COSRX SALICYLIC ACID DAILY GENTLE CLEANSER 150ML

Values: 100% Genuine (Adilsons sourcing policy) / Cruelty-Free — brand-stated, not independently certified*.

*Brand-stated policy. Not independently certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or equivalent third-party audit.

If you've been washing your face three or four times a day chasing a "clean" feeling and the oil keeps coming back within hours, that's not a willpower problem — it's a stripped acid mantle telling your sebaceous glands to overcompensate. This cleanser is built to interrupt that cycle, not accelerate it.

In Mauritius heat, the shine you see by midday is sweat and sebum doing their job, not "dirt." Washing more than twice daily strips the skin's acid mantle (target pH 4.5-5.5), and the barrier responds by producing more oil to defend itself — the exact oiliness you were trying to eliminate in the first place.

This cleanser's own chemistry needs a specific caution here: its confirmed ingredient list (Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid) is a classic saponified soap base, which is inherently alkaline. That means twice-daily use of this specific cleanser can tip toward over-cleansing faster than a synthetic, low-pH gel cleanser would — see the Sensory and Chemical Profile section below for the full pH picture.

Classification: YELLOW (14+, with guidance). The 0.5% salicylic acid is a real, clinical-grade BHA active, even though the concentration is low and contact time is brief. Prepubescent skin hasn't yet developed the androgen-driven sebum production this ingredient is designed to manage, so there's little benefit and some irritation risk in introducing it before the mid-teens.

For a younger user or a first-time cleanser with zero actives, COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150ml is a gentler, synthetic-surfactant option from the same brand, verified in stock at the time of writing.

1. When: AM and/or PM.
2. How much: A pea-sized amount, worked into a lather with a little water.
3. How: Massage for 30-60 seconds on damp skin, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

The one rule: Introduce this as the ONLY new product in your routine. Wait a full 14 days before adding anything else. This isolation window ensures you can identify whether any reaction is caused by this specific product.

1. Rinse with lukewarm water.
2. COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser — pea-sized amount, massage 30-60 seconds, rinse.
3. Optional hydrating toner (5-8 drops, wait 10-20s) — in Mauritius humidity, one thin layer is usually enough since humectants pull ambient moisture from humid morning air.
4. Moisturizer (gel-cream preferred in heat), wait ~1 minute.
5. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++, non-negotiable, wait 10-15 minutes before makeup or leaving the house.

1. If wearing sunscreen/makeup: oil cleanser or balm first, emulsify, rinse.
2. COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser — second (water-based) cleanse, 30-60 seconds, rinse.
3. Targeted serum (soothing or acne-supportive), wait 30-60s.
4. Moisturizer, non-comedogenic if acne-prone.

Skin cycling placement: as a rinse-off cleanser with a low-dose BHA, this product can be used nightly regardless of which "lane" (retinoid, leave-on acid, Vitamin C) is running that night — its brief contact time doesn't count as a full active lane on its own. Save leave-on BHA/AHA/retinoid products for the cycling schedule in Section 15C below.

Technique: Dispense onto damp palms, add a little water, work into a lather, and massage in circular motions — focus on the T-zone where sebum concentrates. Rinse thoroughly; pat (don't rub) dry.

60-second rule: a full 30-60 seconds of contact time gives the surfactants and the BHA adequate time to do their job before rinsing washes them away.

Cotton pad vs. hands: hands deliver 100% of the product; cotton pads absorb roughly 30-40%. Use hands for cleansing.

If-Then: If your T-zone is especially oily by midday, focus the massage there for the full minute. If your skin is dry, AC-exposed, or reactive, drop to once daily (PM only) and use a plain low-pH gel cleanser in the morning instead.

This is an encyclopedia map of all product types. You do not use all of these daily. You select modules based on your skin state.

Global rules:

• Viscosity ladder: thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals.
• Wait times: watery layers 10-20s, serum layers 30-60s, before sunscreen 10-15 min if going outdoors.
• Default amounts: toner/essence 5-8 drops, serum 2-3 drops or 1 pump, eye product ½ rice-grain per eye, gel moisturizer 1-1.5 peas, cream 1-2 peas, occlusive seal rice-grain to pea-size, sunscreen 2 fingers for the face plus 1 for the neck.
• Hard cap: if the routine pills, stings, or feels heavy, reduce layers, not increase.

AM Maximum Stack:

1. Rinse/gentle cleanse (optional)
2. pH-prep toner (optional)
3. Hydrating toner layers (optional, 1-3)
4. Essence (optional)
5. Mist (optional)
6. Booster/soothing serum (optional)
7. Antioxidant lane — choose one
8. Pigment support lane — choose one
9. Hydration serum lane
10. Oil-control/sebum lane — choose one
11. Peptide/repair lane (optional)
12. Eye serum/cream
13. Moisturizer
14. Optional sealing layer
15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable)
16. Lip SPF

In AM, prioritize comfort + SPF adherence over stacking. In high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack:

1. Micellar (optional pre-cleanse)
2. Oil cleanser/balm (if SPF/makeup)
3. Water cleanser (this product's slot)
4. pH-prep toner (optional)
5. Hydrating toner layers (optional)
6. Essence (optional)
7. Soothing/barrier serum (optional)
8. Anchor active product (retinoid/acid/Vitamin C — not this product)
9. Targeted serum (optional)
10. Moisturizer
11. Sleeping mask (optional)
12. Occlusive seal (optional)
13. Spot treatment/patch (as needed)
14. Lip sleeping mask (optional)

Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night.

Lane strictness: Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure: default to the safest lane — barrier/hydration — and reduce layers.

As a rinse-off cleanser, this product sits at the very first rung — it is applied and removed before any other product touches the skin, so layering order doesn't apply to it the way it does to leave-on serums.

Phase compatibility: water-phase, fully rinsed off. There is no residue to consider when layering the rest of the routine afterward.

Purging vs. reaction: purging shows up in your usual breakout zones, stays surface-level, and resolves in 4-6 weeks. A reaction shows up in new areas, involves burning, swelling, or hives, and gets worse rather than better — stop immediately if you see the second pattern.

Before starting this product, your routine should already include a daily moisturizer and daily SPF — cleansing alone, without those two, tends to leave skin more reactive to everything else you add later.

• Excess sebum: soap-based surfactant system lifts oil from the skin surface.
• Blackheads/clogged pores: 0.5% salicylic acid gives brief-contact keratolytic action inside the pore lining.
• Mild inflammation: Tea Tree Leaf Oil and Willow Bark Water carry secondary anti-inflammatory/antibacterial properties.

What this product cannot do: it cannot physically shrink pore size (pores are fixed structures, not muscles), cannot resolve deep or cystic acne on its own, and cannot deliver the exfoliation depth of a leave-on BHA serum given its brief rinse-off contact time.

Soothing/hydrating toner — replaces moisture this soap-based cleanser can strip.

• Primary: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner 250ml (verified in stock) — fragrance-free, calms post-cleanse tightness. AM/PM.
• Alt 1: Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad (70EA) (verified in stock) — pre-soaked pad format for quick use.
• Alt 2: Anua Peach 77% Niacin Essence Toner 250ml (verified in stock) — adds mild brightening alongside hydration.
• Alt 3: Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol 30ml (verified in stock) — fragrance-free, higher panthenol content.

Non-comedogenic moisturizer — seals in hydration without clogging freshly cleansed pores.

• Primary: Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel 100ml (verified in stock, tagged for excess sebum) — AM/PM.
• Alt 1: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Poremizing Light Gel Cream 75ml (verified in stock) — lightweight gel for oily/combination skin.
• Alt 2: Anua Birch Moisture Boosting Cream 50ml (verified in stock) — humectant-forward gel-cream.
• Alt 3: THE FACE SHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel (verified in stock) — very light, cooling texture for humid days.

Daily SPF — mandatory after any BHA-containing product, even a rinse-off one, since BHA use is generally associated with sun-exposed routines.

• Primary: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica Soothing Sun Milk 50ml (verified in stock, tagged for acne-prone/oily skin) — AM only.
• Alt 1: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Suncream Light 50ml (verified in stock) — mineral filter, oily/combination fit.
• Alt 2: Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture SunCream 50ml (verified in stock) — serum-textured, high-volume seller.
• Alt 3: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics 50ml (verified in stock) — sensitive-skin-friendly filter set.

Pilling pairs: as a rinse-off product, this cleanser leaves nothing on the skin to pill with anything applied afterward.

This is a conflict-solver for ACTIVE ingredients. If you run multiple actives, use these rules to avoid irritation, deactivation, and barrier damage.

Universal rules: run only one primary active lane (Retinoid OR Acid Exfoliation OR L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C OR Benzoyl Peroxide OR strong acne lane) per AM or PM routine. If you break a rule, reduce frequency or split AM/PM rather than pushing through. If moisturizer stings or skin feels tight within 30 minutes of cleansing, pause all leave-on actives for 3-7 days.

This cleanser × leave-on BHA/AHA (e.g. a BHA liquid or AHA toner): the cleanser's brief contact time makes it low-risk to combine with a leave-on exfoliant on the same day, but if your skin is already flaking or stinging from the leave-on product, switch to a plain low-pH cleanser (see the alternatives in the Mindful Alternatives section) until it settles.

This cleanser × prescription tretinoin/adapalene/isotretinoin: the low-dose, rinse-off BHA here is generally compatible, but if your skin is in an active retinization/purge period, drop to once-daily PM cleansing with this product and consult your dermatologist about your full routine.

Scheduling — AM/PM Split (most common): AM: this cleanser → antioxidant serum if used → moisturizer → SPF. PM: this cleanser (or double cleanse) → active lane (retinoid OR acid, not both) → moisturizer.

Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night. One-lane rule: Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure: default to the safest lane — barrier/hydration — and reduce layers.

Pre-period breakouts happen because progesterone causes the pore lining to physically swell, narrowing the opening and trapping sebum beneath — a mechanical cause, not a hygiene failure.

MYTH: "If my skin still feels oily right after cleansing, I need a stronger cleanser." REALITY: Surface oil returns within hours regardless of cleanser strength, because sebaceous glands are still active — over-stripping just accelerates the rebound.

MYTH: "A cleanser with salicylic acid works as well as a leave-on BHA treatment." REALITY: Contact time matters more than concentration for a rinse-off product; this cleanser gives light, maintenance-level exfoliation, not the deeper action of a leave-on serum.

MYTH: "Squeaky-clean skin means the cleanser worked." REALITY: That feeling means the acid mantle has been stripped past its comfortable range — the goal is clean, not tight.

Hard water note: Mauritius tap water hardness varies by region; hard water can leave a mineral (calcium-stearate) film after cleansing that adds to tightness. Following with a hydrating, pH-adjusting toner (see Best Paired With above) helps counteract this.

*Ingredient-level evidence for salicylic acid as a keratolytic/anti-inflammatory BHA is well-established in dermatological literature; no finished-product clinical trial for this exact formula was found.

Full INCI (sourced from two independently-converging INCIDecoder-family listings; direct brand/database page fetches were blocked in this research environment, so this carries medium confidence): Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycol Distearate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Salicylic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA.

*The 0.5% Salicylic Acid appears right at the estimated 1% line, consistent with the brand-stated concentration. The botanical extract cascade (Saccharomyces Ferment onward) sits well below that line, at supporting/trace levels rather than clinically active doses — its inclusion is likely primarily for marketing and minor secondary benefit rather than a strong standalone effect.

Preservative system: Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, and Citric Acid function together as a modern, paraben-free preservative/pH-adjusting system.

Fragrance status: Contains Fragrance (Parfum)*. This corrects an earlier version of this product's own listing, which had claimed "Fragrance-free" — two independent research passes this pass both found "Fragrance" listed explicitly in the INCI, with PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil present as its solubilizer.

*Based on WebSearch summaries of third-party INCI databases rather than a direct brand-page fetch (blocked in this environment) — medium confidence. The term "Fragrance" in the INCI may contain undisclosed allergens. Patch test advised for sensitive individuals.

Scent: A mild, medicinal scent, most likely from the combination of the disclosed Fragrance ingredient and the Tea Tree Leaf Oil.

EU 26 allergen screen: No individual EU26-named allergens (e.g. Limonene, Linalool) were separately disclosed in the INCI found this pass — only the general "Fragrance" entry. Treat as a potential source of undisclosed allergens per the footnote above.

Alcohol disclosure: Alcohol-Free. No denatured or drying alcohol appears in the INCI found this pass.

Aspirin/salicylate sensitivity: Salicylic Acid is chemically related to aspirin. If you have a diagnosed aspirin allergy or salicylate sensitivity, do not use this product — even at 0.5% and in a rinse-off format, real cross-reactivity is documented for topical salicylates in sensitized individuals.

Prescription topical acne treatments: if you're currently using prescription tretinoin, adapalene, isotretinoin, or a benzoyl peroxide treatment, this cleanser's low-dose BHA is generally low-risk to combine given its brief contact time, but mention it to your dermatologist if you experience increased dryness or irritation after starting it.

Halal status: Halal-Friendly*.

*Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No ethanol from fermentation, no porcine-derived ingredients, and no haram animal-derived ingredients detected in the declared ingredient list. This is NOT a formal Halal certification. Muslims with stricter requirements should consult their own scholars.

Vegan status: Vegan-Friendly*. This corrects an earlier version of this product's listing, which had claimed "Not Vegan — Contains beeswax derivatives" — no beeswax or other bee-derived ingredient appears anywhere in the INCI found via independent research this pass.

*Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No animal-derived ingredients detected. This is NOT a formal vegan certification by The Vegan Society or equivalent body.

Cruelty-free status: Brand-stated policy*. COSRX has not been found on PETA's or Leaping Bunny's public cruelty-free databases, and the brand sells through mainland Chinese retail channels, where post-market animal testing may be required by law for products sold through that specific channel (cross-border e-commerce may be exempt).

*Not independently certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or equivalent third-party audit.

Microplastic-Free: Yes — no listed polymers of concern found in the confirmed INCI.

MFDS classification: General Cosmetic. No evidence of a Functional Cosmetic classification (which would require additional South Korean government efficacy testing) was found for this product.

Clinical evidence: Salicylic acid's keratolytic and anti-inflammatory action is well-documented at the ingredient level in dermatological literature. No product-specific clinical trial for this exact finished formula was found.

Evidence confidence: Medium. The core active's mechanism is well-supported science; the finished-product claims (as opposed to the ingredient science) rely on brand marketing rather than an independently published study.

A possible reformulation history was flagged during research (conflicting pH reports and one reviewer's note that the current formula felt milder than a version they remembered), but no confirmed reformulation event or date was found — this is noted as an open question, not stated as fact.

pH — honest picture: independent sources genuinely disagree, reporting figures anywhere from ~5.3 to 8.9-10. The confirmed ingredient list (Water, Glycerin, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid) is a textbook saponified soap base — chemically, saponified soap is inherently alkaline, which lines up with the higher-pH reports better than the lower one. We are not stating a single precise figure as fact; treat this as a moderately alkaline, soap-based cleanser rather than a "low pH" one, and pair it with a pH-balancing toner afterward.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Conditional. Contains Glycol Distearate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, and Polysorbate 80 — fatty-acid-ester/PEG-type ingredients some community FA-safety trackers flag in leave-on products. As a rinse-off cleanser with only 30-60 seconds of skin contact, real-world risk is generally considered much lower than the same ingredients in a leave-on formula, but if you're strictly FA-safe, patch test and monitor.

Assessment: None. As a rinse-off cleanser, nothing remains on the skin to interact with subsequent products, so pilling is not a relevant risk here.

Color baseline: a fresh product should be a uniform white-to-cream paste. Yellowing, separation, or a rancid smell signal oxidation or spoilage — discard if you notice these.

Storage: Mauritius bathroom humidity and heat can accelerate breakdown of some preservative systems over time. Keep the tube capped and out of direct sun; avoid leaving it on a sun-exposed windowsill.

Spoilage signs: off/rancid smell, visible separation that won't remix, or a change in color. When in doubt, discard.

Patch test: apply a small amount to your inner forearm, wait 24 hours; if clear, test behind the ear for another 24 hours; if still clear, begin facial use.

72-hour barrier reset: if you experience an adverse reaction, stop all actives. For 72 hours, use only a gentle cleanser, plain moisturizer, and mineral SPF — no acids, retinoids, Vitamin C, exfoliants, or essential oils. After 72 hours, reintroduce one product per 14 days.

Emergency stop signals: hives, swelling, blistering, persistent burning, or breathing difficulty — seek emergency care immediately and discontinue use.

Do not use if: you have a diagnosed aspirin/salicylate allergy, or on broken/damaged skin.

Pregnancy/breastfeeding: the confirmed 0.5% salicylic acid concentration in this brief-contact, rinse-off cleanser is below the level typically flagged as a pregnancy concern (that threshold generally applies to leave-on products above 2%). As with any active-containing product, check with your doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, as a routine precaution rather than a specific contraindication.

• Washing more than twice daily to chase a "clean" feeling — this worsens the oiliness it's meant to fix.
• Rubbing vigorously to "really scrub" — friction irritates skin without improving results; pat, don't rub, when drying.
• Skipping moisturizer because skin "already feels oily" — this accelerates the over-cleansing rebound cycle.
• Expecting deep pore-clearing results from a rinse-off product — that's a leave-on BHA's job.
• Using it right after a fresh aspirin/salicylate reaction elsewhere on the body without checking with a doctor first.

Overuse threshold: more than twice daily consistently strips the barrier faster than it can recover — this does not speed up results, it causes damage.

At a pea-sized amount per use, twice daily, a 150ml tube typically lasts approximately 2-3 months of regular use. Using more than the recommended pea-sized amount shortens this without improving results — correct dosage extends the product's life while giving the same outcome.

Consider reordering roughly 2 weeks before you expect the tube to run out, to allow for delivery time.

This cleanser is the entry point of an oily/acne-prone-skin routine — it manages surface oil and gives pores a light daily maintenance pass, setting up whatever leave-on treatment does the deeper work.

AM: 1) This cleanser 2) Hydrating toner (optional) 3) Lightweight moisturizer 4) SPF50+ PA++++.
PM: 1) Oil cleanser first if wearing makeup/SPF 2) This cleanser 3) Soothing toner 4) Targeted serum if used 5) Moisturizer.

If your skin is barrier-compromised right now (stinging on moisturizer, visible flaking): pause this cleanser and switch to COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser until your barrier recovers.

If you're in air conditioning most of the day: follow this cleanser with a humectant toner sealed under a proper moisturizer — AC pulls moisture from skin faster than a soap-based cleanse alone accounts for.

If you're in the luteal phase of your cycle: this is when the light BHA pass helps most with pre-period congestion — no change to frequency needed, just don't add a second exfoliant on top.

Stock-true bundle — Oil Control Basics (3 pieces): This cleanser + Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel + SKIN1004 Tea-Trica Soothing Sun Milk. Cleanse AM/PM, moisturize both, SPF every morning.

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth.

The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, not on margin or stock levels. If a pairing does not exist in our catalog, we say so. If you already own a product that fills the same role, use what you have first.

If you want gentler, lower-pH options instead of this soap-based formula:

• Primary: COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser 150ml (verified in stock) — synthetic-surfactant gel formula, community-reported pH around 5.1, less likely to feel tight after use.
• Alt 1: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser 100ml (verified in stock) — low-pH (~5.5) with mild natural-AHA exfoliation instead of BHA.
• Alt 2: Anua Heartleaf Succinic Cleansing Foam 150ml (verified in stock) — low-pH, 0.5% Succinic Acid, formulated for sensitive skin.
• Alt 3: Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150ml (verified in stock) — low-pH, pore-focused, soothing-forward for reactive oily skin.

If you already have a comparable cleanser at home, finish it first to get a fair read on results before switching.

Choose COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser over COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser if you need daily BHA exposure in your cleanse step: it delivers a confirmed 0.5% salicylic acid active that the Low pH cleanser does not carry.

If your skin is oily, resilient, and breaking out with blackheads/clogged pores: this product is the better fit. If your skin stings on moisturizer or feels tight within 30 minutes of any cleanse: the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is the safer starting point — do not upgrade to this one until your barrier is intact.

Timing: both are AM/PM cleansers; neither occupies a leave-on "active lane," so either can sit ahead of any retinoid/acid/Vitamin C step without a conflict.

Don't upgrade if: your barrier is currently compromised; you're new to BHA and unsure how your skin reacts; you already use a leave-on BHA elsewhere in your routine and don't need a second BHA touchpoint.

If you match the "oily, resilient, blackhead-prone" profile above, this is worth choosing. If not, the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is sufficient and safer. Consistency beats complexity.

This product's PRIMARY function is: a daily, low-dose BHA cleanser for oily/acne-prone skin. You do NOT need this if you already own another salicylic-acid or BHA-based daily cleanser with a similar concentration — finish your current one first.

Check your shelf for an open cleanser with the same primary role before buying a second one; with a 12-month PAO, buying a duplicate while one is already open and unfinished is genuine product waste.

Stacking assessment: No Benefit if you already run a leave-on BHA daily (same mechanism, redundant exposure) — Significant Benefit if your current cleanser has no active at all and you want a low-effort way to add one.

This product is sourced through authorized Korean distributors — primarily Craver Co., Ltd (South Korea), alongside other verified distribution partners. Craver is a major Korean beauty distributor and the parent company of SKIN1004, handling authorized distribution for multiple K-beauty brands. All products are shipped directly to Mauritius via verified channels.

For comprehensive information about how we verify authenticity, our layered verification system, and how to check your product at home, visit our dedicated Authenticity and Trust page.

Quick checks for this SKU: look for a crisp, laser-printed (not sticker-applied) batch code on the tube, and try COSRX's own verification tool at official.cosrx.com/record if your unit has a QR code.

COSRX was founded in Seoul, South Korea in 2013 and was acquired by Amorepacific Corporation in October 2023, after operating independently for a decade. The brand built its reputation on a minimal, low-irritation, "skin-friendly" formulation philosophy that still shapes its identity today, even as it has grown into a larger, more diversified catalog spanning acne care, barrier repair, and hydration lines.

Whether COSRX manufactures its products fully in-house or via contract manufacturers post-acquisition has not been independently confirmed in our research. Its best-known hero product line is Advanced Snail, built around snail secretion filtrate, though this Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser predates and sits outside that line as one of the brand's original acne-care staples.

No individually attributable, directly quotable review (a specific dated post with a named platform and clear skin type) was retrievable through this research pass, given the network restrictions on directly reading review pages. What follows paraphrases the real, recurring themes found across Acne.org, iHerb, Amazon listing summaries, and several independent skincare review blogs, rather than inventing quotes.

Positive: a recurring theme among reviewers with oily/acne-prone skin is that this cleanser feels gentle enough for daily use while still helping manage mild breakouts, with some noting visible improvement within about two weeks of consistent use.

Mixed: several reviewers describe a rich, creamy lather that doesn't leave the classic "squeaky clean" tightness — while others, generally with drier skin, report the opposite experience with the same product.

Critical: a recurring minority — concentrated among reviewers with dry or sensitive skin — describe the cleanser as too drying with twice-daily use, consistent with its soap-based, likely-alkaline chemistry discussed in the Sensory and Chemical Profile section above.

Sustainability: the tube is generally recyclable through Mauritius's standard plastics stream once fully emptied and rinsed; this product does not currently offer a refill format.

What's the difference between this and the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser? This one is a soap-based formula built around 0.5% salicylic acid for oily/acne-prone skin; the Low pH cleanser is a synthetic-surfactant gel with no BHA, gentler for sensitive or dry skin.

Can I use this if I have an aspirin allergy? No. Salicylic Acid is chemically related to aspirin, and real cross-reactivity is documented — avoid this product if you have a diagnosed aspirin or salicylate allergy.

Is it fragrance-free? No — independent research found "Fragrance" listed in the confirmed INCI, contrary to an earlier version of this listing that claimed it was fragrance-free.

Will this clear my blackheads on its own? It helps with light, ongoing maintenance, but as a rinse-off product with only 30-60 seconds of contact time, it will not deliver the depth of exfoliation a leave-on BHA serum provides for established blackheads.

Can I use it during pregnancy? The confirmed 0.5% concentration in a brief-contact rinse-off format is below the level generally flagged as a pregnancy concern, but check with your doctor as routine precaution before adding any new active-containing product.

BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acid)

An oil-soluble acid, most commonly salicylic acid, that penetrates into the pore lining to help clear congestion.

Keratolytic

A substance that helps loosen and shed the outer layer of skin cells.

Saponification

The chemical reaction between a fatty acid and an alkali (here, Potassium Hydroxide) that forms soap — inherently alkaline.

Acid mantle

The skin's naturally slightly-acidic surface layer (pH 4.5-5.5) that helps protect against bacteria and irritation.

Purging

A temporary increase in breakouts when a new active speeds up cell turnover, bringing existing congestion to the surface faster.

FA-Conditional

Contains an ingredient some fungal-acne-safety trackers flag as a possible Malassezia feeder, with risk depending on use context (e.g. rinse-off vs. leave-on).

MFDS

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the regulator overseeing cosmetic safety and efficacy claims.

Every product sold by Adilsons Beauty is 100% genuine, sourced through authorized Korean distribution channels. Full details on our verification system: Authenticity and Trust.

Our team is available to help you build a routine, troubleshoot reactions, and answer ingredient questions. WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

For in-depth skincare education, visit our blog at adilsons.mu/blogs/k-beauty or subscribe to our email to get our guided education series delivered to your inbox.

Coverage: Island-wide delivery (Mauritius).

Processing and Timing: Orders process in 1-2 business days; usually ready by Day 3 for pickup by our delivery partners/regional team. Partner collection can take up to 1 week. After pickup, delivery typically takes 1-5 business days (weekdays only).

Express: May be available by region; request on WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

Liquids/Sensitive Items: Serums, toners, liquid makeup (and kits containing liquids) are pickup or door-to-door only; checkout enforces this.

Scheduling: Deliveries run by region on set schedules; we will contact you the evening before.

Pickup: Citadelle Mall pickup available.

Returns: No change-of-mind exchanges.

Refunds (Summary): For defective/damaged on receipt (report within 48h), wrong item, or manufacturing defect within 6 months. Refunds via bank transfer (7-10 business days); card refunds may incur a 5% processor fee (fee not charged for defects/order errors). Opened skincare/personal-care items are non-returnable (except if damaged on delivery).

Source of Truth: This is a quick snapshot. If anything differs, the policy pages are final.

Store Policies: For the most up-to-date information, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Best for: oily, combination, or acne-prone skin in Mauritius' heat and humidity that wants a daily, low-dose BHA cleanse without committing to a full leave-on exfoliant.

Key benefits:

• Confirmed 0.5% Salicylic Acid for light, ongoing pore maintenance.
• Rich foaming lather that lifts excess sebum and sweat effectively.
• Simple, single-step addition to any existing routine.

Keep in mind:

• This is a soap-based, likely-alkaline formula — not a low-pH gel cleanser — and can feel drying for dry or sensitive skin with twice-daily use.
• Contains Fragrance and is not suitable for anyone with an aspirin/salicylate allergy.
• Won't replace a leave-on BHA for deeper pore-clearing goals.