Round Lab 1025 DOKDO CLEANSING BALM 100ml

Values: 100% Genuine · FA-Conditional · Halal-Friendly* · Vegan-Uncertain

Pros: Genuine 5-ceramide barrier support; real named plant-oil trio; melts stubborn sunscreen effectively per multiple retailer-hosted reviews.
Caveats: Contains real Bergamot Fruit Oil and Sage Oil (2 EU26 allergens: Limonene, Linalool); contains plain "Cholesterol" with an undisclosed biological source, so vegan status is genuinely uncertain rather than confidently vegan; this is a duplicate Shopify listing of the same formula sold elsewhere in our catalog under a different handle (round-lab-1025-dokdo-cleansing-balm-100ml) — a data-entry detail, not a formulation concern.

The "grimy" feeling by midday in Mauritius heat is sebum and sweat doing their job, not dirt — over-washing strips the acid mantle (target pH 4.5-5.5) and triggers the very oiliness people are trying to eliminate.

This balm breaks the cycle differently than a foam: it dissolves oil-based residue (sunscreen, sebum, makeup) using its own oil-phase base rather than surfactant stripping, and its ceramide/cholesterol/phytosphingosine lipid complex actively re-deposits barrier lipids during the melt-and-rinse process.

Classification: YELLOW (14+ with guidance). The gentle LHA/PHA exfoliation lane and essential-oil fragrance make this a fine choice for teens managing makeup or SPF removal, but it is not necessary for younger skin with no makeup routine.

For younger or fragrance-sensitive skin, Round Lab Baby Mild Top to Toe Wash 300ml is a fragrance-conscious alternative in our catalog.

Step 1 (When): PM, as your first cleanse if wearing sunscreen or makeup. Step 2 (How much): A grape-to-walnut-size scoop. Step 3 (How): Massage onto completely dry skin for 30-60 seconds, add water to emulsify to a milky texture, then rinse.

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.

This is primarily a PM first-cleanse product. In the AM, most users skip an oil cleanse and go straight to a water-based cleanser like 1025 Dokdo Bubble Foam unless skin is unusually oily from overnight occlusives.

1. 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Balm on dry skin, massage 30-60s, emulsify with water, rinse → 2. Water-based cleanser (second cleanse) → 3. Toner → 4. Treatment → 5. Moisturizer.

This double-cleanse sequence matters most on sunscreen/makeup days; on bare-skin days, a single water-based cleanse is sufficient and this balm can be skipped.

Emulsify-first technique: massage onto dry skin for 30-60 seconds before adding any water — adding water too early prevents the balm from properly dissolving oil-based residue.

Required skin state: completely dry hands and face at the start; damp skin dilutes the balm's oil-dissolving action prematurely.

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 execution rules: Viscosity ladder — thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals. Wait times — watery layers 10-20s, serums 30-60s, before sunscreen 10-15 min if going outdoors.

Amounts — toner/essence 5-8 drops per layer; serum/ampoule 2-3 drops; eye product ½ rice-grain per eye; gel moisturizer 1-1.5 peas, cream 1-2 peas; sunscreen 2-finger rule for face plus 1 finger for neck. Hydrators go on slightly damp skin; retinoids on fully dry skin; 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 (1-3, optional) → 4. Essence (optional) → 5. Mist (optional) → 6. Soothing serum (optional) → 7. Antioxidant lane (choose one) → 8. Pigment support lane (choose one) → 9. Hydration serum lane (optional) → 10. Oil-control/sebum lane (choose one) → 11. Peptide/repair lane (optional) → 12. Eye cream (optional) → 13. Moisturizer → 14. Optional sealing layer (dry/AC only) → 15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable) → 16. Lip SPF (optional). In AM, prioritize comfort and SPF adherence over stacking — in high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack: 1. Micellar pre-cleanse (optional) → 2. Oil/balm cleanser (this product's slot, if SPF/makeup) → 3. Water cleanser (second cleanse) → 4. pH-prep toner (optional) → 5. Hydrating toner layers (optional) → 6. Essence (optional) → 7. Soothing/barrier serum (optional) → 8. Anchor treatment product → 9. Targeted serum (optional, if non-conflicting) → 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: 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.

Tier: Rinse-off oil/balm — the very first step of a PM routine, before any water-based product.

Rheological note: this product appears thick and solid in the jar but transforms to a thin oil the moment it contacts warm skin — do not judge the texture by how it looks in the container.

Makeup/sunscreen residue: the oil-phase base dissolves lipophilic sunscreen filters and long-wear makeup that water alone cannot remove. Post-cleanse barrier support: the five-ceramide, cholesterol, phytosphingosine complex is the same lipid family naturally found in the skin's own barrier.

What this product cannot do: it cannot treat active acne, cannot resurface deep texture on its own (its LHA/PHA dose is a rinse-off maintenance level, not a leave-on treatment strength), and cannot substitute for a dedicated eye-makeup remover on waterproof mascara without extra time.

Second-cleanse follow-up — Primary: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Bubble Foam 150ml (same mineral-water lineage, completes the double cleanse). Alternatives: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser 150ml, Anua 8 Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Gentle Gel Cleanser, COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.

Toner follow-up — Primary: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Pad 120ml. Alternatives: Medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild 70pcs, Benton Guava 70 Skin Toner Face Mask Pad.

Pilling pairs: none — this rinses off completely before leave-on products are applied.

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

This product's LHA/PHA lane × a separate leave-on AHA/BHA/retinoid: the rinse-off exfoliation here is mild enough to run alongside a PM retinoid or acid on most skin, but if you are new to actives, treat cleanser-level exfoliants and your leave-on treatment as the same lane for your first 2 weeks and monitor for irritation before combining freely.

Barrier override: if moisturizer stings or skin feels tight within 30 minutes of cleansing, pause all other actives and use this balm plus a plain moisturizer only for 3-7 days.

MYTH: "Oil cleansers will make oily skin worse." REALITY: "like dissolves like" — oil-based cleansers lift oil-based residue (sebum, sunscreen) more effectively than water-based surfactants, and this balm rinses away completely, leaving no oily film.

MYTH: "If I don't wear makeup, I don't need to double-cleanse." REALITY: true — on bare-skin days, skip this balm and use only your water-based cleanser; double-cleansing every day regardless of makeup use is unnecessary and can over-cleanse dry/sensitive skin.

Hard water note: follow this balm with a toner to counteract any calcium-stearate film hard water can leave after the emulsify-and-rinse step.

Full INCI: Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Isododecane, Synthetic Wax, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Water, Protease, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sea Water, Stearic Acid, [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide AS, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Limonene, Linalool, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin.

*Reused from an earlier independently-verified research pass on the same formula sold under a different Shopify handle; direct WebFetch to incidecoder.com/roundlab.com was not available in that session either — treat exact ordering as directionally, not certifiably, accurate.

Fairy dusting note: *Tocopherol and the botanical extract cluster (Melia Azadirachta, Coccinia Indica, Curcuma Longa, Ocimum Sanctum) appear below the estimated 1% line, suggesting trace/marketing-tier presence rather than a clinically meaningful concentration.

Fragrance status: Essential Oils Only — Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil and Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil.

Scent: Herbal-citrus, moderate intensity, dissipates within 1-5 minutes of rinsing. EU 26 allergen screen: Limonene and Linalool detected (naturally occurring constituents of the Bergamot and Sage oils).

Alcohol disclosure: Alcohol-Free (no ethanol/denatured alcohol in the declared INCI).

Halal: *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: Uncertain, not confidently vegan. The declared INCI includes plain "Cholesterol" with an undisclosed biological source — commonly wool-grease/lanolin-derived (animal) but also producible synthetically or from plant sterols. We do not apply the standard Vegan-Friendly badge to this product without this caveat.

Cruelty-Free: *Brand-stated policy; available cruelty-free-directory sources report genuinely conflicting information on formal third-party certification for ROUND LAB.

Microplastic-Free: Yes, based on the aggregated INCI checked this pass.

MFDS Classification: General Cosmetic — no Functional Cosmetic registration found.

Evidence confidence: Medium. The ceramide-barrier-support mechanism is well-established dermatology science as an ingredient class; the "Dermatologically tested" claim seen in retail copy is Claim Only* — no sample size, protocol, or institution was disclosed.

Note on this exact listing: Adilsons currently sells this same 100ml formula under two separate Shopify listings (this one, and round-lab-1025-dokdo-cleansing-balm-100ml). This listing's own dispensing instructions describe a spatula-scoop jar, while the sibling 100ml and 50ml listings both describe the newer twist/grind dispenser — this may reflect genuinely different packaging batches of the same formula rather than an error.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Conditional. Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, and Ethylhexyl Palmitate are all present, ingredients some FA-safety community lists flag as conditional depending on individual sensitivity.

Assessment: None. As a rinse-off cleanser, this does not remain on skin to pill with subsequent layers.

Fresh balm should be an even, pale solid with a herbal-citrus scent. Store away from direct sun and bathroom heat above ~30°C, since the wax/oil base can soften or separate under sustained heat in Mauritius' warmer months.

Spoilage signs: a sour/rancid smell replacing the herbal-citrus note, visible oil separation at the surface, or a gritty texture change. When in doubt, discard.

Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours, then behind the ear for 24 hours, before full facial use — this is especially important given the real essential-oil content.

72-hour barrier reset: if you react, stop all actives; for 72 hours use only a gentle cleanser, plain moisturizer, and mineral SPF. Reintroduce one product per 14 days after.

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

1. Adding water before massaging on dry skin.
2. Using it as a sole cleanse without a water-based second step on heavy makeup days.
3. Applying too close to the eyes.
4. Skipping the barrier moisturizer afterward.
5. Assuming "oil cleanser" means it will make oily skin oilier — it rinses away completely.

At a grape-to-walnut-size scoop per use, a 100ml jar provides roughly 50-70 uses — about 7-10 weeks at nightly use. Using more than needed shortens the jar's life without improving the cleanse.

Reorder roughly 2 weeks before you expect to run out.

This balm is the first step of a PM double-cleanse — everything else in your evening routine follows a properly, gently dissolved makeup/sunscreen layer.

PM: 1. Cleansing Balm (dry-skin massage, emulsify, rinse) → 2. 1025 Dokdo Bubble Foam (second cleanse) → 3. 1025 Dokdo Pad → 4. Treatment → 5. Moisturizer.

If you did not wear sunscreen or makeup that day: skip this balm entirely and single-cleanse with the water-based step. If you are barrier-compromised right now: continue using this balm (it is gentle) but pause any separate leave-on acid or retinoid until skin calms.

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth. The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with this Cleansing Balm, not on margin or stock levels.

If you want a similar sherbet-textured balm without the essential-oil fragrance, House of Hur Purifying Cleansing Balm 50ML is a close in-catalog comparison. Other verified in-stock options: Dr.Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm 50ML, Banila Co Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm 100ML, Purito Seoul From Green Avocado Cleansing Balm 100ML.

Choose 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Balm over House of Hur Purifying Cleansing Balm if you want a genuine 5-ceramide barrier-lipid complex alongside the cleanse, not just makeup removal.

If you have fragrance sensitivity or a documented Bergamot/Sage reaction, the House of Hur alternative (verify its own fragrance status before switching) or an unscented balm is the safer starting point.

If you match the barrier-support need above, this is worth choosing. If not, the alternative is sufficient and safer. Consistency beats complexity.

This product's PRIMARY function is: oil-based first-cleanse makeup/sunscreen removal with barrier lipid support. You do NOT need this if you already own an oil or balm cleanser you like and don't wear heavy makeup/sunscreen daily — finish your current one first.

Duplicate-listing note: if you already purchased "Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Balm 100ml" from our other listing, this is the same formula — you do not need both.

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 verification tips: genuine 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Balm packaging (either the scoop-jar or the newer twist/grind format) shows crisp, evenly-aligned printing; be cautious of pricing well below typical retail.

ROUND LAB's 1025 Dokdo line is named for its deep-sea mineral-water sourcing from Dokdo and Ulleungdo islands, part of the brand's broader practice of anchoring each product line to one specific, real Korean natural source rather than a single catalog-wide hero ingredient.

Reused from our prior independent research on this same formula (sold under a different Shopify handle): retailer-hosted review snippets describe it as gentle on sensitive and acne-prone skin, effective at removing waterproof makeup without stripping, with several reviewers reporting repurchase. Hwahae's aggregate skin-type data suggests dry-skin users may feel slight tightness after use.

No individually-attributable named-reviewer Reddit or Amazon quote was found for this exact formula at the time of writing.

Sustainability: Rinse and recycle the jar where local PP/glass facilities accept it; not a refillable format.

Can I use this without water-based double cleansing? On bare-skin, no-makeup days, yes; on sunscreen/makeup days, follow with a water-based cleanser for a proper double cleanse.

Is this the same as the other 100ml Cleansing Balm listing in your store? Yes — this is the same formula sold under a second Shopify listing; you only need to buy one.

Is this vegan? Uncertain — it contains plain "Cholesterol" whose biological source the brand does not disclose, so we cannot confidently label it vegan.

Does it contain fragrance? Yes, real Bergamot Fruit Oil and Sage Oil, not a synthetic "Parfum" — patch test if you are fragrance-sensitive.

Will this help with acne? Its LHA/PHA content offers mild maintenance-level exfoliation, but active acne needs a dedicated leave-on treatment.

Sherbet texture

A solid balm that melts into a liquid oil the moment it warms against skin.

Emulsify

The process of an oil-based product turning milky and rinseable when mixed with water.

LHA (Lipohydroxyacid)

A gentler, slower-acting cousin of Salicylic Acid (BHA).

Ceramide

A lipid naturally found in skin's outer barrier that helps lock in moisture.

Double cleanse

Using an oil/balm cleanser first, then a water-based cleanser second, to fully remove sunscreen/makeup and residue.

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: normal-to-dry skin that regularly wears sunscreen or makeup and wants a barrier-supportive oil-based first cleanse.

Key benefits: genuine 5-ceramide + plant-oil formula; effective sunscreen/makeup dissolving; melts to a non-greasy, fully rinseable finish.

Keep in mind: contains real Bergamot and Sage essential oils (patch test if fragrance-sensitive); vegan status is genuinely uncertain due to an undisclosed Cholesterol source; this is the same formula as another listing in our catalog, so buy only one.