K-BeautyIntel
Honest ingredient research and real prices for Korean skincare.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser vs. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser

The two most reviewed low-pH cleansers in K-beauty, priced almost identically. The real decision comes down to formulation, not cost.

Research-basedBy Nur → Last verified 9/25/2026
Criteria
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Round Lab
1025 Dokdo Cleanser
Price$14.00$15.00
Price / unit$0.09/mL$0.10/mL
Size150 mL150 mL
Price checked9/12/20269/12/2026

These two are arguably the most iconic low-pH cleansers in K-beauty, and between them, price genuinely isn't the deciding factor. What actually separates them is what's added on top of the low-pH base formula.

Price per milliliter

COSRX runs $0.09 per milliliter ($14.00 for 150mL). Round Lab runs $0.10 per milliliter ($15.00 for 150mL). Functionally identical. Unlike most of our other comparisons, price isn't the useful lens here at all.

Different formulation focus

COSRX builds its formula around tea tree leaf water and BHA (salicylic acid), positioned for oily and combination skin that wants some light exfoliation built into a daily cleanser. Round Lab centers on deep sea water minerals and amino acids, with no added exfoliant, positioned as suitable for all skin types including more reactive ones.

The BHA is what actually changes the calculus

COSRX's inclusion of BHA means it's doing two jobs at once, cleansing plus light exfoliation, which is a real advantage if you want that in a daily step and don't already use a separate exfoliating product. For sensitive or already-compromised skin, that same BHA content is exactly what could push a low-pH cleanser from gentle into slightly too active for daily use. Round Lab's mineral-and-amino-acid formula, with no active exfoliant, is the more conservative default.

Our take

If you're oily or acne-prone and want a cleanser that also lightly exfoliates without adding a separate product, COSRX is the more purposeful pick. If you want a straightforward low-pH cleanser with nothing extra, or your skin reacts easily to actives, Round Lab is the safer starting point.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: $0.09 per milliliter. The pick for oily or acne-prone skin, since its betaine salicylate content handles light exfoliation and cleansing in one daily step, without needing a separate product on top of it.

For the double-cleanse method and what low pH actually means, see how to double cleanse, or browse the rest of our cleanser coverage.

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Frequently asked

Which low-pH cleanser is better, COSRX or Round Lab?

Neither is universally better. COSRX includes BHA for light exfoliation, suiting oily or acne-prone skin. Round Lab has no active exfoliant, making it the more conservative choice for sensitive skin.

Does COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser contain BHA?

Yes, it includes salicylic acid (BHA) alongside tea tree leaf water, giving it light exfoliating properties beyond basic cleansing.

Is Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser suitable for sensitive skin?

It's positioned for all skin types and contains no added exfoliant, making it a more conservative choice than BHA-containing cleansers like COSRX for reactive or sensitive skin.