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Japanese gel cleansers, or cleansing gels, as they're sometimes called, have a unique, thick texture that allows them to remove makeup without causing too much friction. Additionally, while most cleansing gels in the US are water-based, Japanese cleansing gels can also be oil-based while retaining many of the benefits of water-based cleansing gels. Today, there are a variety of brands selling cleansing gels, from drugstore brands such as Biore, and Kao, to high-end brands such as KOSÉ and THREE, all offering different strengths and weaknesses, making it difficult to know knowing which product works best.
To help you find which products are the best Japanese cleansing gels, we gathered the 32 best-selling products from e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, and @cosme SHOPPING, and tested them all.
We tested each product for the following:
We then ranked the ten best products based on our test results and put what we learned into a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese cleansing gel available online in 2022.
Kaori is the representative director of Japan's Scientific Beauty Institute. She also runs the Beauty Science Blog, which sends out beauty science information in a way that's easy to understand. She operates with the mission of "wanting people to enjoy the process of finding skincare that works for them by offering a scientific perspective". Kaori broadcasts her expert knowledge from working with skincare and cosmetics societies and academic journals on her blog, social media, and more. She also works with PR, product development, and corporate support teams for cosmetics.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Gel cleansers have a uniquely thick texture that enables you to remove makeup without rubbing the skin with too much friction.
While in the US, cleansing gels are usually water-based, Japanese cleansing gels can also be oil-based, which makes them more similar to a cleansing oil in terms of cleansing power, while still being more gentle on the skin.
The cleansing power and how they feel ultimately depends on the product, but a good rule of thumb is to choose one according to the heaviness of your makeup and your skin type. If you want to quickly remove heavy makeup, consider oil-based gels. If you don't wear as much makeup, then consider water-based gels.
Here are four essential points to keep in mind when choosing a Japanese cleansing gel to purchase.
Cleansing gels are divided into two types, oil-based and water-based cleansing gels. In the makeup removal test, our results showed a big difference between these two types. Select a suitable one for you according to the heaviness of the makeup that you usually wear.
What makes oil-based cleansing gels great is that they are almost just as great at removing makeup as cleansing oils, but unlike cleansing oils, they won't run and will remain on the skin longer, thanks to its viscosity.
For those who want a gentle oil-based cleansing gel, consider products made from fats like rice bran oil or sunflower seed oil.
Although cleansing gels should be rinsed off thoroughly after use, they can still hydrate the skin during the cleansing process if it contains moisturizing ingredients.
Ingredients such as butylene glycol (BG), glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and amino acids moisturize while minimizing damage to the skin, making them great for sensitive skin.
If you are concerned about dry or tight skin after using a cleansing gel, check to see if any of these moisturizing ingredients are included in the product.
If your skin is feeling sensitive and delicate, it is best to select a cleansing gel with a simple composition of ingredients.
You may think that the more ingredients it’s formulated with, the better it will be for the skin. However, having more ingredients mean there's a greater risk that one or more is incompatible with your skin. We recommend a mild cleansing oil with simple ingredients if you have sensitive skin.
How the product feels when used is essential if they are to become a part of your daily skincare routine.
Check whether or not the cleansing gel is scented and if you like the fragrance. Cleansing gels are used on the face, so you don't want to end up using a product that has a scent that you don't like. You also want to avoid using a product that has too strong of a scent, since that might clash with any other products you use.
If you seek cleansing gels that can also help you relax, look for products with essential oils such as lavender or bergamot. Citrus-based items, including lemon or grapefruit, provide a refreshing feel after use, too.
Also, you should check the consistency of the gel. Avoid products with too thick or too viscous consistencies, since those products can create more friction when removing makeup. Remember, friction should be kept at a minimum to avoid any damage or stress on the skin. Before buying, we recommend you check the texture using a tester or sample whenever possible.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kao Bioré Make-up Remover Cleansing Gel | $4.83 Low | Removed Heavy Makeup Easily, But Scent Was A Bit Artificial | ||
2 | ACRO THREE Balancing Cleansing Oil Gel | $29.20 High Mid | Polishes Skin, Scrub Off Heavy Makeup Smoothly | ||
3 | I-ne Salanaru Pure Cleansing Gel, Clear | $12.75 Mid | Remove Heavy Makeup Easily, with an Elegant Floral Scent | ||
4 | KOSÉ Carte HD Makeup Removal Oil Gel | $10.90 Mid | Hydrates Skin While Washing, Great For Sensitive Skin | ||
5 | KOSÉ Recipio Moist Cleansing Oil Gel | $17.84 Mid | Gentle on Skin, Struggles With Removing Point Makeup | ||
6 | IPSO IPSA Cleansing Gel EX | $27.70 High Mid | Left Some Layered Makeup, but Very Gentle to Skin | ||
7 | KOSÉ MAIHADA Moisture In W Cleanse | $23.40 High Mid | Blending Takes Some time, but Very Gentle to Skin | ||
8 | Kracie Lamellance Cleansing Gel | $19.00 Mid | Honey-like Dense Texture, Rinses Off Even Heavy Makeup | ||
9 | Matsumoto Yushi-Seiyaku Moisturizing Cleansing | $9.12 Low Mid | Gentle on Skin, But Makeup Removal is on Weaker Side | ||
10 | CHIFURE Cleansing Gel | $5.02 Low Mid | Good Moisturizing Ingredients, Struggles in Removing Point Makeup |
Kao's Bioré Make-up Remover Cleansing Gel is great for those who want to remove heavily layered base makeup with minimal rubbing and friction on skin.
In our makeup removal test, it cleaned makeup within seconds of blending, and point makeup as well as mascara, was removed cleanly. The advantage of this product is that it can remove layered foundation simply by dabbing gently.
The product is composed mainly of moisturizing ingredients and is designed to minimize burden on the skin. Testers who used the product loved to its fragrance and skin-friendly texture. However, some testers reported that this products moisturizing wasn't very good.
We recommend this thick cleansing gel as the best-buy for those who want to quickly remove heavy makeup!
ACRO's THREE Balancing Cleansing Oil Gel is formulated with three kinds of cleansing ingredients, allowing it to gently clean makeup and sebum off of your face.
In our makeup removal test, this produce earned a high score due to its excellent cleansing power. Its thick gel smoothly blended with makeup and washed it away with only a few strokes, and a quick and easy rinse. Additionally, due to the scrub, skin felt smooth and refreshed after use.
Looking at the ingredient table, this cleansing gel is primarily oil-based and contains less water. This product does not contain many moisturizing ingredients, but due to having only a few surfactants, it is gentle on skin.
We recommend it best for those who want to rinse off heavy makeup easily and care for rough skin.
Salanaru Pure Cleansing Gel Clear is a makeup remover that quickly and easily removes makeup and leads to clean pure-looking skin. It also features a pleasant floral fragrance.
The advantage of this product is that it blends quickly and removes heavy makeup. The gel has a thick texture which minimizes burden and protects the skin while removing makeup.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, it contains triethylhexanoin, an oil ingredient, as the base, and glycolipids, madecassoside, and heteromonas fermentation extract as moisturizing ingredients. The low amount of surfactants in the formula was also highly evaluated for its gentleness to the skin.
This cleansing gel is recommended for those who want to quickly remove makeup and enjoy a mood-enhancing floral fragrance.
KOSÉ's Carte HD Makeup Remover Oil Gel is a product said to clean makeup from the pores in your face while simultaneously protecting skin moisture.
The product has a soft and supple texture that quickly turns into a silky oil as soon as it is lathered on skin. The cleansing power of this product is quite good, and it speedily removed base makeup. The product received generally good reviews from testers for its non-greasy feel, but some of our testers commented that it left a slightly sticky residue. Thus if you want a tidy and dry finished feel, this product may not be recommend for you.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, the product is very gentle on the skin, as it contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate as an active ingredient to prevent skin irritation and does not contain any plant extracts which can irritate sensitive skin. The product also received a perfect score for its moisturizing ingredients, which include oil ingredients to support cleansing power and concentrated glycerin and glycosyl trehalose as moisturizing ingredients.
KOSÉ's Recipio Moist Cleansing Oil Gel is said to gently remove dead skin cell build-up while cleaning, leaving the skin moist and bright-looking.
The gel has a cushiony viscous texture, and feels pleasant when applied on the skin. Many users commented that their skin felt plump and moist without any stickiness after washing. In the makeup removal test, base makeup was removed cleanly, but some point makeup remained and wasn't cleanly removed.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, the product is rich in oil ingredients that support makeup removal and produce a hydrating feel. It also contains water-soluble moisturizing ingredients, making it work effectively as a moisturizer. The product also has few ingredients that could irritate sensitive skin, giving it a perfect score for gentleness on skin, and it is easy to use even when the skin is delicate, which is a great advantage.
IPSA's Cleansing Gel EX is distinguished for its ability to clean and remove impurities deep from the pores. Its dense texture turns into a smooth and oily texture when blended with makeup.
In our makeup removal tests, this product showed great cleansing power. It melted away base makeup within a few seconds of application, and point makeup could be removed by rubbing for 20 seconds. Though the thick texture was not to everyone's liking, most testers agreed that it was pleasant to use without leaving any sticky residue.
The composition of the ingredients includes a large amount of mineral oil and triethylhexanoin, which are oil-based ingredients. It also features sorbitol, which has excellent moisturizing power, earning this product high marks for its full range of moisturizing ingredients. Regarding gentleness to skin, this product includes some essential oils that could irritate sensitive skin which were a minus point, but besides that most of the ingredients were friendly.
KOSÉ's MAIHADA Moisture In W Cleanse is an oil-based cleansing gel formulated with moisturizing ingredient such as Rice Power® No.2 and dirt-absorbing charcoal.
In our makeup removal tests, we found that it does not blend into makeup very quickly, but base makeup is completely removed after 20 seconds of rubbing. Although some eye makeup remains, the cleansing power is sufficient for light natural makeup. Many of our testers who used the product said that it left a slightly sticky residue, so those concerned about an oily finish should rinse it off carefully.
This product is composed on two types of ester oils (cetyl ethyl hexanoate and triethyl hexanoic), with water-soluble moisturizing ingredients such as rice fermentation liquid and glycosyl trehalose. The milky lotion-like texture is perfectly gentle on the skin, and we think that it is a makeup remover with a good balance of quality ingredients and effective makeup removal.
Kracie's Lamellance Cleansing Gel is said to remove makeup effectively while protecting the skin's moisture. It is made with ingredients so as to combine the best points of both water-based and oil-based gels.
We highly rated its makeup removal ability. It only took a few seconds to remove makeup easily and smoothly. On the other hand, in our tests for feel, many testers who used the product commented that the gel was stiff and difficult to spread, which led to a lower overall evaluation.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, the product contains three types of oil ingredients and a large amount of glycerin, a moisturizing ingredient, earning it a perfect score for abundance of moisturizing ingredients. The product contains few ingredients that could irritate sensitive skin, making it easy to use even when the skin is delicate.
Matsumoto Yushi-Seiyaku's Moisturizing Cleansing gel is a product said to condition and care for rough skin and remove makeup while protecting the skin's moisture.
In our test of the ease of makeup removal, it left a thin layer of makeup, and was rated only so-so. This may not be a problem for light natural makeup, but it is not suitable for makeup that is heavily layered. On the other hand, the texture of the product was highly evaluated for its soft and smooth feel, and the moisturizing effect it leaves on the skin.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, the product received a perfect score for gentleness, due its simplicity and sensitive-skin-friendly ingredients. The amount of surfactants is low, and the main ingredients are synthetic oils and fats and glycerin, a moisturizing ingredient. This product is suitable for those who are looking for a cleanser that is easy to use even on sensitive skin and contains sufficient moisturizing ingredients.
Chifure's Cleansing Gel is a product said to be a smooth feeling gel that quickly and thoroughly cleans face of makeup and impurities.
The texture is very dense and can be difficult to spread, and the sticky after-wash feeling is a drawback. In our test for the ease of makeup removal, base makeup was removed cleanly, but mascara left a sticky residue, making it difficult to remove heavy eye makeup quickly.
Looking at the composition of the ingredients, this product contains lots of glycerin as a moisturizing ingredient. It also includes a decent amount of triethylhexanoin, an oil ingredient, giving this gel a full range of moisturizing ingredients. There are few ingredients that could irritate sensitive skin, making it suitable to use even on delicate skin, which is a significant advantage. This cleansing gel can be used on all skin types due to its simple ingredient composition.
We gathered the 32 best-selling products from e-commerce sites popular in Japan (such as @cosme, Amazon, and Rakuten) and tested them all. We looked for cleansing gels that quickly removed makeup while being gentle on the skin.
We tested each product for the following:
First, we tested how well each product removed makeup.
We tested this by first applying makeup on synthetic skin, then lathered the cleansing gel on top softly, rubbing it in for 20 seconds. We gave each product a score based on how well the makeup was removed.
The following items were used in our test. For more definitive results, we selected smudge-resistant makeup.
Methodology:
Next, we tested how the product felt on the skin when applied. We gathered five Japanese testers from mybest's editorial department and had them try out each product.
What our testers looked for:
Next, we consulted cosmetics expert Kaori, to judge the quality and ratio of the moisturizing ingredients in each product.
Lastly, we asked Moko, a cosmetics-based Instagram influencer who works in R&D at a cosmetics manufacturer, to judge each product from the perspective of how gentle they were on the skin.
What our expert looked for:
After using a cleansing gel that matches your makeup or skin type, what should be the next step in your skincare routine to best condition your skin?
If you have dry skin, use a toner and emulsion, and seal in that moisture with a cream containing lots of oil. A sleeping face mask, which provides moisture while you're asleep, can also be useful.
On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you should use skincare items that don’t contain much oil. However, since the delicate skin around the eyes and mouth can be prone to drying, you can apply a cream to those areas.
Check out the links below for further information!
Waterproof eyeliner, mascara foundation, and layered mascara are hard to remove with only a cleansing gel.
To rinse off eye makeup, we recommend using a specialized remover for eye makeup along with your cleansing gel.
A remover specialized for eye makeup can wash off eye makeup without much friction, so it doesn’t damage delicate thin-skinned areas.
Check out the article below for more information on eye makeup removers.
In addition to cleansing gels, there are a plethora of other makeup removers that may suit your particular needs. Check out the links below for more buying guides and products!
No. 1: Kao|Bioré Make-up Remover Cleansing Gel
No. 2: ACRO|THREE Balancing Cleansing Oil Gel
No. 3: I-ne|Salanaru Pure Cleansing Gel, Clear
No. 4: KOSÉ|Carte HD Makeup Removal Oil Gel
No. 5: KOSÉ|Recipio Moist Cleansing Oil Gel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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