Korean Face Wash

All About Korean Face Wash and Face Cleansers

Face wash is fundamental to anyone’s skin care routine, a first step that helps maintain healthy and grime-free skin while keeping breakouts at bay. Out of all the cleanser options available in the market, face washes from Korean beauty brands have achieved global popularity due to their innovative formulations, ingredients, functions and packaging designs. Korean face washes have redefined what people expect facial cleansers can do. Whatever your skin concerns and needs, you can find a Korean cleanser that gently cleanses your face and caters to your skin type and needs!

Selecting the right Korean cleanser can make a big difference in helping you meet your skin goals. If you’re a regular makeup user, the last thing you want to do is go to bed with a face full of makeup! Go for an oil-based cleanser like a cleansing oil or cleansing balm to melt away stubborn makeup without stripping skin of moisture or natural oils. If you have dry skin, choose a face wash that gently clarifies skin without worsening your dry skin woes. Non-drying Korean face wash products rich in moisturizing and hydrating ingredients like ceramide and hyaluronic acid are among the best facial cleansers for dry skin.

Finding the right facial cleansers for sensitive skin can be a challenging process. If you have easily irritated or sensitive skin, choose a gentle Korean cleanser made free of fragrances, sulfates or other ingredients that can potentially disrupt your skin health and delicate skin barrier. Weather conditions and your environmental surroundings may also influence the type of face wash you choose. Whatever you select, always make face cleansing an everyday habit. Be sure to thoroughly cleanse and remove dirt, sunscreen, makeup and excess oils from your face before moving on to the toner, essence and moisturizer steps of your skin care routine.

How Do Koreans Wash Their Face?

Although how people in Korea wash their face depends on individual skin needs and cleansing preferences, one of the most popular Korean practices is the double cleansing routine. Adopted by many people around the world, double cleansing is a two-step process involving an oil-based cleanser to remove dirt, waterproof makeup, sunscreen and other impurities on the skin’s surface, followed by a water-based cleanser to get rid of any remaining residue, excess oils or pollutants on face. The two-step cleansing process ensures that your face is thoroughly washed and the pores are clear all while prepping skin for the following steps in your skin care routine. Double cleansing is especially useful at night for thoroughly removing the day’s grime off your face.

Having said that, the double cleansing routine is not a one-size-fits-all solution. On days when you don’t wear makeup, a double cleanse may not be necessary, especially for those with dry skin or sensitive skin who want a milder face cleansing routine that’s gentle and non-drying. Those with oily skin or acne-prone skin benefit more from double cleansing to remove excess oils and prevent clogged pores. As with any skin care method, gauge whether it’s suitable for your skin type and needs and make tweaks when necessary.

Best Korean Face Wash Products

From oil cleansers to cleansing foam, explore YesStyle’s extensive collection of Korean face wash products including bestsellers from popular K-Beauty brands such as Beauty of Joseon, COSRX and I’m from.

Anua’s Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam

BANILA CO’s Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

A perennial bestseller at YesStyle, the Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm is revered for its ability to swiftly melt away waterproof makeup, sunscreen and impurities on face. BANILA CO’s popular cleansing balm comes in a sorbet-like texture that melts upon contact with skin for thorough cleansing without stripping skin of its natural oils. Ideal for the first step of cleansing, it’s formulated with fruit ingredients derived from papaya, raspberry and acerola to exfoliate and brighten skin for a smooth and radiant complexion. The gentle cleanser is suitable for various skin types including combination and dry skin. Besides the original formula, there are other versions of the Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm infused with additional active ingredients like ceramide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid and centella asiatica to target different skin concerns.

manyo’s Pure Cleansing Oil

If you prefer using cleansing oil for the first step of your double cleansing routine, manyo’s popular Pure Cleansing Oil is hard to beat. The Korean cleansing oil uses plant-based oils derived from jojoba, argan, olive and soybean to melt away waterproof makeup and remove dirt and impurities on face. Other active ingredients such as rice bran filtrate and Vitamin E which protect against free radical damage and deliver nourishment for healthy and resilient skin. The low-pH oil cleanser leaves a non-irritating finish and the gentle formula doesn’t sting the eyes. Follow with ma:nyo’s Panthetoin Essence Toner for an extra hydrating boost.

Beauty of Joseon’s Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser

This Beauty of Joseon cleanser uses mung bean seed, plum water and green tea extract to exfoliate away dead skin cells, impurities and excess sebum while nourishing and moisturizing skin. The gentle Korean face wash is packed with hydrating and soothing ingredients such as glycerin and heartleaf extract to calm inflammation, deliver moisture and balance skin. Hypoallergenic and pH-balanced cleanser in a gel texture is safe for sensitive skin.

COSRX’s Low ph Good Morning Gel Cleanser

Looking for a Korean face wash for oily skin? You can’t go wrong with COSRX’s bestselling Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser! Formulated with tea tree oil and BHA, the Korean cleanser purges dead skin cells and excess sebum in pores while gently clarifying skin and controlling skin’s oil-moisture balance. The gel cleanser won’t aggravate skin or strip it dry post-cleanse thanks to soothing and moisturizing ingredients like evening primrose extract, butylene glycol and allantoin.

ETUDE’s Soon Jung pH 6,5 Whip Cleanser

For a Korean foaming face wash that promotes gentle cleansing and doesn’t sting the eyes, go for the sensitive skin-friendly Whip Cleanser from ETUDE that’s also certified vegan. Formulated with panthenol and madecassoside, the Soon Jung cleanser uses micro-bubbles to thoroughly cleanse while restoring moisture levels with hydrating ingredients like glycerin. The gentle foam cleanser forms a rich lather that minimizes friction on skin when massaging onto face. The popular hypoallergenic cleanser is made free of mineral oil, synthetic perfumes, artificial colorants and parabens.

I’m from’s Rice Whip Facial Cleanser

Reap the benefits of Korean rice by incorporating this I’m from facial cleanser into your skin care routine! Containing Yeoju Rice Complex, the cleanser has a whip cream-like consistency that dissolves grime, sunscreen and other impurities on face while leaving a comfortable finish. Formulated with AHA, BHA and PHA, the water-based cleanser gently unclogs pores and helps prevent acne formation for a healthy and clear complexion. The vegan product won’t cause skin irritation. Pair the Rice Whip Facial Cleanser with other products in I’m from’s Rice line like the Rice Toner and Rice Serum for a routine that hydrates and strengthens skin.