Buying Guide Korean Cleansers and Toners



THE TRUE FIRST STEP TO RADIANT SKIN.

The Best Korean Cleansers and Toners of 2025.



The secret to the coveted K-Beauty 'glass skin' begins with the perfect cleanse. But with so many options, finding the best Korean cleansers and toners to build your routine can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the research for you, testing and curating a definitive list of the top performers—from gentle oil cleansers to hydrating toners—that will leave your skin balanced, clear, and perfectly prepped.

Part 1: Oil-Based Cleansers – The Ultimate Makeup Melters

The first step in any effective K-Beauty routine is the oil cleanse. These formulas are designed to effortlessly dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum, clearing the way for a deeper clean.

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil – The Viral Sensation


There’s a reason this cleansing oil is all over your social media feed. Its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula is packed with heartleaf extract to soothe sensitive and acne-prone skin while it works. It effectively melts away even the most stubborn waterproof makeup and blackheads without leaving a greasy residue.

  • [GENTLE YET POTENT CLEANSING OIL] Effective in eliminating makeup residue, blackheads and sebum, whilst preventing pore …
  • [MILD INGREDIENTS ONLY] Formulated with Heartleaf extract for soothing effects on the skin
  • [FOR ALL SKIN TYPES] Hypoallergenic & Non-Irritation Test completed, making it suitable for all skin types and especiall…

Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm – The Classic Cult Favorite

Before cleansing oils became mainstream, there was Clean It Zero. This iconic sherbet-like balm transforms into a silky oil upon contact with skin, dissolving makeup in seconds. It’s rich in antioxidants and skin-soothing ingredients, leaving your face feeling soft and hydrated, never stripped.

  • Global No.1 Cleansing balm🥇 Loved by K-beauty fans worldwide, this award-winning balm is designed to melt away even wate…
  • Balm to Oil Type Cleanser🫧 Serbet-type cleansing balm blended with magnet oil formula melts to cleanse heavy makeup and …
  • Safe Ingredients🍒 Formula combines the antioxidant benefits of Acerola berry and Vitamin C to provide hydration & vitali…

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil – The Soothing Purifier

If your skin is easily irritated, this cleansing oil is your new best friend. It harnesses the power of Centella Asiatica extract from Madagascar to calm inflammation while providing a deep clean. Its ultra-light texture rinses off cleanly with water, making it a perfect first step for sensitive skin.

  • GENTLE CENTELLA CLEANSING OIL – Formulated with 6 plant-based oils and Madagascar Centella extract, this centella cleans…
  • LIGHTWEIGHT KOREAN OIL CLEANSER – Designed as a lightweight Korean oil cleanser, it spreads smoothly, rinses off easily,…
  • FACE CLEANSER WITH COMFORTING CARE – As a daily Korean skincare cleanser, this centella cleanser provides a soothing fac…

Water-Based Cleansers – The Second-Step Refresh

After melting away impurities with an oil cleanser, the water-based cleanser removes any remaining residue and cleanses the skin itself. These are the essential second step of the “double cleanse.”

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser – The Everyday Essential


A true holy grail for a reason, this gel cleanser is formulated at an optimal pH level to protect your skin’s natural barrier. It contains tea tree oil and natural BHA to gently exfoliate and control oil production, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin, yet gentle enough for everyone.

  • Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: Cleanse daily with this gentle and effective gel type cleanser day and night, removing…
  • Cleanse for a Luminous Day and Silky Night: While refining the skin texture, the cleanser will help cleanse with no stri…
  • Key Ingredients: pH balanced, tea-tree oil, and BHA to soothe and strengthen for luminous and clear skin.


Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser – The Hydrating Cloud


Imagine washing your face with a rich, dense, hydrating cloud. That’s the Dokdo Cleanser experience. It uses deep sea water from Ulleungdo Island, rich in minerals, to replenish moisture while effectively cleansing. Its creamy foam leaves skin feeling exceptionally clean, soft, and comfortable.

  • GENTLE LOW-ACIDIC, LOW PH CLEANSER: Formulated with a low pH to support the skin’s natural balance, this cleanser effect…
  • RICH, SOFT BUBBLES FOR THOROUGH CLEANSING: Creates a luxurious lather that deeply cleanses, removing dirt, oil, and make…
  • NON-DRYING AND MOISTURIZING: Keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated even after cleansing, preventing the tight, dry feelin…

Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser – The Antioxidant Boost

This refreshing foam cleanser from beloved brand Innisfree is infused with Jeju Green Tea extract and Hyaluronic Acid. It provides an antioxidant-rich cleanse that removes impurities while delivering a burst of hydration, leaving your skin feeling clean, soft, and dewy.

Toners & Essences – Prep, Hydrate & Treat

The final step in our basics guide is the toner. In K-Beauty, toners are not harsh astringents; they are hydrating layers that balance the skin’s pH and prep it to better absorb the serums and moisturizers that follow.

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner – The Redness Reducer


The perfect partner to its cleansing oil, the Anua Heartleaf Toner is a viral superstar for calming red, irritated, and inflamed skin. With a remarkable 77% heartleaf extract, this watery toner provides instant relief, balances skin, and helps control breakouts over time. It’s the ultimate calming tonic.

  • SOOTHING FACE TONER : Infused with the highest concentration of Heartleaf Extract, known best for it’s calming effects, …
  • FORMULATED WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS : Contains 77% Heartleaf Extract grown and haversted in Korea. Cruely free, Vegan, P…
  • FOR ALL SKIN TYPES : Free from irritating ingredients, provides clear and even skin tone as well as hydrating the skin, …


Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner – The Exfoliating Hydrator


Winner of countless awards in Korea, the Dokdo Toner is a fan favorite for a reason. It provides both gentle exfoliation and intense hydration. Its watery texture absorbs instantly, using a special enzyme to remove dead skin cells while deep sea minerals moisturize, leaving skin impossibly smooth and plump.

  • GENTLE EXFOLIATION AND HYDRATION: This 1025 Dokdo Toner provides a gentle exfoliating effect that helps remove dead skin…
  • OIL CONTROL AND SEBUM REDUCTION: Formulated to effectively reduce excess sebum and oil production, this toner helps main…
  • LIGHTWEIGHT WATER-TYPE TEXTURE: Enjoy a lightweight, water-type texture that absorbs quickly without any sticky or greas…

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence – The Repairing Powerhouse

While technically an essence, this product is a non-negotiable in any starter K-Beauty routine and is often used during the toner step. Formulated with 96% snail secretion filtrate, this lightweight yet powerful essence repairs damaged skin, reduces redness, boosts hydration, and improves overall skin texture and elasticity.

  • The Real Snail Essence: Formulated with 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate, this essence repairs and rejuvenates the skin fr…
  • Simple Yet Effective Light-weight Essence: A lightweight essence which fastly absorbs into the skin and gives you a natu…
  • Key Ingredient: Snail Secretion Filtrate contains “Mucin”- an EFFECTIVE ingredient for enhanced moisturization. It insta…