10 Best Tried and True Japanese Cleansing Foams in 2023

KOSÉ Maruho Pharma's Carte HD Moisturizing Foam Facial Cleanser can clean pores effectively with its soft foam. The main cleansing ingredient is amino acid based, which makes it very gentle to the skin.

This cleanser removed about 70 percent of sebum and received high marks for its cleansing power. Skin moisture content increased by two percent after application, for which we gave it a perfect score in our moisture retention test! 

Although not very pliable, the foam is soft and fine, and our testers said that the foam blended well into the skin. The pump dispenses easily with a single push. The face wash is unscented too, which makes it suitable for use by anybody.

This is our highest rated foaming cleanser for sensitive and dry skin, as it cleanses well while providing moisture to the skin.

The FEMMUE Comfort Mousse Facial Wash by Ariel Trading is the brand's first facial cleanser and aims to thoroughly remove sebum while keeping skin well-hydrated.

The main cleansing ingredient is amino acid based and removed about 80 percent of the artificial sebum in our cleansing test. The skin's moisture content was reduced by about six percent, which showed adequate moisture retention. 

The soft and gentle foam was highly rated by our staff members and the basil, lemon and geranium fragrance made for a refreshing scent that was perfect for a morning cleanse. The pump felt slightly hard to push, but it dispensed just the right amount.

The refreshing fragrance makes this a great choice for when you need to perk yourself up in the morning!

FANCL's Pure Moist Foaming Facial Cleanser is said to prevent and treat flaky, rough skin. The highlight of this product is how gentle it was on the skin. The formula contains allantoin, which works at preventing rough skin.

It is formulated with many moisturizing ingredients, such as glycerin and sorbitol, and there was only a 13 percent decrease in our skin's moisture content after use, which was pretty good. The main cleansing ingredients are amino acids, and in our tests, this cleanser removed about half of the artificial sebum, leading to a pretty good score for cleansing strength.

Although the foam did not feel as elastic as other products, all the staff members who tested this face wash out were pleased with its firm and dense texture. Another advantage was that this cleanser left our skin feeling moist and supple after washing with it. The pump was easy to push with one hand, and it had almost no scent, making this suitable for anybody. 

We highly recommend this cleanser for those who are looking for a gentle foam face wash.

Obagi X Boost Mousse Wash by Rohto is a carbonated foam face wash that allows you to wash your face by massaging with a dense foam. This product's main cleansing ingredient is an amino acid, which usually is mild in terms of cleansing power, but it managed to remove 80 percent of the artificial sebum and demonstrated great cleansing strength.

Unfortunately, we found that the skin's moisture content decreased significantly after use, which led to a lower score in our moisture retention test. This product includes many anti-aging ingredients; however, they may not be effective, as this foam cleanser will be rinsed off immediately after washing.

In our foam density test, where we placed a coin onto the foam, we found that the coin barely sank in even after 3 minutes! This highly-dense foam allows you to massage it into your face without having to worry about too much friction. However, this product had a distinctive scent, which may bother those who are odor-sensitive.

The Brightening Whipped Face Wash by DHC is a carbonated facial cleanser that is said to clean off dead skin cells and lead to clear looking skin. In our cleansing ability test, this product was able to remove about 80 percent of the sebum, demonstrating a moderate cleansing strength without being excessive.

The main cleansing ingredient, laureth disodium sulfosuccinate, is gentle to the skin, which makes it suitable for people with dry or sensitive skin. The skin's moisture content decreased significantly after use, so we highly recommend moisturizing after washing.

The foam felt dense and elastic, and left skin feeling refreshed after washing. It was easy to rinse off compared to other products, and the fresh floral fragrance left a favorable impression.

The Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Foam Face Wash by Rohto is a product said to lead to healthy, supple skin with each wash. The product features a combination of soap-based cleansing ingredients with high cleansing power and amino acid cleansing ingredients that are gentle to the skin.

This product removed 50 percent of the artificial sebum in our cleansing ability tests, which was average. It showed great moisture retention, as the skin's moisture content only dropped by six percent. The simple formula makes it suitable even for those with sensitive skin, as it is less likely to include ingredients that could irritate. 

Although it was not dense enough to hold up a coin, the foam had a fine and smooth texture. Our staff was impressed at how the foam did not dissipate easily and how comfortable it was to wash their faces with it. The single push dispenser is convenient to use, which is great for busy mornings. This also comes unscented, so this would be a face wash that could be easily shared within the family.

Nameraka Honpo's Foaming Facial Wash contains soy-derived ingredients, such as soy milk fermentation liquid, to cleanse the skin while leaving it highly moisturized. The formula is high in glycerin and sorbitol, which are known effective moisturizing ingredients. It performed well in our tests for moisture retention, as the skin's moisture content did not change after use.

The cleansing strength was good enough, and this foam removed about 60 percent of the artificial sebum. Although the main cleansing ingredients are strong soaps, the moisturizing ingredients included in the formula turn it into a mild formula that is good even for those with dry skin. The foam is loose in texture but very smooth and blends well in the skin. 

DUO The Bright Foam by Premier Anti-Aging is a carbonated facial cleanser that can be used as a repair mask, massage foam, and face wash. This product contains many moisturizing ingredients, such as amino acids and ceramide, and it scored highly in our moisture retention test.

The main cleansing ingredients are gentle on the skin, which makes this product suitable for those with sensitive skin. Further, this product was able to remove almost all of the artificial sebum in our tests, for which it received a high score in terms of cleansing strength. 

The elastic yet firm foam texture was dense enough to hold up our coin for over two minutes. Testers were impressed with how moist and supple their skin felt after washing. The product comes in an aerosol spray can and is not the best in dispensing foam, but should pose no problems for daily usage once you get used to it.

Mandom's Bifesta Foaming Face Wash Bright-Up is a carbonated cleanser formulated with exfoliating ingredients which allow it to remove dead skin cells and lead to clear skin. Directions on the label state to massage the foam into the face for 20 to 30 seconds. 

The main cleansing ingredients are gentle on the skin and it cleared about 70 percent of the sebum in our test, which is sufficient for cleansing strength. Although the formula also includes moisturizing ingredients, we found that the skin's moisture content dropped heavily, so moisturizing after cleansing is a must.

One of the best things about this product is how elastic and thick the foam was. The subtle citrus fragrance was also highly praised by our staff members. The aerosol can that it comes in means that some foam will leak, but this is something that can be gotten used to. 

The ACSEINE Reset Wash is said to gently remove excess keratin while softening the skin, leaving it smooth and looking clear. The amino acid cleansing ingredients removed about 70 percent of the sebum, which is good enough for those with dry skin.

The decrease in the skin's moisture content was within an acceptable level. The inclusion of glycolic acid, which is an AHA that works as an exfoliant, may be too irritating to those with sensitive skin. Although this product claims to be hypoallergenic, those with sensitive skin should proceed with caution. 

Some of our staff members mentioned that the cap made the dispensing process a little more difficult than it should be. We also found that the foam contained many air bubbles and dissipated quickly.