Shu Uemura • Cleansing Beauty Oil Balancer • Cleansers

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styra on 5/19/2013 3:35:00 AM more reviews by styra

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This was the first cleansing oil I ever bought and used. I loved it at first, because of the novelty (way back many years). It heats up slightly as you spread across the face and it smells great too. However, after a few washes, my pores began to clog and I panicked. At first I thought it wasn't anything to do with the oil and even bought a second bottle. But I then decided to change to a normal cleansing fluid and then the pores emptied out slowly.

I've heard that mineral oil clogs pores, I'm not too sure about that. My pores became a victim of that. I then switched to Fancl Cleansing Oil and it's been great ever since.
The oil is really pricey too but not so in Japan.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pickles945 on 12/10/2011 9:52:00 AM more reviews by pickles945

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is a great cleanser. I have combination skin with red patches round the cheeks, nose, temple. I'm always looking for a cleanser to take the aforementioned and this has been great! As dubious as I was, you know "can oil really clean like a foaming cleanser?" the amount of good press this gets it tipped me over th edge and it does live up to it. I use the green one; two pumps on damp hands and the I massage into my face for 2 mins and rinse. Follow-up with toner etc etc. highly recommended!

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joeylafille on 11/21/2011 12:41:00 AM more reviews by joeylafille

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Basically, my main aim to the Shu Uemura counter was to purchase the UV Under Base Fluid SPF20 PA+ - Beige and the girl was raving all about this product.

She tried abit of the product on my hand and my hands looked so much whiter that I decided to try it.

The Oil sadly was quite a put off for me at first, but I was AMAZED by how they dissolve and is nowhere near OILY when in contact with water!

They completely leave any traces of make up off my face!!
I do a counter check with my toner after wards and found that the cotton pad was completely clean as compared to other products!

As I'm a MUA who have to wear thick foundation, this is the product for me!

Pleasant enough! :D

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Elfinoz on 9/19/2011 7:31:00 AM more reviews by Elfinoz

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I got a sample of this with this month's beauty box, but I didn't really expect to like it. Having combo/oily skin the thought of putting oil on my face was just blech.

I was pleasantly suprised! This rinses clean away and doesn't leave any oily residue and it's great for removing waterproof mascara and long-wearing makeup. I generally dislike spending a lot of money on cleansers so I can't see myself purchasing the full size any time soon, but perhaps I will if I'm feeling extravagant ;)

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tobias47 on 7/31/2011 7:33:00 PM more reviews by tobias47

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Grey   Eyes: Blue    

My night cleanser for the past ten plus years. Love the fact that I can apply it to dry skin, then rinse off with warm water without the product foaming up. Leaves my skin very receptive to night cream. This is one product where I disagree with Paula, who finds it very standard; for me, it's any but in terms of being effective, gentle, and pleasurable to use. Although it seems very expensive, a little goes a long way -- I use maybe two bottles per year. I nearly freaked out when this product disappeared from stores, until I learned that US distribution is now entirely through the web. I first tried SU in Japan, and might just fly back there to buy more if it came to that!

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*TOP REVIEWER* luisajames on 1/17/2011 8:14:00 PM more reviews by luisajames

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This cleansing oil works well for my skin. My skin is normal, no major problems and this works as my pre cleanser. I rarely use it alone so I don't feel any film on my skin but I like that it takes off all of my makeup very quickly, almost melting it away with very little trouble, even waterproof stuff very quickly. My skin has never reacted badly to this and i have never broken out. I've gone through one large bottle and am halfway through my second and it's been about 4 years since I started using the product. So a little goes a long way. It doesn't go bad of lose potency because it's an oil so that's awesome. But now that it's not available in stores in the u.s. I might look for a cleansing oil that doesn't have mineral oil once I'm done with this one.

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Ewabili on 12/26/2010 2:14:00 AM more reviews by Ewabili

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I got the pink cleanser as a gift and was using Cetaphil cleanser at the time. I also started wearing more intense foundation and makeup a year ago (when you're in your 30's you have no choice to keep your skin looking young) and I found that Cetaphil was too gentle to really get rid of all the makeup I was using. Shu Uemura's cleansing oil will really lift any makeup you have on.


Also as I've gotten older and my skin has gotten dryer (originally it used to be oily), I've found that moisture is key,especially after talking with a 35 year old model who's skin was all plump and youthful. She told me her secret was natural oils, which I am now using to nourish and hydrate my skin, especially in winter. This cleansing oil leaves most of your natural sebum in place, while most cleanser will reach below the surface and strip your natural oils creating a vicious cycle of sebum over-production.


The trick is apply it on your dry face, massage and and wet your hands to emulsify it, then you have to really rinse it well (about a 1 min with cool water). I usually check the color of the water dripping from my face: when it's clear -- it's clean! I've been using it for 5 months and the 150ml bottle is one third full and I never had any breakouts from it. I think the challenge for most will be to miss the "clean feel" you get after using oil stripping cleansers and you have to get accustomed to it.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

amandalsl on 11/16/2010 7:33:00 PM more reviews by amandalsl

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Other, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is the best cleanser that works for my oily to combination skin (since oil lifts away oil). I have used products that range from gel to cream to oil, and this balances my skin without drying it out. I'm currently using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and while it is effective, I think it dries my skin out a little. Shu's cleanser gets rid of everything - foundation, waterproof mascara and eyeliner, concealer, etc. I use this as a prior step to a daily scrub, which takes away any greasy residue that the oil may have left over. I have come across other oil cleansers that are more difficult to remove than Shu's, especially when they come into contact with your eyes. I can get Shu's cleanser out of my eyes with a few splashes of water. I also like the smell very much! XD This is the first cleanser I've ever used, and I might just stick to Shu's cleansers for life.

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mcdownloadd on 8/15/2010 8:55:00 PM more reviews by mcdownloadd

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Other    

Great product, had been reading reviews and doing research on this before I actually decided to buy as the price was expensive! But well worth every penny as the price per use is soooo affordable, mine lasted well over a year (450ml bottle). I now have the balancing oil, the green tea, whitening and the fresh versions. Well, I guess I won't need to buy anymore for the next 4+ years!

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PMNIKOLA on 6/18/2010 6:13:00 AM more reviews by PMNIKOLA

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I agree with the majority. FAB-product.
It is fool proof:
If you feel like it is too rich for you-the person who sold it too you has given you the wrong type.
-Although for me when I first got it I was sold the lightest one and still felt slippery.
---One of the purposes for Shu Uemura is to teach your skin how to hydrate it self and to balance out your skin so it can educate itself how to act like normal skin rather than being over active in certain areas.
My key when I still feel a little oily is to splash a little more water on my face adjitate my skin and if there is still the milky residue on it-you have not completley washed it off. hope this helps.

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Bonnerka on 5/25/2010 8:14:00 AM more reviews by Bonnerka

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I was initially doubtful to use cleansing oil on my oily skin, but this is one of the few cleansers which actually works for me and stopped the blocked and congested pores. I used the pink version and was very impressed with the results, my skin felt really clean and I love the smell. I used 3-4 bottles of Shu cleansing oil, before I discovered Eve Lom's cleanser and made that my regular cleanser, but should Eve Lom's brand to be discontinued (heavens forbid!), I would definitely go back to Shu, it's in a league of its own.

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Debalina on 4/30/2010 5:39:00 AM more reviews by Debalina

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I was a little scared to try this product. I get breakouts from time to time. Not with this product! I'm a makeup artist so I have to wear foundation a lot. This actually breaks down my makeup so well that my skin feels and looks so clean. It doesn't feel oily at all and you need to put water on the oil to make it milky. I only rub it for a few seconds and my makeup is off. Try this if you have to wear foundation a lot. It's awesome.

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Baanu on 4/25/2010 3:46:00 PM more reviews by Baanu

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Wow, this is amazing stuff!
I was a little apprehensive about putting an oil on my combination skin, but this is entirely different to anything I've ever used before. It practically melts off my make up in 2 minutes and leaves my skin feeling SUPER soft! It's also a toner, so that's knocked off a huge chunk from any skin care routine!
Magical stuff, will definitely buy this again!

UPDATE:

Ok, have completely changed my mind about this product - it's evil. After a few months of use I began to form small, cyst like bumps that would lurk beneath the surface of my skin. I was so much in love with how convenient the balancing oil was I ignored the slow change in my skin's texture. Eventually It got so bad I tried changing everything else in my skin care routine and only recently have I given up this "cleanser". My skin is slowly improving, but I know I'm not alone when it comes to this product. It's given quite a few people I know awful break-outs! Whilst talking to someone about this product I discovered the reason it makes the skin to smooth is that it leaves a sort of mineral seal, but at the same time traps impurities which is not good.

Seriously, DO NOT BUY THIS; unless you hate your skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ibraille on 3/23/2010 5:49:00 PM more reviews by ibraille

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This stuff is AMAZING. Never in a million years would I have thought of putting oil on my super acne prone sensitive skin. I have spent the majority of my adult life fighting acne and now, into my 30s, wrinkles to top.
This saved my face from the severe dryness of winter. My face usually gets so dry it actually cracks. So painful and frustrating. This stuff resolved that. My face was so relieved!
Also it cleared up my skin in a crazy amazing way. My sking hasn't looked this good in more than a decade. Seriously. Yes, there is a purging period. The first two weeks were a little difficult because of the breakouts, but I could see what it was doing. It was basically working all the stuff that was sitting there waiting to work its way up anyway. I had some really stubborn bumps that I literally felt being washed away when I rinsed the oil off my face. Stuff that had been sitting there for like a month was suddenly just sliding out of my skin....gross and weird but um, THANK YOU!
I can honestly say that I no longer feel the need for a facial. My pores have all reduced in size because they're not congested anymore. My breakouts are pretty much nil at this point. I have an occasional breakout here and there due to hormones or something, but it's super small and heals so much faster. Not even noteworthy, really.

Yes, it is expensieve, but SO worth it. I bought my large bottle in January and now almost 3 months later it is maybe only a 1/4 inch down from the top. It will last me more than a year I expect.
Also, I don't find that I need the 3 pumps that are recommended. I use one full pump and go over my face except for my eyes. I then go back and do a tiny pump onto my finger tips and use that for my eyes before I jump in the shower.

This has also done great things for my skin and aging issues. When my skin is dry, particularly under my eyes, I just look older and more tired. This cleansing oil has helped with the moisture level around my eyes. First place to show signs of aging, of course, so I love that. It has really helped to doquite a bit of repair to the skin as well. My skin has regained some of the natural glow that its loosing with age, too.

HIGHLY recommend this stuff. HG for me.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

pottlott on 2/5/2010 7:28:00 AM more reviews by pottlott

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I have combo/acne-prone skin which has been behaving for the last couple of years. I bought this thinking that it would take off makeup and help decrease the size of my pores. How wrong was I?! After just one week using this my face broke out with angry armies of whiteheads along my jaw line and cheeks. I was kind of in denial, thinking that it was caused by other factors so I left it out of my routine for the next week and 75% of the whiteheads went away. I tried it again thinking (and wishing) that it wasn't the oil cleanser. Used it for two nights and again the angry whitehead army came back.

I strongly do NOT recommend this to those of you who have oily and/or acne prone skin. This stuff just clogs your pores and remains on the surface of your skin even after cleansing.

It did make my skin softer but it's not worth the end result.

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*TOP REVIEWER* brookebaird on 1/2/2010 1:58:00 AM more reviews by brookebaird

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

My skin is changing. My oiliness and excessive shine now only emerge on trips to the tropics. I have been using the cleansing oil for a couple of months and I am becoming a convert. Initially I was so afraid of adding oil to my regime as I thought it would create breakouts.
This does a great job removing makeup without stripping it. Even after rinsing, I still feel like there is a layer on my face but it seems to be just fine. My skin is lumionous.
Unfortunately, the pump on the dispenser clogged early on. It still works well applied directly to cotton rounds but takes away some convenience. I expect more considering the price.

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Beachbunnie on 12/18/2009 8:07:00 AM more reviews by Beachbunnie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Brown    

I just purchased this cleansing oil (the pink one for oily skin) and its rather nice! I followed the instruction 3-4 pumps on try skin then adding water to turn milky. It removed all of my make up completly and left my skin clean toned. I like to do the toner test to see how much my cleanser has actually removed, if it has removed everything then its a winner! I quite like this.

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mochio on 8/11/2009 4:39:00 PM more reviews by mochio

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Love!! it melts off all my makeup (it takes a bit more work to get the waterproof mascara off). I pump 1-2 handfuls of oil and massage on my face to help the makeup break down. Then, I add a little bit of water to emulsify it and continue to massage on my face. This is the cleansing part, and doing this step does not leave a oily film on your face, as opposed to just splashing it off. I am accustomed to double cleansing, so I also use another facewash, although this part is not necessary. This cleansing oil does NOT dry my skin out and leaves it feeling so soft and clean! my skin looks better already, and i will update after long term use!
UPDATE: I was in denial for a long time..but this is definitely contributing to the random breakouts on my chin, my cheeks, where I NEVER break out :( I thought I was cleaning this off well- I even used a foam wash after. Maybe my skin is not compatible with this here..(I used the fresh version with great success in Asia.perhaps weather plays a role) too bad, I really wanted this to work for me. Anyways, I stopped using this as of two days ago..no new breakouts!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

TOSIN on 6/14/2009 1:28:00 PM more reviews by TOSIN

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

On my way back from holiday on the plane, I bought a set of Shu Uemura cleansing oils. It contained 6 different ones and I tried this along with the anti aging a/o cleansing oil. They both broke me out and left my skin feeling slightly greasy and unclean. It was a real shame as it had a lot of rave reviews. I think I react to mineral oils, as I reacted to eve lom as well... Maybe I'll try DHC next. Will not repurchase...

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newtonviolet on 5/21/2009 6:02:00 PM more reviews by newtonviolet

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Can't do without this pump-dispense cleansing oil - high performance cleansing oil fresh. Takes off all makeup - from eyes to neck -nin 3 pumps.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No