I’m going to start this review with a big statement: this Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam is probably my current favorite morning cleanser! I’m on my third bottle, and I don’t want to stop using it. It’s about time I introduced you to it! 😉
I think it’s safe to say that with cosmetics, I’m not the loyal type. I love discovering new things, trying new brands, finding new concepts… too much to stick to the same product all the time.
But that being said, if there was one product category where I would be almost loyal, it would probably be the cleansers. If I find one that is pleasant to use, gentle on my skin and effective, I will happily repurchase it!
That’s what happened with my beloved CeraVe Hydrating Cream To Foam Cleanser, which is one of my favorite cleansers for the evening, and which I go back to regularly.
We often mistakenly think that it’s okay to choose any cleanser to wash our face; since it’s a product that is rinsed off, so it doesn’t stay on our skin, who cares, right?
Well, no, we do actually care! A cleanser that is too harsh and not suited to your skin can really cause damage, as I explained in my article How to cleanse your skin properly. So when I find one that does the job right, I owe it to you to tell you about it and not keep the secret to myself 😉.
So here’s my review of the pH Cleansing Gel Foam by the Korean brand Dr.G!
Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam, product presentation:
In Korea, Dr.G is very well known for its dermo-cosmetic products perfect for sensitive or sensitized skin. Dermo-cosmetics because the aim of Dr.G products is to care and soothe all sensitive and/or problematic skins. Dr.G is not really a brand that follows the latest cosmetic trends, but rather a “serious” brand quite pharmaceutical, which can totally be compared to French parapharmacy brands, for example 😉.
I already talked about their soothing moisturizer Dr.G R.E.D. Blemish Clear Soothing Cream which has been their bestseller for years!
Their line of cleansing products is also one of the brand’s strongest assets. The products are both effective but also gentle and respectful of the integrity of the skin barrier, which makes all the difference for me when choosing a good face wash.
As I’ve mentioned several times in previous articles, I pay close attention to certain characteristics in the formula when I choose a facial cleanser.
I start by looking at the surfactant ingredients used (= the cleansing ingredients). I prefer those that are as gentle as possible and I try to avoid surfactants that are too harsh, such as soap or SLS.
Then, I look for ingredients that preserve the skin barrier. If there are several in the formula, it’s definitely a plus!
And finally, I always pay attention to the pH of the formula. I prefer a physiological acidic pH (less than 6), which matches the pH of the skin. A too basic pH (more than 6) is often too aggressive for the skin, and can end up stripping it.
If you want more info on this, I invite you to take a look at my detailed article about face cleansing where I explain it all 😉.
Formula-wise, the Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam checks all my boxes!
It’s a gentle and mild formula, with non-stripping cleansing agents, and it contains ingredients that respect the skin’s barrier.
Notably:
– several “biotic” ingredients and ferments to soothe and preserve the integrity of the skin barrier,
– hydrating glycerin,
– and the brand’s exclusive filagrin complex, which includes several ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier and preserve skin’s natural moisture.
All this in an acidic pH formula, perfect for cleansing without stripping the skin!
Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam, my experience:
Odile Monod mentioned this gel cleanser as one of her favorites last summer, and even though we don’t have the same skin type at all, I liked her description. So I ordered it in the fall, I thought it would make a great morning cleanser!
So realistically, you can totally use it morning and night, but you know me, #moreismore, of course I use a different cleanser in the morning and night! (The one I’m using right now isn’t great. I’ll probably go back to my Cerave; you don’t want to change things with a winning team 😉).
And the Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam is just perfect for the morning, I think! The texture is a melting gel, which feels a bit thick at first but turns into a light foam as soon as it comes in contact with wet skin.
In the old formula, it contained essential oils, which I really liked for the fresh and aromatic effect, but the brand reformulated the product recently, and it is now fragrance-free (and it doesn’t smell like anything).
After massaging it into my skin for 30 seconds to 1 minute, I simply rinse it off with lukewarm water and my skin is perfectly clean, fresh but not tight.
The bottle lasts me a long time, I only use half a pump a day. It generally lasts me for 4 months if I only use it in the morning. For the price, I’d say it’s pretty decent!
In conclusion:
When a product works well, is pleasant to use, does the job and doesn’t irritate my skin (rather the opposite, in fact!), well, I repurchase it, and not just once!
That’s what happened to me with the Dr.G pH Cleansing Gel Foam and I think it’s likely to keep on happening again and again 😉!
The retails between $15 and $25 for 200ml depending on the retailers.