Last Updated on February 1, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
What’s the best Korean cleanser for dry skin? You’ve been told you need an oil-based cleanser to remove sunscreen and makeup and then follow up with gentle water-based cleanser to remove everything else, but isn’t that just a foaming cleanse in disguise? And aren’t foaming cleansers bad for skin? And isn’t double cleansing too much for your delicate skin anyway? So many questions.
Dry skin needs moisture, but here’s what a lot of people don’t realize: your cleanser is just as important as your moisturizer. Use the wrong cleanser or method and it’s basically undoing all the good work serums and creams are trying to do. And if Korean cleansers seem interesting but it’s unclear which one might actually help, this is the right place. In this article, there’s information on what makes a good korean cleanser for dry skin, what ingredients to look for, and which specific products are worth considering based on how they actually work.
What Should You Look For In A Cleanser For Dry Skin?
Here’s the deal with dry skin: it’s not just about looking flaky or feeling uncomfortable, it’s about what’s going on underneath the surface. The top layer of skin is supposed to be like a brick wall, with dead skin cells as the bricks and lipids as the mortar holding everything together. When those lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) start breaking down or disappearing, your skin barrier falls apart. Water leaks out way faster than it should, germs and pollutants from the outside gets in easier, and skin just can’t protect itself properly anymore.
Most cleansers are part of the problem, not the solution. They’re loaded with cheap surfactants like SLS because it foams up nice and people think foam means clean. But SLS doesn’t know when to stop. It grabs onto everything, oils and proteins and lipids, and just strips it all away. Cue dry skin. So what actually works for dry skin? Here’s what matters in a cleanser:
- Low pH matters: Skin’s pH sits naturally at about 5.5, slightly acidic, which helps it fight off bacteria and stay balanced. Most cleansers come in way too high at like pH 8 or even pH 10, and that completely throws off the acid mantle and leaves skin vulnerable and tight feeling. It’s like stripping away the protective coating and wondering why everything hurts afterwards.
- Gentle formulas. Forget foaming cleansers. Opt for milk or oil-based cleansers that provide deep cleansing without stripping skin bare. They work thanks to the “like attracts like” principle. The oils in the cleansers attach to the oils in your makeup and sunscreen and rinse them down the drain. Plus, they moisturise skin too.
- Hydrating skin-loving ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are humectants, a fancy way of saying they attract water from the air into the skin. Ceramides and other lipids repair your skin’s moisture barrier. When these ingredients are in a cleanser, they keep skin soft and plump during the cleansing process.
Should You Double Cleanse?
No. Here’s a quick explanation of the double cleansing method and why I don’t recommend it. Double cleansing is washing your face twice, first with oil then with water-based cleanser. The idea is oil removes oil-based impurities like makeup and sunscreen, water removes water-based impurities. Sounds good except most cleansers already do both jobs because they’re emulsions, not pure oil or water. So you’re basically buying two products to do what one already does.
For dry skin it’s even worse because washing twice strips more oil off skin that’s already running low. The barrier gets hit once, then gets hit again, and dry skin ends up even drier and more irritated. Some people’s skin even starts producing excess oil to make up for what got stripped, which is the opposite of helpful. One decent cleanser gets everything off unless someone’s wearing waterproof stage makeup every night. Even then, cleansing balms do both steps in one. The whole Korean cleansing method took off because Korean skincare got trendy and people thought every step must be necessary. For dry skin, it’s not necessary, it’s damaging.
Best Korean Cleanser For Dry Skin: Take Your Pick
There’s a wide range of facial cleansers out there, but here are the ones I recommend you add to your Korean skincare routine:
Isntree Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser (£27.00)
If you’re into vegan skincare, go for Isntree’s Yam Root Vegan Milk Cleanser. It’s one of those “feels like skincare, not soap” cleansers that just makes washing your face less of a chore. It’s creamy, it spreads easily, and it takes off sunscreen and light makeup without leaving you tight or squeaky. The star here is yam root extract (yep, actual yam), which is packed with polysaccharides that help lock in hydration. Texture-wise, it’s lotion-like, not oily, and it rinses off pretty clean. It’s fragrance-free, and barrier-friendly, so sensitive skin types will get along with it. Just know it’s not meant for waterproof mascara or full-beat makeup – this is more your daily driver for sunscreen and everyday grime.
Available at: Stylevana, Superdrug, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Sunflower seed oil.
Benefits: Another facial cleanser that removes grime, sunscreen, and light makeup without stripping skin of its natural moisture; vegan cleanser.
Cons: Struggles with a full face makeup.
Skin Type: Normal and dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original ($22.99)
One of the most popular Korean cleansing balms out there, it’s been around forever for a reason. The texture’s like a sherbet that melts into oil when you rub it on dry skin. Add some water and it turns milky, then rinses away clean. It’s really good at taking off waterproof mascara, heavy foundation, all that stuff, and it doesn’t leave your face feeling greasy after. The tub comes with a little spatula which is actually way better than just sticking your fingers in there every time. After you rinse it off, skin feels soft and clean but not stripped or tight the way some cleansers make it feel. If you’re trying to get waterproof mascara off, it can get in your eyes and that stings like hell, makes your vision all blurry for a bit. Not great, but it does eventually break everything down if you keep at it. There’s a light floral smell to it, which isn’t ideal for sensitive skin.
P.S. Banila recently did a collaboration with Sanrio and released a special edition: Banila Co My Melody Clean. It’s the exact same formula, just with cute My Melody packaging instead of the regular pink tub. Limited edition thing so it won’t be around forever.
Available at: Asos, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Superdrug, Ulta and Yes Style
Key Ingredients: Safflower oil.
Benefits: Removes waterproof makeup and sunscreen; doesn’t strip skin; leaves skin soft.
Cons: Contains fragrance; gets in eyes and stings when removing eye makeup.
Skin Types: All skin types but best for dry and combination skin.
Fragrance-Free: No
iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil ($24.00)
This Korean cleansing oil mostly sunflower and canola oil to remove every last trace of makeup and impurities. The texture’s thicker than most cleansing oils, kind of velvety when you pump it out. It’s got this natural nutty smell that honestly reminds some people of cooking oil. It takes off makeup and sunscreen pretty well without drying your skin out. When you add water it emulsifies and rinses clean. Your skin feels soft and hydrated after, not tight or uncomfortable. It’s gentle enough that it won’t sting your eyes when you’re removing eye makeup, which is nice. Here’s the thing though, because it’s thicker you might need to use more product than you’d think. Like 3 pumps instead of 2, otherwise it feels like it’s pulling on your skin while you’re massaging it around. Just be mindset if you have oily skin concerns: it may clog pores and give you breakouts.
Available at: Stylevana, Superdrug, and Yes Style
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil and canola oil.
Benefits: Gentle cleansing oil; loaded with natural oils that remove makeup and sunscreen; hydrates while cleansing; doesn’t strip skin.
Cons: Smells like cooking oil; canola oil causes breakouts for some people; thicker texture can tug on skin if you don’t use enough.
Skin Types: All skin types, especially dry and sensitive, but can cause breakouts in acne-prone skin.
Fragrance-Free: Technically yes, but contains ylang ylang essential oil.
Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil ($23.00)
This gentle oil-based face cleanser is clear and colorless despite the name “black,” which comes from the black bean, black sesame, and black currant seed oils in the formula. Texture’s smooth and has more body to it than watery cleansing oils. When you’re massaging it on skin, m it feels cushiony and rich. It takes off makeup and sunscreen well, including waterproof mascara and lipstick, though waterproof products need more massaging to break down. Afterwards, your skin feels so soft and smooth, no greasy feel. There’s a light fragrance to it, kind of spa-like from essential oils. Some people barely notice it or find it subtle and therapeutic, others aren’t fans because it’s still fragrance in a cleanser. and it can irritate skin.
Available at: Asos, Sokoglam, Superdrug, Ulta, and Yes Style
Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, soybean oil, black sesame seed oil, black currant seed oil, black bean oil, vitamin E
Benefits: Removes heavy makeup and waterproof products; moisturizes while cleansing; doesn’t strip skin;
Cons: Contains fragrance from essential oils; thicker texture might be too much for oily skin; waterproof products need extra work to remove completely
Skin Types: All skin types, especially dehydrated and dry skin
Fragrance-Free: No
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil ($22.00)
This gentle Korean oil cleanser has got only nine ingredients, all plant-based, which is way more minimal than most. The texture sits somewhere between lightweight and medium, not as watery as some cleansing oils but definitely not thick. It spreads across your face easily without slipping through your fingers, and you need about 2-3 pumps to cover everything. It starts breaking down makeup and sunscreen immediately, like the second it touches your skin. Regular foundation and mascara dissolve fast, but waterproof products are a different story: those take way more massaging and sometimes you’ve got to go over spots twice to actually get everything off. Add water and it emulsifies into this milky texture, rinses clean with no greasy film left behind. Your skin feels soft and hydrated afterwards. There’s no added fragrance but it’s got this natural smell from all the plant oils that some people say reminds them of cooking oil, same thing that happens with other natural oil cleansers.
Available at: Asos, Boots, Sokoglam, Superdrug, and Yes Style
Key Ingredients: Rice bran oil (23%), sunflower seed oil, olive oil.
Benefits: Removes makeup and sunscreen; hydrates while cleansing; doesn’t strip skin.
Cons: Smells like cooking oil; waterproof mascara needs extra effort.
Skin Types: All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated
Fragrance-Free: Yes
The Bottom Line
The whole Korean skincare thing makes it seem like you need a detailed 10-step routine and two cleansers to have a healthy complexion, but that’s mostly just marketing trying to sell more products. Dry skin doesn’t need more, it needs less. Less stripping, less washing, less damage. Find one cleanser that works, use it at night when you actually need to remove stuff. That’s it.
