{"product_id":"cosrx-low-ph-good-morning-gel-cleanser-150ml","title":"COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe low-pH claim you can check yourself.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSodium benzoate only works below about pH 5.5 — its presence on the list is the proof.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSlippery gel, modest foam.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat this cleanser does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 150 ml gel cleanser built on two mild surfactants at an acidic pH, with Betaine Salicylate, tea tree leaf oil and a seven-part botanical complex.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree ways this label confirms the name\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Low pH\" is a claim you cannot see, taste or feel with certainty. But the ingredient list contains three independent pieces of evidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne: there is no hydroxide.\u003c\/strong\u003e No potassium hydroxide, no sodium hydroxide, no fatty acid to saponify. Nothing here can make soap, and soap is what forces a cleanser alkaline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwo: citric acid is present\u003c\/strong\u003e, at position nineteen, doing the acidifying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThree: sodium benzoate is the preservative.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the interesting one. Sodium benzoate only functions in its active form in an acidic environment — above roughly pH 5.5 it stops protecting the product. No formulator would choose it for a formula that was not genuinely acidic, because the product would spoil. The preservative is circumstantial evidence, and it agrees with the other two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree independent lines from one label. That is what a claim looks like when it is true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy an acidic cleanser is worth wanting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHealthy skin surface sits around pH 4.5 to 5.5. The enzymes that let dead surface cells detach work in that band, and so does the microbial population living there. Wash with something alkaline and it takes hours to recover — which is fine occasionally and less fine twice a day, every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is the whole argument for this product, and it is a good one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThere is a BHA in here\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBetaine Salicylate\u003c\/strong\u003e at position eighteen is salicylic acid bound to betaine — a gentler, slower-releasing BHA. Unlike its sibling the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, which is a soap and therefore alkaline, this formula is acidic enough for a salicylate to be in a working form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact time is still short. Do not expect a rinse-off product to replace a leave-on BHA. But it is genuinely present and genuinely in a usable state, and if you already use acids elsewhere it is worth counting as one more exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOne thing to weigh\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTea Tree Leaf Oil\u003c\/strong\u003e at fourteen is an essential oil in a product bought largely by people with sensitive skin. It is above the allantoin and above the BHA. Small, but there — and if you react to tea tree, this is why.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eKey ingredients\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIngredient\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it is, and what it is used for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCocamidopropyl Betaine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetaine surfactant. Does the cleansing — mild, and stable at low pH. Second on this list.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIsethionate surfactant. Does the cleansing — one of the mildest in wide use, and it foams well in soft water.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetaine Salicylate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalicylic acid bound to betaine. A slower-releasing BHA — oil-soluble, so it works inside the follicle.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCitric Acid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlpha hydroxy acid, used here as pH adjuster — this is what sets the low pH.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSodium Benzoate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalt of benzoic acid. Only works as a preservative below about pH 5.5 — evidence the formula is acidic.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStyrax Japonicus Branch\/Fruit\/Leaf Extract\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtract of Japanese snowbell. Fifth on this list, which is high for a botanical.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSaccharomyces Ferment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYeast ferment. First entry of the seven-part botanical block.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtract of Japanese cedar leaf. Pulls water into the surface and holds it there.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePueraria Lobata Root Extract\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtract of kudzu root. Pulls water into the surface and holds it there.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMelaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEssential oil of tea tree leaf. Carries scent.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAllantoin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeterocyclic diureide. Used to calm irritation.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBiodegradable chelator. Binds hard-water metal ions so the surfactants keep working.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eHow the formula works together\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnly three cleansing agents, and none of them harsh: \u003cstrong\u003eCocamidopropyl Betaine\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ePolysorbate 20\u003c\/strong\u003e. That is a deliberately weak cleansing system — which is the point of a morning wash, where there is nothing on your face but last night's skincare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePositions seven to thirteen are the botanical block — yeast ferment, Japanese cedar leaf, lotus leaf, longleaf pine, elm root, evening primrose flower and kudzu root. That same seven appears in the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, lower down its list. One prepared complex, used across the range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo chelators rather than one, which suggests this was formulated with hard water in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eWho it is for\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLabelled for \u003cstrong\u003eall skin types\u003c\/strong\u003e. Built as a morning cleanser and as a second cleanse at night. Genuinely gentle and genuinely acidic; contains a BHA and tea tree oil. It will not remove sunscreen or makeup on its own — the brand says to use it after a first cleanse, and that is correct.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMorning: massage a small amount over a wet face, then rinse with lukewarm water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEvening: use it as the second step, after an oil cleanser or balm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA little goes far — it is a low-foam gel by design, not by weakness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFollow with toner while skin is still damp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMade in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKorea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCleansing system\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoap-free, acidic — no hydroxide anywhere on the list\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBetaine Salicylate (a BHA) and tea tree oil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIngredients\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24, published in full below\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid rgba(0,0,0,.12);padding:12px 0;margin:0\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;font-weight:600;list-style:revert\"\u003eFull ingredient list\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding-top:10px\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch\/Fruit\/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, 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, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn label order, unedited.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips from Korea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COSRX","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49711616589976,"sku":"2472153","price":15746.0,"currency_code":"KRW","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0689\/9512\/1304\/files\/product_images_1616006461.61R2nMpQouL._SL15001787141712_575c8730-6f05-4954-8fb8-de2cd52077f9.jpg?v=1787142234","url":"https:\/\/dermalabseoul.com\/products\/cosrx-low-ph-good-morning-gel-cleanser-150ml","provider":"DermaLab Seoul","version":"1.0","type":"link"}