10 Best Korean Cleansers, Tested and Reviewed 2025

glamour.com:

, a balancing gel or a purifying foaming option, quality K-beauty formulas never miss the mark. They're designed to be gentle yet effective, often focusing on skin-balancing while thoroughly cleansing without stripping the skin, says , a licensed aesthetician based in New York City and co-founder of skin care brand and online beauty retailer.

Unlike Western cleansers, which often rely on harsh surfactants or astringent ingredients, Korean ones maintain the skin's moisture barrier and natural pH balance, says Cho.

Think: centella asiatica, ginseng, rice extract, , and ceramides—a.k.a. the ingredients that you'll often find in other barrier-strengthening .To help you find your pick, I asked K-beauty experts and dermatologists to share their favorite products, and tested them first-hand on my dry and sensitive skin, as well as tapped fellow beauty editors with different skin concerns to share what they reach for.

Enter: your definitive guide to the most hype-worthy Korean cleansers out there.What are some of the most effective ingredients found in Korean cleansers?According to , a board-certified dermatologist at IDRISS Dermatology in New York City, “some of the most common and effective ingredients that are often present in Korean cleansers are glycerin, cica (centella asiatica) and salicylic acid.”Cho points out that each ingredient serves a different purpose and it's important to understand their main benefits before ultimately choosing your cleanser.What are the best Korean cleansers for each skin type?Both Dr.