If your skin still feels congested, breaks out in the same spots, or has a dull film no matter what products you use, your cleanser might be the problem. Specifically, your first cleanser — or the lack of one.
Oil-based cleansing (cleansing oils and balms) is the first step of the Korean double cleansing method. It dissolves oil-based impurities: sunscreen, makeup, sebum, and environmental pollutants. Water-based cleansers alone can’t fully remove these, no matter how long you wash.
We tested 8 Korean cleansing balms and oils against the toughest challenges: waterproof mascara, high-SPF sunscreen, long-wear foundation, and a full day of city pollution. These are the ones that left absolutely nothing behind.
Oil Cleansing: How It Works
Oil dissolves oil. It’s basic chemistry. The oil in your cleanser bonds to the oil-based impurities on your skin (sebum, sunscreen, makeup) and lifts them away. When you add water, the emulsifiers in the formula turn the oil into a milky liquid that rinses clean.
Cleansing oils are liquid from the start. Pump, massage onto dry skin, add water, rinse.
Cleansing balms start as a solid and melt on contact with skin warmth. Scoop, warm between hands, massage onto dry skin, add water, rinse.
Both work equally well. The choice is personal preference: oils feel lighter and more efficient; balms feel more luxurious and spa-like.
The 8 Best Cleansing Balms and Oils
1. TOCOBO Calamine Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Type: Cleansing oil Best for: Oily, acne-prone skin that needs deep pore cleansing
Most cleansing oils just remove surface impurities. TOCOBO’s version goes deeper — the calamine helps draw out sebum from within pores, tackling congestion at the source. The “pore control” claim is backed up by our experience: blackheads and sebaceous filaments were noticeably reduced after 2 weeks of daily use.
The 200ml pump bottle is practical and hygienic. The oil emulsifies completely with water, leaving zero residue. Our acne-prone testers were initially skeptical about putting oil on their breakout-prone skin, but every single one saw improvement in congestion and pore clarity. The oil cleansing method works — even for oily skin. If you’ve been curious about oil cleansing for oily skin, this is the product to start with.
2. TIRTIR Hydro Boost Enzyme Cleansing Balm
Type: Cleansing balm Best for: Heavy makeup removal, spa-like experience
TIRTIR’s balm melts instantly on warm skin and dissolves everything — waterproof mascara, 24-hour foundation, even that stubborn lip stain you forgot to remove properly last night. The enzyme component provides gentle exfoliation during the cleansing step, so dead skin cells come off along with the makeup.
The texture is rich and sherbet-like, transforming from solid to oil as you massage. The rinsing is impressive — it emulsifies into a milky liquid and washes away completely, no greasy residue. This is the balm for anyone who wears full makeup daily and needs something that truly removes it all.
3. Parnell AHA Omija Ceramic Cleansing Oil
Type: Cleansing oil with gentle AHA Best for: Dull skin, light exfoliation during cleansing
Parnell combined oil cleansing with gentle AHA exfoliation using omija (schisandra) berry. The AHA concentration is low enough to be non-irritating during the brief contact time of cleansing, but present enough to provide a subtle brightening effect over time.
The “ceramic” technology refers to the emulsification system that ensures clean rinsing. After a month of daily use, our testers noticed brighter, smoother skin — not just cleaner skin. The dual-action cleansing + gentle exfoliation means one fewer step in your routine.
4. Torriden Dive In Cleansing Milk
Type: Cleansing milk Best for: Dry, sensitive skin that can’t tolerate traditional oil cleansers
Not everyone tolerates oil cleansers. Torriden’s cleansing milk provides the oil-dissolving benefits of a first cleanser in a gentler, milky format. The Dive-In hyaluronic acid complex means this cleanser actually hydrates while it cleans.
The texture is creamy and gentle — it feels more like applying a moisturizer than a cleanser. Despite the mild feel, it effectively removes sunscreen and light makeup. For heavy, waterproof makeup, you might need to massage longer or follow with a dedicated remover, but for daily sunscreen and light cosmetics, this is perfect.
5. TIRTIR Hydro Boost Enzyme Powder Wash
Type: Enzyme powder cleanser (second cleanser) Best for: Pairing with any oil cleanser for a complete double cleanse
This isn’t a first cleanser — it’s the perfect second step. After your oil cleanser lifts away impurities, this enzyme powder wash provides a deep but gentle water-based cleanse that leaves skin perfectly clean without stripping.
Mix the powder with water in your palm to create a gentle foam. The enzyme action breaks down dead skin cells and residual sebum without the harshness of physical scrubs. Use this after any cleansing oil or balm above for the complete Korean double cleansing experience.
6. TONYMOLY The Black Tea London Classic Cleansing Cream
Type: Cleansing cream Best for: Mature, dry skin; anti-aging cleansing
Cleansing creams are the gentlest first cleanser format. TONYMOLY’s version infuses black tea extract for its antioxidant and anti-aging properties. The cream texture is rich and nurturing — it makes cleansing feel like a treatment step rather than a stripping one.
The black tea provides polyphenols that protect skin from environmental damage even during the brief cleansing step. For mature skin that’s already dealing with dryness and fine lines, this is cleansing that supports rather than undermines your anti-aging routine.
7. Torriden Balanceful Cleansing Gel
Type: Gel cleanser Best for: Combination, oily skin; refreshing cleanse
A lightweight gel that provides thorough cleansing with the cica-based calming benefits of Torriden’s Balanceful line. The gel transforms into a light foam, cleanses efficiently, and rinses completely without that tight, stripped feeling.
This works as a second cleanser after oil cleansing, or as a standalone morning cleanser when you don’t need the heavy lifting of an oil-based product. The cica component means even a thorough cleanse doesn’t leave skin irritated.
8. Parnell Panthenol Heartleaf Calming Gel Cleanser
Type: Calming gel cleanser Best for: Reactive skin, post-procedure cleansing
When your skin is in a reactive state, even cleansing can feel like an assault. Parnell’s gel cleanser combines panthenol and heartleaf to calm during the cleansing step. It removes light impurities without triggering inflammation.
We used this after chemical peels, during retinol purging phases, and on rosacea flare-up days. The calming effect during cleansing set a better foundation for the rest of the routine. It’s not designed for heavy makeup removal, so pair it with a gentle oil cleanser if needed.
The Perfect Double Cleanse Pairing
For oily skin: TOCOBO Cleansing Oil → Torriden Balanceful Gel
For dry skin: TONYMOLY Black Tea Cream → Torriden Dive-In Cleansing Milk
For sensitive skin: Torriden Dive-In Milk → Parnell Calming Gel
For acne-prone skin: TOCOBO Cleansing Oil → TIRTIR Enzyme Powder Wash
For makeup lovers: TIRTIR Cleansing Balm → TIRTIR Enzyme Powder Wash
Double cleansing isn’t about cleansing twice. It’s about using two different types of cleansers that target different types of impurities. Get this step right, and everything else in your routine works better. Learn more in our complete guide to the best double cleansing products.
