The Double Cleanse: the Asian ritual that transforms skin
Yasmina Depas
Originating in Asia — and more specifically in Japan and Korea — double cleansing has become a staple of modern skincare routines.
Long before it became trendy in the West, this gesture was already at the heart of the beauty rituals of geishas, who used a cleansing oil and then a light foam to remove their intense white makeup.
Today, it is one of the pillars of the famous Korean “10-step skincare”… and a secret to luminous skin all over the world.
🍃 What exactly is double cleansing?
Spoiler alert: no, it's not about washing your face twice with a foaming gel.
It's a two-step cleaning process:
1️⃣ A cleansing oil to dissolve makeup, sebum, sunscreen and oily impurities
2️⃣ A water-based cleanser to deeply purify the skin
The result?
Perfectly clean, soft, soothed skin… ready to receive treatments.
🔬 Why two different products?
Because oil attracts oil.
This is the very basis of chemistry.
👉 A water-based cleaner cannot effectively remove:
• the FPS
• makeup
• excess sebum
• fats
Only a cleansing oil can dissolve these residues.
Next, the aqueous cleaner completes the cleaning by removing what the oil has loosened.
🌟 The benefits of double cleansing
🌿 1. It prevents acne and blemishes
By removing:
• pollution
• excess sebum
• makeup residue
• dead skin
→ The pores can finally breathe.
✨ 2. It slows down skin aging
The residues that remain on the surface of the skin can oxidize, create free radicals and cause damage:
• collagen
• elasticity
• the uniformity of the complexion
By removing these particles, the oil protects the skin from oxidative stress.
🫶 3. It is much softer
No need to rub or irritate the skin.
The oil melts makeup delicately, even on sensitive skin.
💧 How to perform double cleansing?
Apply the cleansing oil to dry skin
Massage gently, especially the T-zone, the sides of the nose and around the mouth.
Leave on for 2–3 minutes to dissolve the fats.
Remove the oil with a soft cotton ball or a warm towel.
Heat helps to open the pores.
Wash with a water-based cleaner
Use cool water to tighten pores.
Apply your routine: serum, cream, oil (or whatever makes you feel good).
At first, it may seem long… then it becomes a sensory pleasure that one can no longer do without.
🧖♀️ Who is it aimed at?
✔ Dry skin
✔ Combination skin
✔ Oily skin
✔ Skin prone to imperfections
✔ Dull or dehydrated skin
⚠️ Very sensitive skin: seek the advice of a dermatologist — some makeup removers can be too strong.
⏱️ The “60-second rule”
Experts recommend massaging your cleanser (the second one) for at least 1 minute, to allow time for absorption.
• to enable assets to act
• to ensure the cleaning is uniform
• to reach areas often overlooked (hair roots, corners of the mouth…)
Bonus happiness: oil massage stimulates circulation and helps the skin to regenerate.
🌸 In summary?
Double cleansing is not just a cleansing:
It's a ritual, a moment for oneself, inspired by ancestral Asian gestures.
A sensory, effective, simple gesture that visibly transforms the skin.
Dare to cleanse — the Bloomy way.
