KATSEYE’s Daniela Skips Her Morning Cleanse—Is Water-Only Cleansing Also Enough for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin?

Some people do not need to use a cleanser in the morning. But if you have oily or acne-prone skin, decide based on your skin’s overnight sebum and sweat, the treatment products you applied the night before, and how shiny your skin feels in the morning—rather than turning a celebrity’s one-line comment into a rule.

In a Vogue ‘Beauty Secrets’ video released on October 13, 2026, KATSEYE’s Daniela said that she begins her morning routine with toner without using a cleanser. This is her publicly shared personal routine, not medical advice for every skin type. [1]

Which skin types may suit morning water-only cleansing?

If your dry, sensitive skin feels tight and becomes easily flushed after cleansing, it may feel more comfortable to wash gently in the evening and use only lukewarm water—or minimize cleansing—in the morning. Dermatology advice introduced by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) also explains that cleansing once in the evening may be enough for dry, sensitive skin. [2]

However, “not using a cleanser” and “not rubbing the skin” are not the same thing. Wiping repeatedly with toner on a cotton pad may actually increase friction. If you choose water-only cleansing, rinse briefly with your hands and follow immediately with moisturizer and sunscreen.

Why are the criteria different for oily, acne-prone skin?

If you produce a lot of sebum overnight or sweated while exercising or sleeping, a gentle cleanser may feel more comfortable. The AAD recommends that people managing acne gently wash their face up to twice a day, as well as after sweating, using a mild, nonabrasive cleanser. “Up to twice” does not mean scrubbing hard twice. [3]

If only your nose and forehead feel shiny in the morning, you could use a small amount only on the T-zone rather than washing your entire face with a strong foaming cleanser for a long time. If your skin feels tight or stings within five minutes of cleansing, reduce the cleansing strength, water temperature, and friction.

Which acne habits should be corrected before cleansing?

If new pimples keep appearing, do not try to solve the problem only by “washing the pores clean.” The AAD guidelines cite evidence-based treatments including benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, and salicylic acid. For inflammatory acne, treatment adherence and irritation management matter more than cleansing intensity. [4]

Adding scrubs, high-alcohol astringent toners, and frequent exfoliation all at once can irritate the skin barrier and increase redness and stinging. When changing products, change only one at a time and record your skin’s response for 2–4 weeks.

Can enlarged pores and sebum be treated with procedures?

Pores are a shadow created by a combination of sebum, dead skin, elasticity, and scarring. When inflammatory acne is active, treating the condition comes first. Even after the inflammation has stabilized, if sebum and skin texture remain concerns, procedures can be compared according to their intended purpose.

The official information from Seolleim Clinic introduces the ‘Silky Pore Injection’ as a currently offered procedure targeting pores, sebum, and skin texture. This page confirms the procedure’s availability and presents the clinic’s explanation; it does not substitute for independent clinical trials. The ingredients, injection depth, expected swelling and bruising, and number of repeated treatments should be confirmed separately during a consultation. [5]

How to decide within seven days whether to cleanse in the morning

For the first three days, keep your evening cleansing and products consistent, and use only lukewarm water in the morning. Record how shiny your skin is at 11 a.m., makeup pilling, tightness, and the number of new inflamed lesions. For the next three days, under the same conditions, use a gentle cleanser for only 10–20 seconds. Make the option that feels more comfortable without increasing inflammation your default.

Mark days when you exercised, the period before or after menstruation, and days with high humidity separately. Skin type is not a fixed label like an ID card; it is a changing state influenced by the season and treatment products.

Q. Is using only toner in the morning enough to cleanse the skin?

Toner may not be a product designed to replace a cleanser. Wiping with a cotton pad may reduce residue, but it also creates friction. Consider the product’s directions and your skin’s response, and choose gentle cleansing if you have a lot of sweat and sebum.

Q. Will water-only cleansing clog my pores?

It cannot be concluded that a single water-only cleanse will clog your pores. However, if shine and comedones are increasing, review the heaviness of your nighttime products, contact with hair products, your cleansing method, and your acne treatment together.

Director Kang Jeong-ha’s recommendations

First, if you have dry, sensitive skin, try water-only cleansing in the morning for one week while reducing friction from cotton pads. Second, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, use lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser briefly, and wash gently after sweating. Third, if new inflammation keeps recurring, give evidence-based treatments such as benzoyl peroxide and retinoids greater priority than changing your cleansing method. [3][4]

Choose a procedure only after the inflammation has stabilized. If sebum and skin texture or pores are your main concerns, you may consider the Silky Pore Injection as a first-line candidate, but independently of the clinic’s explanation, confirm the ingredients, bruising, swelling, and treatment schedule. If depressed acne scars are the main concern, evaluating laser treatment, radiofrequency microneedling, or subcision suited to the scar type should come before a pore injection. [5]

The order of action is simple: keep a seven-day cleansing comparison record → stabilize acne treatment for 4–8 weeks → reassess whether the remaining problem is sebum or scarring → choose a procedure suited to the goal only if necessary. The aim of a morning routine is not to wash more, but to find the balance that minimizes irritation and shine throughout the day.

Interesting skin stories for healthier skin

Drawing on 16 years of experience running Seolleim Clinic in Gangnam, we share approachable, engaging stories about dermatology procedures, along with practical skincare methods for everyday life and topics involving entertainers, celebrities, and television. Through professional knowledge and experience, we hope to help your skin look healthier and more radiant. We hope this series broadens your understanding of skin and helps you discover ways to take better care of yourself.

Medical Director Kang Jeong-ha (Seolleim Clinic Gangnam)