Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use cleansing oils?
First, skip the water. “Apply cleansing oil to dry skin and massage into the skin to dissolve dirt, grime, oil, sunscreen, makeup, etc.,” says Dr. Justine Park. Working it in dry allows the oils to properly break everything down. Once it’s had a moment to do its job, “rinse with warm water or use a warm wet washcloth to wipe away and then rinse with warm water,” she says. Only after that step should your skin be wet.
What makes Korean cleansing oils different?
What makes these cleansing oils distinctly Korean comes down to texture, simplicity, and the types of oils used. In general, Korean beauty products, especially cleansing products, skew lighter and more streamlined, favoring plant-based oils over the denser, synthetic formulas to nourish your skin barrier.
Why is double cleansing important in Korean skincare?
“Double cleansing ensures thorough and effective cleansing as a two-step process to allow the removal of impurities followed by the actual cleansing of the skin,” says Dr. Justine Park. The first step—an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm—breaks down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, while the second step—a water-based cleanser—removes leftover residue, sweat, and impurities. Together, these K-beauty skin-care products leave your complexion clearer, smoother, and better prepped for the rest of your routine.
Meet the experts
- Christina Han, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and medical director at Xyon based in Vancouver
- Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery based in Washington
- Justine H. Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of the Skin & Beauty Center based in Westlake Village, CA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean cleansing oils, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.