Shu Uemura • Cleansing Beauty Oil Light • Cleansers

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rosaschnee on 12/27/2012 7:01:00 PM more reviews by rosaschnee

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

This is my 3rd bottle of the cleansing oil. I love cleansing oils to remove make up since I was first introduced to the Fancl cleansing oil a few years back and have not used any other products to remove my make up since.
The Shu Uemura is not my absolute favourite, but it's easier to find than the Fancl one. It comes in a huge bottle which lasts me about 9 months with every day use. I don't use the recommended 4 pumps, I find 2 pumps is more than enough for me, an extra pump if I am wearing heavy make up. To use it properly, cleansing oils are used directly on dry skin, do not wet your face before hand! Rub it all over your face, gently across the eye area and I find wetting your hands slightly with clean water, then gently massaging the face will emulsify the product for a deeper clean. After massaging the face, rinse off with water.
Even though there is no need to use another cleanser, I always follow up with my usual cleanser, but a rather gentle one just to get rid of residue oil/make up/mascra traces. But that's just me.
I find with the cleansing oil, my skin is not left taunt or irritated and I can feel it breath again.
The product itself is pricey, but it does last a long time. So it even outs in the long run. I think removing make up is vital to keeping the skin bacteria free and stops the pores from clogging up, so a little special treatment and splurge is important!

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chochonui on 9/22/2012 2:32:00 AM more reviews by chochonui

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

i have gone through many bottles of this.
it washes EVERYTHING off.
some stubborn mascara would need more massages in order to wash off.
one thing i get annoyed about this is that when it gets into your eyes, it blurrs your vision.....at least it doesn't burn~

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PanPan70 on 12/17/2009 8:27:00 PM more reviews by PanPan70

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This stuff is the greatest. It removes absolutely everything without breaking me out, drying me out, or irritating my skin. I don't think I've ever gotten my face this clean before-- it's amazing. The SA told me to use 4 pumps of it on my fave when I use it and that seems like a lot but then again she said it would seem like a lot. I highly recommend this product.

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natashazogaric on 11/10/2009 6:21:00 PM more reviews by natashazogaric

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This product is just not for me. I have oily skin and acne prone skin so I probably should of stayed away but I had to try it (got a free bottle at the Nordies Trend show). I would not dare put it anywhere near my T Zone, maybe just a oily cleanser to take off my eye make up.

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*TOP REVIEWER* UDMAC on 2/25/2009 10:41:00 AM more reviews by UDMAC

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Tan   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

Removes mu thoroughly and rinses clean but its heavily scented and broke me out terribly (the main ingredient is mineral oil so if it breaks you out, avoid this). pretty mediocre for the price.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MARmaladeJay on 11/26/2008 4:09:00 AM more reviews by MARmaladeJay

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Oily, Tan, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I really really wanted to like this product. I began using this product 4 years ago, but I stopped. It gave me the worst break-out of my life (not over exaggerating)! I rarely break out except once a month and it's usually a pimple here and a pimple there. After the 4-year break, I decided to give it another try. This is by far the greatest make-up remover that worked for me. It removes an entire face of make-up especially waterproof mascara and water resistant pencil liners. But apparently, my skin just doesn't like it. So things haven't changed, I broke out around my hairline and cheeks even worst than the first time.

Anyhow, I purchased the smallest bottle rather than the large one.

So in conclusion, I will not be using this product again. I really really wanted to like this too, but it's just too heavy for my skin. Now I have a lot of scars, so I need to find something that will minimize them without caking on my foundation. It's pretty obvious that I won't be purchasing this again. =(

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*TOP REVIEWER* Vaniessa on 9/25/2008 11:14:00 AM more reviews by Vaniessa

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I wanna love this product, but it just make my skin breakouts every time after using it!!!it does remove makeup really really well, even waterproof mascara, but the fact that it's too rich for my skin, and maybe others who has oily skin, albeit it is Light, and the SA assured me that this will not break me out, but *sigh Sigh*

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*TOP REVIEWER* lil_me on 8/23/2008 9:01:00 PM more reviews by lil_me

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

$60 for 450mL. (discontinued)
$26.50 for 150mL. (discontinued)

When Shu Uemura's store opened up here in San Francisco in May 2005, this was the 1st item I had to get. I love cleansing oils. I thought this was the best. I was ...yikes, wrong...boo... I love Shu. I think I love his products because it is Japanese made and I expect quality. I don't really care how much something cost because all I really need is for someone to say it's good. I'll try it. It does not take much... I went all out and bought the large size, too! Dang...

Well, I tried it and I was disappointed. 'Why?" you might ask... Well, here goes. It felt heavy on and did not rinse very well. It did not remove all of my mineral make up. My waterproof eyeliner partially remained on my upper eyelids.

I know they have reformulated, but I'm weary to try. After all, most of it is mineral oil, right? Maybe, I'll ask for a sample before I invest again! I did like having this on my sink. It made me feel like I'm pampering myself to something "designer". I'm sick...

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yeorib on 3/24/2008 8:05:00 AM more reviews by yeorib

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

I like this cleanser. I agree with other reviewers that if you just wash this off by it self with water, it will make me break out. But I use kanebo clay wash with this and it is perfect. My skin feels very squeeky clean after. I have been using Liz Earl for a long time and I love the fact that its so easy to take makeup off in comparison. The other fomulas feel so heavy on my skin, I think this one is best for me. I love the rose scent and the light cosistency is great. Definitely buy this again.

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janerbabe on 2/18/2008 4:06:00 AM more reviews by janerbabe

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Purchased this to help with my very minimal acne along with the Shu Uemura toner and moisturizer; however, I was very let down and my acne stayed put like rocks on my face! It removes makeup very well but that is the only thing I have found useful for this cleanser, and of course there are better, cheaper makeup removers out there. I hoped this lighter formula would help my oily, acne-prone skin but if you are looking for the solution to your problems, go consult a dermatologist or try products from an actual skin care line. Let's not forget Shu Uemura specializes in makeup.

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psadz on 10/27/2007 9:29:00 PM more reviews by psadz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

OH MY GOD!!!! this is the worst worst worst cleanser ever!!! i used shiseido spf 50 sunscreen lotion n while applying this cleansing oil at night, this product just stays there no matter what i do. the more water i splash the more white mask-like it becomes. ABSOLUTE DISASTER!!! it literally became a waterproof white mask! i then removed everything using my shiseido cleanser. what a dissapointment, I really thought this product would be able to remove my foundation n sunscreen totally but instead it did just the opposite!

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dannisecret on 10/12/2007 5:43:00 AM more reviews by dannisecret

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this product for over a year. I purchased the old version. I still have half bottle left. Well, it doesn't cause break out on me. I use other cleansing products after using the oil. It removes my makeup very easily. I think the best way to apply is after apply oil to dry skin and massage, use warm water several times to dissolve the oil.

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Cinderella79 on 8/17/2007 5:19:00 AM more reviews by Cinderella79

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

Yes it's true. This removes make-up perfectly. Although I never have that sqeeky clean feeling after using this. I absolutely loooooove the way this oil feels on my face when massaging this into my skin. BUT I cannot use this every day as I think this is what causes me to break out. Like another reviewer, I also find this hard to remove.
Yes my face never feels dry after cleansing with this, but I assume that's because somehow it leaves a residue and if there is something my face doesn't agree with, it is residue of any sort. results: little bumps on my forehead and acne around my cheekbone. Not nice! I really really wanted this to work for me. I love the idea of treating oil with oil, but unfortunately this just doesn't work for MY skin. Too bad really.
Like a previous reviewer mentioned: cleansing oils are just not for everyone, so I guess you just have to take a risk and try. But if you know your skin hates residues, be aware, as I won't recommend using a cleansing oil. How big the hype may be for using oils, let's face it's better for your skin, I still prefer that fresh clean feeling, and that's not someting an oil can accomplish.....unfortunately.

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*TOP REVIEWER* jennstarr on 8/5/2007 3:31:00 PM more reviews by jennstarr

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

$60 for 450mL. (discontinued)
$26.50 for 150mL. (discontinued)


Replaced with Shu Uemura High Performance Fresh Cleansing Oil


This was the answer to those who felt the Classic and Enriched formulas were too heavy. While I can understand the reasons for wanting a lighter formula, IMO you lose some of the effectiveness when you dilute an oil cleanser.


The Light formula had the highest percentage of light oils (water soluble mineral oil), about 90%. Of the 3 formulas (available at the time), it was the least effective at removing makeup, and I felt it left the heaviest residue.


Unless you have an extremely oily skin (and have tried the Enriched formula), this isn't the best of the formulas available. Fresh was an improvement (it smells lovely and has a light exfoliating property), but I still feel the Enriched version in superior. If something lighter is desired, go with the Classic.

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hanginglights on 8/2/2007 1:40:00 AM more reviews by hanginglights

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This made me break out almost instantly. Little white bumps surrounded by red allover my nose, forehead and worst of all my cheeks - I NEVER get pimples on my cheeks.

On the up side, it removed all my makeup. Not muchof an upside when compared to the downside, heh. Will definitely not repurchase. Also very expensive!

edit: on comparison with Mac's cleanse off oil, I think the shu oil is better for massaging in, but the mac doesn't cause acne for me so that's the winner.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dictatorprincess on 7/28/2007 5:01:00 PM more reviews by dictatorprincess

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I said I would rebuy, but I am on the fence. To be honest, I find no difference between this oil (and I have used this oil in most of its iterations, even though this review is for the light) and Laura Mercier's in terms of effectiveness. The Shu Uemura smells better and I like the pump better, but the Laura Mercier (which I have used in light and rich) is slightly cheaper and I buy so much from her line that I usually get some kind of discount or other goodie when buying it.
I have super dry skin and when I use cleansing oil in the summer I can get away with just putting eye cream on and dabbing moisturizer on my fine lines.
This gets all my makeup off, including mascara. If you are not a Laura fan or you are trying to strategically work your GWPs, this oil is worth the shot. Speaking of GWP, I love the little bottles Shu Uemura gives of this oil that you get as samples. I keep them and fill them up when I travel, the head of the sample bottle being just wide enough that you don't waste product. UPDATE: I just scored another free full size bottle, I think I am in LOVE! Now it is going to be ten times as hard to actually pay for this or just buy Laura...

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missweij on 1/3/2007 8:18:00 PM more reviews by missweij

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I got this as a sample along with the depsea moisture recovery equiwater and decided to give it a shot after reading good reviews on it. I used it for about 8 days along with the equiwater. I liked how well it removed my makeup and how soft and dewy my skin felt after using it. Overall both products left my skin feeling well moisturized without being too oily throughout the day (which is rare for me). Unfortunately they also made me breakout and gave me this huge cystic acne on my forehead which hasn't happened in years. I won't be using it again anytime soon, but maybe when i'm older and my teenage acne clears up.

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lynncho on 12/11/2006 12:35:00 AM more reviews by lynncho

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have sensitive dry skin and this cleans my skin pretty well without that tight dry effect. I got this one because it was recommended for sensitive skin. It does remove eye-makeup (waterproof mascara) really well so I use it to wash my face and remove my makeup in one step on those days that I do wear makeup. I use toner on my T zone afterwards. I hate the strong scent though.

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cocochanelny on 12/8/2006 1:18:00 PM more reviews by cocochanelny

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Great cleansing oil for me.

Thoroughly removes my eye makeup, mascara and foundation.

I have used the regular cleansing oil but I prefer using a lighter one and this one does the job for me.

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CathyCC on 10/22/2006 12:47:00 PM more reviews by CathyCC

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I have tried many cleansing oils and this one is the most expensive and probably the worst. It’s thin and runny, like baby oil. And actually from the ingredients, it’s much like mineral oil based baby oil. It doesn’t clean well with my sunblock. After sufficient rubbing and rinsing, I can still see a lot sunblock smearing around with streaks. I also got huge red bumps and small whiteheads after using it (not breakouts, but worse. Took forever to disappear). I’ll never water my money on this again.

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