It is a fragrance-free, citrate-buffered, mildly acidic cleansing water that uses gentle amphoteric and glucoside surfactants with Dong-A's sodium heparin, mugwort, panthenol and allantoin, with heparin placed notably high in the list.
A genuinely gentle, fragrance-free cleansing water that behaves the way sensitive-skin products should: mild amphoteric and glucoside surfactants, a citrate buffer, and soothing heparin, mugwort and panthenol with nothing superfluous. It is excellent for light makeup and sunscreen on reactive or acne-prone skin; waterproof makeup still calls for an oil cleanser first.
English-language reviews number only a handful, and the hypoallergenic and pH claims come from the brand. The assessment rests on the official Olive Young Global ingredient list, which is short and conventional enough that real-world performance should track the formula closely.
The case for it
What would change this: A researched evidence row for the lead active would replace this with a verdict.
Same rule for everyone. “Good choice” is the verdict on 1,938 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule F2 decided 1,938 of them. As of September 25, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
The case for it
Cautions: fungal-acne triggers.
What would change this: A researched evidence row for the lead active would replace this with a verdict.
Same rule for everyone. “Supporting role” is the verdict on 8,197 of 45,024 concern verdicts across the catalog; rule R8 decided 4,250 of them. As of September 25, 2026, engine 5.1.1.
Brand or formulator? Disclose a concentration or correct a fact →
Does the jobDoes what a cleanser is for: surfactant mildness, rinses clean without stripping. Not measured from the label: pH match to skin.
A verdict is DermApproved’s assessment of how well a product’s ingredients fit a concern — never a claim about what the product treats. Evidence dots and collected reviews sit beside it and are never blended in. Rules 0.5.1 · evidence table ev-2026.09-r228 · how we decide
Sometimes the most useful thing to notice about a skincare product is what it leaves out. The Fation Nosca9 Cleansing Water contains no fragrance, no essential oils, no drying alcohol and no strong anionic detergents. Its official ingredient list, twenty-four items long, reads like a checklist of what dermatologists tend to want in a product for sensitive skin, and very little else. In a category where many cleansing waters add perfume, botanical oils or fragrance allergens that linger on the skin after wiping, that restraint is the product's main selling point.
The cleansing system is mild by design. Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, an amphoteric surfactant, does most of the work, with myristamine oxide adding foam-free cleansing power and caprylyl/capryl glucoside and decyl glucoside, both sugar-derived non-ionic surfactants, softening the blend. Sodium citrate and citric acid buffer the water to a mildly acidic pH, which the brand highlights and which suits the skin's natural acidity. Butylene, dipropylene and pentylene glycol act as solvents and humectants.
On the soothing side, the Nosca9 line's signature ingredients sit notably high in the list. Soybean seed extract and Korean mugwort appear right after the glycols, and sodium heparin, the basis of Dong-A Pharmaceutical's Heparin RX Complex, comes seventh, higher than in several of the line's leave-on products. Panthenol, allantoin and tocopherol round it out. In a rinse-off product, their effect is brief, but they help the skin feel calm after wiping, and they matter more for anyone who does not rinse thoroughly.
In use, the water is clear, thin and unscented. Soaked into a cotton pad and pressed against closed eyes for a few seconds, it loosens everyday mascara and eyeliner without stinging, which is not a given with many cleansing waters. Foundation, concealer and daily sunscreen lift off in a few passes. It leaves skin feeling clean and comfortable, not tight. The brand's directions suggest a light rinse with lukewarm water afterwards, which is a sensible habit for any cleansing water.
The limitations are predictable. Waterproof mascara and long-wear, water-resistant sunscreen are harder work, needing more pads and more rubbing than is ideal. On those days, an oil or balm cleanser first, followed by this water or a gentle foam, is a better approach. For people who wear heavy makeup daily, a cleansing oil will be more efficient overall.
For acne-prone skin, the formula is a good fit. It is oil-free, fragrance-free and mild, so it cleans without adding irritation, and it pairs well with leave-on treatments such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide that already challenge the barrier. For dry skin, it is comfortable, though a moisturiser afterwards remains important. For rosacea-prone and reactive skin, it is one of the easier cleansing waters to recommend, provided the rubbing is kept gentle.
It also has a quiet morning role. On days when skin feels clean after the night, a single pad of this water removes leftover moisturiser and sweat without the tightness some foaming cleansers cause, which is useful for dry or over-treated skin. People using strong prescription treatments in the evening often find that swapping their morning foam for a cleansing-water wipe reduces the dryness that builds across the day. Because the formula is unscented and mildly acidic, it also works for quick clean-ups after exercise or on long travel days, when a sink and a full wash are not available, and it is gentle enough to use around the eyes before bed even on days without makeup.
There are a few practical notes. Sodium heparin is typically derived from animal tissue, so the product is not vegan. Availability outside Korea is uneven; Olive Young Global lists the 500 millilitre bottle at about twenty-one dollars, while some US retailers show it cheaper but frequently sold out. A bottle lasts three to four months of nightly use, bringing the monthly cost to a few dollars.
Fation, the derma brand of Dong-A Pharmaceutical, launched in 2018, and its Nosca9 line is built around trouble-prone, sensitive skin. The cleansing water has been on sale since at least 2022, but English reviews remain sparse, and the brand's hypoallergenic claim rests on its own testing rather than published research. The formula, though, is simple enough to judge on its merits.
A word on technique helps anyone switching from foaming cleansers. Rather than rubbing the pad back and forth, press it onto the skin for a few seconds and then sweep outward in one direction, turning to a clean section each time. That approach removes more makeup with less friction, which is exactly what sensitive skin needs, and it makes a bottle last longer.
The verdict is warm. For sensitive, acne-prone or reactive skin that wears light to moderate makeup and sunscreen, this is one of the gentler cleansing waters you can buy, and its fragrance-free formula is a real advantage. For heavy or waterproof makeup, pair it with an oil cleanser rather than asking it to do everything alone.
The hero actives that drive this product's performance.
| Ingredient | Function | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine | The main cleansing agent, a mild amphoteric surfactant that, with myristamine oxide and two glucosides, lifts makeup onto the pad without the harshness of stronger detergents. | Not yet assessed |
| Sodium Heparin | The Heparin RX Complex at the heart of the Nosca9 line, placed seventh here, higher than in several of the line's leave-on products, for soothing on sensitive skin. | Not yet assessed |
| Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract | Korean mugwort, placed before the surfactants, adds a calming botanical element to what is otherwise a minimalist formula. | Not yet assessed |
| Panthenol | With allantoin, keeps skin comfortable after wiping, particularly useful if the water is not fully rinsed off. | Not yet assessed |
Ingredient standings describe the active at treatment-level doses and vehicles; this product's own condition grades weigh its actual formula.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Sodium Heparin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Myristamine Oxide, Bis-Ethoxydiglycol Cyclohexane 1,4-Dicarboxylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Octanediol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
cleanser
AM & PM
Use as the first cleanse on cotton pads, rinse lightly as the brand suggests, then continue with a gentle cleanser if you wore heavy sunscreen or makeup.
Immediate: makeup and sunscreen lifted, skin left comfortable and not tight. As a cleanser, it does not produce cumulative skin changes.
Cleansing waters use low concentrations of mild surfactants to solubilise makeup and sebum so they can be wiped away. This formula relies on cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, an amphoteric surfactant known for good mildness and foam tolerance, and myristamine oxide, an amine oxide co-surfactant, supported by two alkyl glucosides (caprylyl/capryl glucoside and decyl glucoside), which are among the gentlest non-ionic surfactants used in cosmetics. Compared with anionic surfactants such as sulfates, these interact less with skin proteins and lipids, reducing irritation potential.
The citric acid and sodium citrate buffer keeps the product mildly acidic. The skin surface has a pH of roughly 4.5 to 5.5, and cleansers closer to this range are associated with less disruption of the acid mantle and barrier enzymes than alkaline cleansers.
Sodium heparin is a sulfated glycosaminoglycan. Topical heparin products are used medically for superficial bruising and inflammation, and laboratory research suggests anti-inflammatory and barrier-related effects in skin, though evidence in cosmetic cleansers is limited. Artemisia princeps (Korean mugwort) extract contains flavonoids and terpenoids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity reported in laboratory studies. Panthenol and allantoin are well-established skin-conditioning agents associated with improved hydration and comfort.
The absence of fragrance is relevant: fragrance ingredients are among the most common causes of cosmetic contact dermatitis, and leave-on or incompletely rinsed products increase exposure. For sensitive skin, a fragrance-free, mildly acidic cleanser with gentle surfactants represents best practice in formulation.
Dermatologists often recommend fragrance-free, gentle cleansers for patients with sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema or acne, especially when they are also using irritating treatments such as retinoids. Micellar and cleansing waters are considered useful for removing makeup with minimal friction, with the caveat that a light rinse or second cleanse helps remove residue. For waterproof makeup, oil-based removers are commonly suggested to avoid excessive rubbing around the eyes. Clinicians generally advise pressing rather than scrubbing with cotton pads, and discontinuing any product that causes stinging or redness.
Soak a cotton pad with the cleansing water. For eyes, hold the pad on closed lids for five to ten seconds to dissolve mascara, then wipe gently downward. For the face, press and sweep outward, switching to a clean section as makeup lifts. Repeat until pads come away clean. Rinse lightly with lukewarm water, as the brand suggests, then apply toner and moisturiser. On days with waterproof makeup, use an oil cleanser first.
At about $21.00 for 500 ml on Olive Young Global, the cleansing water lasts three to four months of nightly use, a reasonable cost for a well-formulated, fragrance-free sensitive-skin remover. Some US retailers list it for less but are often sold out. Its value lies in gentleness rather than power, since heavy makeup users will still need an oil cleanser. Dong-A Pharmaceutical's backing supports quality, though English-language user data is limited.
People with sensitive, acne-prone, rosacea-prone or reactive skin who want a fragrance-free, gentle first cleanse for light makeup and everyday sunscreen, especially those using retinoids or other irritating treatments.
Heavy or waterproof makeup wearers will find it slow and should use an oil cleanser. Anyone avoiding animal-derived ingredients should note that sodium heparin is not vegan.
Ready to try Fation Nosca9 Cleansing Water?
Buy at Amazon ♥A clear, water-thin liquid.
Unscented.
A 500 ml clear bottle with a white flip cap.
Wipes feel gentle and cool, with no tingle around the eyes. Light makeup comes off in a few passes; skin feels clean but not tight. Waterproof mascara needs patience or an oil cleanser first.
About three to four months of nightly use with two or three cotton pads.
All Year
Fation created the cleansing water to extend its Nosca9 trouble-care line to makeup removal, describing it as mildly acidic and hypoallergenic-tested for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Fation is a derma-focused Korean skincare brand created by Dong-A Pharmaceutical, a 90-year-old health-science company, and launched in 2018. The brand is young, but its formulas lean on the parent company's pharmaceutical research, and the Nosca9 line is positioned clinically for troubled, sensitive skin.
Cleansing water is too weak to remove sunscreen.
It removes most everyday sunscreens and light makeup; water-resistant formulas may need an oil cleanser or a second pass.
Unscented means ingredient-free.
This water still contains surfactants and soothing ingredients; a light rinse afterwards, as the brand suggests, is kind to sensitive skin.
Yes. The official ingredient list contains no fragrance or essential oils, which suits sensitive and acne-prone skin.
The brand recommends a light rinse with lukewarm water after wiping, which removes surfactant and makeup residue.
It handles light makeup well, but waterproof mascara usually needs an oil-based remover or several passes.
Yes. It is oil-free, fragrance-free and mildly acidic, and it pairs well with a gentle second cleanser for acne-prone skin.
It is Dong-A's soothing complex based on sodium heparin, used across the Nosca9 line; here it sits in the top third of the ingredient list.
No. Sodium heparin is typically derived from animal tissue.
Recurring themes our editors read across retailer reviews of this product — summaries in our words, not quotations, and not a substitute for your own patch test.
No stinging, even around the eyes
Unscented
Leaves skin comfortable
Needs several pads for heavy makeup
Not always in stock