When I got a few Shu Uemura sets a few months back, I had the chance to try their cleansing oils as well. It was my first time using cleansing oil cos I usually cleanse my face with cleanser/foam. You see, my skin type falls in the oily/combination category, so I thought to myself that the last thing I need to apply on my face is oil. I had this notion that cleaning my face with oil would make my face even oilier.
Wrong. It works wonder in removing makeup! I no longer need to use makeup remover prior to washing my face because the cleansing oil alone can dissolve makeup.
According to their website:
The unique cleansing systems, which are based on carefully selected quality oils with differently-shaped molecules, blend with oil-based make-up and sebum lodged in pores to remove them thoroughly in a single wash. The oil quickly and evenly spreads to every corner of the skin texture. There is no need to rub, just gently smooth over the face.
Now let’s go more into details on each of the cleansing oils that I tried. And see if makeup removing properties aside, are these worth the bucks.
The first one I used is the Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil, which specifically targets the pores. It was described as “a light-textured oil for complete pore cleansing with Sakura Complex. Deeply wash away pore concerns for a refined, smooth, pores-less skin." I noticed my face look much brighter and fresher when I used this.
I also tried the Whitefficient Clear Brightening Gentle Cleansing Oil. According to their site, “it is a light-textured oil with Vitamin C. Empowered with Fruit Acid Mix to remove accumulated melanin for a pristine, clear, visibly transparent skin." I’m not really a huge fan of whitening products, but I thought this would even out my dark spots. My acne marks did kind of fade, but not really so much. I only have sample size bottle which contains 50ml so I really wasn’t expecting visible results right away.
The direction at the back of the bottle is in Japanese so obviously I can’t understand it. But here’s how to use it. Take not that compared to regular facial cleanser, your face must be DRY when you apply the cleansing oil all over your face. Then wet it to emulsify and for the oil to take effect.
Okay, so now here’s the part where I finally say my verdict. In terms of removing makeup, I must say these cleansing oils are effective! It easily dissolves mascara, foundation, lipstick, and eyeshadow on my face. However, I honestly didn’t feel my face was clean enough every time I cleanse it with any of the two cleansing oils mentioned above. It was specified in their website that there is no need for double cleansing when you use the cleansing oil, but I still find myself reaching for my regular facial cleanser AFTER washing my face with it. Probably because I don’t see any lather or bubble forming and that’s what I’m used to seeing when washing my face. In my head the lather ensures my face is thoroughly cleansed. Also, I didn’t like the greasy-after-feeling. I’m not comfortable with it that’s why I still cleanse with facial cleanser afterwards.
For the Shu addicts out there, don’t hate me for this but… er… these cleansing oils are a miss for me! Sorry! Maybe oils are not for me. I did like Shu Uemura’s Porefinist Gentle Foaming Cleansing Water, though, which I will in the coming days.
