Types Of K-Beauty Cleansers

Feeling Overwhelmed By The Sheer Volume Of Different Cleansing Options And The Difference Between Them?

Allow us to de-mystify the various types of K-Beauty cleansers and how to pick the perfect one for your skin type.

Oil Cleansers

Don’t be put off by the oil factor – oilier cleansing formulations (most of which are made with a mix of oil, water and wax) are perfect for dissolving the makeup, dirt and impurities that become lodged in your skin throughout the day. They are also great for blackhead removal.

However, because of the oil factor, we don’t recommend using them by themselves. This is where the Korean 2 Step Cleansing Method comes in.

Use your oil-based cleanser as Step 1, to whisk away the day’s makeup and then follow it up with a foam cleanser for Step 2. This method will have your skin looking squeaky clean and feeling fantastic

STYLE STORY loves Subi Bare Skin Balm for all skin types for acne prone, combination and oily skin types.

Milk Cleansers

Milk cleansers are another gentle, natural way of washing your face that are similar to cleansing oils. Milk contains lactic acid, which hydrates your skin and is also an alpha hydroxy acid, which works as a gentle exfoliator.

Milk cleansers are very gentle and are great for sensitive or dry skins. They are also good for restoring any imbalances caused by harsh soaps and cleansers, as well as the harmful effects of hard water (the calcium, magnesium and iron deposits in hard water can irritate and dry out your skin).

Milk cleansing can leave your skin more supple and moisturised.

For more on K-Beauty cleansers tune into this episode of the Korean Beauty Show podcast:

Foam Cleansers

The vast majority of Korean face washes come in the form of foam cleansers. Foam cleansers are mild and luxurious washes that foam when combined with water. Containing everything from volcanic clay to baking powder, sugar and egg whites, no matter what skin issue you have, there is a Korean foam cleanser that will sort it out.

Foam cleansers are ideal for deep cleansing however they aren’t always great at removing makeup.

Some foam cleansers can be slightly drying and may irritate dry or sensitive skin types. However, this means that many of them are great for acne-prone skin, as they get rid of pore clogging dirt and impurities.

If you’re suffering from redness, dull skin or dry flakes, try Subi's Powder Cleanser. 

To get rid of oily buildup and dead skin, try Jelly Ko Cinnamon Toast Sugar Scrub Foam. This was recently selected by Women's Health Magazine as the "Best K-Beauty Scrub". 

Balm Cleansers

Cleansing balms have soft, buttery or sorbet-like textures that melts away once you apply them to your face. They go on as a solid balm and are usually applied with a spatula or spoon.

Balm cleansers are all the rage in Korea right now, as they effortlessly dissolve stubborn makeup and cast out impurities without stripping your skin of beneficial oils.

The product that kick-started Korea’s sherbet cleansing craze was Banila Clean It Zero. 

If you have sensitive or dry skin, we love Subi Bare Skin Balm. It combines antioxidant-rich Australian Lemon Myrtle with dreamy Sea Buckthorn Oil to melt away makeup, sunscreen and excess sebum while keeping your skin nourished. 

Cleansing Sticks