pH balanced cleanser for oily skin – Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser Review

Good skin is based on two factors: cleansing and hydration. A cleanser could really make or break your skin. A good cleanser would thoroughly cleanse off the excess sebum and impurities on the skin whilst keeping it balanced, hydrated and strengthened. Whereas a bad cleanser would strip the skin’s natural oil, disturb the oil-water balance and damage the skin barrier. Using a good cleanser over time would see the skin becoming stronger and more resilient to environmental damages and improved ability to retain moisture. Whereas using a bad cleanser over time would see the skin becomes weak and more prone to sensitivity, acne, excessive dryness/oiliness and premature aging.

I think more and more people are realising the importance of cleansing and its link to the health of the skin. Therefore, we’re now seeing more good cleansers than ever! I remember only a couple of years ago, it was quite difficult to find a good cleanser. But now, in the Korean skincare market, you can find a good pH balanced, non-stripping, skin barrier friendly cleanser much more easily.

In this post, I’ll review the Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser, which I think is a great pH balanced cleanser for oily skins.

Packaging

Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser comes in a white plastic tube, which is pretty common for this type of cream-foam cleanser. I feel Torriden’s packaging is sub-par comparing with other Korean brands that I’m used to. The entire “Dive-in” line comes with soft cardboard outer boxes that are flimsy and easily deformed. For a cleanser like this, I really think there is no need for the outer box. In addition, the tube is quite difficult to squeeze out in the beginning due to the dense consistency of the product, but it gets better as you use it more. Overall, I think Torriden could do better with its packaging.

Ingredients

Sea Salt Extract (25%), Glycerin, Purified Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Malachite Extract, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Isethionate, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-67, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract

The first ingredient is Sea Salt Extract, which I imagine is an aqueous solution of sea salt. The selling point of this cleanser is the inclusion of this sea salt ingredient, which is said to provide a stronger cleansing function. I believe this is true. This cleanser is quite similar to my favourite Etude House Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser, but does have a stronger cleansing power, hence why I recommend it for oily skins. The sea salt extract doesn’t make this cleanser overly drying on the skin, but removes more sebum.

Glycerin is a humectant commonly used in skincare and sensitive-skin friendly. Further down the list are coconut-derived surfactants used for cleansing, including Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Hydrogenated Coconut Acid, Coco-Betaine, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate and Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate. I’m surprised with the number of surfactants used, but these surfactants are generally gentle and non-drying. Malachite Extract is an antioxidant-rich stone extract. Allantoin, Panthenol, Ceramide NP are all hydrating agents. Witch Hazel is an astringent for clarifying the skin. Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract is chamomile extract that soothes the skin. Then there is the combination of hyaluronic acids which Torriden is famous for. Overall, the ingredients are gentle and form a good balance of cleansing, hydrating and soothing functions. Another point worth mentioning is that, this cleanser is free from fragrances and essential oils.

Colour

It has a bluish white colour.

Scent

The cleanser is fragrance-free and free from essential oils. It has a raw cosmetics scent.

Texture

This cleanser is quite stiff and dense. It’s very similar to the Etude House Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser, but even more dense. Therefore, it can be difficult to squeeze out of the tube in the beginning. But once you’ve loosen the tube, it becomes easier.

The cleanser generates dense and small-sized bubbles that is bouncy and not easily deflated. The foam feels soft and smooth on the skin.

Application

The application of this cleanser is no different to others. I generally use a bubble net to generate the bubbles. The bubbles are soft and dense, able to take away sebum and impurities from the skin without much tucking. The cleanser washes off clear without any residues. After cleansing the skin feels clean, refreshed and moist.

Result

Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser is the “good cleanser” that I was talking about in the beginning of this post. It cleanses well, but at the same time keeps the skin in balance and makes it more resilient over time.

Gentle cleansers can sometimes be a little weak at removing sebum, but the Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser provides strong cleansing power whilst keeping the skin moist. The low pH formula helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and relieve from sensitivity. The Hyaluronic Acid adds hydration back to the skin.

Price

Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser retails for 14,000 Won (~18 AUD) for 150ml of product, which is quite reasonable.

Verdict

Etude House Soon Jung 5.5 Foam Cleanser is still on the top of my list as a daily cleanser for sensitive skins. But for oily skins, I would recommend Torriden Dive-In Foam Cleanser, which offers more cleansing power whilst being gentle and hydrating.