Why Koreans Have the Best Skin: The No. 1 Skincare Ritual They Never Skip for Perfect Pores

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The desire for flawless, radiant skin is universal, but when it comes to achieving that coveted luminosity, one culture continually sets the global standard: Koreans. Their dedication to skincare has given rise to the phenomenon of “glass skin”—that smooth, poreless, dewy look that seems impossible to achieve outside of Seoul. Many people think this famous complexion requires a complex, 10-step routine filled with expensive products, but the real secret lies in mastering one single, foundational step.

So, why do Koreans have the best skin? They prioritize cleansing above all else. Specifically, the No. 1 Skincare Ritual they never skip for achieving perfect pores is Double Cleansing. This method isn’t just about washing your face twice; it’s a strategic, two-part process designed to completely dissolve every trace of impurities, giving you a clean slate that allows all subsequent products to work effectively. If you want to transform your texture and minimize the appearance of your pores, this is the non-negotiable step you must adopt tonight.

The Double Cleansing Difference: Beyond the Surface

The biggest mistake people make in their skincare routine is believing a single wash can fully remove everything that accumulates on the skin throughout the day. When you look closely at what clogs your pores, it’s a mixture of water-based and oil-based gunk.

The Double Threat to Perfect Pores

Oil-Based Impurities: Sebum (your natural skin oil), makeup, sunscreen, and environmental pollutants. These substances stick stubbornly to your skin and lodge themselves deep inside your pores.
Water-Based Impurities: Sweat, old skin cells, and general dirt. These are easier to rinse away but often remain trapped under the oil-based layer if only using a single cleanser.

If you skip the crucial first step, your regular water-based or foaming cleanser simply can’t penetrate the greasy layer of makeup and sunscreen. It leaves behind residue, and that residue hardens inside the pores, causing blackheads, whiteheads, and, eventually, enlarged pores and breakouts. The Double Cleansing method tackles both types of impurities systematically.

Step 1: Oil-Based Cleansing (The Pore De-Clogger)

The first step in this essential skincare ritual is arguably the most important for achieving perfect pores. It involves using an oil cleanser, a cleansing balm, or a micellar water formula that is oil-based.

The Science of Dissolution

Think of it this way: oil attracts oil. The principle of the oil cleanser is that the mineral or botanical oils in the product (like jojoba, grapeseed, or olive oil) latch onto and dissolve all the oil-based impurities sitting on and in your pores. This includes:

Waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation.
Oil-soluble sunscreen, which is designed to adhere tightly to the skin.
The hardened sebum and oxidized oil that cause blackheads.

As you gently massage the oil cleanser into dry skin for up to a minute, you are allowing the oils to penetrate and literally “melt” the congested sebum and makeup out of your pores. When you add water, the cleanser emulsifies (turns milky), allowing these dissolved impurities to be rinsed away cleanly.

Step 2: Water-Based Cleansing (The Clean Sweep)

After you’ve emulsified and rinsed away the oil-based cleanser, your skin is now prepped for the second wash. This step uses a mild, pH-balanced, water-based cleanser (like a gel or foaming wash) to remove any remaining surface impurities, sweat, and residue from the first cleanse.

Balancing and Purifying

The second cleanse ensures your skin is perfectly clean without being stripped of its natural moisture. This gentle purification is essential because a clean, balanced surface allows your treatment products (like serums and essences) to absorb fully, maximizing their effectiveness.

Koreans recognize that a slightly acidic pH on the skin barrier is key to health and minimizing bacterial growth. Therefore, the second cleanser is almost always mild and non-foaming to avoid disrupting the skin’s natural barrier, which could lead to dryness and irritation. This thorough but gentle process is the reason their skincare absorbs so well, leading to that radiant, smooth glass skin finish.

Why Double Cleansing is the Key to Perfect Pores

The consistency of the Double Cleansing ritual delivers long-term benefits that go far beyond just removing makeup. It directly tackles the root causes of enlarged and congested pores.

1. Minimizing Pore Appearance

When pores are constantly full of hardened oil and dead skin cells, they stretch and appear larger. The oil cleanser ensures those pores are evacuated daily, preventing the blockage from expanding the pore walls. Over time, consistent clearing allows the pores to naturally return to their smallest possible size.

2. Preventing Breakouts and Inflammation

By consistently dissolving the oil and debris that feed acne-causing bacteria, Double Cleansing significantly reduces the incidence of breakouts. Furthermore, removing environmental pollutants—which are highly inflammatory—helps calm the skin, leading to less redness and a more even tone. A calm, clean environment is a healthy environment.

3. Boosting Product Efficacy

When you skip this step, all the expensive serums, moisturizers, and toners you apply next simply sit on a layer of leftover dirt and oil. Double Cleansing ensures the skin is a clean, absorbent sponge, ready to soak up the beneficial ingredients you are applying, making every subsequent product in your routine significantly more effective. This efficiency is a core tenet of Korean skincare.

Implementing the Ritual: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to adopt the secret to why Koreans have the best skin? Follow these steps every evening—it is the one skincare ritual you never skip.

Evening Skincare: The Double Cleanse

Start Dry: Take a coin-sized amount of oil cleanser or balm into your dry hands. Massage it over your dry face, eyes, and neck for a full 60 seconds. Focus on congested areas like the nose and chin to “melt” out those impurities.
Emulsify: Wet your hands slightly and massage your face again. The oil should turn into a milky emulsion. This step is critical; it allows the oil and all the dissolved gunk to mix with water.
Rinse and Cleanse: Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Now, take a pea-sized amount of your mild, water-based cleanser. Lather it up gently and wash your face for the second time. This sweep removes residue.
Pat Dry: Gently pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel (don’t rub!). Your face should feel clean, soft, and balanced—not tight or stripped.

Conclusion

The answer to why Koreans have the best skin isn’t a miraculous cream or a thousand-dollar procedure; it’s consistency in the fundamental Double Cleansing ritual. This two-step process meticulously removes all oil- and water-based impurities, preventing the clogging and stretching of pores that sabotage your complexion.

If you are looking for a simple hack to seriously elevate your skincare game, stop skipping this crucial step. Commit to Double Cleansing every night. By giving your skin a truly clean foundation, you are unlocking the ability to achieve smoother texture, minimized pores, and that clear, luminous look of glass skin—a secret well worth adopting.