MENOKIN became known for one idea: compressing skincare rituals into thirty seconds with pump-dispensed foam. After its bubble masks took off, the Korean brand applied the same format to cleansers, launching a range of 30 Seconds Bubble Cleansers in early 2025. Pore Clear is the variant for oily and congested skin, and with around 200 reviews on MENOKIN's Korean site, it has found an audience among people who like a decisive, squeaky-clean wash. The formula explains both its appeal and its limitations.
The second ingredient is sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate. This surfactant is technically sulfate-free, so the cleanser can be marketed as such, but it is a strong anionic cleanser that foams vigorously and removes oil efficiently. In terms of how much it can strip the skin, it sits closer to sodium lauryl sulfate than to the mild isethionates and glucosides used in gentler cleansers. That is why Pore Clear leaves oily skin feeling so fresh, and why some drier-skinned users notice tightness.
MENOKIN softens that base sensibly. Glycerin, third on the list, and betaine add humectancy. Sodium methyl cocoyl taurate and lauryl betaine are milder co-surfactants that make the foam creamier and reduce irritation potential compared with the sulfonate alone. A hyaluronic acid complex adds a little more hydration, though in a rinse-off it mostly helps the after-feel. The formula is fragrance-free and contains no essential oils, which is a meaningful plus.
The 'pore clear' ingredients appear further down. Neem leaf and flower extracts carry a traditional reputation for purifying skin, and illite, kaolin and montmorillonite are clays known for absorbing oil. In a clay mask applied for ten minutes, these can mattify noticeably. In a foam that touches the skin for perhaps thirty seconds before rinsing, and at the very end of the ingredient list, their contribution is small. Tranexamoyl dipeptide-23, a peptide derivative of tranexamic acid, also appears at the tail end. There is no exfoliating acid such as salicylic acid, so the cleanser cannot loosen clogged pores the way a BHA would.
In practice, the experience is pleasant and efficient. The pump dispenses a dense, fine foam immediately, so there is no lathering, and it spreads easily over damp skin. It rinses quickly and leaves a clean, matte finish that oily skin types love, especially in hot weather or after exercise. As a second cleanse after an oil or balm, it removes residue thoroughly. It is not designed to remove waterproof makeup on its own, which MENOKIN states clearly.
The trade-off appears for drier or more sensitive skin. Strong surfactants can disrupt the skin's lipids, leading to tightness, flaking or redness with repeated use, particularly in winter or for those using retinoids. People with eczema, rosacea or a compromised barrier are better served by a milder cleanser. Even oily skin can benefit from following with a hydrating toner and a light moisturizer to keep the barrier happy.
Small adjustments make a real difference with a cleanser like this. Using lukewarm rather than hot water reduces how much oil and lipid it strips. Keeping the massage to about thirty seconds, as the name suggests, is enough to clean without over-exposing the skin to surfactant. On days when the skin already feels tight, a single pump on the T-zone and a water rinse elsewhere is a sensible compromise. And applying a hydrating toner within a minute of patting dry, before the skin has a chance to feel taut, keeps the barrier comfortable.
Seasons matter too. In humid summer weather, oily skin often tolerates it morning and night without trouble. In winter, or when indoor heating dries the air, many people with combination skin find once a day is enough, using a gentler cleanser or plain water in the morning. Pairing it with a moisturizer that contains ceramides or glycerin helps offset the cleansing strength.
Who will notice the difference most? People who have been using a creamy, low-foam cleanser and feel it never quite removes the oil from their nose and forehead often find Pore Clear a welcome change. Those whose skin is already balanced may find it more than they need.
It is worth comparing within the range. MENOKIN also offers a Perfect variant aimed at stronger makeup removal and other types for different concerns. Pore Clear is best thought of as the oily-skin option, defined by its surfactant strength rather than by any special pore-clearing technology.
On price, Olive Young Global lists the 150 ml pump at $26. With two pumps morning and night, a bottle lasts about two months, which makes it mid-range for a cleanser. The pump format and fragrance-free formula add some value, but similar oil-control foams are available for less.
MENOKIN has not published clinical data, and its founding date is not widely documented, so the assessment relies on the well-understood behaviour of its surfactants. For oily or combination skin that wants a fragrance-free, satisfying, fast foam, Pore Clear does its job. For pore-clearing specifically, add a leave-on salicylic acid product. And for dry or sensitive skin, a gentler cleanser will be kinder.
