COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser for oily skin
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate
Allantoin
Styrax Japonicus Branch Leaf Extract Fruit
Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily skin; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate suitability for your oily skin, as Betaine Salicylate and Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil provide gentle exfoliation and antimicrobial action to help manage oiliness and impurities.
- The formula effectively cleanses with cocamidopropyl betaine and Saccharomyces Ferment, supporting overall skin health without stripping.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with minimal irritation risks from Betaine Salicylate and Citric Acid.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser AM and PM every day to keep your skin fresh. Always make sure to follow with a good SPF in the morning.
- Apply your cleanser as the first step in the morning or the second step in the evening before your toner.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water .
- You can apply this cleanser safely on damp skin for a refreshing and easy wash.
- Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop use if irritation occurs.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this gel cleanser is highly recommended for those with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, effectively managing excess oil and breakouts without compromising the skin barrier. Many users appreciate its refreshing feel. Conversely, individuals with dry skin frequently find it to be stripping, leading to a tight sensation that necessitates immediate moisturizing. Some users also note a strong scent and occasional eye irritation.
Highlights
Effective acne control Often Mentioned
- “cleared up my spots”
- “helps with hormonal acne”
- “reduced redness overnight”
- “keeps breakouts at bay”
Gentle & non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “doesn't strip my skin”
- “gentle enough for morning”
- “skin feels soft, not tight”
- “respects my skin barrier”
Drying for dry skin Often Mentioned
- “left my face tight”
- “too drying for winter”
- “stripped my dry skin”
- “need moisturizer immediately”
Deep cleansing/oil control Sometimes Noted
- “removes all the oil”
- “pores look smaller”
- “great for oily T-zone”
- “leaves face squeaky clean”
Refreshing sensation Sometimes Noted
- “feels very refreshing”
- “wakes me up”
- “cooling effect on skin”
- “perfect morning cleanse”
Strong medicinal scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like chemicals”
- “strong tea tree odor”
- “scent is overpowering”
- “smells like rotting plants”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me tiny bumps”
- “broke me out in cysts”
- “caused a bad reaction”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “stings my eyes bad”
- “burns if it gets in eyes”
- “can't use on eye makeup”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, ulta.com, sokoglam.com, yesstyle.com, walmart.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser work for oily skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for oily skin, helping manage oiliness and impurities with mild exfoliation without stripping your skin. A product of this type needs ingredients like Niacinamide and Ceramides to manage oily shine and support skin health, along with gentle cleansing agents that control oil and maintain moisture balance.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Betaine salicylate and tea tree oil make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin by providing gentle exfoliation and managing excess oil and impurities. To fit oily skin even better, this type of product needs ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and glycerin to control shine and maintain moisture without irritation.
What does Cocamidopropyl Betaine do for oily skin?
Cocamidopropyl betaine is a cleansing ingredient that helps wash away excess oil and dirt from oily skin. While it is generally safe for use in wash-off products, it is unlikely to change oil production and may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
What does Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate do for oily skin?
Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate cleanses oily skin gently while helping to keep the skin barrier safe from dryness and irritation. Cleansers of this type need mild surfactants that remove excess oil without stripping the skin, paired with moisturizing agents to keep it soft and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This cleanser fits into both your morning and evening routines. An oily skin routine of this type needs a gentle cleanser that clears away oil and impurities without stripping your skin.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine alongside retinol, applying the cleanser first to clean your skin before using your retinol treatment. This product effectively cleanses without stripping while managing oiliness, though oily skin typically benefits most from a cleanser that includes balancing ingredients to better control excess sebum and shine.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily to help manage oiliness and impurities without stripping your skin. Oily skin of this type needs gentle exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid and antimicrobial extracts to keep pores clear.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as reviewer complaints of breakouts are low and the formula helps manage oiliness and impurities. However, because this product offers only an average fit, oily skin needs a cleanser that balances oil with ingredients like salicylic acid and tea tree oil to keep pores clear.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but the thin skin around your eyes may find it too harsh. Oily skin types needing a better fit here benefit from formulas with stronger oil-controlling ingredients and deeper exfoliating acids.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate skin care formula significantly reduced the net values and daily fluctuation of facial pore area, roughness, and redness in young Japanese women.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021Daily application of Galactomyces ferment filtrate-containing skin products for 12 months significantly and cumulatively reversed 11-year facial skin aging parameters of wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, and roughness, and increased skin hydration in 86 female volunteers.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021The cytotoxic effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on normal human keratinocytes was significantly decreased when combined with cocamidopropyl betaine, Tween 20, and Tween 80 at concentrations well below the critical micelle concentration.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2003Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Topical green tea and green tea plus lotus multiple emulsions reduced casual sebum secretions compared to placebo in healthy adults, with the combined treatment producing significantly greater reductions than green tea alone over a 60-day period.
Hippokratia, 2013Combined topical application of lotus and green tea improved facial skin surface parameters including roughness, scaliness, smoothness, and wrinkling in healthy Asian men compared to single treatments and placebo.
Rejuvenation Research, 2013Cosmetics containing lotus-derived callus extract showed a significant skin-whitening effect in 21 volunteers.
Plants, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch Leaf Extract Fruit, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Oil Leaf, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium Edta
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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