The Chanel Sublimage L’Huile en Gel de Demaquillage or Gel to Oil Cleanser is one of the more interesting things I’ve tried coming out of the brand.
While I’m usually leery of an oil cleanser and gel cleanser, this one appealed to me for some reason. It might be because it felt and looked rather unique.
It might be that you often get an oil to gel formula, but rarely, one the other way around.
It might also be because I’m a sucker for interesting things 😛
Chanel Sublimage l’Huile en Gel de Demaquillage – A Gel to Oil Cleanser
The Chanel Sublimage l’Huile en Gel de Demaquillage is a gel to oil based cleanser. It is used primarily as your first cleanse, to help remove makeup and cleanse the skin. We do know that a good cleanse is the first step to good skin right?
I found it quite unique, as it starts out as a thick, clear gel that feels a little oily to the touch. But as you massage it into your skin, it lightens and turns into a lovely light oil.
You would be advised to use it with dry hands on dry skin, as it turns milky and liquid upon contact with water.
Like all products within the luxury Sublimage range, the cleanser is infused with vanilla planifolia extract which is an antioxidant, and harungana extract, which is a purifying ingredient.
It not only removes makeup, but cleanses and soothes skin as well, which is always a bonus. But I had one little concern – I had to know if it works on my dry skin.
I’ve stopped using most oil cleansers, as they can be very drying. This is also true of gel cleansers, hence my concern.
Lovely lush texture
The Sublimage Gel to Oil cleanser has a lovely texture. I wasn’t very sure what to expect, but it is lush!
The product squirts out as a thick, clear gel. It feels like a lovely cushion between your fingers and your skin.
As you massage it over your face, it reacts to the warmth of your skin and lightens to a light oil. You can literally feel the texture change under the warmth of your fingers as you glide it over your skin.
Massage it nicely all over your dry face. It picks up makeup, dirt and oil from your skin very well.
How to wash off without leaving a residue
When you have finished massaging the product over your skin, splash a little warm water, and continue massaging. The oil will turn milky and liquid.
Continue massaging all over your face, and add more water each time, until the product completely emulsifies, and you no longer feel it to be oily.
Then, rinse with warm water.
If you do it this way, I can promise you two things :
- There will be no residue left on your face – I’ve read reviews complaining of a greasy residue. This is simply because people are just trying to splash it off without properly emulsifying first. When using a cleansing oil, you must completely and properly emulsify first before rinsing. This is true of ALL cleansing oils.
- You will have lovely, clean, soft skin
Not too drying on skin
My greatest fear was that this would be too drying on skin. After all, it was both an oil and a gel cleanser, and both those tend to cause havoc on my skin.
Happily however, I found that it was not too drying. My skin feels lovely and soft after using, and it doesn’t feel tight and uncomfortable.
My skin feels clean, and I do find that it removes makeup decently well. This might be because I wear very light makeup these days.
It must be said however, that I don’t use it everyday, because it is still a little drying if I do.
Also, it is a little rich on the wallet to use daily LOL! 😛 It will last you a while however, so that’s a small consolation.
Do you need to double cleanse?
Well, I still do, because I treat this as a first cleanse to remove oil and dirt from my skin. I usually follow up with a second cleanse.
However, if you cleanse it off properly and are happy with how clean it leaves your skin then a second cleanse will not be necessary.
It is a lovely cleanser, that isn’t too fragranced, and one I have thoroughly enjoyed using. Considering that I haven’t had a lot of luck with Chanel’s cleansers in the past, this is a first! 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Chanel l’Huile en Gel de Demaquillage is a gel to oil cleanser formula. It comes in a lush clear gel form, that softens into an oil once massaged over skin. It is lovely and thick and makes for a great massage base. To remove, add some water and continue massaging to properly emulsify. Repeat until it is clear then rinse. This ensures that you properly remove all the product from your skin, and leave it soft and smooth and clean. It is a lovely first cleanse and an interesting formula!
PROS:
Removes (light) makeup well and easily
Lovely lush texture and formula
Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and clean
Not too dryingCONS:
Pricey
A little drying if I use it dailyWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a good first cleanse that removes makeup, dirt and oil from skin
PRICE: RM350 | US$110 for 150ml
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel counters and beauty boutiques
For those interested, this is the ingredients list for the Chanel Sublimage l’Huile en Gel de Demaquillage.
Caprylic/?Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Aqua (Water), Sucrose Laurate, Sucrose Palmitate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Harungana Madagascariensis Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Disodium Phosphate, Propylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopherol
Have you tried this or anything with a similar texture?
I’m sure there are products with a similar texture out there, but I haven’t personally come across one. One with a similar texture but slightly different formula is the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel but it doesn’t quite turn into an oil. Does anything come to mind? 🙂
Paris B
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