Last month I showed you my new purchase – the Hada Labo Hydrating Makeup Remover. I got it purchased from Singapore and I initially thought it was a cleansing oil. Turns out it isn’t. Not quite anyway.
The Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydaring Makeup Remover is like a gel in texture. Its transparent (its the bottle that’s blue not the gel) and rather thick and viscous. Threw me for a loop the first time I used it. I was expecting oil to pump out.
That said, this makeup remover is used the same way as that of cleansing oil i.e. on a dry face. Its easy to use:-
- Pump out 2-3 pumps of makeup remover onto dry hands
- Apply all over onto dry face, massaging into skin to remove makeup
- Add water bit by bit to emulsify and repeat until clean
Does it work well to remove makeup?
Actually, yes. Its not bad at all.
I do find that it takes a while to remove waterproof mascara but it takes off everything else quickly and easily. Its not drying on the skin and its quite gentle.
You do have to rinse it quite a lot before your face actually feels clean. That’s a bit of a bummer. With regular cleansing oils, I find that the job gets done quite quickly. With this one, it takes a little longer. I do double cleanse, so it doesn’t bug me very much.
Be careful if it gets into your eyes. It can sting a little. Otherwise, there isn’t much else I have to say about this one. Check out the ingredient list below:-
Pros: Removes makeup, Not drying
Cons: Takes a while to wash off properly
I purchased mine in Singapore for S$17.90 (RM42). I’m told its expected in Malaysia towards the end of the year. I use this everyday to remove makeup so a bottle will last me roughly 2 months or maybe less.
Have you tried this one and do you like it? I’m not sure I’d repurchase. It didn’t break me out, and it works well enough. I’d wait and see how much it will retail for here in Malaysia before I decide if it merits a repurchase 
Paris B
Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Makeup Remover retails for S$17.90 at Singapore Watson’s pharmacy. Expected to be available in Malaysia by end 2010. Retails in Malaysia (Guardian Pharmacy) for RM39.90.
[ 40 comments… read them below or join the discussion ]
Twitter: Hannyinefmor
September 2, 2010 at 9:16 am
I have the other one by Mandom Japan… The green one for oily skin?? It has the same consistency, and I think that it works best if you put it on a cotton pad and press on the eye for about 1/2 a minute. Removes even gel liners on the waterline with ease ! ^.^
I’d been intrigued by the Mandom one too and if I had to do the whole cotton pad thing I’d just skip it altogether coz I usually remove my makeup in the shower
This works but takes a little while. Thanks for the tip anyway! 
Twitter: Hannyinefmor
September 2, 2010 at 9:56 am
Ooops, sorry… I skipped the part of the gel-like consistency… Wow… So blur…
Mine is practically almost like water… Sorry!! ^.^
Is the consistency like jello or hair gel? Sounds icky from your descriptions. I’ll stick to cleansing oil.
Haha it isn’t icky. Its like liquid jelly if you can imagine that
Twitter: huixin
September 2, 2010 at 10:10 am
although i do double-cleansing, but i prefer something that removes everything cleanly on the first round
So do I … yet I double cleanse to make doubly sure. Weird right? Haha!
i’m using the mandom one in a blue tube, the cleansing express gel. no cotton pads needed but can sting the eyes. i love it though, cheap (S$12.90), convenient and easy to travel with.
Hmm I haven’t paid attention to this one. I’ll check it out the next time I’m at a pharmacy, thanks!
I’m using this too. Is really simple to use. I’m onto my 2nd tube. I think it’ll sting a little if you have sensitive skin. I’m also using the eye remover from mandom (blue in colour). It removes waterproof mascara easily.
Wow Paris! Just realised that this seems to be the only item of Hada Labo that is made in Japan instead of China? LOL
Hi, I’m just curious what’s the difference – products made in Japan and China?
According to Hada Labo, there’s no difference, just prices. I’ve addressed some thoughts about the Hada Labo that is made in China and Japan here.
It might be because it came from Singapore
LOL Now I know
am using a similar 1 from Ettusais. Texture is similar like Hada labo lotion, slightly thicker, not as watery. Works wonder, but is pricey
need to find alternative.
Ettusais is a brand that totally slips under my radar every single time. Might the Hada Labo one be cheaper than Ettusais?
i think it will be cheaper. Ettusais is abt RM70+ if i’m not mistaken. Works so wonderfully easy. Just 1 pump, massage on face and rinse off. Clean and not drying at all. Maybe you can do some reviews on Ettusais. Good stuff they have.
Thanks for the info. I’ll take a look the next time I pass by a counter. Truly they seem a bit too young to interest me, but you never know
haha…PB, i am 31 yo…
Twitter: smellyocheese
September 2, 2010 at 11:53 am
I can imagine it being a weird texture to work with…
I’ve been so bummed that my current makeup remover doesn’t remove waterproof eye makeup, I probably wouldn’t opt for another that doesn’t anymore. Still very much satisfied with the Kose softymo!
Haha its not that weird. Its just a light gel, not water or oil – that’s what threw me for a loop! I love Kose Softymo. Wish we had it here so I didn’t have to make trips to HK to get it. What a bother
hehe…
Hi,
i just purchased DHC cleaning oil from japan, a small bottle cost me Rm25, just for trial. Works well and non drying after washing. Olive oil is one of the ingredient. Similar to other cleansing oil, emulsify with water. May take awhile to remove waterproof mascara. Wonder if this brand is available here.
Yup DHC is now available at Watson’s Pharmacies in Malaysia
I didn’t pay attention to prices nor the products because my last experience with DHC Deep Cleansing Oil was a bad one. It clogged my pores with prolonged use 
Yeah, just read your review On DHC Cleasing Oil. FYI, when I first tried it, i was still away. I have yet to try it here. Thanks for the info. I’ll try it for over 2 weeks to tell if it is worth repurchasing.
At least if it works for you, you’d know that its now available here
I used Shu Uemura been many years.It work well but I doubt that is that always use same brand of cleansing oil is good ?Anyone can answer?
My view is that if you’ve been using something a long time and it works, stick with it. There must be a reason its not breaking you out or killing your skin
Great review. I’d like to try this when it arrives @ M’sia. But, at the moment, I’m loving the Mandom one in white, if I want to clean with a cotton pad.
So many people are liking the Mandom
I shall take a look when i’m done with my cleansing oils
I had considered this but I decided to stick to Bioderma’s micellar water for oil free cleansing on days when I’m too tired to wash up before going to bed.
Nothing so far is as gentle or cleanses as well as micellar water. I had considered the mandom m/u remover as a cheaper drugstore replacement but it is full of alcohol so that really put me off.
This product reminds me of Dr. Ci Labo’s Cleansing Gel Ex.
Hmm not familiar with Bioderma but glad its working for you
Muji also has its skincare range but too bad it’s not available here in Malaysia. I’m currently using their cleansing oil for sensitive skin and it’s worth the price for something affordable yet effective. Bought it in S’pore at SD13. You might want to try it.
Yar! I read the Muji cleansing oil is not bad. We don’t get Muji here but if I have the time the next time I go to Singapore (and I’m intrigued enough) I’ll take a look
I was quite skeptical to try this as it stings eyes. Do you think it can removes mascara like MJ? I’ve tried the Mandom one and it just work great!!
Only if you let it get into the eyes
I haven’t tried Majorlica Majorca’s mascara so I can’t tell if it works.
OMG. Must buy this when I’m in S’pore/Msia.
On another note. OMG. Finally got nekkid internet at home!!!! So good to be reading blogs from laptop and not crackberry!
Yay for internet! And be sure to look out for it in Singapore (in case its not here yet by the time you get here)
Hello, just wondering. I’m still new into cleansing oil/makeup remover. Planning to buy one soon. Can you recommend which one will be the better option. Either Hada Labo Gokujyun Hydrating Makeup Remover or Kose Softymo Cleansing Oil.
Thank you
Hada Labo is an oil free texture and best for very light makeup removal. Kose Softymo, if you can get it, works better for me. Its a matter of which you prefer.