K-beauty rituals dictate that coating the complexion in nourishing ingredients should be a twice-daily practice.
“Korean skincare focuses on ensuring skin is properly cleansed, hydrated and healthy – think glass skin”, explains Dr Jinah Yoo, Consultant Dermatologist at Maylin x Dr Jinah Yoo Dermatology.
Each morning and night, the regime begins with cleansing and is followed by 10-odd additional products. “K-beauty is famed for its multi-step approach and dewy skin that gleams with health and radiance”, adds Dr Yoo who attributes this to “cleansing thoroughly, a cautious approach to exfoliation, and using hydrating serums locking in moisture, to ensure the skin barrier is healthy, and working at its optimum”.
Whether you subscribe to 12 steps as a self-care savant or prefer a pared-back approach, cleansing is non-negotiable. “Cleansing is a staple in a Korean skincare regime, and is an essential first step in the renowned multi-step approach”, confirms the derm. “The cleansing stage is really key to the rest of the regime, as it not only removes makeup, impurities and environmental pollutants, but it ensures that skin is properly primed to receive the ingredients and benefits in the next steps. Without proper cleansing, other products will not absorb as effectively”.
But just one pass may not be enough. A K-beauty export that has gained steam on our island is the notion of a double cleanse. Dr Yoo explains: “Korean skincare is famous for double cleansing, especially at the end of the day, normally involving an oil-based cleanser as a first step to remove SPF and surface level impurities, and a water-based option as a second for a deeper clean, and to prepare the skin for subsequent skincare steps”.
Cleansing oils do not always have the best reputation. They are often attributed with exacerbating or causing sebum, breakouts and acne so those with blemish-prone and oily skin typically steer clear. But such formulas are misunderstood. This texture is ideal for the aforementioned skin types as it effectively removes impurities like makeup, SPF and dirt that clog pores.
Which is the best cleansing formula?
Instead of relying on surfactants (typically used in foaming formulas) that will leave skin clean but often dry, cleansing oils call on nutrient-rich and glow-giving plant-derived ingredients to enrich and nourish. “Cleansing oils are popular in the first cleanse due to their ability to gently remove makeup and excess sebum without stripping the skin of its natural oils”, confirms the Korean skincare expert.
She also notes the benefits of cleansing balms which are “essentially a solid version of cleansing oils - melting into an oil upon contact with the skin and are also excellent for a first cleanse” and water-based cleansers that come in “gel, foam, or cream formulas are normally used as a second step, targeting water-based impurities like sweat and dirt”.
What are the benefits of cleansing oils?
“Cleansing oil dissolves makeup and sunscreen especially well, particularly stubborn or waterproof formulas”, Dr Yoo reveals. “They're gentle on the skin, are often hydrating and cleanse without harshly stripping away the skin’s natural oils, making them ideal for all skin types, including dry or sensitive skin”.
How to use a cleansing oil
Dr Yoo breaks it down:
- Apply to dry skin, and massage in circular motions, focusing on areas with heavy makeup or oil buildup.
- Some formulas require you to emulsify with water after massaging for 1-2 minutes, which helps lift impurities from the skin, and others can be wiped off with a washcloth or muslin.
- Rinse and then follow with a second cleanse to remove any remaining impurities.
Shop the best Korean cleansing oils below
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
One of the biggest beauty myths is that if you have oily skin, you should stay far away from cleansing oils - but that’s not the case. Thinking back to GCSE science, oil attracts oils. So, with this superb cleanser, you can lift every trace of dirt, grime, makeup and sweat with a deep clean no matter your skin type. Oil becomes milk when it comes into contact with skin and it effortlessly rinses, leaving a lovely glow.
Buy now £18.90, Amazon
Erborian Centella Cleansing Oil
Korean skincare label Erborian may be best known for its tinted CC cream, but its skincare collection is just as noteworthy. The brand is all about infusing traditional medicinal herbs with the country’s most advanced technology to bring skin-loving staples to your routine.
The Centella Cleansing Oil calls on the named ingredient that is brimming with healing and soothing properties and sets it alongside nourishing botanical oils like sweet almond oil and sunflower oil so that it nourishes the skin while dissolving dirt, sebum and even waterproof makeup. The formula transforms upon contact with water from the oil to a milky texture that spreads across the complexion and leave it glowing.
Buy now £26.00, Space NK
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil
This is the number one bestselling cleansing oil on Amazon and the extensive five-star reviews are a testament to the efficacity of the formula, and its gentle feel on stressed-out skin. The unscented product has only nine ingredients. It has been boosted with black rice and a combination of nutrient-rich oils like jojoba, macadamia, olive and sunflower that leave skin glowing and healthy.
The combination of 95 per cent naturally-derived components dissolves dirt, makeup and the likes without stripping the skin barrier or leaving an oily film.
Buy now £15.16, Amazon
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Massage one or two pumps of this cleansing oil onto dry skin and massage it in to maximise its cleaning properties. You don’t need much to coat the entire face or activate the soybean oil that forms the base of the formula to get to work refreshing and revitalising the complexion by eliminating dullness-causing impurities.
Ginseng has an extensive list of benefits, from calming inflammation to regenerating cells and in this product has a refreshing effect. The effective combination of the aforementioned removes waterproof mascara without elbow grease required.
The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil was designed to be a first cleanse in a double cleansing ritual to be followed by a water-based foaming texture.
Buy now £17.00, lookfantastic
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
For blemish-prone skin, Anua’s Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil has proven to be a hugely popular first step in your cleansing rituals to eliminate blackheads, sebum and makeup that can clog the pores and exacerbate the concern. It was designed specifically to aid those with spots and acne, using a patented ingredient known as 5 Alpha Avocuta that controls oil production. The texture is lightweight and mild on the skin, so suits those prone to sensitivities.
Buy now £18.73, Amazon
PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil
The entire product line-up from PURITO is certified vegan, dermatologically tested and cruelty-free. The brand places an emphasis on creating earth-conscious formulations and the result is mineral-rich formulas that are as kind to the planet as they are to the complexion.
The From Green Cleansing Oil has been rigorously tested to ensure that it will not irritate those with sensitive skin. It calls on enriching blend of olive, sweet almond, grape seed, sunflower seed and jojoba seed oils to hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier while eliminating pore-clogging makeup and impurities as is its primary purpose. The texture is non-greasy, lightweight and there is no unpleasant film after rinsing.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Centella Asiatica is a supercharged ingredient that has myriad benefits, from calming inflammation to offering hydration for parched complexions. It is the named and main ingredient in this cleansing oil from SKIN1004, a product dubbed so effective that the brand says you can forgo the second cleanse. This is also on account of its transformative texture. It begins as an oil but with a transparent colour that turns milky to enhance moisturisation and prevent leaving a greasy residue on the skin.
Buy now £21.00, Superdrug
IUNIK Calendula Complete Deep Vegan Cleansing Oil
There are just eight ingredients in the IUNIK cleansing oil, which makes it suitable for all skin types - oily and sensitive alike. The product has the nourishing quintet of plant oils; sunflower, canola, jojoba, macadamia and cananga with a 94 per cent naturally derived composition. The calendula extract-based formula cleanses the pores without stripping the skin of its natural oils, boosting its moisture and combatting breakouts. The makeup melting magic is thicker in texture than what you may expect from a cleansing oil with a natural aroma.
Buy now £17.72, Amazon
numbuzin No.1 Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil
The minimalist exterior of the numbuzin cleansing oil disguises the intricate attention to detail of the elixir within. The No.1 Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil has been enriched with corn oil and macadamia ternifolia seed oil to melt away dirt and grime. The composition is plant-derived and has thrice the skin-loving power.
It will first and foremost cleanse pores, then remove makeup and all without irritating sensitive skin. In terms of the latter, the formula has been tested in order to ensure it will not trigger a negative response at the complexion or eyes. Effectively removing SPF and even waterproof makeup, it has been proven to cleanse pores by over 94 per cent and decrease sebum by almost 30 per cent. A little goes a long way and this budget-friendly product should last around four months.
Buy now £16.00, Amazon
