Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser Review (2026)
Skin-type fit
- CombinationGreat
- NormalGreat
- OilyGood
- Sensitive / reactiveGood
- Acne / blemish-proneGood
- DryOK
Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser is a gentle, low-pH, fragrance-free daily gel built on green plum and mung bean — it cleans and refreshes without stripping, and it’s available at Sephora. The one thing to clear up: despite the “deep pore” name, it has no BHA or AHA, so it’s a comfortable everyday cleanser rather than an exfoliating treatment.
Last verified: June 2026. Formulas change — we re-check periodically against the current INCI.
Best for Combination (Cleanser) Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
Is it worth it? (the short answer)
For combination, normal or sensitive skin that wants a light, fragrance-free daily cleanse, yes — and it’s one of the few good low-pH gels you can grab at Sephora.
- Buy it if you want a gentle, fragrance-free daily gel, or you found tea-tree/BHA cleansers too much.
- Skip it if you want real exfoliation (no acids here), or very dry skin needs a cushioning cream cleanser.
What it is and how it works
The cleanser is pH-balanced and slightly acidic, so it cleans without disrupting the acid mantle. Its character comes from green plum water (around 24%) and mung bean extract (around 3%) — antioxidant botanicals that leave skin feeling fresh but not tight — over mild surfactants. There’s no added fragrance or essential oil, which makes it gentler than tea-tree-based gels for reactive skin.
The honest correction: the “deep pore” framing suggests exfoliation, but there’s no BHA or AHA in it. Any “exfoliation” is the mild physical effect of mung bean, not chemical. So treat it as a comfortable daily cleanser, not a pore treatment. And like any gel cleanser, it’s a second cleanse — not a makeup remover on its own.
Formulation and flags
| Check | Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Cleanser |
|---|---|
| pH | Low / slightly acidic (barrier-friendly) |
| Hero | Green plum (~24%) + mung bean; antioxidant |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free (no essential oils) |
| Exfoliation | None — no BHA/AHA despite “deep pore” name |
| Role | Gentle daily / second cleanse |
| Retail | Available at Sephora |
What the internet really says
It’s a well-liked gentle gel, praised as fragrance-free, non-stripping and pleasant — a calmer alternative to the tea-tree COSRX gel for people who react to essential oils, and an easy Sephora grab.
The honest negatives:
- No exfoliation. People who buy it expecting “deep pore” acids are disappointed — it has none.
- Light for dry skin. A gel; very dry skin may want a cream cleanser.
- Comfortable, not dramatic. It’s a quietly good daily cleanser, not a transformative one.
Our read: an excellent fragrance-free everyday gel for combination/normal/sensitive skin — just don’t expect it to exfoliate. (User reports, not guarantees — your skin may differ.)
How to use it (and where it fits)
Use it morning and/or as your second cleanse after an oil cleanser at night. Follow with toner, treatments and a barrier cream. It pairs naturally with the rest of a fragrance-free Korean routine.
Compare & alternatives
For a low-pH gel with gentle BHA, see the COSRX Low pH cleanser; for a creamier fragrance-free option or redness-calming foam, see the best gentle Korean cleansers.
Price and where to buy
Affordable and widely stocked (YesStyle, Amazon, Sephora). Prices and availability vary by country — the button below routes you to the best option for your region. (We’ll add restock and price-drop alerts here later.)
Best for Combination (Cleanser) Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser
FAQ
Is Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Cleanser worth it?
For combination, normal or sensitive skin wanting a gentle, fragrance-free daily gel, yes — it cleans and refreshes without stripping, and it’s easy to buy at Sephora. Don’t expect exfoliation; it has no BHA or AHA.
Does Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Cleanser have BHA?
No. Despite the “deep pore” framing, it contains no BHA or AHA — the mild exfoliation comes from mung bean extract, not acids. It’s a gentle daily cleanser, not a chemical exfoliant.
Is it fragrance-free?
Yes — there’s no added fragrance or essential oil in the formula, which (unlike tea-tree-based gels) makes it a calmer choice for sensitive, reactive skin.
Is Green Plum Cleanser good for dry skin?
It’s gentle and low-pH, but it’s a gel, so very dry skin may prefer a creamier cleanser. For combination and normal skin it’s a comfortable everyday choice.
Does it remove makeup?
Not heavy makeup or SPF on its own — double cleanse with an oil or balm first, then use this as your second cleanse.
Reviewed by Margaret Wojewoda. How we evaluate products: see our methodology. Sources appear below and include independent ingredient analysis.
Related
- Best Gentle Korean Cleansers for a Compromised Barrier (Low-pH)
- Best K-Beauty Barrier Repair Creams for Sensitive Skin
- The Fragrance-Free Korean Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin
Sources
Alternatives & dupes
| Product | Price | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| COSRXCOSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser | $ | Low-pH gel with gentle BHA + tea tree (not fragrance-free). |
| EtudeEtude SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser | $ | Creamier fragrance-free foam for reactive/dry skin. |
| SKIN1004SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam | $ | Centella foam for flushed, redness-prone skin. |