I’ve been trying out different cleansers lately because my skin is super picky—too harsh and I end up dry and flaky, too mild and I feel like I didn’t actually wash my face. Out of all the cleansers I’ve gone through, two that kept coming up in recommendations were the Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser and the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. I used both for a while to see how they worked on my skin, and I’ve got to say, the experiences were pretty different.

Starting with the Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser, my first impression was how soft the foam felt. It’s a cream-to-foam type, and once you lather it up, the bubbles are really fine and cushiony. My skin usually feels tight and uncomfortable after using strong cleansers, but with this one, it was surprisingly gentle. After rinsing, my face didn’t have that stripped, squeaky feeling that I dread. Instead, it felt fresh and light, almost like I’d just rinsed with water, but cleaner. The best part is that it’s a low-pH cleanser, so it doesn’t disrupt the skin barrier the way higher-pH foams sometimes do. I’ve been able to use it every morning and night without irritation. For someone like me who leans dry and gets easily dehydrated, this was a huge plus. It left me feeling clean but not overdone, and that balance made me keep reaching for it.

On the other hand, the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser was a bit more hit or miss for me. It comes out as a clear gel and barely foams up, even when I try to lather it. The texture glides on smoothly, but when I rinsed, I noticed a slight slippery film left on my skin. Some people might like that because it feels moisturizing, but to me, it didn’t feel completely refreshing. Another thing I noticed was the tea tree scent—it’s definitely strong and lingers while you’re washing. I’m sensitive to fragrances, so it wasn’t my favorite part. In terms of cleansing power, it handled light sweat and oil fine, but if I wore sunscreen or makeup, it didn’t feel thorough enough. I always felt like I needed to double cleanse or follow up with something else to get truly clean. So while it’s gentle and doesn’t strip the skin, it also didn’t give me that satisfying clean finish I want at the end of the day.

Comparing the two side by side, the difference is pretty clear. The Dokdo Cleanser makes me feel refreshed and comfortable without over-drying, while the COSRX one leaves me wishing it did just a little more. I know a lot of people love the COSRX cleanser because it’s mild and has that cult status, but for me, the scent, the slippery residue, and the weak cleansing power made it hard to fall in love.

If I had to choose a favorite, it’s definitely the Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser 💙 It strikes the right balance between gentle and effective, and it’s become my go-to daily cleanser. My skin feels soft, calm, and never tight afterward, which is exactly what I need. The COSRX Low pH Gel Cleanser isn’t bad—it’s still gentle and non-stripping—but it just didn’t click with me the way Dokdo did.

So if your skin leans on the dry or sensitive side and you want something mild but effective, I’d absolutely recommend giving the Dokdo Cleanser a shot. It’s one of those products that feels simple but really does its job well, and it’s earned a permanent spot in my routine.

Summary

Dokdo Cleanser → Gentle foam, low-pH, refreshing without dryness, everyday favorite.

COSRX Gel Cleanser → Very mild but slippery finish, strong tea tree scent, weaker cleansing power.

Winner → Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser 💙

⭐️ Rating for Dokdo: 9.5/10

⭐️ Rating for COSRX: 7/10