shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil Review & Photos
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil ($67.00 for 15.2 fl. oz.) is designed for combination to oily skin types as a cleansing oil that “effectively remove[s] make-up and ipurities … while maintaining the skin’s necessary moisture level.” It is “empowered with Sakura Complex” to “[minimize] pores by eliminating excess sebum and visibly [smoothe] the skin’s surface.” According to shu uemura, sakura leaf extract is “known to reduce inflammatory mediators that can cause skin redness” and “improve skin texture.” It also contains salicyclic acid and cherry extract. It is available year-round in a regularly pink-tinted bottle but has been relased in special packaging for the ob collection. It’s sold out (in this packaging) online, but if you are located where shu uemura is still sold in stores, you may find it locally.
I’m a big fan of shu uemura’s Cleansing Oils, and I hadn’t tried the Fresh Pore Clarifying formula yet. The last bottle I used was a limited edition bottle released with last holiday season’s wkw collection, which was the “White Recovery EX+ Brightening Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula” (which doesn’t seem to be available in regular packaging on the U.S. website). One giant bottle lasts me anywhere from four to six months. I didn’t love this one as much as the other formulas I’ve tried, because it is very thin–almost water-like in texture. The others were slightly thicker but not so thick that they felt oily or heavy, but this one is so thin that it took some getting used to. I needed to pump it into my hands over the sink, as it would leak through my fingers or pump beyond my hands and get onto the counter/in the sink. I just never noticed this as an issue with the two or three bottles I’ve used previously (different formulas, all cleansing oils). The formula has a very light floral scent that’s pretty muted.
Aside from the consistency/packaging issue, the formula worked well to break down and remove makeup, dirt, and whatever else happened to be on my face. I take two to three pumps and then massage and work it into my skin, and then I rinse my hands under water and then work the oil into a small lather. After that, I rinse my face with lukewarm water and pat dry. I never experience any oily residue, no squeaky clean/tight feeling, or have issues with my eyes clouding during the rinsing process. shu’s cleansing oils are definitely a go-to for me when I’m wearing a full face of makeup, because it gets it all off and I don’t need to follow-up with another cleanser.
See more photos!
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil
the packaging is so cute!!! do u like this better than your mac oil cleanser?
I do think shu is a little better – not as thick, absolutely no residue/residual oiliness. I haven’t found that there are major differences between cleansing oils of high-end and higher-end (like MAC, BB, vs. shu).
If I’m understanding this right the main difference is you’re getting three times the product for twice the price of MAC’s cleanse off oil?
There’s a slight texture difference (and in particular, this one is much thinner than MAC’s), but yes, price would be a factor – shu uemura’s (at $67 for 15.2 fl. oz.) is $4.41/fl. oz. and MAC’s is $5.60/fl. oz. so shu is cheaper (assuming you would use a whole bottle) because MAC just doesn’t sell a giant bottle. shu does sell the same-sized bottle as MAC, which is $31 (MAC’s is $28 for the regular, $30 for Tranquil).
I am very curious about this one now! I recently tried my first cleansing oil–TATCHA’s version–and fell absolutely head over heels in love. I was curious about Shu’s since so many people rave about it but after reading the ingredients list for several of them online and seeing mineral oil as the main ingredients, I backed off.
I had also heard that a lot of them require a double cleanse. TATCHA’s is so night and light and rinses cleanly off that I figured why bother with another formula? But now you’ve definitely peaked my interest again! I guess I didn’t read the ingredients list for this specific formula–strange, as I have very oily skin and usually always single out the products for oily skin types! Whoops! 😛
So weird – I’ve never, ever felt the need to double cleanse with shu’s cleansing oil! The only time I’ve felt that with using any oil is straight olive oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil.
I never find residue after using coconut oil, or jojoba oil, and I actually use the latter as a moisturizer. I guess my skin just seems to absorb it? I use a couple of swipes of witch hazel as a toner after cleansing/removing makeup with coconut oil. I tend to feel residue when using products that contain the sort of ingredients listed here…
I’ve used raw, organic coconut oil as a makeup remover and as a moisturizer, and it just sits on my skin – feels like a thinner Vaseline to me (smells great, though!).
My skin just seems to soak *everything* up, LOL. I’ve never tried CO as a moisturizer, though, as I always follow up immediately with WH. I also follow up with an actual facial cleanser on days I wear a heavier sunscreen, which is most days, just to make sure it all comes off. Jojoba oil, though, seems to be my HG nighttime moisturizer.
That’s good to know–I was starting to get scared that all other brands’ cleansing oils were like that except TATCHA’s. It was around the same time that I heard DHC’s popular cleansing oil required a double cleanse too, so that really scared me 😛 Maybe I’ll give Shu’s a try after all once I finish my TATCHA. Thanks Christine! 🙂
This cleanser sounds (and looks!) great. Such cute packaging!
This doesn’t have mineral oil in it, or is it called differently? Maybe that’s why it’s thinner? I’m probably making things up hahahaha
This cleanser is looking super cute 🙂 Nice review!
Wow this cleansing oil has beautiful packaging! I don’t like to hear it has water-like texture, though, but I think I’ll give it a try.
The packaging is to die for!
Here’s a topic I know very little about and think oil cleansers would be a great idea, particularly in winter when my skin gets quite dry. Which other Shu Uemura oils do you like best, Christine? How do cleansing oils fit into your beauty program? Do you use these before your Clairsonic routine or separately on an every other day basis? Are organic oils purchased at the health food store every bit as good?
Hi Wendy,
I haven’t used my Clarisonic regularly in awhile, but I think you could use it with this – though I think gel/foaming cleansers do the best with Clarisonic from past experience. I like the high performance one, which seems to be a more general type. I use it as my evening cleanser and makeup remover (one step). I’ve used olive oil, coconut oil, and jojoba oil, but I don’t like the feeling of residue left behind.
I use my Shu Uemura cleansing oil with my Clarisonic daily. I apply the oil to my face, pat a little water to my face, and then use the Clarisonic. When done I rinse my face and pat dry. No residue, irritation, or anything like that. I rinse my brush head with hot water after every use and clean it occasionally with a gentle antibacterial soap. I only use my Clarisonic for my night cleaning at best (although I admit that there are times that I am lazy and miss it a few times a week if I don’t wear makeup).
I’ve used a Shu oil with my clarisonic before. It works AMAZINGLY but you’d better wash your brush head after with a cleanser, because that oil gets into the bristles and starts to smell!
I forgot to add… I use it during the “emulsify with a bit of water” stage and really massage the emulsified milky stuff and it seems to get everything out of my pores beautifully.
Where can I purchase this Christine?
Thank you 🙂
You can purchase the regular version (pink-tinted liquid/bottle, but no design) on shu umeura’s website!
Hey Christine! Was it any good for cleaning clogged pores?
I can’t really attest to it, because I haven’t noticed clogged pores on my skin really!
This is the first (and only) cleansing oil I’ve used, and I really like how it takes off my makeup. It did seem awfully thin to me but I didn’t have experience with other cleansing oils to know if that was usual or not. Now that I know better, I may try another one of shu’s oils or another brand to see if I like a thicker formula more.
They all have seemed equally effective re: cleansing/removing makeup, but I definitely prefer the texture of the other two I’ve tried!
$67 is a hefty pricetag for a product laden with such inexpensive ingredients… Also, Isopropyl Myristate is a known irritant. While this product may contain some beneficial ingredients, it would seem those benefits would be far outweighed by all the ones that aren’t so nice. I use coconut oil to remove makeup, and jojoba oil to balance sebum production, with beautiful results at a much lower pricepoint.
You can buy a smaller bottle for $31, which is what I did. I’ve never had any irritation or skin problems with this cleansing oil; it leaves my skin soft, smooth, and clear of any makeup. I do tend to follow up with a regular cleanser but that’s just me being a little compulsive; you really don’t have to. I really like this, although i think I may try another one with a thicker formula.
As mentioned, there is a cheaper option in the smaller size but honestly, this size bottle lasts a LONG time! I use the yellow High Performance version and I’ve had the bottle for 7-8 months…and still have about 1/4th of the bottle left. I use it twice a day, but I only use 2 pumps at most (1 if I didn’t wear makeup that day). The instructions on the box advise 3-4 pumps but I’ve never needed that much. Tried it at first but it was way too much product and felt like a waste. I’ve never had any irritation from it (although I have no experience with this particular one)…and I have sensitive, acne prone skin. So speaking for myself, there aren’t any ingredients that outweigh the benefits of the “good” ones. The price tag is definitely hard to swallow initially but the amount of use I get out of it makes it cheaper than my old cleansers based on how often I had to repurchase those to get the same amount of long term use I have had out of this sized bottle.
I’d buy it for the packaging alone! So pretty 🙂
I WISH MAC cleanse off oil came in this size!!! That would be awesome…
This is so cute!!
That packaging! DX Its too cute! I’ve never used a shu product, mainly due to price. I’m not highly enthused with cleansing oil, my eye makeup is the only thing that can be difficult to remove and if I have it with eyeshadow primer with lots of stuff on my eyes. My BB cream and powder just fly right off with my face wash.
I really want to try these. I use DHC’s cleansing oil and it’s great because it washes off like this one!
I love love love this Shu Uemura cleansing oil! I only use this (or Cetaphil) on my face. Nothing else!
I love oil-based products for removing heavy makeup.. usually I just use jojoba oil which works great
I absolutely adore their cleansing oils and I have been thinking about getting this variant too
Hi Christine, I’m really curious about cleansing oils but almost all of them, including Shu’s, contain mineral oil and I read that they are pretty bad for your skin. Is that something that worries you? Do you know of a good cleansing oil that doesn’t contain mineral oil but is still effective on removing waterproof makeup? Thank you!
Hi Ilona,
As far as I have read, mineral oil is safe for cosmetic use. Every time I’ve done any research on it personally, I have only come across scientific studies or literature about its safety, not its detriments or harms. If you are allergic to it, then yes, you should definitely stay away from it. I’m not a scientist, and I do not have a chemistry background, but I’ve found these sources helped me, and all I can do is encourage you to read and research – also make sure you look for both sides of the issue and as much as possible, references and clearly researched articles are usually the most reliable. Then you have to do what feels right/good to you 🙂
http://personalcaretruth.com/2011/02/mineral-oil/
http://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/1356nj/mineral_oil_and_its_benefits_for_skin_dont_be/ (good summary of a more scientific article)
http://www.paulaschoice.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/mineral-oil
http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/11/28/the-top-5-myths-about-mineral-oil-part-1/
Thank you very much!
Thank you for the great review. I decided to take the plunge today with purchasing the fresh pore clarifying gentle cleansing oil and absolutely love it. My skin is naturally oily and after the first use my pores were noticeably reduced and moisturisers and serums have sunk in better. I have received compliments on how it is a noticeable improvement. I will definitely be purchasing this cleansing oil again even though the hefty price in Australia is $110.00 per 15.2Fl.OZ. Thanks again.
I’m really happy to hear it’s working so well for you, Lauren! I hope you continue to love it. One bottle lasts me quite awhile, so hopefully it’s the same for you so it’s not quite as pricey!