Eric Nam Double-Cleanses Every Day—Should Oily or Acne-Prone Skin Be Washed Twice in the Morning Too?

Oily or acne-prone skin does not need to be double-cleansed every morning and evening. Double cleansing means first dissolving oil-based sunscreen, makeup, and hair products, then removing the remaining residue with a gentle, water-based cleanser. It is not a treatment rule claiming that acne will improve if sebum is removed twice. [1][2]

In a March 2026 interview with ELLE, singer Eric Nam said he does his skin-care routine twice a day and begins with double cleansing using a cleansing balm and a foaming cleansing oil. He described his exfoliating pad, serum, barrier cream, and sunscreen in detail, but added that he does not follow every step every day. His publicly shared routine is an interesting starting point, not a prescription for every skin type. [1]

What Does Double Cleansing Actually Mean?

The first step uses a cleansing oil or balm to loosen sunscreen, makeup, and oily residue. The second uses a gentle cleanser rinsed with water to remove the remaining film, sweat, and dust. This is different from “repeated cleansing,” in which a strong foaming cleanser is used twice.

The measure of successful double cleansing is not a “squeaky-clean” feeling, but whether the skin feels comfortable without residue left behind. If your face feels tight immediately afterward, your skin feels pulled when you smile, or redness or burning lasts for more than 10 minutes, first consider whether too much of the skin’s necessary sebum may have been removed.

Who Needs Double Cleansing in the Morning?

For most people, one gentle cleanse in the morning is enough. If a very heavy ointment or sleeping product applied overnight remains, or if you sweat heavily during the night and a slippery film remains after one cleanse, you can selectively add the first step. But there is no need to cleanse twice simply because you have oily skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises washing with lukewarm water, your fingertips, and a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser twice a day and after heavy sweating. Rubbing with a towel or sponge, or scrubbing, can increase irritation. Washing more often is not the solution when acne appears. [2][3]

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Oily Skin and Dehydrated Skin?

If sebum rises in the afternoon while your skin feels tight and flaky immediately after cleansing, “having excess oil” and “having a comfortable skin barrier” may not coexist. Increasing cleansing strength based only on sebum levels can worsen tightness and make makeup crack further. In this situation, the key measure is how your skin feels 30 minutes after cleansing, not its afternoon shine.

For one week, record your cleansing products and frequency. In the morning, use water or a gentle cleanser once; in the evening, add a first cleanse only on days when you wore sunscreen or makeup. Comparing tightness, redness, and the number of new inflamed lesions can help you find the right level for your skin instead of relying on the feeling that “the more you wash, the cleaner you are.”

Can Exfoliating Pads Be Used Every Day?

Exfoliating pads can act through both their ingredients and surface friction. Salicylic acid (BHA) may help with dead skin cells and comedones in pores, but rubbing a pad every day immediately after double cleansing can compound irritation. On days when your skin stings or peels, stop using the pad and focus on moisturizing and sun protection.

You should also check for overlap with acne treatments. If you start several products containing retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or acids at the same time, it becomes difficult to tell which product caused an effect or irritation. The American Academy of Dermatology’s 2024 clinical guidelines recommend combining evidence-based treatments such as benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, and salicylic acid according to the lesions and their severity. [4]

How Can You Tell When Acne Cannot Be Resolved Through Cleansing?

If small, clogged comedones recur, painful red nodules develop, or marks and scars are increasing, the issue has moved beyond cleansing to disease management. Cleansing reduces surface residue, but it does not treat follicular blockage, inflammation, or all hormonal and medication-related factors.

Not every bump that resembles acne is the same condition. If small, stinging rashes cluster around the mouth, or itchy pustules suddenly spread without comedones, other diagnoses such as folliculitis or perioral dermatitis should be considered. In such cases, strong cleansing and self-extraction can delay diagnosis.

A Cleansing Routine You Can Change First in Daily Life

In the evening, wash your hands, and on days when you have worn waterproof sunscreen or makeup, briefly emulsify and rinse off an oil or balm. Follow with a gentle cleanser, using your fingertips softly for 20–30 seconds. Pat dry with a towel, then apply a light moisturizer while the skin is still slightly damp.

In the morning, check for residue from the previous night’s products and sweat accumulated overnight. If your skin feels dry and comfortable, use only lukewarm water or finish with one gentle cleanse. Even if your skin is very shiny, do not increase cleansing strength all at once; change one product or one aspect of frequency and observe for a week.

What Treatments Might a Dermatologist Choose?

The priority in recurring acne is medication to reduce new lesions. Topical retinoids or salicylic acid may be considered for comedones, while benzoyl peroxide may be considered for inflammatory lesions, but the choice varies according to pregnancy plans, skin irritation, and the extent of the lesions. Antibiotics require combination treatment and duration management to reduce resistance. [4]

Selective extraction is an adjunctive treatment for suitable comedones. It is important to distinguish lesions and perform the procedure hygienically rather than squeezing them with your hands, but it does not prevent new acne from recurring. Because extraction carries risks of redness, hyperpigmentation, infection, and scarring, the goal should not be to empty every bump at once.

For one or two large inflammatory nodules, an intralesional steroid injection may be considered. It can be used to reduce pain and inflammation quickly, but it is not intended for repeated prevention and carries risks of skin depressions, atrophy, and color changes. Seolleim Clinic’s official acne one-day treatment guide likewise distinguishes extraction and anti-inflammatory injections as treatments for selected lesions, not a one-session cure. This is an operational guide, not independent evidence of efficacy. [5]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do I need to double-cleanse every day if I only wear sunscreen?

It depends on the product’s water resistance, film-forming properties, and how much residue remains after the first cleanse. Oil or balm may be useful for waterproof products, but if one gentle cleanse removes the product well and leaves your skin comfortable, two steps are not essential.

Q. Can cleansing oil cause acne?

It cannot be attributed to a single ingredient alone. Residue that was not sufficiently emulsified or rinsed, irritation from fragrance or certain ingredients, repeated friction, and products used afterward may all contribute. If comedones continue to increase after use, switch to another product and compare one change at a time.

Q. If my skin does not feel squeaky clean, does that mean I have not washed it enough?

No. A squeaky feeling is not a medical measure of cleanliness. It is better to check whether your skin feels comfortable, whether there is any visible residue, and whether makeup transfers onto the towel.

Dr. Kang Jung-ha’s Recommendation

First, begin the morning with one gentle cleanse or a water rinse, and double-cleanse in the evening only on days when you have worn sunscreen or makeup. Second, use exfoliating pads less often and only on days without stinging or flaking; if irritation develops, prioritize moisturizing and sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Third, record tightness and new inflammation after cleansing for two weeks to see whether “washing more” is actually helping.

Before procedures, establish a medication treatment plan for recurring lesions. When comedones are the main concern, consider selective extraction as the first-line adjunctive treatment, choosing only lesions for which the potential benefit outweighs the possibility of redness and hyperpigmentation. For one or two painful, large nodules, an intralesional steroid injection may be considered as a second option, but it should not be repeated for every acne lesion because of the risk of depressions and atrophy. If the only concerns are simple oiliness and tightness after cleansing, adjust cleansing and moisturizing rather than adding a procedure.

What to take from Eric Nam’s routine is not the number of products, but the attitude of choosing steps according to your own skin and schedule. Do not measure cleanliness by the intensity of friction; find the point where no residue remains while your skin stays comfortable. If acne continues to develop, changing to a stronger cleanser is less precise than reassessing the types of lesions and the treatment priorities.

Interesting Skin Stories for Healthier Skin

Drawing on 16 years of experience running Seolleim Clinic in Gangnam, Dr. Kang explains approachable, practical skin-care methods for everyday life, along with engaging stories about dermatology inspired by celebrities, public figures, and television. Through professional knowledge and experience, she hopes to help your skin look healthier and more radiant. We hope this series broadens your understanding of skin and helps you discover ways to care for yourself.

Dr. Kang Jung-ha, Medical Director (Seolleim Clinic Gangnam)