I Hated Washing My Face Until I Tried Medicube’s Viral Zero Foam Cleanser

Every beauty editor commits one skincare cardinal sin. What’s mine? Well, I don’t regularly wash my face. Unless I’m in the shower, I’m swiping a micellar water-soaked cotton round across my face and calling it a night. I don’t enjoy the effort—and frankly, the wet mess of water dripping down my arms—that comes with cleansing my face in the sink. Also, I never found a cleanser that I adored.You can imagine the horror on my colleagues’ faces when I tell them about my lack of cleansing (we preach about how important it is to wash your face, after all!). So after some persistent nagging, they finally convinced me to try the viral Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser. Let me tell ya, I didn’t have high hopes. I expected this to be just another cleanser. But after using this for a month, my stubborn chin congestion cleared up and my skin looks even glowier than usual. Am I officially a face cleansing convert? Keep reading for my full review.About the Medicube Zero Foam CleanserMedicube’s Zero Foam Cleanser is the K-Beauty brand’s top-selling face wash designed to deep clean pores. Beyond removing dirt, debris, and excess oil from the skin, it also helps to control sebum production, maintain your barrier’s moisture levels, and minimize the appearance of pores for a smoother complexion.Funnily enough, despite the name “Zero Foam,” the paste texture does lightly froth up into a silky foam. However, rather than leaving skin squeaky clean and tight, this restores moisture for a fresh, bouncy finish.Can I use the Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser every day?Yes! Even though this cleanser deep cleans pores, it is gentle enough to use every day. This is because it utilizes low doses of natural ingredients—including quince, lemon balm, wintergreen leaf extract, and orange blossom extract—that simultaneously clear out pores and replenish your skin with moisture, so you don’t get that uncomfortable tight feeling post-cleanse.Our Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser reviewsMary Honkus, contributing beauty editorSkin type: Normal to drySo we already know I’m not the biggest cleanser fan. When I do use one, I typically opt for a creamy formula that boosts hydration because my skin leans dry. Knowing that the Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser was designed to minimize pores and zap oils, I didn’t think it would be right for me. Still, I love being a beauty guinea pig, so I willingly added it to my shower routine.I really put this through a serious test on the first use: I was washing off a full face of glam. Full-coverage foundation, heavy blush, waterproof mascara—the works. I was immediately impressed by how it cut through the makeup with minimal effort. I did double cleanse to ensure I removed every trace, and my skin felt incredibly soft afterwards.The more I used this, the more I enjoyed it, too. I really like how the paste texture transforms into a frothy lather that’s soft and plush. I feel like it gets every bit of grime off of my face with each cleanse. I’ve struggled with stubborn chin acne for close to a year, and after incorporating this into my routine, my breakouts, along with the annoying bumpy texture, disappeared. I haven’t changed anything else in my regimen, so I fully attribute the difference to the cleanser’s deep-cleaning abilities.Mary HonkusMary Honkus after cleansing with the Medicbue Zero Foam CleanserBeth Gillette, beauty editorSkin type: OilyI am usually so-so on a foaming cleanser. I love the way a super-sudsy face wash makes my skin initially feel—like it's extra clean and all the makeup, dirt, and oils are fully removed—but the usual dryness and tightness afterward is enough to make me switch. Medicube's Zero Pore Cleanser has a creamy lather that doesn't strip my skin. The gentle exfoliation with salicylic acid and teeny microcapsules definitely helps get my skin clean and smooth, and it's not too much (no dryness or tightness here!). I prefer to use it in the evening when I need a deeper clean.Final thoughtsI’m officially a converted cleanser lover thanks to the Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser. If you want a deep clean that won’t leave you feeling stripped, tight, or dry, this is the thing to use. The paste-to-froth texture is one of the most unique I’ve experienced in a cleanser, and it elevates the entire experience. Whether you’re dealing with acne or feel like you could use a total pore reset, this will get your skin in check.Why trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. She’s an authority in all beauty categories and prides herself on her skin. For this story, she tested the Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser to give you her honest thoughts.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.