Meet a personal friend of mine. It’s the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, which I use as the second part of my double cleanse.
But first, fun fact! COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser was actually a product of crowdsourcing feedback from their customers. Many of their fans had expressed that the number one thing they look for in a cleanser is one with low pH, and presto a few months later COSRX formulated a cleanser with a pH of 5! It’s kind of insane how quick and responsive Korean cosmetic companies are. I wonder if larger cosmetic companies would *ever* be nimble enough to take feedback this seriously and quickly too.
New to pH? Here is a quick refresher. Your skin’s pH is naturally a little acidic [a.k.a pH of 4.5]. Cleansers tend to be more on the naturally alkaline [pH of 6-12] because alkalinity is what helps remove grime and dirt. Unfortunately, the alkalinity of a cleanser is what could dry out and irritate your skin, and cause that tight, unpleasant feeling. For all those skincare junkies and sensitive skin types out there, a low pH cleanser is a must!
What else could this low-pH cleanser offer? Allow me to break it down for you.
Consistency Gel! There are not many gel cleansers out there that also doubles up as a foaming cleanser, but this one does. Initially when I was testing the gel cleanser, I was dealing with breakouts so I was very gentle when washing my face. More recently, when I was testing how well it removed makeup and I had to put a little more power to my cleansing motions, I noticed that it does lather up quite nicely.
Scent At first whiff, it smells a lot like tea tree oil, and almost a bit medicinal. I actually prefer this natural scent over a heavily fragranced one. Bonus points because the scent doesn’t linger.
Ingredients Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis [Evening Primrose] Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia [Tea Tree] Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA.
Special shoutout to Saccharomyces Ferment, a fermented yeast that is found in the Missha First Treatment Essence and is partly responsible for the bright, hydrated glow we all are addicted to. Love how high it is on the ingredient list!
Tea Tree Leaf Oil is a great antiseptic and can soothe and treat breakouts while Betaine Salicylate is a natural chemical exfoliant that keeps your pores in check, free from dead skin cells that are hiding in the walls of your pores.
Although this cleanser is actually great for all skin types, I want to call out that it’s a good pick for sensitive and dry skin types due to the skin-friendly pH of 5. It also works for acne-prone/oily skin types because of the pore-friendly ingredients.
If you’re looking for a gentle but effective cleanser that is perfect for combo skin: this Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser review is for you.
Very quick update Nov 2023: the cap gets a little messy but the cleanser is very gentle, it’s affordable and I’m on my 3rd bottle! This has made it to my all-time favourite skincare and makeup list and I’ll definitely be repurchasing ;].
For those who may not be aware of the benefits of switching to a low pH cleanser in general, here’s the quick low down:
- The average skin pH level is around 4.7. According to a 2018 study, low pH cleansers may positively affect skin conditions and improve concerns like acne, eczema, and aging [source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science Vol 28, Issue 5].
- Low pH products typically range between 4.5 – 6 on the pH scale [The Cosrx cleanser for example is said to have a pH of 5]. Low pH cleansers tend to feature a gel, milk, or cream texture, which might be less drying than a foam [a popular form that high pH cleansers take].
- That being said, higher pH cleansers aren’t bad. They are more like detergents that clean the skin thoroughly; these are the best in oily skin which can withstand dehydration of a cleanser that acts like a surfactant [source: Dr. Palep for Byrdie]
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Review - Quick Facts:
Formulation: Fragrance-free, mineral oil free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, and not tested on animals.
Potential irritants: Low to no irritation - it’s made from natural ingredients. It’s suitable for sensitive skin.
Texture: It is a gentle gel face wash that foams up slightly. It is got a great slip to it and leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed but not feeling stripped.
Scent: Natural tea tree oil scent, does not linger. Some people on Makeup Alley have expressed they don’t like this scent but I find it quite refreshing [plus it’s not an added fragrance].
Packaging: Comes in a simple white plastic tube with a cap, 150ml. It does get a bit leaky and can be slippery at times so it’s not good for travel at all.
Price: ~$14 CAD
Where to buy: Some local asian grocery stores like T&T, Amazon [I only found a two pack linked here] or StyleVana [good prices but takes 3 weeks+ to arrive and customer service is nonexistent]
About
The Cosrx website notes that it is a gentle cleanser with a mildly acidic pH level which helps to maintain healthy skin by restoring and balancing the skin’s natural pH levels. Although the cleanser is said to be mild, it is still effective in removing impurities from the skin but is not supposed to leave the skin feeling completely stripped of moisture.
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis [Evening Primrose] Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia [Tea Tree] Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA
How to use the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Step 1: Massage a dime-size amount of the COSRX Low pH Cleanser Gel into the palm of your hands with some water until it foams up slightly, then work it gently into wet skin.
Step 2: Cleanse and then rinse with warm water.
Step 3: Pat dry gently with a towel/face cloth and follow with your toner/moisturizing routine as usual.
This cleanser isn’t great at removing makeup, so I usually use this as a second cleanser after removing my makeup with the Heimish All Clean Balm.
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Review - Pros
This is a staple, gentle cleanser for normal to slightly more oily skin [even though it’s marketed for all skin types including sensitive skin, I still think it can be more stripping when compared to a more creamy, hydrating cleanser]. It also contains mild acids suitable for light exfoliation.
For double cleansing, it does a good job of removing any leftover residue from my makeup removing balm, and I enjoy both the texture and the tea tree oil scent.
Cons
For the dryer, more sensitive skin gals this cleanser can leave your skin feeling dry and tight. Even for my normal skin I avoid using a cleanser in the mornings and just opt for this at nighttime.
Packaging can also get super leaky, and while this cleanser isn’t expensive IMO - it does take away from the value of the product.
There is a bit of a natural tea tree scent that comes through - so if you don’t like tea tree oil - might want to opt for something else instead!
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Review Summary
The COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser is a great go-to cleanser for someone that has normal/slightly more oily skin. It’s effective for gently cleansing the skin [especially as the second part to double cleansing] and lightly exfoliating. It has really good value for the price and based on the ingredient list, it has minimal irritants plus no added fragrance [just the natural tea tree scent that comes through].
Cleansers aren’t the most exciting thing - so this will be my tried and true one on my repurchase list for a while! Let me know down below if you decide to try it :]!
What does low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser do?
Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is made with all natural ingredients to soothe, exfoliate and hydrate while cleansing. Designed to restore the optimal pH balance to the skin and cleanse without irritations. Tea tree oil, and other natural ingredients, provide gentle yet effective deep cleansing.
Can I use low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser at night?
Use morning and night after removing makeup. Squeeze a proper amount onto the hands and gently massage the cleanser onto damp skin, avoiding the eye and mouth area. Rinse with warm water and follow with toner.
Is low pH face wash good?
Low pH cleansers help maintain the skin's natural acidity, which is essential for keeping the acid mantle intact. They are gentle on the skin, ensuring effective cleansing without causing dryness or irritation.
Is Cosrx low pH cleanser good for acne prone?
Vegan cleanser with neutral pH for sensitive, acne-prone, combination and oily skin types. A basic, yet comprehensive and efficient cleanser. Low pH by Cosrx helps remove the dead skin cells and excess sebum that build up overnight [but you can use it both in your morning and evening routine].