DUO vs Keana Nadeshiko — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
The Cleansing Balm
8.8/10 · DUO
| The Cleansing Balm | Baking Soda Foam Wash | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | DUO | Keana Nadeshiko |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Editor Rating | 8.8/10 ★ | 7.9/10 |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Texture | Buttery balm → silky oil → milky emulsion | Dense, fluffy foam dispensed from pump |
| Finish | Clean nourished | Squeaky-clean without stripping |
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| Verdict | Japan's #1 cleansing balm by units sold, winner of six consecutive Cosme Awards, and the product that singlehandedly built the Premier Anti-Aging empire. DUO's formula changes texture three times in use (balm → oil → emulsion) as water emulsifies the product — which sounds like marketing but is genuinely satisfying. Removes waterproof makeup, leaves skin nourished, doubles as a gentle exfoliant via fruit enzymes. The J-beauty cleansing balm to beat. | Keana Nadeshiko's signature pump-foam cleanser with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for mild physical-chemical exfoliation. Great as the second step of a double-cleanse — removes leftover sebum, sunscreen, and the morning's oiliness without the harshness of true scrubs. Works particularly well for the T-zone-sensitive combo skin J-beauty is built around. |
