I picked up the Hada Labo Olive Oil Cleansing Oil online quite a while ago and as with all things fated, it came in quite quickly thereafter. And at a cheaper price too. Would I never learn? Well no, I never do 😛
But anyway, we first saw the Hada Labo water based makeup remover come in a while ago. I had the impression initially that it was an oil cleanser. I was mistaken. It is water based, and although it does remove light makeup, it does not work very well for waterproof or stubborn makeup.
Enter the new Hada Labo Cleansing Oil.
The new cleansing oil is olive oil based, and contains the signature Super Hyaluronic Acid so it does not dry out your skin even as it cleans off makeup. The bottle, to easily distinguish it from the other one, is yellow (to mimic the colour of oil). The oil itself when pumped out however, is clear.
I was a little on the fence about the Hada Labo Makeup Remover. Does this one fare better for me?
Well I will have to note that the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil contains extracts of olive oil. There are quite a few brands out there that use olive oil extracts in their cleansing oils. But the sad truth is that my skin hates olive oil.
I can and will happily dip my bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar (delicious!) but my foray into using extra virgin olive oil oil cleansing, and the popular DHC Deep Cleansing Oil on my face spelt disaster. Prolonged use of anything with olive oil extract usually results in clogged pores, cystic acne and breakouts.
This one is no different. At the initial stage, I liked it. It is smooth and cleans off the most stubborn of makeup well without drying out the skin. It also emulsifies quite easily. If you aren’t familiar with how to use cleansing oils, best read my tips here.
After a week using just this cleansing oil, I started noticing clogged pores around my chin area and cheek. I went for a facial and my facialist was quite upset at my very congested skin. Well, so was I. I tested it again and true enough, after a week, it clogs up my skin. I’ve used lots of different cleansing oils, but the ones with olive oil extract always does this to me. So, it isn’t a criticism of this cleansing oil – its just that my skin can’t handle it.
In a nutshell
A light textured, smooth cleansing oil that does not dry out the skin and cleans off makeup and dirt very well. Takes a while to emulsify and clean off, but leaves skin feeling smooth and clean. However, prolonged use clogs my pores and breaks me out.
Pros: Light texture, Does not dry out skin, Removes even waterproof makeup, Affordable
Cons: Clogs my pores and breaks me out
Here is the ingredient list that I could extract from the label of the bottle
So, since it breaks me out, what do I do with it? Why, use it of course. The difference is that I alternate it with a different oil cleanser and then, it is somehow alright. I just have to be careful not to use it over a few days, or I will then risk clogging my pores. It always starts around my chin and then goes bonkers after that.
You will have seen this around already – its been out here for months. Some of you might also have already tried it. What do you think of it? Do you like it and does it do all that it promises for you?
Paris B
Hada Labo Olive Oil Cleansing Oil retails at RM49.90 at most major pharmacies
Shay says
August 19, 2011 at 8:40 amYou are really adventurous!!! And determined!!
Now I’m trying to finish using up my cleansing oil and switch back to cream ones. Just to have some variety and pamper myself. I feel that cleansing oils are working horses but lack the feel good factor.
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:53 pmSadly yes – my skin hates me sometimes 😉 I could never get the hang of cream cleansers. My face always feels “oily” after that. Which ones do you use?
pinkcloud says
August 19, 2011 at 10:26 pmhei paris i m using a cream cleanser from kanebo freshel. It is really good, doesnt feel oily at all after rinsing, but the face feels supple and soft! u should try it if u wanted to try a cream cleanser! 😉
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 10:30 pmOoh thank you! 😀 Do you have the full name or something? I love most Kanebo products so naturally I’d love to give this one a go 😀
pinkcloud says
August 20, 2011 at 6:40 pmThe full name is just Kanebo Freshel White C Cleansing Cream. It was available in Sasa last time, not to sure whether it is still available locally now 🙁
ParisB says
August 21, 2011 at 9:26 amThanks! I’ll keep a lookout for it 🙂
Shay says
August 19, 2011 at 10:37 pmI use Paul & Joe’s light cleansing milk. I love it. Very theraputic.
I have Clinique’s Take the Day Off Cleansing milk but not used yet.
I double cleansing after tissuing off the cream cleanser.
ParisB says
August 20, 2011 at 12:16 pmAh I might go and take a look at some of these cleansing milks 😀
Lily says
August 19, 2011 at 9:33 amHhmmm… Good thing you noticed earlier or it’d be bad news for your skin. I’m more apprehensive about trying too many new things and I try to look for noncomedogenic products. Better to be safe than sorry.
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:53 pmYup. I was paying attention due to the olive oil factor. Not happy I’m proven right, but as they say, c’est la vie! Am learning what works for me now so I’m a little more careful. Just a little 😛
plue says
August 19, 2011 at 11:09 amactually, i am suspecting that this very same cleansing oil is giving me the sudden breakouts >.<
will give another run test once my breakouts clear… and hopefully… it isn't as it's really lovely to work with 🙂
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:57 pmHave you tried DHC and have you experienced breakouts with them? I didn’t realize it too when I was using it but I later attributed my congested skin to that and I’ve traced it back to olive oil. For me, it only breaks me out or congests my skin with prolonged use, so by alternating with other ones, it seems to be fine.
plue says
August 19, 2011 at 6:41 pmnever tried DHC, i find it so expensive! 😛 i’m a cheapo haha. i’m using it every night and then i notice this weird itch n all, zits came popping out of nowhere. i’ll report back later if my skin is reacting like yours, for now i be a good girl n stop using it till my skin clears.
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 6:44 pmYep. Stop it. That will eradicate one of the potential causes. Then see if that’s whats causing the problem.
Denise says
August 19, 2011 at 11:22 amI hope alternating with another cleansing oil will not clog your pores anymore! BTW, thanks for introducing us to Softymo cleansing oils. It’s now my HG!! I’ll be getting more when I go back to HK 🙂
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 4:03 pmSo far so good! *clings to wood* I’m happy you like the Softymo cleansing oils too 😀 I absolutely love them. The best ever at the smallest ever price! I only wish they were easily available here!
Denise says
August 20, 2011 at 10:04 amMe too! My only gripe about Softymo is the availability. We don’t get them here either and HK is the only place I know where I could get them 🙂
ParisB says
August 20, 2011 at 12:19 pmSigh… we just had to like brands we can’t get locally eh? 😛
alene says
August 19, 2011 at 12:07 pmawk nooo! so weird that your skin hates it! my skin LOVES olive oil, so much so that anything i use that has olea europaea makes my skin happy. i use olive oil shampoo, conditioner, face mask, hair mask, everything! =( itsnt it weird how people can have such different skin types?
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:58 pmAh we need variety else life would be so boring right? 😛
S says
August 19, 2011 at 1:20 pmI don’t think I’ll be giving this a go anytime soon as I’ve only just recovered from a series of bad breakouts :p last thing I want would be to breakout all over again! 🙂
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:58 pmhaha.. yes indeedy! I’m presently almost recovered from mine and I’m suddenly so loathe to try anything new 😛
Charmaine says
August 19, 2011 at 1:36 pmContradicting to your case, this is so far my favourite cleansing oil! 🙂
Lucky that it did not break me out, leaving smooth, clean, non-drying feeling after use..and one thing i like bout cleansing oil is because it helps to remove some small ‘oily particles’ off from my face when rubbing with it.
It excels all others which i’ve tried: DHC and Bobbi Brown(BB) can feel oily after use, BB also stings my eyes a bit; I loathe Shu Uemera’s mineral oil content.
In spite of these superiorities of Hada Labo cleansing oil, it is the cheapest among all! 🙂
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 3:59 pmGlad to know it works well for you Charmaine 🙂 I wish it did too, because it does clean off makeup very well and does not dry out the skin, which is what I really like. I can’t use Shu Uemura oils too. That one breaks me out almost immediately 😛
xin says
August 19, 2011 at 3:17 pmit helps to remove my waterproof mascara quite well…if i slowly massage it long enough 😉
p/s: u know why your facialist is upset by your congested skin? coz she gotta work harder to unclog it 😛
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 4:00 pmHAHA yes I think so too. But I suffer too ok 😛
Ling says
August 19, 2011 at 3:58 pmOoooh, I have the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil MakeUp Remover (of the non-olive variety) and I have mixed feelings about it too. So it means we’re on a similar boat…which also means that I shan’t be adding this to my neverending wishlist 😛
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 4:02 pmYou have the blue one? That one doesn’t do anything for heavy makeup but for general cleaning before using a foam wash or for light makeup, its decent enough 🙂
eliza says
August 19, 2011 at 6:18 pmhmmm the one I am using for 3 months plus is called Pure Beauty cleansing oil from Watsons. Its using soy bean oil as its main ingredient. It didn’t clog my acne-sensitive skin =).
But not sure in the very long run though. I am not sure how soy bean oil is beneficiary to the skin either.
ParisB says
August 19, 2011 at 6:32 pmWell if its not causing you to break out or to clog your skin, I’d say maybe its good for you then 🙂 I have seen it around in Watson’s but I haven’t tried it yet 🙂
Connie De Alwis says
August 20, 2011 at 12:33 amI really really like this cleansing oil. Gets the job done. It hasn’t broken me out so far though *fingers crossed*
ParisB says
August 20, 2011 at 12:17 pmLucky you! That olive oil thing really messes my skin about.
sombf says
August 20, 2011 at 1:37 pmI use pure camellia oil and dry tissue to remove any kind of eye makeup. It evens work for my whole face. For face, I prefer to use the kind of cleansing oil which can be emulsified though. I like Fancl’s cleansing oil a lot but it’s quite expensive. Now I am using camellia oil and then St. Ives Olive Cleanser to remove makeup. Works quite well together.
Angel Chong says
September 1, 2011 at 3:59 amHi! Just wondering…..I’m just starting to learn all about skin care and makeup. One thing I hate is to remove makeup. You know….removers on cottons or face and all the rubbing. I always felt I torture my skin. I discovered that it is easier if I just wash my face with a cream cleanser, then only i use the removal. I only have to wipe once. Then I use Shu Eumura cleansing oil. Now….is that ok? Will I cause any harm to my face for cleansing it that way? BTW thanks for telling me bout olive oil problem for you. I’ve been feeling so sad cause it causes breakouts for me. And lately I’m having breakouts around my lips too. It started with me trying to substitute my moisturizer with organic olive oil for face but continues to break out even though i’ve stopped it. Maybe due to the cleansing oil, which I also just start using. Will check it out.
ParisB says
September 4, 2011 at 2:49 pmHi Angel. I don’t think you’ll cause any harm using the cleansing oil last but it will defeat the purpose of using the cleansing oil or might just be costing you more for nothing. This is because the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil is meant to be used for cleansing the skin and removing makeup. You do not use a cotton pad, just your hands. So you should use it first for maximum effect, then follow up with a cleanser if you like. If you plan on using a makeup remover, with the cleansing oil, perhaps only use it for your eyes. If you prefer your present method, I’d suggest you skip the cleansing oil because it will not be doing anything extra for your skin and will just cost you more 🙂
I hope it isn’t the olive oil that’s breaking you out but its a good idea to stop it and see if that might stop the breakouts.
Teddy says
June 27, 2012 at 7:13 amI wish I had read this sooner… I recently switched from Origins cleansing oil—which, by the way, smells heavenly *okay I digress*—to this and boy did it clog my pores. I wouldn’t consider myself “acne-prone” and I can easily handle heavy duty moisturisers and cream/milk cleansers without problems, but this one is just pure evil. Well to me at least.
Note to self: always look up MWS 😀
Clara says
October 8, 2013 at 1:50 pmThanks for the review. Right now I’m using Kose and it works fine for me but I don’t wear makeup. Wondering if you’ve tried Paul and Joe? I’ve heard good things about that and may try it when the Kose runs out.
Irene says
October 14, 2013 at 5:43 pmParis! I read this, and had a lightbulb moment that this could be the cause of my congestion — on my forehead, down the sides of my nose, and quite bad too; just congestion / whitehead thingies, not full on pimples. Had been using this for MONTHS and onto my second bottle already. I stopped at once and my face is clearing up. Thank you so much!
Paris B says
October 18, 2013 at 11:37 amHey Irene, whilst I’m not happy you reacted badly to the product like I did, I’m happy to have helped isolate the cause of breakouts! 🙂 Happy to know your skin is clearing up.
Irene says
October 18, 2013 at 2:49 pmYes! Plus with my wedding getting so close (it is next Sat at this time of writing :P) I was really upset by the bout of congestion. So it clearing up was a huge relief. On a separate note, the good skin didn’t last long as I then got painful, cystic acne type pimples on my chin that is hormone & compromised liver function related. I guess also the stress? the HUGE type that distorted my jaw! I attacked it with tea tree oil + Oxy 10 and now it’s gone down, I just need to deal with healing the scars (Oxy 10 is like the big gun on pimples like that, NOTHING else works — it practically BURNS through my skin to kill them acne). Pure Vitamin E oil will take care of the scarring in just few nights!
Paris B says
October 20, 2013 at 3:40 pmCongratulations on the upcoming nuptials, Irene! 🙂 Very glad to know you caught the culprit in the nick of time. I’m sure you’ll look lovely and glowing on your big day 😀