Softymo Washing Foam White Moist
Softymo Washing Foam White Moist
Product Description
A gentle, amino acid-based foaming cleanser from Japan that effectively removes makeup and impurities while leaving skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. Formulated with soy milk ferment and licorice root extract for brightening benefits without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
โจ Texture & Feel
Amino Acid Surfactants
Uses gentle sodium lauroyl glutamate for effective cleansing without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier.
Licorice Root Extract
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate provides anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening benefits to help even out skin tone.
Soy Milk Ferment
Isoflavone-rich fermented soy milk deeply moisturizes and promotes a firmer, more radiant complexion.
Silk Powder
Lauroyl lysine and silk powder leave skin feeling silky smooth with a refined, soft texture after cleansing.
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Compatibility
Contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate (licorice derivative). While topical use in rinse-off products is generally considered low risk, some sources advise caution. Consult your healthcare provider.
Not FA-safe. Contains lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, glycol stearate, and milk ferment which may feed malassezia yeast.
Fragrance-free and color-free formula with gentle amino acid surfactants makes it suitable for most sensitive skin types.
Formula includes methylparaben and ethylparaben as preservatives. These are widely studied and considered safe at cosmetic concentrations.
๐ฌ Ingredient Breakdown
๐ฟ Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Active
A potent extract derived from licorice root, this ingredient functions as the star brightening and soothing agent. It works by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and reducing inflammation for a more even skin tone.
- Function: Anti-inflammatory, skin brightening, soothing irritation
- Source: Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root
- Research: CIR Expert Panel found safe for cosmetic use up to 1%
๐ง Glycerin ~3-5% Proven
A powerhouse humectant naturally found in skin. Glycerin draws moisture from the environment into the skin, providing lasting hydration without heaviness.
- Function: Humectant, skin-identical ingredient, barrier support
- Research: 2016 study found glycerin more effective than hyaluronic acid at hydration
- Comedogenic Rating: 0 (will not clog pores)
๐ฅ Milk Ferment (Soy Milk Fermented Solution) Promising
Fermented soy milk rich in isoflavones provides deep moisturization and helps improve skin firmness and radiance. The fermentation process enhances bioavailability of beneficial compounds.
- Function: Moisturizing, firming, antioxidant
- Key Component: Isoflavones with phytoestrogenic properties
- Benefits: Promotes supple, hydrated skin with improved elasticity
๐งผ Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate Gentle
An amino acid-based surfactant derived from glutamic acid and coconut oil. Known for being extremely mild with outstanding foaming properties while reducing harshness.
- Function: Gentle cleansing, foam building
- pH: Allows for milder formulations
- Benefit: Cleanses effectively without disrupting skin barrier
21 ingredients
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Myristic Acid, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Lauric Acid, Polyethylene, PPG-7 Lauryl Ether, Sulfuric Acid, Milk Ferment, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Lauroyl Lysine, Silk Powder, Glycol Stearate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Lauroyl Ethylenediamine Triacetate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Alcohol, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben
๐ Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use as your second cleanser in a double cleansing routine, or as a standalone morning cleanser. Can also remove light makeup on its own.
๐ How to Use
Wet Your Face
Splash your face with lukewarm water to prepare the skin for cleansing.
Dispense Product
Squeeze about 2cm of product onto your palm. Add a small amount of water.
Create Lather
Work the product between your hands to create a rich, fluffy foam.
Massage Gently
Apply the foam to your face using gentle circular motions for 30-60 seconds, focusing on the T-zone.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinse completely with lukewarm water until no residue remains. Pat dry with a clean towel.
๐ค Who Is It For?
โ Perfect for you if:
- You want a gentle, non-stripping cleanser
- You have dull skin that needs brightening
- You prefer fragrance-free products
- You want an affordable J-beauty cleanser
- You need a 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser
- You have normal, dry, or combination skin
โ Consider alternatives if:
- You have fungal acne (contains FA triggers)
- You're pregnant and prefer to avoid licorice derivatives
- You need to remove heavy waterproof makeup
- You prefer a low pH cleanser (this is ~8-9 pH)
- You want to avoid parabens
- You have very oily skin that needs deep cleansing
๐ฏ Skin Type Compatibility
Cleanses effectively without over-drying, but may not feel "deep cleaning" enough for very oily skin.
The "Moist" formula with glycerin and soy milk ferment leaves skin hydrated, not tight or stripped.
Balances well between cleansing oily areas and moisturizing dry patches. Perfect for combo skin.
Fragrance-free with gentle amino acid surfactants. Patch test recommended for very reactive skin.
Low comedogenic rating (1/5), but not fungal acne safe. Contains fatty acids that may trigger some breakouts.
๐ Results Timeline
Clean, Soft Skin
Skin feels thoroughly cleansed yet soft and moisturized. No tightness or dryness typical of harsher cleansers.
95% noticedImproved Texture
Skin begins to feel smoother and more refined. Dead skin cells are gently removed with each wash.
78% noticedBrighter Complexion
The licorice root extract starts showing visible brightening effects. Dullness is reduced and skin appears more radiant.
65% noticedEven Skin Tone
With consistent use, dark spots may appear lighter and overall skin tone more even. Best results with complete skincare routine.
52% noticedโญ Ratings by Platform
โ๏ธ Pros & Cons
โ Praised
- Extremely gentle, doesn't strip or dry out skin
- Creates rich, fluffy foam with small amount
- Leaves skin soft, smooth, and moisturized
- Fragrance-free and color-free formula
- Affordable price point for quality J-beauty
- Works as 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser
- Contains skin-soothing licorice extract
- No tight feeling after rinsing
โ Criticized
- Higher pH (~8-9) not ideal for all skin
- Doesn't remove stubborn waterproof makeup
- Not fungal acne safe
- Contains parabens (concern for some users)
- Brightening effects take weeks to notice
- Tube packaging wastes product at the end
- May not feel "clean enough" for oily skin
- Licorice derivative may concern pregnant users
๐ฐ Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Also Japanese, uses hyaluronic acid instead of soy milk ferment. Self-foaming pump dispenser. Lower pH and FA-safer formula. Better for acne-prone skin.
Cult-favorite J-beauty cleanser with silk essence. Denser, creamier foam. Contains fragrance. More accessible at drugstores worldwide.
Western alternative with ceramides and niacinamide. Fragrance-free, lower pH. More readily available. Different texture and foam quality.
Same J-beauty category. Uses SPT technology for gentle cleansing. Multiple variants for different skin concerns. Similar price point.
๐ Comparison with Competitors
Softymo Washing Foam White Moist
~$7Hada Labo Gokujyun Foaming
~$11Senka Perfect Whip
~$9Biore Skin Care Facial Foam
~$7๐ฆ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep cap tightly closed.
Squeeze tube with flip-top cap
Yes, 150g is under TSA liquid limits. Compact tube design fits easily in toiletry bags.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Use with caution. This product contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice root derivative. While topical use in rinse-off products presents minimal absorption risk, some sources recommend avoiding licorice-based skincare during pregnancy due to limited safety data. Consult your healthcare provider before use. For breastfeeding, the minimal systemic absorption from a rinse-off cleanser is generally considered low risk.
No, this product is NOT fungal acne safe. It contains several ingredients that can feed malassezia yeast, including lauric acid (C12), myristic acid (C14), stearic acid (C18), glycol stearate, glyceryl isostearate, and milk ferment. If you have fungal acne, consider alternatives like Hada Labo Gokujyun Foaming Face Wash or Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser.
Yes, this cleanser is compatible with active ingredients. Since it's a rinse-off product, it won't interfere with your serums or treatments. However, if you're using strong actives like retinoids or chemical exfoliants, the cleanser's higher pH (~8-9) may temporarily affect your skin's acid mantle. Consider using a pH-balancing toner after cleansing before applying your actives.
This cleanser is best suited for dry, normal, and combination skin types. The "Moist" formula with glycerin and soy milk ferment provides extra hydration, making it ideal for those who find typical cleansers too drying. It's also good for those with dull skin seeking brightening benefits. However, those with very oily skin may prefer something more deep-cleansing, and those with fungal acne should avoid it entirely.
Immediate results include clean, soft, moisturized skin without tightness. For brightening benefits from the licorice extract, expect to wait 4-8 weeks of consistent use. Visible improvements in skin texture typically appear within 1-2 weeks. Full brightening and dark spot reduction may take 2-3 months. Results vary based on individual skin conditions and overall skincare routine.
Use as Step 2 in a double cleansing routine (after oil cleanser) or as a standalone morning cleanser. Apply after removing makeup with an oil-based cleanser, before toner, serum, and moisturizer. In the morning, it can be your only cleanser unless you prefer just water rinsing. Always follow with the rest of your skincare routine and sunscreen during the day.
This cleanser has a low comedogenic rating of 1/5 because it's a rinse-off product with minimal skin contact time. While it contains some fatty acids (myristic, stearic, lauric), these function as surfactants that are washed away. For most people, it won't clog pores. However, those with acne-prone or fungal acne-prone skin should be cautious as these ingredients can potentially trigger breakouts in sensitive individuals.
This product has a PAO (Period After Opening) of 12 months. Once opened, use within one year for best results and to ensure preservative efficacy. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. The tube packaging helps protect the formula from air and contamination, extending its stability compared to jar packaging.
Verdict: Softymo Washing Foam White Moist is an excellent budget-friendly J-beauty cleanser for those seeking gentle, moisturizing cleansing with brightening benefits. Its amino acid-based formula effectively cleanses without stripping, and the soy milk ferment plus licorice root provide genuine skincare benefits. While not suitable for fungal acne-prone skin and potentially concerning for pregnant users due to the licorice derivative, it's a solid choice for dry to combination skin types looking for an affordable, fragrance-free daily cleanser. The higher pH may not suit everyone, but for most users, this delivers impressive value and results.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging ยซpromisesยป it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Skin Conditioning, Humectant, Flavoring Agent
|
Redness
Irritation
Dark Spots
|
|
| 1 |
Myristic Acid
Perfuming, Fragrance, Emulsifying, Opacifying, Sufactant
|
|
|
| 2 |
Glycerin
Solvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant, Skin Conditioning
|
Promotes Wound Healing
Hydrating
|
|
| 1 |
Stearic Acid
Masking, Fragrance, Emulsion Stabilising, Emulsifying, Sufactant, Refatting, Cleansing
|
|
|
| 0 |
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering
|
|

