If you’re anything like I was, the thought of adding more steps to your nighttime routine felt like a chore. Back when I was struggling with acne, I started double cleansing with a foam cleanser at night and noticed a huge difference almost immediately. It was the first time I realized that one quick wash just wasn’t enough to get deep into my pores.
But even then, I used to think that double cleansing had to be a whole ordeal. After two years of refining my process, I’ve realized that for my sensitive skin, less is almost always more. I’ve narrowed it down to a simple 3-step routine that clears away a full day of makeup and SPF without the tightness or that “stripped” feeling.
Why Should You Double Cleanse?
This is the #1 question I get. If you aren’t wearing a full face of glam, do you really need to wash your face twice?
The truth: Yes. Even on my “no-makeup” days, I’m still wearing SPF. Sunscreen is designed to stay on your skin through sweat and humidity, which means a regular water-based soap usually just “slides” over it, and doesn’t really clean it. Instead, we want to think of the first step with the oil cleanser, helps to break everything down, and the second step is a foam cleanser and that actually cleans your skin.
Back when I was struggling with acne, this was the exact habit that changed everything for me. It was the only way to make sure I wasn’t just moving dirt around my face, but actually removing it. So even if you have sensitive skin, or acne prone skin, this will also help you so much like it did for me.
The Minimalist 3-Step Checklist
- Step 1: The Oil Cleanser: Apply 1-2 pumps of Dokdo Cleansing Oil to dry skin to melt the day away. Check out my blog post on how to properly use an oil cleanser.
- Step 2: The pH-Balancing Cleanser. Follow up with the Dokdo Cleanser. Take a small amount, and lather it up in your hands until you see bubbles. Then lather it up to wash away any remaining residue. Since it’s pH-balanced, your skin stays hydrated.
- Step 3: The Soothing Toner Pat in the Dokdo Toner to balance your skin and prep for your moisturizer. It’s the ultimate hydration for your face. Lately, I’ve been doing it on the cotton pad first. Then, I go back in and apply a bit more directly to my face, patting it in with my hands. This cleans my face even better, and then hydrates it so well. It’s what keeps my skin plumpy and hydrated. (I show you how I actually apply the toner in this video).
After my skin is prepped and a little more dry, I always follow up with my favorite moisturizer or my vitamin E oil to lock everything in. It’s the ultimate duo for waking up with a soft, glowy complexion.
My Minimalist Morning Routine
You might be wondering how this routine changes when I wake up. Honestly? It gets even simpler. Since I’ve done the thorough 3-step double cleanse the night before, my skin is already clean and balanced. In the morning, I just rinse with water only. I’ve found that skipping a morning cleanser helps preserve my skin’s natural oils and keeps my barrier strong throughout the day. I follow that quick rinse with another layer of the Dokdo Toner—applied with a cotton pad first and then patted in—to refresh my face and prep it for SPF and makeup. It’s the perfect way to keep things easy while maintaining that healthy, hydrated glow all day long.
The “Why” Behind the Minimalist Approach
The reason I’ve stuck with this routine for two years is simple: it works without being overwhelming. When I stopped over-complicating my skincare and started focusing on high-quality, pH-balanced steps, my skin finally had the chance to breathe and heal. Whether you’re dealing with breakouts like I was or you just have sensitive skin that reacts to everything, remember that consistency beats a 10-step routine every single time. Give your skin a few weeks to adjust to this 3-step method, and a water-only rinse in the morning. I promise you’ll start seeing that healthy, hydrated glow without the stress.
