Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Review [In-Depth]

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)

*This post contains some affiliate links - however, these are all my honest research and opinions.

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 :)!

Read my all-time favourite skincare and makeup list to see other tried and true favourites!

Cheers,

T