This might sound a little weird, but cleansing is my favorite step in my skincare routine. It’s refreshing and awakening, especially when you have oily skin and live in a warm climate.
I have tried numerous cleansers, and my favorite are gel cleansers, as they are less stripping than foam cleansers. But in the rare cases where I wear makeup, I double cleanse with an oil-based cleanser, followed by a gel cleanser.
I was so upset that the Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser was banned in Singapore due to hemp seeds in it. I was so sad that I immediately looked for another alternative with great ingredients, better accessibility, and price. And one day, 11/11 happened, I saw Round Lab’s 1-for-1 promo for this cleanser. I have not heard of anyone using this cleanser before and found no online reviews. So is this cleanser worth it?

The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser, at a glance:

• Price and availability
• Brand
• Claims
• Ingredients
• Packaging
• Scent
• Texture
• My experience
• Pros
• Cons
• Verdict
• Shop

Where to buy Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser?

In the US, it’s available on Amazon* and comes in a 5.07 fl. oz./ 150 ml bottle.

You can shop for Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser on StyleVana* and  StyleKorean*.

The Round Lab Brand

At the end of a tiring day, Round Lab is by your side.

The Round Lab brand is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2017. Its main objective is to alleviate its customers’ daily fatigue.
Their products are one of the most loved skincare products in Korea.

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser Claims

This gentle, refreshing, low pH (5.0 ~ 6.0) gel cleanser has Birch Juice and Hyaluronic Acid as their superstar ingredient. This cleanser gently removes dirt and oil while keeping the skin hydrated post-cleansing.

Who is this cleanser for?

For those with dry, sensitive, and combination skin problems.

I would recommend this for every skin type.

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser Ingredients

Ingredients Analysis

Okay, the ingredient list is pretty interesting. But let’s start with the highlighted star ingredients.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a very effective humectant, used in many moisturizers to increase skin hydration. It occurs naturally in your skin as part of its home-grown moisturizing system, the natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

Like other humectants, it works by sitting in the top layers of your skin and attracting water from the air and the deeper layers, leaving your skin surface plump and hydrated, even when the weather is arid. This ingredient softens the skin so other hydrating ingredients can more easily penetrate the skin.

Glycerin also keeps the skin’s lipids flexible, strengthening your skin barrier.

Birch Juice

The Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser has 10,000ppm of Birch Juice (listed as Betula Alba Juice).

Birch sap is mostly consumed orally, thanks to its boosting, remineralizing, and anti-oxidant effects. It helps cure kidney, liver, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
As for the skin, birch sap is known for its anti-oxidant and anti-aging benefits. It also stimulates cell renewal and protects the skin from stress, inflammation, UV rays, pollution, etc. It is also a good source of trace minerals like manganese and various amino acids, making it an excellent natural hydrator for the skin. In short, it is a gem of nature that is probably an underrated ingredient. However, this ingredient is still pretty new in the skincare world, and more research is needed.

Sulfates & Surfactants

It’s not a cleanser review without discussing the surfactants, right? I am not too pro about this portion, but I don’t see sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), so I guess this contains zero harsh surfactants. 

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate is a mild surfactant derived from coconut. It contains fatty acids and is also known as a foaming agent.

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is less irritating since it is derived from coconut and is rich in fatty acids. However, you may want to know if you have any coconut oil sensitivities.

To my surprise, this cleanser has other great skin-benefiting ingredients you typically don’t expect to see in a cleanser. 

It has great hydrating ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Sodium Hyaluronate, skin-brightening ingredients, including Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Citric Acid well as the super-popular Artemisia Annua Extract (Mugwort), which we all know is great for soothing irritated skin.

This cleanser has essential oils, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil and Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, which claim to be skin soothing. However, people with sensitive skin should think twice before purchasing this cleanser. 

Ingredients not included in Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser: niacinamide, parabens, alcohol.

The cleanser is vegan and cruelty-free, according to the official Malaysian Site.

Packaging

Big 150ml tube.

Scent

This cleanser has a scent due to the presence of essential oils, which I do not mind in the cleansing step.

Texture

This cleanser has a thick gel texture that produces light leather. Compared to other gel cleansers I have tried, this one gives the best cleansing experience due to its ability to foam. Yet, it is still very gentle on the skin.

My Experience with the Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser

It is a great gentle cleanser that performs well without stripping the skin. I’ve been using it for nearly two months, and I noticed that it makes my skin feel nice and somewhat hydrated after washing my face.

It cleanses well, leaving my skin soft and supple, especially when paired with the cleansing oil. Their website states that this cleanser can also remove makeup. I do not use it to remove my makeup, and I always recommend double cleansing for makeup removal.

Lastly, this gel cleanser foams up nicely, making my cleansing experience more pleasant. 

How to use/apply Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser directions/instructions?

1. Oil cleanse
2. Dispense a small amount of the Round Lab gel on the fingers and gently rub the face
3. Splash lukewarm water
4. Hydrating toner and the rest of your routine

Pros

• cleanses well
• nonstripping
• sweet smell

Cons

• none

Overall

I recommend this cleanser to anyone. This is an underrated cleanser and needs more attention.

I enjoy this product and am almost certainly repurchasing it to use in my double cleansing routine.

Rating: 5/5

Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser vs. 1025 Dokdo Cleanser

I like both, but they’re different!

The Dokdo Cleanser is a creamy, rich cleanser that produces a lot of foam. It doesn’t dry out my skin or make my skin tight, and it feels luxurious.  It leaves a moisturizing finish and has no scent.

The Birch Juice Cleanser is a fresh gel cleanser that produces a lighter lather. It’s gentle and hydrating and rinses off cleanly with no residue. It has a chamomile scent which I don’t find irritating or overpowering. I prefer the texture and feel of this one.

Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser vs. Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser

I love the Birch Juice Cleanser. I dare say that I prefer it over the Matcha Hemp Cleanser for several reasons. 

• It is accessible here in Singapore, relatively more affordable, and more prominent in size. 
• Adheres better to my palm. The Krave Beauty Cleanser slips easily, and I often waste lots of it. 
• Non-stripping. I find the matcha too drying for me unless I use it in the shower.

Shop for Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser

You can get Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Cleanser at Amazon*. Other popular Asian websites: StyleVana* and  StyleKorean*.

I was not paid for this review or received it as a gift.

As always, you do you, be kind to your skin and yourself! Remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different, so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa. So before adding a new product to your skincare routine, it pays to do a little research first.

Pay special attention to ingredients that you might react to. Doing a patch test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.

Happy skin experimenting, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

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