Korean beauty products are the newest fad, and their water-based cleansers are among the finest! These cleansers do a fantastic job of taking off dirt and grime from the face while maintaining the skin’s pH balance. They come in such a wide range of formulations that you’re bound to discover something that works well for your skin and has no adverse side effects. Here are our top K-Beauty water-based cleansers picks.
#SqueakyClean: Top 10 Korean beauty water-based cleansers

Korean water-based cleansers have been gaining popularity in recent years, and for a good reason. These cleansers are renowned for their effectiveness in removing impurities and dirt from the skin without stripping it of its natural oils. What sets them apart from other cleansers on the market is the emphasis on natural ingredients. Most K-beauty brands use natural ingredients, such as green tea, rice water, and centella asiatica, which are gentle on the skin.
One of the most significant differences between K-beauty water-based cleansers and other cleansers is their place in the double-cleansing regimen. The double-cleansing method is a Korean beauty ritual that involves using two cleansers in succession to achieve the perfect, clean complexion. The first step involves using an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities from the skin’s surface. The second step involves using a water-based cleanser to wash away any remaining impurities and to purify the skin.
In addition to their effectiveness, Korean water-based cleansers come in a range of textures and formulations to cater to different skin types. For example, there are gel cleansers, foaming cleansers, and cream cleansers, each with unique benefits for the skin. Gel cleansers are lightweight and gentle, making them suitable for those with oily or combination skin. Foaming cleansers, on the other hand, are ideal for those with acne-prone skin as they help to unclog pores and control excess oil. Cream cleansers are perfect for those with dry or sensitive skin as they provide a deep cleanse while nourishing and hydrating the skin.
In conclusion, Korean water-based cleansers are an excellent addition to any skincare routine, offering a natural, gentle, and effective way to cleanse the skin. Their inclusion in the double-cleansing regimen, along with their wide range of textures and formulations, makes them a must-try for anyone looking to achieve the perfect, clean complexion. Check out our top picks to discover the best Korean water-based cleansers to help you achieve the skin of your dreams.
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- Innisfree Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam
- Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser
- The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser
- Mizon Snail Cushion Foam Cleanser
- Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Mediheal Intensive Pore Clean Cleansing Foam
- Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water
- The Saem Healing Tea Garden Tea Tree Cleansing Water
- Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser
Product attributes:
- Removes impurities, absorbs excess sebum, rich and fine whipped-cream lather, keeps pores clean.
This is a daily cleansing foam with Jeju Volcanic Cluster capsule that removes impurities in the pores and absorbs excess sebum to keep pores clean. Rich and fine whipped-cream like lather helps thoroughly cleanse and leaves skin feeling fresh after cleansing.
Product attributes:
- Exceptionally mild, contains amino acids, hydrates skin, contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and olive oil.
When you have sensitive skin, you can’t risk using the wrong products or something that is too harsh on it. Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser contains amino acids, which makes it exceptionally mild and keeps your skin hydrated after each wash. The formulation contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and olive oil, which moisturise your skin without causing irritation.
Product attributes:
- Brightening, enriched with natural rice water solution, creamy texture.
This gently, brightening cleansing foam enriched with rice extracts offers your skin a clear and even complexion. Enriched with a natural rice water solution with brightening properties, it cleanses skin with its creamy texture.
Product attributes:
- Accelerates healing, optimizes cellular repair and renewal processes, deep-cleansing, slightly sticky foam, purifies pores, hydrating, softening.
A rich source of copper peptides, snail secretion filtrate – a key ingredient in Mizon’s Snail Cushion Foam Cleanser – is renowned for its ability to accelerate healing and optimise cellular repair and renewal processes, so skin appears smooth, firm and luminous. The deep-cleansing formula lathers into a slightly ‘sticky’ foam that clings to impurities and helps to purify pores and diminish the visibility of blackheads. Hydrating and softening is the perfect first step in the Mizon ‘snail repair’ ritual and the perfect way to clarify all complexions without leaving skin feeling taut, dry or uncomfortable.
Product attributes:
- Nourishing botanical extracts, cleanses, leaves skin hydrated, soft and balanced, semi-dewy finish, refreshed, hydrated feel.
Infused with nourishing botanical extracts, this cleansing foam lathers into a foam to cleanse while leaving skin hydrated, soft and balanced. The cushiony formula lathers into a rich foam to thoroughly and comfortably cleanse the skin. Ideal for normal, combination and oily skin types, it washes away to leave a semi-dewy finish and a refreshed, hydrated feel.
Product attributes:
- Low pH level, removes makeup, SPF, and grime, respect the natural 5-6 level of pH, botanical ingredients, effectively cleanses.
Wipe away the day with COSRX’s Low-pH ‘Good Morning’ gel cleanser. Smooth and lightweight, the cleanser glides across your skin, effortlessly removing any trace of makeup, SPF or grime. The cleanser works to respect the natural 5-6 level of pH your skin requires, allowing botanical ingredients to effectively cleanse without leaving your base stripped of natural, essential oils.
Product attributes:
- Cream-to-foam formula, penetrates the pores, eliminates acne, blackheads, and dead skin cells, hydrates skin, removes dirt and oil from the pores, calms the skin, antioxidant qualities.
The Korean water-based cleanser has a unique cream-to-foam formula that, when applied, penetrates the pores and eliminates acne, blackheads, and dead skin cells, leaving behind flawlessly hydrated skin. Charcoal is present in Mediheal Intensive Pore Cleansing. The foam removes dirt and oil from the pores, while the zinc calms the skin. The antioxidant qualities of the cleanser’s mushrooms work as a protective barrier for the skin.
Product attributes:
- 70% tea tree leaf water, removes makeup, impurities, and dirt, infuses skin with acne-fighting tea tree leaf extract oil, antibacterial ingredients, no fragrance.
Made with 70% tea tree leaf water, this cleansing water goes beyond simply removing stubborn makeup and impurities, and actually infuses skin with acne-fighting tea tree leaf extract oil in addition to the tea tree water. With only 10 ingredients and no fragrance, this is a cleansing water that does double duty, effectively removing dirt and grime from pores while treating them with antibacterial ingredients to keep sebum in check and pimples from forming.
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Product attributes:
- One-step skin-friendly water cleanser, eliminates pollutants and makeup, regulates sebum levels.
The award-winning Saem Healing Tea Garden Tea Tree Cleansing Water is a one-step skin-friendly water cleanser that eliminates pollutants and makeup while regulating sebum levels on the pores.
Product attributes:
- Fermented green tea extract, soothes, calms, brightens, moisturizes, nourishes skin, mild, eliminates sweat, dust, grime, and other pollutants, hydrating.
The amazing blend of ingredients in Neogen Green Tea Real Fresh Foam Cleanser makes it ideal for all skin types, from acne-prone to combination and oily. The core component is fermented green tea extract, which soothes, calms, brightens, moisturises, and profoundly nourishes the skin. Although mild, the cleanser eliminates sweat, dust, grime, and other pollutants from your skin without stripping it of its natural oils. The cleanser is also lightweight and hydrating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Answer: It's difficult to determine the best cleanser among the ones listed as it largely depends on individual skin type and concerns. However, based on the descriptions provided, the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser seems to be a popular choice for those with normal, combination, or oily skin. Its low pH formula is gentle on the skin and effectively cleanses without stripping essential oils. Additionally, the Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water, with its tea tree leaf water and extract oil, appears to be a great choice for those with acne-prone skin. Ultimately, it's important to consider one's skin type and concerns before choosing a cleanser.
Answer: There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as everyone's skin is unique and may react differently to various cleansers. However, some popular and highly-rated Korean facial cleansers include the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam, and Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser. It is important to choose a cleanser that suits your skin type and concerns, and to patch test any new products before incorporating them into your skincare routine.
Answer: Dear, Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser is best for sensitive skin.