DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

We haven't gone in-depth with my skincare practices, which considering my own routine, should really be a greater part of Messy Wands. I was a skincare junkie way before I was ever exposed to makeup – my mother (and well, the policies of Malaysian high schools) forbade me from wearing makeup till I was 18 years old, but like most Asian women she is very particular about skincare, thus I was too.

I think even as a teen I had expensive tastes (unfortunate but true). My mother first gave me some Clinique, but the toner burned my skin and the moisturizer felt clammy. After experimenting with miscellaneous brands, we stopped by Shu Uemura, and that was where I had my first skincare routine designed.

That story promises to be a long one (think cleansing, toner, serum, moisturizer), so we won't delve into that just yet. The point is Shu Uemura is famous for their oil cleansers, thus I have been using the oil cleansing method to clean my face since as long as I can remember. After I started using makeup, they became absolutely indispensable.

For those unfamiliar with the oil cleansing method, here's how it's done:

1. Start with dry hands and face. This is very important because the water emulsifies the oil to remove makeup, and you don't want it to happen before you have the chance to get the oil on your skin.
2. Pump enough of the cleansing oil (usually two pumps for me) into your hands and apply to the face. Rub gently to work the oil onto the skin. Concentrate on needed areas, such as eyes and lips.
3. Wash off the oil on your hands.
4. With just wet hands (not cupping water), gently rub your face in circular motions. You'll notice the oil will turn white as it emulsifies.
5. When all of the cleansing oil has emulsified, wash face as usual.

The trick is using enough of the cleansing oil to cover the entire surface of your face. If you use too little, the method will be less effective and leave some residue, which feels... oily. The oil cleansing method is by far the cleanest and easiest method I've used to remove makeup, bar none.

I was sent the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil to review, and I'm glad to report that I liked it. The oil is lighter in texture than most Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils and as far as my nose can discern, has no fragrance. Two pumps is enough for my entire face and it removes my makeup without fail every time. I did find that my face was particularly dry when I started using it (transitioning from the RMK Cleansing Balm), but after a couple of uses I no longer felt the tightness.

It is much more affordable than just about everything I feature on Messy Wands, and because it's so (or relatively) cheap and effective, I also use it to get rid of arm swatches. It's easier and better than using cotton and makeup remover because I don't have to scrub as hard and leave red marks on my arm, which delays photographing. In short: a beauty blogger's godsend.

Ingredients:

(click to enlarge)

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is available in various sizes from $4.95 to $26 at DHCcare.com. For another in-depth review, check out Nouveau Cheap's post.

The product in this post was sent to me by a representive of the brand for editorial consideration.