Double Cleansing Guide: How to Do It & Best Products (2026)

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If you wear sunscreen or makeup, a regular face wash is not enough. Water cannot dissolve oil. It just pushes it around.

This is why Double Cleansing changed the skincare game. By using an oil-based cleanser first, you melt away the stubborn waterproof layers (SPF, foundation), so your second water-based cleanser can actually clean your skin.

Here is your ultimate guide to the method and the best products to use.

The 2-Step Method

Step 1: Oil Cleanser (Dry Skin)
Apply an oil or balm to dry skin. Massage for 60 seconds. This step dissolves sebum, SPF, and makeup. Add water to emulsify (turn it milky), then rinse.

Step 2: Water Cleanser (Damp Skin)
Follow with a gel or foam cleanser. This removes any oily residue and sweat, leaving your pores perfectly clean.

📊 Top 10 First-Step Cleansers

Best Cleansers for Double Cleansing

1. Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original

Best for: Everyone.

Why we love it: This K-Beauty icon sells every 3 seconds globally. It looks like a sorbet but melts into a silky oil on your skin. It removes waterproof mascara without stinging your eyes.

Pros:

• Doesn't drip
• Takes off everything
• Rinses clean

Cons: Has a light scent.

2. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Best for: Stubborn waterproof makeup.

Why we love it: The gold standard of oil cleansers. Made with olive oil, it feels rich and luxurious. It grabs onto sebum plugs and dislodges them effectively.

Pros:

• Powerful cleanser
• Fragrance-free
• Simple ingredients

Cons: Thick texture (some dislike it).

3. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil

Best for: Acne-prone skin & blackheads.

Why we love it: This went viral on TikTok for a reason. It is incredibly lightweight (like water) and contains heartleaf extract to soothe acne. You can literally see blackheads popping out as you massage.

Pros:

• Non-comedogenic
• Targets sebaceous filaments
• Very light

Cons: Often sold out.

4. Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

Best for: Budget shoppers.

Why we love it: At $11, it's a steal. It emulsifies (turns milky) instantly upon contact with water, making it the fastest to rinse off. No oily film left behind.

Pros:

• Super cheap
• Rinses fast
• Refills available

Cons: Mineral oil base (not for everyone).

5. Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

Best for: A luxe experience.

Why we love it: It smells like lime and bergamot spa water. It contains papaya enzymes to gently exfoliate while it cleanses. It feels incredibly refreshing.

Pros:

• Exfoliating
• Smells amazing
• Eco-friendly jar

Cons: Essential oils can irritate sensitive eyes.

6. Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water

Best for: The "lazy" first cleanse.

Why we love it: If you hate oil or balms, soak a cotton pad with this and wipe. It grabs makeup like a magnet. It's the only micellar water that perfectly respects the skin's biological balance.

Pros:

• No rinsing needed
• Gentle
• No oil feel

Cons: Creates cotton pad waste.

7. Elf Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

Best for: Drugstore dupe.

Why we love it: It's a dupe for Clinique and Farmacy at a fraction of the price. Packed with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides, it leaves skin feeling plump, not stripped.

Pros:

• $11 price point
• Hydrating ingredients
• Solid performance

Cons: Small jar.

8. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

Best for: Sensitive skin.

Why we love it: It comes out as a cream and melts into an oil as you rub it. It uses Squalane, a skin-identical fat, so it is impossible to cause a reaction. Very plain and effective.

Pros:

• Unscented
• Tube packaging
• Very gentle

Cons: Requires 30 seconds of rubbing to melt.

Does Oil Cleansing Cause Acne?

No. In fact, "like dissolves like." Oil dissolves the oil in your pores better than soap does. The key is to rinse it off completely. Modern oil cleansers contain emulsifiers that turn milky and wash away with water. They do not clog pores if used correctly.

✅ Quick Summary Checklist

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to double cleanse in the morning?

No. A single water-based cleanse (or just water) is enough in the morning. Double cleansing is for removing sunscreen and makeup at night.

Can I use coconut oil?

Avoid it on your face. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic (pore-clogging) and does not emulsify with water, meaning it's hard to wash off. Stick to formulated cleansing oils.

🔗 Related Articles

• Best Second Step Cleansers
• Remove Blackheads
• Beginner Routine Guide

Final Thoughts

If you make one change to your routine this year, make it double cleansing. It is the single most effective way to prevent breakouts and improve skin texture. Try the Banila Co Balm—it's a game changer.