The first thing you notice is how similarly packaged this is to the other Hada Labo products, right down to the label design. I'm mildly surprised that they didn't come up with another "one drop" tagline as per their other products, like "one drop reveals clean skin" or something like that. Perhaps because consumers can tell that you can't remove all your makeup with one drop of cleansing oil, LOL.
The Hada Labo Cleansing Oil comes in a tall plastic bottle with a pump, like most other cleansing oils. Practical, fuss-free, and hygenic. One thing to note, however, is that although Hada Labo claims that the cleansing oil is primarily comprised of olive oil, the Cleansing Oil does not look or feel anything like olive oil at all. Unlike the DHC Cleansing Oil, which actually has the deep yellow colour, thick consistency, and even smell of olive oil, the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil is a clear, thin, runny oily liquid. In fact, the yellow you see on the bottle isn't actually from the Cleansing Oil - it's just the bottle has been coloured yellow to indicate that it's an oil cleanser (as opposed to another of Hada Labo's water-based makeup removers, which has the bottle coloured blue).
My guess is that Hada Labo must have added some other ingredients to change the texture, colour and consistency of the Cleansing Oil, to make it more pleasant to use. (On the ingredients list, olive oil is the 4th ingredient.) So, although it doesn't look, feel or smell like olive oil, that's not a bad thing. The cleansing oil is light-textured, easily spread around on the face, and also easy to wash off without leaving behind a residue. (If you've ever tried using real olive oil by itself, without any emulsifiers, you'll find it very hard to wash off.) And yes, it does remove your makeup.
So as a cleansing oil, I have no complaints whatsoever about the Hada Labo version. It's light, easily spreadable, easily emulsified, and doesn't leave any weird residue behind. It also is very effective at removing makeup, and doesn't feel oily or greasy. I personally find it comparable to the Fancl Cleansing Oil, another product I love.
Finally, a point I'd like to make is on Hada Labo's insistence on including the phrase "super hyaluronic acid" as part of the marketing spiel for products. Okay, I get it, it's their signature marketing claim, and it's been popular. But in an oil cleanser? Seriously? I don't expect my makeup remover to be moisturizing, and anyway, whatever ingredients are in a cleanser don't stay long enough on your skin to take effect before being washed off. So for me, as long as my cleansers aren't harsh and drying, I'm personally indifferent to whatever magical ingredient the brand's marketing department claims to have, especially if they use that as a basis to inflate prices. Thus, I find this whole "our oil cleanser has hyaluronic acid in it" claim a bit bizzare and unnecessary. But yes, if it matters to you, it does have said ingredient, although it's in the second last and last of the ingredient list.
All in all, ignoring the weird "hyaluronic acid" marketing claims which I don't understand, I really like the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil. It removes your makeup, is easy to use, and has a nice, light texture and feel. I do generally like Hada Labo's products, and I do feel that the brand does have a good quality line up of products. I would wholeheartedly recommend this, if you're looking for a good cleansing oil. If you're interested, you may visit the Hada Labo FB Page for more details.
(Product was sent for review. Review is my complete and honest opinion. I am not affiliated with/compensated by the company.)
Thanks for the review. Must try this brand.
ReplyDeleteSometimes i find Asian cosmetic companies go way too far with their claims. I know, it's just a cleansing oil, right? :p I know what you mean!
ReplyDeleteHow does it compare to DHC? I find DHC not very effective, despite it being a highly raved cleansing oil.
ReplyDelete@Bun Bun: I personally liked the DHC one, so maybe my experience may not be the same as yours. But I found the Hada Labo one to be thinner and more easy to spread around than the DHC one, which can be quite thick in texture. But in terms of cleansing power, I personally found both of them to be just as good - I like both and found they worked well for me, and emulsified well, and both were goos at removing makeup.
ReplyDeletei've been curious with Hada Labo products for quite some time now. Maybe i ought to try out one of their products soon. Does this leave your eyes blurry when used as an eye makeup remover? That's my pet peeve with Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil, which i prefer Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil.
ReplyDelete@BunBun: i didn't liked DHC too. still preferred Fancl's.
ReplyDelete@MereMakeupManiac: I didn't feel like this left my eyes blurry. But when I was using the Shu Uemura cleansin oil, I also didn't have any problems with blurry vision. But it definitely feelsore like the Fancl oil than the Shu one.
ReplyDeleteHow about waterproof mascara? Does it remove waterproof makeup well?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous: It's an oil based cleanser, so it should be effective at removing waterproof makeup. For me it removes everything. Hope this helps.
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