If you’re a skincare enthusiast, chances are you’ve already heard of double cleansing, essences, and glass skin — all hallmarks of the beloved and globally celebrated Korean beauty routine. But if you’re ready to level up your glow game, there’s one specific technique that’s been quietly revolutionizing skincare routines: the 4-2-4 rule.
At first glance, it might sound like a locker combination or a gym workout routine, but the 4-2-4 rule is a luxurious and highly effective facial cleansing ritual straight from South Korea — and it’s gaining popularity across the globe for its simplicity, science-backed benefits, and transformative results.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what the 4-2-4 rule is, how it works, why it’s so effective, and how to easily incorporate it into your skincare routine. Let’s get into it!
What Is the 4-2-4 Rule in Skincare?
The 4-2-4 rule is a cleansing technique developed by K-beauty experts that involves three main steps carried out over ten minutes total:
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4 minutes of oil cleansing
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2 minutes of foam or cream cleansing
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4 minutes of rinsing
The name comes from the amount of time you dedicate to each step — hence, 4-2-4.
This isn’t just a cleansing method; it’s a facial massage, a skin detox, and a ritual of mindfulness rolled into one. It’s designed to:
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Remove deep-seated impurities and makeup
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Stimulate blood flow to the face
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Boost hydration and product absorption
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Leave your skin feeling baby-soft, radiant, and balanced
Where Did It Come From?
Like many brilliant beauty methods, the 4-2-4 rule hails from Korea, where skincare is considered not just a routine, but a form of self-care and self-love. It’s rooted in the double cleansing philosophy, but adds a meditative, time-focused element that encourages you to be more intentional with how you cleanse your skin.
The method became widely known through K-beauty brands like Whamisa and Su:m37, and has since become a cult favorite among skincare lovers around the world.
Why Is Cleansing So Important?
Before diving into how the 4-2-4 method works, let’s pause and ask: why does cleansing even matter this much?
Many people rush through cleansing — or worse, skip it altogether. But in truth, cleansing is the most critical step of any skincare routine. It’s the foundation upon which everything else rests. If your skin isn’t properly cleansed:
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Serums and creams can’t absorb properly
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Pores can get clogged with dirt, sebum, and sunscreen
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Breakouts and dullness are more likely
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Your skin barrier may become compromised over time
So when K-beauty recommends spending 10 full minutes on cleansing, it’s not just for drama — it’s for skin transformation.
Breaking Down the 4-2-4 Method
Let’s go step by step so you know exactly how to do this at home.
Step 1: 4 Minutes of Oil Cleansing
You begin with an oil cleanser, massaging it gently into your dry skin for a full four minutes.
Why Oil First?
Oil dissolves oil. So it’s the best way to break down:
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Makeup (even waterproof)
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Sunscreen
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Sebum
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Pollutants and grime from the day
K-beauty experts love using oil as a first step because it draws out impurities from deep inside pores, without stripping or drying the skin.
What to Do:
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Pour 2–3 pumps of your oil cleanser into clean hands.
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Massage it onto dry skin in circular motions.
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Focus on areas where you have congestion: T-zone, chin, sides of the nose.
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Use upward strokes to promote circulation.
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Take your time — this is the detox phase.
Bonus Tip:
Use this time to practice facial massage. It helps release tension and boosts lymphatic drainage, which can reduce puffiness and make your face appear more sculpted over time.
Product Recommendations:
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Whamisa Organic Flowers Cleansing Oil
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Banila Co Clean It Zero
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DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
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Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
Step 2: 2 Minutes of Foam (or Cream) Cleansing
Next, you apply your second cleanser — a water-based one — directly on top of the oil cleanser (no rinsing yet!).
Why This Step Matters:
This step emulsifies and lifts away the oil, along with all the impurities it has dissolved. It’s also your chance to clean the surface of your skin with a gentle, balancing cleanser.
What to Do:
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Wet your hands slightly and lather your foam or cream cleanser.
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Apply it directly over the oil cleanser.
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Massage for exactly 2 minutes, concentrating on creases and corners like around the nose and jawline.
Product Recommendations:
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Neogen Real Fresh Foam Cleanser (Green Tea)
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KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
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Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleanser
Step 3: 4 Minutes of Rinsing
Now it’s time to rinse — but not just once. You rinse for four full minutes.
Why Four Minutes?
This is where most people go wrong in cleansing. Rinsing too quickly can leave residue behind, both from the cleansers and the grime they were supposed to remove.
Four minutes ensure:
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Thorough removal of all product and impurities
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Clean, fresh skin is ready to absorb serums and moisturizers
How to Rinse:
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Start with lukewarm water — this helps break down the oil and foaming cleanser without shocking the skin.
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After 2 minutes, switch to cool water — this helps to tighten pores and calm the skin.
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Use your hands (not a cloth) to gently splash water.
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Pat dry with a soft, clean towel.
Benefits of the 4-2-4 Rule
So what can you expect if you follow the 4-2-4 method consistently (especially at night)? A lot, actually:
✅ Smaller-looking pores
✅ Fewer breakouts
✅ Increased skin radiance and glow
✅ Better absorption of skincare products
✅ Improved skin tone and texture
✅ More hydrated, supple skin
✅ Reduced puffiness (with massage)
Who Should Try the 4-2-4 Method?
The 4-2-4 rule is especially beneficial for:
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Dry or dehydrated skin types
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Dull or tired-looking skin
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Congested or acne-prone skin (gentle pressure only!)
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People who wear heavy makeup or SPF daily
However, those with extremely sensitive or compromised skin (like eczema or rosacea) should start slow or consult a dermatologist before incorporating this kind of manual massage.
How Often Should You Do It?
This is not a method for your rushed weekday mornings. Instead, think of the 4-2-4 method as a luxury evening ritual — a chance to decompress and treat your skin.
🔁 Recommended: 2–4 times per week, depending on your skin’s needs.
Some K-beauty lovers do it every night, while others use it as a once-a-week reset. Start with once or twice weekly and adjust based on how your skin responds.
Extra Tips to Maximize the 4-2-4 Method
🧼 Always cleanse with clean hands – You don’t want to transfer bacteria to your face.
🌸 Use circular and upward strokes – This boosts circulation and helps prevent sagging.
💦 Don’t rush the rinse – Four minutes might feel long, but it pays off.
💆♀️ Add gua sha or facial tools during oil cleansing – If you’re feeling fancy, tools like jade rollers or gua sha stones take the ritual up a notch.
🌿 Choose non-stripping products – If your skin feels tight afterward, your cleanser is too harsh.
Yes, and then some.
In a world full of 10-second TikTok skincare hacks, the 4-2-4 method is a welcome reminder that true skin health takes time, intention, and care. It forces you to slow down, tune into your skin, and give it the attention it truly deserves.
Think of it as skincare and self-care rolled into one peaceful, glow-boosting ritual.
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