Etude vs Then I Met You — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Living Cleansing Balm
9/10 · Then I Met You
| SoonJung Whip Cleanser | Living Cleansing Balm | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Etude | Then I Met You |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Editor Rating | 8.5/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Texture | Airy whipped foam from a pump | Luxurious buttery balm that melts into a golden oil on contact with warm skin |
| Finish | clean, zero tightness | clean, nourished |
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| Verdict | A pump-to-foam cleanser with a pH of 6.5 that delivers the gentlest cleanse imaginable. The whipped foam feels luxurious for a product under $10, and it leaves zero tightness or residue. If your cleanser makes your face feel tight, switch to this immediately. | Widely considered the best cleansing balm in K-beauty at any price. The olive plus sea buckthorn plus squalane base melts makeup and sunscreen effortlessly, and the orange oil scent is subtle rather than artificial. Leaves skin clean, nourished, and never stripped. Expensive, but a single jar lasts months and the experience is genuinely luxurious. |
