A gel texture that, worked with a little water, turns into a dense, creamy foam. Round Lab's Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser freshens the face on waking and, in the evening, removes sebum, pollution and traces of cream. After rinsing, the skin stays supple, without the cardboard feel that some foaming gels leave.
A Korean face cleanser with birch sap, gentle without being weak
The cleansing base relies on surfactants derived from amino acids and sugars (Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Coco-Glucoside), reputed to be better tolerated than classic sulphates. Birch juice, placed just after them in the list, brings a hydrating note, backed up by glycerin, sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid. The brand describes a slightly acidic formula, close to the pH of the skin's surface: this is what limits tightness after rinsing.
It also contains sweet wormwood extract and a small proportion of chamomile and pine oils, which give it a discreet plant scent.
How to use it
Wet the face. Place a hazelnut-sized amount in the hollow of your hand, add a few drops of water and work up a foam before applying. Massage gently, concentrating on the forehead, nose and chin, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- In the morning, a single pass is enough.
- In the evening, use it as a second cleanse, after a cleansing oil or balm if you wear make-up or a water-resistant sunscreen.
- Avoid the eye area: this gel is not designed to remove mascara.
Which skin is it for?
It suits normal, combination, dry or sensitive skin that tolerates over-stripping cleansers badly. Very oily skin, used to a marked “clean” feeling, may find it too gentle in the height of summer. If your skin reacts to essential oils, try it first for a few days on the neck. To build the rest of a gentle routine, browse the soothing sensitive skin selection.
Product details
- Size: 150 ml
- Brand: Round Lab
- Product type: gel-to-foam face cleanser
- Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Betula Alba Juice, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Glucoside, Ascorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Artemisia Annua Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, Pinus Sylvestris (Pine) Leaf Oil, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA
- Country of manufacture: South Korea
- Precautions for use: external use. Avoid contact with the eyes; if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Stop using in case of redness or irritation. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be used morning and evening?
Yes. Its foam is gentle enough for two cleanses a day. On very dry skin, rinsing with water is enough in the morning.
Does it remove make-up?
It removes a tinted cream or light make-up. For a long-wear foundation or a waterproof sunscreen, start with a cleansing oil and keep this gel for the second step.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Its gentle cleansing base and slightly acidic pH point in that direction. It does contain chamomile and pine oils, however: if you have a known sensitivity to these plants, test it before adopting it.
What is the difference from a cleansing oil?
The oil dissolves sun filters and make-up; this water-based gel then removes the residue, perspiration and excess sebum. The two complement each other in the Korean double cleanse, presented in our guide to the best Korean cosmetics.
How long does the 150 ml bottle last?
A hazelnut-sized amount is enough for the whole face. With morning and evening use, the size lasts several weeks of routine.
A simple gesture, twice a day, for clean skin that stays comfortable until the cream.
