First things first: I am a long-time user of cleansing oils, and my skin VERY RARELY breaks out.
Recently I found myself out of my usual cleansing oil, and I had a rather large sample of this one lying around, so I decided to try it. I used it for a week, and experienced the worst breakouts of my LIFE. Clogged pores all over my face, zits, the works. My skin is still recovering for the hideousness that this product caused. I am so displeased with it that I felt compelled to write a review.
This product was a total disappointment, and I could not have imagined that a single, seemingly innocuous product could have caused so much damage to my skin.

It dries skin out. I think it's because it shrinks the pores so much. I'm a little disappointed because I was using the premium A/I (i think) for sensitive skin, which can get a little sticky, so the shopkeeper suggested me this one. Apparently my skin is not as oily as Shu Uemura thinks oily skin is. The worst thing about products that dry your skin out is, eventually, it turns skin even oilier but dehydrated.
That being said, this still comes with the perfect cleansing quality like the rest of them. Just not for my skintype.

This is hands down the best cleanser I've found for at the end of the day. I love the way my skin feels afterwards and there's no need for a moisturiser because it just leaves it soft and nourished. I like that, so my skin can breathe overnight. I too use only 2 pumps, sometimes 3. It is expensive but I think it's worth it. Once I hit my 30's my skin changed so much and this has really calmed it down and it feels tight and smooth after using it. The only down side for me is that I looked on PETA and found that Shu Uemura tests on animals :-(

oh how i miss shu in the usa! come baaaaaack. best cleansing oil ever for acne prone skin!

I have dehydrated oily skin that is very acne prone (not particularly sensitive)
I love love loooved the original formula (fresh), but I do tend to get quite oily so I thought I'd try this one out. It seemed pretty much the same, but as time went on my skin got dryer and dryer. I didn't notice in the beginning but it did happen.
I'd suggest the high performance one for people with VERY oily skin.
The Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleaning Oil (Fresh) is still THE single best cleaner I've ever used and will go back to that one.

I've been using this product for a while, switching out from the classic formula which I found a bit too heavy. It removes even the most stubborn waterproof mascara and does not aggravate my skin. My only issue with it though is that it does tend to leave a filmy residue on my skin, which makes me feel the need to follow up with another cleanser.

Beautiful packaging, removes makeup. Those are about the only positives. This product has a heavy feel and greasy smell. I know it's an oil, but other cleansing oils I've used are botanical, smell beautiful and don't feel like they add an extra coat to the skin. This is based on mineral oil and it feels like it needs a clean afterwards. While I was using this, I had very bad skin - so could have also contributed to breakouts too (I was also going through some other changes so not 100% sure it was the cause but since I got back to my Dermalogica Pre Cleanse my skin has started to clear).

I don't think I've ever found a perfect cleanser, but I think this one may be it. I have combination skin, that is both sensitive, and acne prone. I think this is a fantastic one step cleanser. I use this once a day, at the end of the day, to wash off all my makeup and give my skin a good clean. It is gentle and effective at getting all my makeup off, and my skin feels clean but not parched afterwards. It doesn't aggravate my skin, or cause any breakouts. It has been effective at keeping excess oil at bay, and seems to be doing a good job at controlling minor pimples. It gently exfoliates so scars heal nicely, and my skin is noticeably brighter and more even. It takes a little more time and effort to use this product, but I find that the extra massaging that goes into the process is good for the skin. I, like many others, use about 1-2 pumps and not the 4 pumps as recommended. Not that its that important, but I love the look of the bottle and how it looks in my washroom. So although, the price is a little high, I think this is a fantastic product.

I love this stuff! It's the only face wash that doesn't make my face dry! I bought it off their website for $65 w/ NO shipping or tax, so that's awesome..I only need to use like 2 full pumps, not the 4 recommended... Anywho, I reccommend this cleasing oil for people with dry skin and sensitive skin!

I have sensitive, rosacea skin that somehow manages to be oily and acne ridden as well. Or, I should say it used to be oily and acne ridden.
This cleanser has really saved me!
I think all the other cleansers, even Cetaphil, were too stripping and this made my skin overcompensate by producing loads of oil in a vain effort to protect itself. With this cleanser, my skin gets really clean and there is no reaction or rawness! I've been through two tubes of Philosophy's Help Me since I started using this, something I could never have attempted before this oil. It even removes the Shiseido sunblock spf 55 better than Shiseido's oil cleanser. I'll use that one if I'm in a pinch, but Shu's is in on a whole other level.
One last note, I've tried most of Shu's oil cleansers and I do think 'Fresh' has a definite exfoliating effect over the others. I LOVE it, and I put a 3 for price because I have Saved so much money since I started using it. I use 2 pumps instead of 4 like the instructions say. One large bottle lasts me about 10 months and is about $80 with shipping. Do the math-I think I spent more when I was using Neutrogena!

Been using this for a year now - sometimes it doesnt emulsify and leave a sticky greasy feeling on my skin and need to use another product to get this oil off. When it does work, it does remove make up but since I use double wear EL I still find foundation rubbing off on the the towel. No improvement benefit on my oily skin.Wont purchase again as cheaper alternatives available.

This really saved my skin. I like the fact that it takes off waterproof makeup easily. I'm a bit wary of using oil to cleanse my skin since my skin can get quite oily during summer.
But no, it works well. I've been using it for more than 6 months now and over winter, this is just perfect as it doesn't make my skin feel tight. I've also noticed the decreasing acne, which is definitely a +.
The only downside is that you would have to really rinse it thoroughly to get the oil completely rinsed off. But other than that, very happy with the results.

Love love love! I can use 2 pumps for my whole face and it takes all my makeup off - waterproof eyeliner, mascara, foundation - the lot. I don't need a separate eye makeup remover when I use this cleanser. Leaves my skin a bit tight so I follow with toner and moisturiser, but there's never any cosmetics residue left when I tone - this gets it all off. Keeps my skin in top condition in humid Hong Kong. The only problem is the price but I find it in discount beauty stores for up to 40% off here so I stock up when I can.

This is my all-time favorite cleanser! Definite HG material! For someone with oily/combination skin, I was very wary of oil cleansers at first, but this has completely changed my mind...since my first trial in 2006/7.
The Fresh/ pink-coloured one I was told, is for Sensitive skin-types. I believe the SA matched me to this particular range, as I suffer from redness in my cheeks, and blemishes.
Since using this cleanser, my makeup removal has been reduced to just one step, and the cleanser feels very emollient and nourishing on the skin. I love that, after using the cleanser, my skin doesn't have the tight feeling that you get from harsher cleansers!
The huge bottle lasts me about a year, so its great value too!

this stuff is amazing. I ordered a sample with some Shu eye makeup I bought because I use an Anessa sunblock and was having some trouble getting it all off (just like the label says). It's terrific here in muggy Florida weather and gets off everything including eye makeup without stripping my skin. There's a lot of unscientific hooey about mineral oil being "bad" for you but since it rinses clean off the skin I think I'll survive. I use my Olay cleansing brush a few nights a week with Cetaphil to ensure complete removal.
I also LOVE that it doesn't tug at my eye area to get waterproof liner off! I've found I don't need the very generous 3 or 4 pumps the label recommends - 1 will do. I prefer the A/O formula when the air is drier but this cleanser is fantastic.

I tried this Cleanser for my combination to oily skin and at first I wasn't too keen on it because it felt like it was drying out my non-oily areas. However, my skin has actually improved since i've been using this, its become smoother and more balanced. I don't feel the need to use an additional cleanser after using this, as once I rinse off the milkified oil it leaves my skin non-greasy and matte, so I just use a moisturizer to hydrate and soften. I prefer this type of cleanser to the 'squeaky clean' feeling ones as this doesn't leave my face feeling all tight.
This cleanser does contain mineral oil (like most cosmetic products), which apparently is an undesirable ingredient for the skin, so will be interesting to see how I get on with it the more I use it!
Any issues, I will update!

I love this stuff. I have oily skin, so I was really hesitant to use oil to cleanse my face, but I bit the bullet and tried it. The emulsifiers really make all the difference. I tried the Oil Cleansing Method, and it wasn't for me. Who can be bothered to steam their face every single night? Not I. This dissolves every last stitch of makeup, even waterproof eyeliners and mascaras.I love that this rinses clean. You're just left with soft skin. I slap a little 12% glycolic soufflé on and it's bedtime. I love the pump bottle, very convenient for any skin product. I also love the sleek minimalist Japanese design of the bottle. It makes my whole bathroom look more expensive. (maybe because it's more expensive than anything else in my bathroom)
*EDIT* I just used this to remove Estée Lauder Double Wear, which I just started using as of 10/31/10. I swiped with a cotton ball soaked in toner to make sure I got everything. There was absolutely nothing on the cotton ball. This stuff is magic in a bottle.

I bought this cleansing oil because they were having a special where I was also getting the eyelash curler free so you know I went for it. I have oily skin and breakouts and wear concealer and blush everyday. Nothing too heavy. This cleanser is AMAZING for removing makeup, I literally just put 1 1/2 pumps in my palm, work it into my face, emulsify and then wash off and all my face makeup is gone. This even works with a face full of foundation. HOWEVER, I find that's it's pretty mediocre when it comes to taking off eye makeup. I still use a separate eye makeup remover. But, I still love the way this makes my skin feel and look. It hasn't made my acne disappear or anything but its definitely soothing and my skin is less bumpy after.
EDIT: Unfortunately this cleansing oil, after being initially super awesome made me break out like crazy. I had to go back on prescription medicine to get rid of my acne. It does take off makeup well and if you don't have sensitive skin it's awesome, but I think if you have acne prone skin you should give this is a pass especially since it has mineral oil.

I used a sample of this, it was about 4ml and lasted me 3 applications. I really like the fresh and light fragrance of sakura and I feel it cleanses well. It doesn't leave a nasty after smell and just leaves me feeling refreshed. I will definitely buy this.

No words can describe my love for the Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil (pink bottle). I have one backup of this, and have used probably 5-6 of these in my lifetime. They are definitely not cheap at SGD145 for a 450mL bottle. I use 2 pumps of this, smother it on my face at the end of the day, and use some water to emulsify it and rinse it off. Then I follow up with my cleanser to remove any residual makeup and dirt. It's incredibly effective in removing makeup, and leaves your face feeling fresh. It has never broken me out, even if I don't follow up with a secondary cleanser. The only thing is that i never use this to remove waterproof makeup, because it makes my contact lenses blurry. I've used other formulations of the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils (green, purple, yellow) and this one is the BEST! Trust me on this one!