The 16 Best Korean Cleansers of 2021 [Reviewed]
- By Catherine Jordan
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You want to find the best Korean cleanser, but there are so many options and you don’t know where to start.
We all know that finding a good product is hard enough, but it’s even harder when you’re looking for something specific like a Korean cleanser.
We’ve done all the hard work for you and reviewed 16 of the best Korean cleansers on the market. These products are formulated with natural ingredients, so they won’t irritate your skin or leave it feeling tight. They also come in a variety of formulas to suit different skin types and needs.
This list of 16 top-rated Korean cleansers will help make your decision easier. The reviews cover everything from ingredients to price points and skin types. These products have been tried and tested by experts in the field so that you can read and decide which one will work best for your needs!
1. COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a gentle and effective gel-type cleanser that can be used both morning and night. It removes impurities while strengthening the skin barrier, leaving your skin looking clean and smooth.
This Cleanser is a gentle, daily facial cleanser that helps balance your skin and protect it from trouble-causing irritants. This pH-balanced formula (pH 5.2 ~ 5.6) contains natural BHA ingredients to help soothe and strengthen the skin for clear, luminous skin all day long.
The addition of tea tree oil also helps keep your complexion free from acne-causing bacteria while you cleanse. This gel-type formula contains tea tree oil and BHA to control excessive sebum production while soothing sensitive skin.
It provides a mild, smooth cleansing experience while maintaining the skin’s natural acidity level to keep it healthy. It is formulated with natural BHA ingredients, this gel cleanser gently exfoliates dead skin cells without drying out your skin.
These mild ingredients help calm the skin, leaving it clean and fresh without irritation. This product has been dermatologist tested and is free of harmful ingredients like parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, or artificial coloring.
Overall, this cleanser is best for those with dry or sensitive skin who are looking for a gentle daily face wash. It will leave your skin feeling clean, fresh, and smooth without the harsh stripping action of some harsher cleansers on the market.
2. THEFACESHOP Rice Water Bright Foam Cleanser
THEFACESHOP Rice Water Bright Foam Cleanser gently cleanses skin with its rich foam. It gently cleanses away impurities to leave skin feeling fresh.
This rice-based foam cleanser has a texture that is soft and smooth, allowing you to massage your face with ease and comfort. The mild formula contains rice water extract and natural ingredients such as green tea extract, which help remove dead skin cells for a bright complexion.
The royal court ladies in the ancient Korean dynastic kingdom used rice water to keep their skin smoother and brighter. The rice water bright foam cleanser is an all-in-one cleanser that removes makeup, dirt, and sebum on your face.
It deeply purifies the pores and leaves your skin bright and moisturized. Lather with water in an adequate amount then apply the mask to the face. You can gently massage with your fingertips and rinse thoroughly.
This product is a cleansing oil that contains rice water. This light-weight cleansing oil dissolves any impurities on the skin’s surface while hydrating the epidermis with jojoba oil. It is formulated without mineral oil and can be used for all skin types. [1]
For the best result, the first step of your skincare routine should always be cleansing. Take off your makeup and clean your face of any impurities before you even start treating it.
3. BANILA CO NEW Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm
This cleanser will forever change the way you cleanse your face. It is formulated with hot spring water that contains minerals and amino acids to instantly melt away impurities, dead skin cells, and excess oil.
The balm transforms into a silky oil upon contact with skin, allowing for an effortless and gentle cleanse without stripping or drying out your skin.
The botanical-infused formula works without water to dissolve long-wearing, waterproof makeup in as little as 30 seconds. It features a pH level of 5.5 that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin and rinses off completely with warm water.
This dermatologist-tested formula is infused with hot spring water, which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and helps improve skin.
The balm is formulated with Hot Springs Water, which helps to hydrate skin while removing dirt and excess sebum, leaving skin feeling soft and supple. The formula contains botanical extracts such as grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, rosemary leaf extract, chamomile flower extract, lavender oil, peppermint leaf extract & tea.
This product is also formulated with botanicals like lavender to soothe irritation, rosemary extract to tighten pores, and cactus flower extract that helps calm inflammation. Additionally, it has vitamin E and C to moisturize and brighten the skin.
This product is best suited for those with oily skin types. It will help to take care of your sebum while removing dirt from pores, leaving you feeling fresh and clean without that tightness most cleansers leave behind on the skin.
You can use this cleanser as a makeup remover or as a standalone second step in your double cleansing routine.
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4. NOONI Marshmallow Whip Maker
The NOONI Marshmallow Whip Maker is a facial cleanser that will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. It helps to remove all the dirt, oil, and makeup from your face in one easy step.
The NOONI Marshmallow Whip Maker is the perfect tool to whip up a rich, fluffy lather for your cleanser. It’s also a great way to add some fun and excitement to your skincare routine.
The best part about the NOONI Marshmallow Whip Maker is that it can be used with any cleanser you already have. Just pop open your favorite cleanser, pour it into the NOONI bowl, place the whisk on top of the bowl and turn it on.
It is a great tool to have around the home. This device makes it easy and fun to create your facial cleanser. Simply add water, mix in your favorite ingredients, and you’re good to go.
5. SKINFOOD Egg Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam
SKINFOOD Egg Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam is a facial cleansing foam that allows you to give self-administered home care every day differently depending on skin concern and area.
It has a fine and resilient foam that helps provide a fresh poreless appearance. It gently cleanses your skin with its fine texture bubbles while removing makeup residue without drying out the skin.
The natural ingredients in the product help remove dead skin cells from the surface of your face to leave it looking healthy. Pure Egg Yolk ingredients are excellent in providing healthy and smooth skin.
The 5 red and green food functions as well as a higher concentration of Egg Yolk, Albumin, and Hot Spring Water help thoroughly cleanses your skin with its fine and resilient foam.
It is a pore-specialized cleansing foam that removes impurities and excessive oils for a smooth, poreless complexion. This food foaming cleanser is excellent, gentle, and safe for dry, normal, oily, and sensitive skin.
It is easy to apply as it comes in the form of a small egg. Simply dispense an ample amount onto wet palms and lather. Rub your face thoroughly in gentle massaging motions to promote blood circulation. Wash off with lukewarm water after 3-5 minutes of massage.
6. DERMALOGY by NEOGENLAB Real Fresh Foam
Dermalogy by NEOGENLAB Real Fresh Foam cleanser is a skincare product that provides the effect of 100% real fruit to your skin.
The gentle and hydrating cleansing foam lather gently cleanses without any irritation while providing hydration to the skin, making it softer and smoother.
It is a foaming cleanser that gently removes impurities and excess sebum from your skin. The formula also contains natural moisturizing factor (NMF) ingredients extracted from yeast which helps lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration.
It contains no drying ingredients so you can enjoy continuous moisturizing throughout the day. This product also has a fresh scent with a hint of citrus, making it pleasant for everyday use.
It does not contain any artificial ingredients or additives and contains 100% real fruit extracts including apple, peach, grapefruit, lemon, orange extract to provide rich hydration and moisture to the skin.
It is a highly effective, multi-layered skincare system that uses advanced technology to deliver real results. This product was designed with the idea of creating a skincare routine that was as easy as possible but still had amazing results.
At last, you can experience a smooth and refreshing cleanse with no irritation. This mild cleanser will gently remove impurities and makeup, leaving your face feeling fresh and hydrated.
7. Mizon Snail Repairing Foam Cleanser
The Mizon Snail Repairing Foam Cleanser is a mild, plant-based cleanser that contains snail mucin. This product has a powerful cleansing capacity that will leave your face feeling firm, clean, and hydrated.
The plant-based extracts have been added to this cleanser as they are known for their mildness on the skin. It also contains mochi bubbles that gently massage your skin while you wash it.
It is formulated with natural ingredients to gently remove makeup and impurities without drying out the skin. This product does not contain artificial fragrances or colorants, mineral oil, alcohol, and paraben.
It contains snail extract and plant extracts to cleanse the skin. The product is also free from fragrance which makes it suitable for those with sensitive skin types.
This formula contains 96% snail secretion filtrate, which is effective in repairing damaged skin caused by stress, dryness, or other environmental irritants. It helps strengthen the barrier function of the epidermis and keeps moisture in for a long time. [2]
The formula is free from 10 harmful ingredients including parabens, animal-originated ingredients, mineral oil, and artificial coloring agents.
This cleanser helps remove impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling fresh and hydrated throughout the day.
8. ETUDE HOUSE Wonder Pore Cleanser
The ETUDE HOUSE Wonder Pore Cleanser is a foaming cleanser with blue beads that remove sebum effectively and cleanse pores. It gives a refreshing feeling and is easy to use.
It has a double formula that effectively cleanses away dead skin cells and excessive sebum even more effectively than before.
A deep cleansing foam for pores and impurities with blue beads can easily remove accumulated sebum on the skin. Its fresh feeling leaves your face clean without tightness or dryness.
It contains deep cleansing ingredients, such as salicylic acid, Centella extract, tea tree leaf oil, and witch hazel distillate.
The double formula of the cleanser is composed of an oil-based ingredient (salicylic acid) and a water-based ingredient (Centella extract). Its foam type makes it easy to use for all skin types.
It is made with natural ingredients to help remove pore-clogging dead skin cells and impurities without irritating your skin. It also contains Jeju volcanic scoria, which is high in minerals that absorb excess sebum and dirt from your pores for a clean and clear complexion.
This product will not strip the skin of its natural oils so it does not leave your face feeling tight or dry after use. Your skin will feel smooth, soft, and look healthy with the continued use of this product.
9. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser is a facial cleanser that gently removes impurities and makeup residue from the skin. The unique texture of this aloe vera foam cleanser provides thorough cleansing without drying out your skin.
This gentle, non-drying cleanser contains 50% of aloe vera extract to help cleanse the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture barrier.
It provides a fresh sensation with a light, creamy foam that rinses off easily and leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. The formula also contains hyaluronic acid to help maintain hydration levels in your skin by attracting water.
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Foam Cleanser is a light, foamy cleansing foam that leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed. This soothing cleanser contains aloe vera extract to help soothe and moisturize dry skin.
The formula contains aloe vera extract to soothe irritated skin and prevent dryness while also leaving your face feeling fresh, clean, and moisturized. This Cleanser leaves behind an excellent after-feel on your skin and has a very nice and refreshing scent to it.
It helps our skin to be moisturized, relieved, recovered moisture, and brightened. Therefore, it is suitable for our irritated skin caused by external stimuli and pollutants and it can cool your sunburnt skin especially in summer. And, it relieves damaged skin and brightens our skin. Also, it prevents our skin from wrinkling and drying.
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10. Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics Facial Cleanser
Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics Facial Cleanser hydrates and nourishes liquid foam face wash from Korean Beauty skincare experts. This cleanser expertly cleanses and removes impurities, yet is mild and gentle on the skin.
It is formulated with Aloe Vera Extract, this facial cleanser contains 96% naturally derived ingredients that are free of parabens, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, animal-derived ingredients & mineral oil.
This facial cleanser contains a triple-blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides, and French Seawater that helps to replenish moisture in your skin while also providing anti-aging benefits.
This Cleanser is a facial cleanser that gently removes impurities from the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. This face wash provides deep cleansing and is suitable for all skin types.
The lightweight facial cleanser has a soft foaming texture that will not strip the natural oils from your skin. It can be used for all skin types and contains a special ingredient to help you get rid of acne and blemishes while removing dead skin cells at the same time.
This product is specially designed for all skin types and can be used daily, morning and night. This face cleanser has a lightweight foam that removes impurities, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and hydrated.
11. Innisfree Green Tea Hydrating Cleansing Foam Creamy Face Cleanser
The Innisfree Green Tea Hydrating Cleansing Foam Creamy Face Cleanser is a gentle, foaming cleanser that removes impurities and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
This Face Cleanser is a creamy foam cleanser infused with hydrating green tea from Innisfree’s USDA-certified organic fields on Jeju Island, South Korea, and naturally-derived surfactant from green tea root for its rich, micro-fine bubbles.
It contains natural ingredients and gives your skin a clean, clear, and healthy look. The creamy foam gently removes impurities such as dead skin cells and sebum without drying the skin.
This creamy foam helps remove dirt and impurities and leaves skin feeling clean, soft, and hydrated. The natural ingredients of this product come from plants grown on Jeju Island.
This product features an innovative foam system that produces rich lather for cleansing without stripping the skin of its natural moisture barrier. It also moisturizes the skin to keep it supple and moistened all day long.
This face wash contains green tea extract to soothe and hydrate while helping to control sebum production. The result is clean, healthy-looking skin with a soft, fresh glow.
At last, this Face Cleanser is well-suited for those with sensitive skin. The testers found that it did not irritate or sting the skin, and was even safe to use on their eyes.
12. KLAIRS Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser
KLAIRS Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser is a cleansing foam that contains amino acids instead of chemical detergents. It cleanses your pores and moisturizes your skin at the same time by keeping its natural moisture.
It gently removes makeup and impurities from your skin without stripping the natural oils that keep it soft and moisturized.
It is formulated with a blend of botanical extracts, including tea tree oil and houttuynia cordata extract, this foaming cleanser effectively treats various dermatologic conditions such as dandruff, lice, herpes, and eczema. [3]
It contains hyaluronic acid and chamomile extract so it moisturizes your skin as you wash. It is formulated with low irritant ingredients for sensitive skin so that it does not irritate the skin while gently exfoliating dead skin cells.
It keeps your skin moisturized while cleansing your pores. Low irritant amino acid cleansers will start changing your skin tone from dull to bright. The proper skin care starts from the right cleanser.
If you have skin trouble or a sensitive skin issue, start treating the problem by changing the cleanser.
13. TONYMOLY Clean Dew
TONYMOLY Clean Dew is a gentle cleansing foam that contains fresh forest dew complex, best for daily use. It removes impurities without causing any dryness or tightness and helps brighten the skin tone.
Its fresh-forest-dew complex is made from natural ingredients such as lemon extract, orange extract, and grapefruit extract. It also contains hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin. The texture of this product is very light and it’s easy to rinse off with lukewarm water.
It is a lightweight, water-based toner that cools and refreshes the skin with its light blue gel formula. This refreshing facial mist provides moisture to the skin without any sticky residue.
The vitamin C derivative in the formula brightens dull, tired skin as it gently removes makeup and impurities. This gentle foaming face wash contains no artificial fragrances or colorants, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your face.
The unique, innovative packaging dispenses just the right amount of product so you can easily control how much product you use each time. Apply TONYMOLY Clean Dew after cleansing your face and before moisturizing to enjoy soft, supple skin every day.
This product is highly recommended for those who are looking for a wash-off cleanser that will not irritate their skin. The formula also helps improve skin texture, and it can be used as an alternative to toners or makeup removers.
14. Dr.Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Foam
Dr.Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Foam leaves skin feeling soft and fresh, while the non-drying texture helps maintain optimum hydration levels for healthy, balanced skin.
It is a gentle cleansing foam that contains micro-sized clay particles and a blend of botanical extracts to gently cleanse skin without stripping it of its moisture barrier.
It removes makeup residue gently without drying out the skin. The refreshing scent of green tea extract helps to calm and soothe sensitive skin.
It contains micro-hydrogen water, micro clay cleanses deep down into pores to remove pore-clogging sebum, blackheads, and whiteheads without drying the skin out or causing irritation.
The lightweight, non-foaming formula effortlessly dissolves impurities from the surface of the skin without disrupting its natural moisture balance.
A hypoallergenic cleansing foam that deep cleanses and soothes the skin. This unique micro-foam is formulated with 4 kinds of herb extracts and micro hydrogen water to cleanse deeply without stripping away your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The result is clean, comfortable skin after cleansing. Gentle bubbles remove makeup and impurities without irritating skin, leaving the complexion feeling clean and fresh.
15. Missha Super Aqua Snail Cleansing Foam
Missha Super Aqua Snail Cleansing Foam cleanses your skin with the power of snail slime extract and botanical stem cell extracts. It’s an innovative solution for troubled skin and blackheads.
It is a rich, fine-textured foaming cleanser with filtered snail mucus. It thoroughly removes sebum and dead skin cells to help skin fresh and clear. This product can be used as a face wash or makeup remover.
This Cleansing Foam is a facial cleanser that contains snail slime extract, which has been known to have remarkable effects on the skin.
It is enriched with botanical ingredients such as aloe vera leaf juice, olive oil, rosehip fruit oil, and argania Spinosa kernel oil to leave your skin soft and smooth.
It contains 30% snail slime extract, which is one of the best ingredients to provide beauty to various kinds of troubled skin, acne scars, redness, dark and dull skin tone, and decline of skin elasticity.
This Foam is a cleansing foam with snail secretion filtrate. This product has been gaining much attention from consumers for the effective removal of makeup and impurities while keeping skin moisturized.
16. Mamonde Triple Multi Cleansing Foam Facial Cleanser Wash
Mamonde Triple Cleanser is a 3-in-1 multi cleansing foam that removes makeup, excess sebum, impurities, and dead skin cells in one step. It leaves the face feeling refreshed after washing off with lukewarm water.
This cleanser does not irritate the skin with its mild formula even if it’s used everyday. It contains Iris Extract which cleanses and removes makeup thoroughly without the need for double-cleansing.
This product contains natural ingredients, such as green tea extracts, betaine, and rosemary extracts to cleanse the skin without drying it out.
A blend of flower extracts and natural ingredients soothes, softens, and moisturizes your skin while you cleanse. It is formulated with rose extract to gently remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities from your face. [4]
It also features a mild surfactant system that effectively removes impurities from the skin while leaving it feeling fresh and moisturized.
The triple multi-cleaning complex of this facial wash delivers gentle exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and dirt from the pores for a brighter complexion.
This facial cleanser wash can be used as both a daily face wash and as an effective makeup remover without leaving any residue behind.
Conclusion
We hope this list of 16 Korean cleansers has been helpful in your search for the perfect cleansing product.
With so many great options available, it can be a challenge to find just one. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, quality Korean cleanser that works well with sensitive skin and won’t break the bank, check out TONYMOLY Clean Dew.
This product is suitable for all skin types and leaves your face feeling clean but not tight or dry afterward. It’s also formulated without artificial fragrances which makes it perfect if you have allergies to scents or just want something as natural as possible on your skin.
But we think that TONYMOLY Clean Dew is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something that will cleanse and hydrate at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I use face wash or cleanser?
Face wash and cleanser are two different products, so both have their pros and cons.
Generally, a face wash is used for daily use while a cleanser is used for deep cleansing or removing makeup. It’s best to choose the product that fits your skin type.
2. What's the difference between face wash and cleanser?
A good rule of thumb: if you wear makeup regularly, go with a cleanser; while if you like to stick with just an SPF moisturizer in the morning or at night, opt for a gentle facial wash instead.
3. How often should you wash your face?
This depends on your skin type. You should probably wash your face without makeup 3 times a week and with makeup at least once a day, otherwise, some products can clog the pores or cause acne.
4. How often should I wash my face if I have acne?
If you have especially oily skin or frequent breakouts, it’s best to cleanse twice daily in the morning and again at night before you go to bed. That’s how we keep our faces looking smooth and clear.
5. Is it bad to wash your face every day?
No – It’s not bad for your face if you cleanse twice per day as long as you use an appropriate cleanser (especially one that is alcohol-free).
It should never leave your face feeling tight or dried out.
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