1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
K-Beauty Double Cleanse Essential
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Ceramide NP and triple hyaluronic acid support the skin barrier during cleansing — rare in oil cleansers
- +Lightweight, fluid texture dissolves makeup and sunscreen effortlessly within 30-60 seconds
- +Emulsifies cleanly with water and rinses completely without heavy oily residue
- +Skin feels clean, soft, and hydrated post-rinse — no tightness or stripping sensation
- +Six botanical oils (evening primrose, meadowfoam, avocado, grape seed, canola, macadamia) nourish while cleansing
- +Generous 200ml size lasts 3-4 months, excellent per-use value
- +Panthenol and allantoin provide soothing benefits during the cleansing process
- −Contains bergamot essential oil, limonene, and linalool — potential sensitizers for fragrance-reactive skin
- −Ethylhexyl stearate has moderate comedogenicity potential, though risk is low in a rinse-off product
- −Not ideal as a standalone cleanser — best results require a second water-based cleanse step
- −Deep sea water mineral benefits are not clinically validated for topical skincare at this contact time
- −Some users report a persistent oily feel that requires thorough rinsing to fully remove
- −ROUND LAB is an emerging brand with limited long-term track record compared to established players
The full review.
October 25th is Dokdo Day in South Korea — a date that commemorates awareness of a small cluster of volcanic islets in the waters between Korea and Japan. When ROUND LAB named their flagship line 1025 Dokdo, they were doing something unusual for a skincare brand: anchoring a product line to a place and its meaning rather than an ingredient or a claim. The deep sea water sourced from the waters around these islands — rich in 72 naturally occurring minerals — became the foundation of a line that has quietly become one of K-beauty’s most consistent performers. The Cleansing Oil is the line’s entry point, literally the first step of a skincare routine, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.
The ingredient list is what makes this cleansing oil remarkable. Most oil cleansers are simple affairs — a base oil, an emulsifier, maybe some vitamin E for shelf stability. ROUND LAB took a different approach entirely. Ceramide NP appears in the formula, reinforcing the skin’s lipid barrier during the very step most likely to compromise it. Three forms of hyaluronic acid — standard HA, hydrolyzed HA, and sodium hyaluronate — provide layered hydration at different molecular weights. Panthenol and allantoin soothe and condition. A blend of six botanical oils — evening primrose, meadowfoam, avocado, grape seed, canola, and macadamia — provides the cleansing matrix while delivering their own skin-nourishing fatty acids.
The philosophy is clear: cleansing should not be a destructive act. Every time you wash your face, you are removing not just makeup and sunscreen but also a portion of your skin’s natural lipids. A well-formulated cleansing oil can minimize that lipid loss while still dissolving everything that needs to go. This formula takes it further by actively depositing barrier-supportive ingredients during the process. Whether those ingredients have meaningful contact time during a 60-second cleansing massage is a fair question — but the intent, and the user experience it creates, speaks for itself.
About ROUND LAB
ROUND LAB is an emerging brand — founded in 2017, it lacks the decades of clinical validation that legacy brands carry. But the 1025 Dokdo line has accumulated enough real-world usage data and independent reviews to support confidence in its quality. The Cleansing Oil, specifically, demonstrates a level of formulation thoughtfulness — ceramides, triple HA, panthenol, six botanical oils — that many established brands have not brought to the cleansing oil category. It is not just a good K-beauty product. It is a genuinely excellent cleansing oil by any standard.
Texture
The texture is unusually lightweight for an oil cleanser. Where many cleansing oils feel thick and viscous, almost reluctant to move across the skin, this one has a fluid, almost watery consistency that glides effortlessly. Two to three pumps are enough for the entire face. You massage it in small circles across dry skin, feeling makeup and sunscreen dissolve within thirty seconds. Adding water triggers the emulsification — the sorbeth-30 tetraoleate converts the oil into a milky liquid that rinses clean without leaving the stubborn oily film that plagues lesser cleansing oils.
Scent
The scent deserves honest discussion. Bergamot and sage essential oils contribute a light, fresh, citrus-herbal note that most users find pleasant. It is subtle and dissipates during rinsing. But bergamot oil is a known photosensitizer and contains limonene and linalool — both EU-listed fragrance allergens. In a rinse-off product with brief skin contact, the risk is low. But for users with documented fragrance sensitivities or essential oil allergies, this is not a concern to dismiss. It is the one compromise in an otherwise impressively gentle formula.
Common Praise
The post-rinse feel is the product’s best advertisement. Skin feels clean — genuinely, thoroughly clean — but also soft, plump, and slightly dewy. There is no tightness, no pulling, no sensation of moisture being sucked out of your face. For anyone who has endured the squeaky-clean aftermath of foaming cleansers and thought that was what clean was supposed to feel like, this is a revelation.
How to Use
You massage it in small circles across dry skin, feeling makeup and sunscreen dissolve within thirty seconds. Adding water triggers the emulsification — the sorbeth-30 tetraoleate converts the oil into a milky liquid that rinses clean without leaving the stubborn oily film that plagues lesser cleansing oils.
Best for
The practical value is excellent. The 200ml bottle lasts three to four months with nightly use, bringing the per-use cost down to something trivial. The pump dispenser is reliable and hygienic. The formula’s compatibility with the K-beauty double-cleanse philosophy makes it a natural first step before the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser or any water-based second cleanser.
Works for
For anyone who has endured the squeaky-clean aftermath of foaming cleansers and thought that was what clean was supposed to feel like, this is a revelation.
Not ideal for
For users with documented fragrance sensitivities or essential oil allergies, this is not a concern to dismiss. It is the one compromise in an otherwise impressively gentle formula.
Pairs Well With
The formula’s compatibility with the K-beauty double-cleanse philosophy makes it a natural first step before the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser or any water-based second cleanser.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Diisostearyl Malate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Canola Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Sea Water, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Phosphatidylcholine, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Glycine, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine, Alanine, Arginine, Threonine, Proline, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Tocopherol, Limonene, Linalool
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
This cleansing oil uses a principle found in dermatological literature: the cleansing step affects skin barrier health. Traditional surfactant-based cleansers strip intercellular lipids from the stratum corneum, which increases transepidermal water loss and causes irritation. Oil-based cleansers use a "like dissolves like" mechanism to remove oil-soluble impurities (makeup, sunscreen, sebum) while preserving the native lipid structure.
The formula includes Ceramide NP to address lipid loss directly. Ceramides make up about 50% of the stratum corneum lipid matrix; losing them during cleansing causes post-wash tightness and dryness. Even though oil cleansing contact time is brief (typically 60-90 seconds), studies show that short-duration exposure to ceramide-containing formulations helps replenish stratum corneum lipids.
The triple hyaluronic acid system (standard HA, hydrolyzed HA, and sodium hyaluronate) provides humectant support at multiple molecular weights. Hydrolyzed HA and sodium hyaluronate are lower-molecular-weight forms that penetrate the upper epidermis more easily, providing hydration during the brief cleansing window.
Evening primrose oil has high gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content—an omega-6 fatty acid with anti-inflammatory properties. A study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science showed that topical GLA application improves skin barrier function and reduces transepidermal water loss over time. In this cleansing oil, the GLA-rich evening primrose cleanses and conditions the skin.
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists favor oil cleansing as a gentle first step in a double-cleanse routine, especially for patients who wear sunscreen and makeup daily. Board-certified dermatologists note that adding ceramides and hyaluronic acid to a cleansing oil shows a barrier-conscious approach that minimizes typical lipid disruption. However, dermatologists advise patients with fragrance sensitivities to watch the bergamot oil and its limonene and linalool content, even in a rinse-off product.
Where it fits in your routine.
Massage 2-3 pumps onto dry hands and a dry face for 30-60 seconds. Focus on areas with makeup, sunscreen, or excess sebum. The oil dissolves everything on contact. Add a small amount of water and massage to emulsify the oil into a milky liquid. Rinse with lukewarm water. Follow immediately with a water-based cleanser for the second step of your double cleanse.
At about $22 for 200ml, this cleansing oil provides high value over its 3-4 month lifespan. The per-use cost is low. This cleansing product includes ceramides, triple HA, panthenol, and six botanical oils, which is unusually generous. As an emerging K-beauty brand, ROUND LAB prices competitively with established brands and offers a more sophisticated ingredient profile than many oil cleansers at the same price point or higher.
Daily sunscreen or makeup users wanting a gentle, effective first-cleanse that hydrates instead of strips skin. It works for dry and normal skin types, K-beauty routine enthusiasts, and anyone upgrading from basic micellar water or harsh makeup removers to a more skin-caring cleansing experience.
Avoid this if you have documented sensitivities to bergamot oil, limonene, or linalool. Very acne-prone skin should patch test first because of the ethylhexyl stearate. Look elsewhere if you prefer completely fragrance-free and essential-oil-free products.
Product details.
This lightweight, fluid oil is thinner than most cleansing oils. Its watery-oil consistency glides across the skin without the heavy, viscous feel of traditional oil cleansers. It emulsifies into a milky liquid when water is added, then rinses completely clean.
Bergamot and sage essential oils provide a light citrus-herbal scent. It smells fresh and clean, not heavy or perfumey. The scent dissipates quickly during rinsing.
A transparent 200 ml pump bottle uses a secure press-down pump for controlled dispensing. The pump mechanism works smoothly and reliably. This large size works well for nightly use.
The first use is satisfying. The lightweight oil melts into dry skin and dissolves heavy makeup within 30-60 seconds of gentle massage. Adding water turns it into a milky emulsion that rinses clean. Skin feels soft and hydrated, not tight or stripped. No adjustment period is needed.
3-4 months with nightly use, using 2-3 pumps per application
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
The 1025 in the name refers to October 25th, which holds significance in Korean awareness of the Dokdo islands — a group of rocky islets in the Sea of Japan/East Sea. ROUND LAB built their flagship line around deep sea water sourced from these waters, which is naturally rich in 72 minerals. The Cleansing Oil extended the 1025 Dokdo line beyond toners and creams into the first step of the K-beauty double-cleanse routine, applying the same mineral-rich hydration philosophy to makeup removal.
About ROUND LAB
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)ROUND LAB launched in 2017 in South Korea. Its 1025 Dokdo line went viral using mineral-rich deep sea water from the Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands. The brand has a shorter track record than legacy skincare brands, but the K-beauty community praises its products and they have a strong international following.
Common myths.
Oil cleansers clog pores and cause breakouts.
Well-formulated cleansing oils dissolve and rinse away by emulsifying with water. This formula uses ceramide NP and hyaluronic acid to support the pore environment during cleansing. Thorough emulsification and rinsing are key, followed by a water-based second cleanser.
You don't need to double cleanse if you use a good oil cleanser.
This oil cleanser rinses cleaner than most, but double cleansing (oil cleanser followed by water-based cleanser) is the gold standard for thorough PM cleansing, especially after wearing sunscreen or makeup. The oil step dissolves oil-soluble impurities; the water step catches water-soluble residue.
FAQ.
Is the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil good for sensitive skin?
The base formula is gentle. panthenol, allantoin, and ceramide NP soothe and support the barrier. However, bergamot essential oil, limonene, and linalool are potential sensitizers. Patch test first if you react to citrus-derived ingredients or essential oils. Most sensitive skin types tolerate it well.
Can I use this as my only cleanser?
This oil cleanses effectively and works as the first step in a double-cleanse routine. For thorough cleansing after sunscreen or makeup, follow with a water-based cleanser like the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleanser. A water-based cleanser alone usually suffices on bare-skin mornings.
What does 1025 Dokdo mean?
1025 refers to October 25th, a date important to Korean awareness of the Dokdo islands. The formula uses mineral-rich deep sea water from near the Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands. This water contains 72 naturally-derived minerals that help balance skin moisture.
Does this cleansing oil remove waterproof makeup?
Yes. The oil base dissolves waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, and heavy sunscreen. Massage into dry skin for 30-60 seconds, add water to emulsify until the oil turns milky, then rinse. Use a water-based cleanser next for complete removal.
Is this cleansing oil safe during pregnancy?
Yes. This cleansing oil has no retinoids, no salicylic acid, and no ingredients flagged as pregnancy concerns. The essential oils (bergamot, sage) are in small amounts in a rinse-off product, which is generally safe. Consult your OB-GYN if you have specific concerns.
Will this cleansing oil cause breakouts?
The formula contains ethylhexyl stearate, which has moderate comedogenicity potential. Because this is a rinse-off product with brief skin contact time, the risk is lower than with leave-on products. Most users, including those with combination skin, report no breakouts. If you have acne-prone skin, monitor use during the first week.
What the community says.
"Melts makeup and sunscreen effortlessly including waterproof formulas"
"Rinses clean without leaving heavy oily residue — emulsifies beautifully with water"
"Skin feels clean, soft, and hydrated after use rather than stripped or tight"
"Lightweight oil texture that doesn't feel heavy or clogging during massage"
"Pleasant light citrus-herbal scent that dissipates quickly"
"Generous 200ml size lasts 3-4 months with nightly use"
"Contains bergamot oil and limonene — potential sensitizers for fragrance-reactive skin"
"Some users feel an oily residue that requires thorough double-cleansing to fully remove"
"Not ideal as a standalone cleanser — best results require a second water-based cleanse"
"Ethylhexyl stearate may contribute to breakouts in acne-prone skin"
"Price is higher than some competing K-beauty oil cleansers"
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