oil-soluble acid that can reach into oily pores | Oily skin, blackheads and whiteheads |
| PHA (gluconolactone) | Larger-molecule acid that works more gradually | Sensitive or dry skin, daily toners |
| LHA (capryloyl salicylic acid) | Oil-loving relative of salicylic acid | Combination skin, gentle pore care |
| Enzymes (papain from papaya) | Proteins that loosen dead skin, without acid | Skin that finds acids too tingly |
Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad 90ea combines papaya enzyme and LHA on a dual-sided pad: an embossed side for more exfoliation and a smooth side for sensitive areas. Swipe it over clean skin, then follow with moisturiser. Find more pads, toners and masks among our exfoliators.
Start with one exfoliant, use it less often than the maximum on the label, and do not stack several in one routine. Keep acids and retinol on separate evenings; our guide to skincare ingredients not to mix explains why. Remember that some cleansers already contain exfoliants, such as the LHA in the Torriden gel or the PHA and LHA in the Dr.Ceuracle balm. Stinging, burning or redness that lasts means it is time to step back.
When is cleansing too much, especially in winter?
Tightness, stinging, roughness, flaking or redness after washing are signs to cut back. DermNet notes that over-washing can disturb the skin's surface barrier and increase dryness and irritation.
Nordic winters make this more likely, because cold air outside and indoor heating both dry out the skin. In the cold months:
- use lukewarm rather than hot water;
- skip the morning cleanser and rinse with water if your skin feels dry;
- switch to a balm or a creamy foam and save the gel for summer;
- exfoliate less often.
If your skin does not settle with a gentler routine, read these signs that your skincare routine does not suit you, and ask a doctor or pharmacist about an ongoing rash, cracks or pain.
FAQ
Can I double cleanse in the morning?
There is usually no need. Overnight you have not worn sunscreen or makeup, so water or a small amount of a mild gel or foam is enough. Save the full double cleanse for the evening.
Is a cleansing oil OK for oily skin?
Yes. Oil dissolves oil, so a cleansing oil lifts sunscreen, makeup and excess oil well. Choose a light formula that turns milky with water and rinses clean, and follow with a gel cleanser if your skin still feels coated.
How do I remove waterproof mascara?
A cleansing oil usually works well. If the label allows use around the eyes, press a little over closed lids for a few seconds, then wipe gently without rubbing. Dr.Ceuracle, for example, advises using a cleansing oil on the eyes before its balm for mascara and long-wear eye makeup.
How often should I exfoliate?
Start once or twice a week and only increase if your skin stays comfortable. Mild PHA toners are often made for daily use, while acid pads and clay masks are usually used a few times a week. Follow the label and wear sunscreen in the daytime.
Is a low-pH cleanser better for my skin?
Many people find that pH-balanced cleansers leave skin feeling less tight than classic bar soaps, which are alkaline, because the skin's surface is slightly acidic. Many Korean cleansers state their pH on the label: Etude House SoonJung, for example, is pH 6.5.
Keauty sells some of the products mentioned here.
Sources
- Soaps and cleansers. DermNet.
- Dry skin. DermNet.
- Chemical peels. DermNet.
This is general cosmetic information. Skin differs from person to person, so patch test new products and ask a doctor or pharmacist about any skin condition.
