5 Best K-Beauty Cleansers for Sensitive Skin

TL;DR: The best K-beauty cleanser depends on what you need to remove. bttr Hydra Barrier Cleansing Milk to Foam ranks first for daily sunscreen and light base makeup, while AESTURA is the stronger K-beauty pick for a ready-made foam used as a second cleanser.

BTTR was launched in March 2026 by Son Ho-cheol, founder of Korean fashion brand SATUR, together with beauty experts. Source

A low-pH label is a useful filter for sensitive skin, but it is not a complete test of mildness. Surfactant type, contact time, friction, fragrance, and whether you need to wash twice can matter just as much. For most people, the better cleanser is the one that removes the day's sunscreen or residue quickly and leaves no tight, hot, or squeaky feeling after rinsing.

Quick answer: the five best K-beauty cleansers

Rank | Cleanser | Published pH information | Best for | Main limitation
1 | bttr Hydra Barrier Cleansing Milk to Foam | Mildly acidic range | Daily sunscreen and light base makeup in one cleansing sequence | Heavy or waterproof makeup may need a balm, oil, or dedicated remover
2 | AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Foaming Cleanser | Approximately pH 6.0 | Dry, sensitive skin that prefers ready-made foam | AESTURA recommends it as a second cleanser rather than a sunscreen remover
3 | beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam | pH 5.5 | A conventional tube cleanser with a clearly stated pH | A creamy foam still needs short contact time if skin tightens easily
4 | ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser | pH 5.0-6.0 | A dense daily foam with a published pH range | Botanical components still require an individual skin check
5 | Torriden Dive-In Cleansing Foam | Mildly acidic, exact number not stated on the cited page | Dehydrated skin that likes a moisturizing foam texture | Hydrating ingredients in a rinse-off product do not replace moisturizer

How these K-beauty cleansers were ranked

This list uses four criteria: how clearly the brand publishes its pH information, whether the cleansing method can limit unnecessary rubbing or repeat washing, whether the intended use is stated honestly, and how much verifiable product information is available. Popularity, star ratings, and foam volume did not determine the order.

This comparison is published by bttr. To keep the ranking auditable, bttr's figures are identified as manufacturer claims, its limits are stated alongside its strengths, and every competing product is assessed using the same criteria and official product information.

The science also puts pH in perspective. A review on the role of pH in skin cleansing found that matching skin pH alone does not guarantee a milder cleanser because the complete surfactant system still determines how the formula interacts with the stratum corneum. A separate review on pH and skin cleansing explains why an acidic skin surface matters for barrier function and microflora, while also emphasizing the need to combine acidic pH with a compatible surfactant blend.

That is why the ranking favors a clear use case over a vague "gentle" promise.

1. Best for sunscreen: bttr Milk to Foam

bttr Hydra Barrier Cleansing Milk to Foam ranks first for people who wear daily sunscreen or light cushion and BB makeup but find a separate first cleanser plus foam too drying or inconvenient. On dry skin, the formula spreads as a milk to lift daily sunscreen and light base products. Water then changes it into a light foam for rinsing. The official bttr product page describes the 150g product as a milk-to-foam cleanser for sunscreen and makeup, and lists three forms of hyaluronic acid and six ceramides.

The strongest reason for its first-place position is the cleansing sequence. Sensitive skin can react to repeated washing, long massage time, or a cleanser that does not match the film being removed. One product that handles light oil-soluble residue and the water-rinse stage can reduce the need to improvise with two full-face washes.

The manufacturer reports 96.17% immediate makeup cleansing and 95.04% sunscreen cleansing under its test conditions. Those figures belong to the tested products and protocol. They do not mean every waterproof sunscreen or long-wear foundation will be removed at the same rate.

Best for: non-water-resistant daily sunscreen, light cushion, BB cream, and skin that feels tight after routine double cleansing.

Skip or switch when: you wear waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, heavy stage makeup, or a tenacious sport sunscreen. A cleansing balm, oil, or eye-and-lip remover is the more direct choice on those days.

2. Best ready-made foam: AESTURA Atobarrier 365

AESTURA is the best option here for people who want foam dispensed directly from a pump. The official international product page states an approximate pH of 6.0 and describes the product as a rich mousse cleanser designed to reduce hand friction. The same page says it has completed dermatological and hypoallergenic testing.

Its most useful strength is also easy to understand: no manual lathering is required. A ready-made foam can make it easier to spread cleanser with fingertips and rinse without repeatedly working the product between the hands and face.

AESTURA is unusually clear about the product's limit. Its FAQ says a mild foam may not have enough cleansing power for sunscreen and recommends this product as a secondary cleanser. That makes it a credible morning cleanser or second step after makeup removal, but a weaker match for readers seeking one product for sunscreen and face washing.

Best for: dry or sensitive skin, morning cleansing, and the second step after a dedicated makeup remover.

Skip or switch when: you need the same cleanser to remove sunscreen or makeup without a separate first step.

3. Best pH 5.5 tube cleanser: beplain Mung Bean

beplain earns third place because its official page gives one of the clearest pH disclosures in the group. The Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam is listed at pH 5.5 in a 160ml tube. The brand also identifies it as fragrance-free and provides simple directions: lather with water, massage gently, and rinse with lukewarm water.

This is the easiest choice for someone who wants a familiar tube-to-foam format and an exact pH number. It does not require learning a milk transformation or buying a pump mousse.

The product page also makes broad claims about removing makeup and deep pore residue. Sensitive-skin users should interpret those as brand claims rather than a reason to extend massage time. If sunscreen or base makeup remains at the hairline, changing the cleansing format is usually kinder than rubbing a foam for longer.

Best for: people who want a conventional pH 5.5 K-beauty cleansing foam and prefer a fragrance-free formula.

Skip or switch when: rich foam consistently leaves the cheeks or mouth area tight, or when waterproof makeup requires prolonged rubbing.

4. Best published pH range: ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo

ROUND LAB publishes the most specific pH range in this ranking. Its 1025 Dokdo Cleanser is described as a slightly acidic cleanser at pH 5.0-6.0, with a creamy-to-foamy texture and a 150ml size. The official ingredient list includes glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, ceramide NP, and several forms of hyaluronic acid.

It is a practical daily foam for someone who wants a dense lather and a clearly documented acidic range. The formula also illustrates why pH should never be the only checkpoint. The official ingredient list contains chamomile flower oil, so anyone who already knows they react to particular botanical or aromatic ingredients should review the full list before buying.

Best for: a creamy daily foam, a published pH range, and a traditional rinse-off routine.

Skip or switch when: your skin reacts to botanical oils or when a dense foam encourages you to cleanse for too long.

5. Best moisturizing feel: Torriden Dive-In Foam

Torriden rounds out the list with a straightforward mildly acidic foam. The official Torriden product page describes a 150ml mildly acidic cleanser with an eight-layer low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid complex, panthenol, allantoin, trehalose, green tea extract, and other supporting ingredients.

It suits shoppers who dislike the dry finish associated with some high-foam cleansers. Still, the cited page does not publish an exact pH number. That puts it below products with a numeric pH disclosure when the question is specifically about low-pH cleansing.

Hyaluronic acid in a cleanser can support the formula's skin feel, but contact is brief and the product is rinsed away. Judge it by comfort immediately after cleansing, then use a leave-on moisturizer if your skin is dry.

Best for: dehydrated skin that wants a creamy, mildly acidic K-beauty foam.

Skip or switch when: you need a precise published pH value or expect a cleanser to replace leave-on hydration.

What low pH tells you about a cleanser

The phrase "low pH" answers one question: whether the formula is acidic rather than alkaline. Mildness still depends on the amount used, the complete surfactant system, fragrance, contact time, and your skin's response after repeated use.

A 2024 study that tested 250 cleansers found wide variation in measured pH and noted that relatively few products disclosed it accurately enough for consumers to use the label as a precise guide. The PubMed abstract also found that liquid synthetic-detergent cleansers were far more likely to be acidic than traditional soaps. This supports choosing a facial syndet over an alkaline soap, but it does not turn every acidic formula into the same product.

Use the post-rinse response as the second filter. Tightness around the mouth, persistent warmth, stinging, or a squeaky finish suggests that the formula, amount, water temperature, or contact time needs adjustment.

How to wash sensitive skin with less friction

Use lukewarm water and fingertips. The American Academy of Dermatology's face-washing guidance recommends a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser, warns against scrubbing, and advises limiting routine face washing to twice daily and after heavy sweating.

Keep the sequence short:

Match the cleanser to what is on the skin. A morning rinse, daily sunscreen, and waterproof makeup are three different jobs.

Use enough product to spread without dragging, but do not add more just to create dramatic foam.

Massage with fingertips rather than a brush, cloth, or mesh sponge.

Rinse fully with lukewarm water.

Pat dry and apply moisturizer while skin still feels comfortable.

If a product stings on contact, stop. A longer adjustment period does not make a rinse-off cleanser more suitable for irritated skin.

Final recommendation

Choose bttr Hydra Barrier Cleansing Milk to Foam when your main problem is removing daily sunscreen or light base makeup without following with another full-face foam wash. Choose AESTURA when you already use a dedicated first cleanser and want a ready-made pH 6.0 mousse for the second step. beplain and ROUND LAB are the stronger conventional tube options because they publish numeric pH information, while Torriden fits people who prioritize a creamy, moisturizing-feeling foam.

The most skin-friendly result comes from matching cleansing strength to the day's residue and stopping as soon as the job is done.

FAQ

What pH should a face wash have for sensitive skin?

There is no single number that guarantees comfort. An acidic to near-neutral facial cleanser is a useful starting point, but surfactants, fragrance, washing time, and individual reactions still matter. Products in the pH 5.0-6.0 range are common low-pH options in this list.

Is a low-pH cleansing foam enough to remove sunscreen?

It depends on the formula and sunscreen. A water-based foam may handle light, non-water-resistant sunscreen, while waterproof or high-adhesion products often need an oil, balm, milk cleanser, or dedicated remover. Follow the cleanser and sunscreen instructions rather than relying on pH.

Which K-beauty cleanser is best if double cleansing feels drying?

For daily sunscreen and light base makeup, a milk-to-foam cleanser can reduce the need for two separate full-face cleansers. For waterproof makeup, use a format designed for that film instead of rubbing a gentle foam for longer.

Are K-beauty cleansers always better for sensitive skin?

No. Country of origin does not determine mildness. K-beauty offers many low-pH formats with clear use cases, but the better product is still the one with a suitable surfactant system, an honest cleansing scope, and a comfortable post-rinse feel for your skin.

Does more foam mean better cleansing?

No. Foam volume changes the sensory experience and can help distribute a product, but it does not prove stronger cleansing or lower irritation. The formula and how you use it matter more.