Makeup

Best Japanese Cleansing Gels for all Skin Types

Cleansing gels are suitable for all skin types including ultra-sensitive skin as they would be moisturizing and less harsh than normal cleansers.

1. Matsuyama Hadauru Moisturizing Cleansing Gel

This is a Japanese cleansing gel that absorbs and removes dirt and makeup from the skin with a gentle formula that contains moisturizing ingredients.

RatingPrice
10/10$$

Pros:

  • It is suitable for all skin types including ultra-sensitive skin.
  • It reduces tightness or dryness after washing and leaves your skin moisturized.
  • It is free from alcohol, parabens, synthetic perfumes, artificial colorings, and mineral oils.
  • It also contains soy bean-derived ingredients that assist the moisture-retaining function of the horny layer.

Cons:

  • None

What ingredients does it contain?

Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Water, Sodium Surfactin, Glycine, Soybean Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol.

2. Curél Makeup Cleansing Gel

This Japanese cleansing gel is designed specifically for dry, sensitive skin. It gently cleanses the makeup from deep within the pores while hydrating the skin and protecting the natural ceramides from being washed off the skin.

RatingPrice
10/10$

Pros:

  • It is a mild, silky formula that thoroughly removes makeup while protecting the natural ceramides.
  • It is pH-balanced, fragrance-free, and colorant-free.

Cons:

  • It does contain alcohol though.

What ingredients does it contain?

Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Water/Aqua, Octyldodeceth-20, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Ethylparaben, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Tocopherol.

3. Nursery Yuzu Cleansing Gel

This is another Japanese cleansing gel that is made for sensitive skin and is also suitable for all skin types.

RatingPrice
10/10$$

Pros:

  • It is made from Japanese Yuzu and other botanical ingredients used in Japan since ancient times.
  • It is formulated without artificial colorants and fragrances.

Cons:

  • None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Bg, Dpg, Tri (Caprylic / Capric Acid) Glyceryl, Carbomer, Peanut Oil, Methylparaben, Lime Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Orange Oil, Lemon Oil, Glycyrrhizic Acid 2k, Kihaeda Bark Extract, Ginger Roots Oil, Jojoba Oil, Crystalline Cellulose, Sunflower Oil, Ppg-4 Ceteth-20, Lactobacillus / Milk Fermentation Solution (Milk), Trehalose, Ethanol, Ceramide 2, Licorice Root Extract, Peony Root Root Extract, Otananedin Extract, Na Hyaluronic Acid, Horsetail Extract, Hawthorn Extract, Water Soluble Collagen, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Arbutin

Note: ingredients might be inaccurate.

4. Biore Ouchi de Esthe Massage Facial Wash Gel

This is a non-foaming Japanese cleansing gel formulated for normal to oily skin.

RatingPrice
10/10$

Pros:

  • It gently loosens and removes keratin plugs, dead skin buildup, and excess oil that can lead to blackheads and enlarged pores.
  • It is free from alcohol, paraben, and silicone.

Cons:

  • None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Sorbitol, Trehalose, Arginine, Mannitol, acrylates C10-30, alkyl, Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Laureth-21, Myrisitc acid, Laureth-6 Carboxylic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance.

5. Shiseido – SHIKULIME Gel-to-Oil Cleanser

This is a two-in-one, gel-to-oil cleanser, and makeup remover that washes away impurities, without drying skin.

RatingPrice
10/10$$

Pros:

  • It effortlessly removes impurities and even waterproof makeup.
  • It maintains moisture and does not leave skin feeling tight or dry.
  • It is vegan, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free.
  • It is dermatologist-tested and ophthalmologist-tested.

Cons:

None.

What ingredients does it contain?

INGREDIENTS: HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE・CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE・SORBITOL・WATER(AQUA/EAU)・GLYCERIN・ISODODECANE・DIMETHICONE・DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL TRIMETHICONE・SUCROSE STEARATE・PPG-15-BUTETH-20・BUTYLENE GLYCOL・VITIS VINIFERA (GRAPE) SEED OIL・CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL・PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL・SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE・XANTHAN GUM・SODIUM CITRATE・CITRIC ACID・ APPLE FRUIT WATER・SODIUM METAPHOSPHATE・TOCOPHEROL・CITRUS DEPRESSA PEEL EXTRACT・DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL・ALCOHOL・TRISODIUM EDTA・PHENOXYETHANOL・IRON OXIDES・BHT.

6. Kose – Softymo Lachesca Hot Gel Cleansing

Softymo Lachesca is a self-warming Japanese cleansing gel that should be suitable for all skin types.

RatingPrice
10/10$$

Pros:

  • It gives a gentle warming effect on contact with the skin, dissolving makeup and impurities in the pores while renewing the skin.
  • It contains 90% skin-beautifying ingredients with microcapsules to gently slough off dead skin cells and blackheads.

Cons:

  • None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Glycerin, PEG-8, Triisostearate PEG-20 glyceryl, Isostearate PEG-20 glyceryl, Archichoke leaf extract, Yellow pepper leaf extract, Ascorbyl tetrahexyldecanoate, BG, TEA, (acrylate / alkyl acrylate (C10-30) )) Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, Water, Fragrance, Caramel.

7. Senka All Clear Gel Cleanser and Makeup Remover

This is a water-based gel with a gentle cleansing formula that removes impurities without stripping the skin dry.

RatingPrice
10/10$

Pros:

  • It has rice bran oil that gently cleanses pores to remove dirt, blackheads, and sebum.
  • It also contains hyaluronic acid and naturally derived silk cocoon essence that leaves the skin moisturized.

Cons:

  • None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Algin, Sorbitol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Mineral Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone Copolyol, Water, Peg/Ppg-25/30 Copolymer, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sucrose Stearate, Sorbitol, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Fragrance.

Which of these products would be suitable for me?

We recommend going with Matsuyama Hadauru or Curél. You can also try Nursery Yuzu but it contains a lot of ingredients that could irritate sensitive skin (like lemon).

Biore, Shiseido, Kose, and Senka are some other options.