The double cleanse makes up the first two steps of the 10-step Korean skincare routine. While you don’t have to necessarily follow this entire, might I say, tedious, routine to see results, (and in fact, we believe that in most instances, less is more) you can definitely benefit by incorporating a double cleanse into your routine.

Double cleansing involves using an oil-based cleanser, such as a cleansing balm or oil, to break down oil-based makeup, SPF and excess sebum and then following up with a water-based cleanser to remove residual impurities.. Double cleansing effectively cleans your skin and allows any actives that you follow up with, to penetrate your skin better and work more effectively, than just a single cleanse.

From my personal experience, good cleansing balm and cleansing oil formulas are very gentle on the skin and do an excellent job of easily melting away even a full face of makeup. They contain a lot of emollient and don’t contain harsh surfactants, like sodium lauryl sulfate, that can potentially dry out and sensitise your skin. This makes them an excellent choice even for sensitive skin.

We’ve jumped on the double cleansing bandwagon with our Butter but Better Cleansing Balm, a luscious wash-off formula that melts away makeup, sunscreen and grime and rinses off with water, all without drying out your skin. Here are our recommendations for step 1 and step 2 of your double cleanse.