Hada Labo Cleansing Oil Review (for Oily Skin!)

It’s not a secret that I am a BIG fan of double-cleansing – it’s a skincare technique that I’ve been using for years. I’m definitely a creature of habit and I have a preferred product for this: Hada Labo Cleansing Oil.

If you’re a long-time reader, you know I’m a big fan of this Japanese skincare brand – I’ve reviewed the Hada Labo Premium Lotion, among others, before, but I realised lately that I hadn’t written about my go-to, affordable oil cleanser! It only makes sense that after writing about my favourite hyaluronic acid toner, that my favourite oil cleanser from the same brand should follow.

I’ve been using this Japanese oil cleanser for years, and I have the receipts to prove it – I first posted about this 287 weeks ago, according to Instagram!! Hada Labo Cleansing Oil is a product that I’ve relied on, and it’s quickly become that standard that I compare pretty much ALL other cleansing oils to!

What is Hada Labo?

Hada Labo (not to be mixed up with Hada Labo Tokyo) is a skincare brand owned by Rohto, a Japanese pharmaceutical giant. They’re one of my favourites because they’re so simple and no-frill. That doesn’t mean their products aren’t a delight to use!

Hada Labo emphasises the use of high-quality, straightforward ingredients to deliver exceptional hydration and nourishment to the skin. The brand philosophy is ‘perfect and simple,’ – something that I’ve found is the best approach to my skincare. It’s no wonder I enjoy pretty much everything I’ve tried from this brand!

Another reason to try is that Hada Labo products are free from unnecessary additives, fragrances, and dyes – making them ideal for pretty much all skin types, including sensitive skin. They heavily lean on hyaluronic acid as the star ingredient for most products – it’s something I appreciate as I genuinely think that a good skincare routine starts with well-hydrated skin.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleanser: An Overview

Like most oil cleansers, Hada Labo cleansing oil is designed to be massaged onto a dry face to break down any lingering makeup, sunscreen, and other oil-based build-up to rinse away and reveal a clean face.

It comes in a 200ml pump bottle, and 200ml refill sachets can also be purchased to help reduce plastic waste. The texture is a thinner oil but isn’t so thin and watery that it’s hard to control. I find about 1-2 pumps perfect for nightly double cleansing. I massage it into my skin for about 1 minute before rinsing away with water – I recommend paying careful attention to your hairline and neck if you wear makeup to ensure that you get a thorough clean!

Some of the star ingredients in this formula include Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Hyaluronic Acid. That’s why it’s so moisturising! The oils in this Japanese cleansing oil break down makeup while moisturising skin at the same time, so your skin never feels dry or tight after.

The formula is also fragrance-free – I know that not everyone is a big fan of fragrance, so it’s great to have plain, simple cleansing options that just work. Many Hada Labo Cleansing Oil reviews make a note of the fragrance-free, pleasant formula.

What impressed me the most about Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil is that it’s just SO good for removing waterproof mascara. I’m a big fan of Japanese and Korean mascaras – the waterproof formulas hold a curl and don’t smudge, but they can be really difficult to take off.

That’s not an issue that I have when I use this cleansing oil from Hada Labo! With a little gentle massaging, it removes every single speck of this intensely waterproof Japanese mascara, without yanking any of my lashes out. Yay!

Another area where the Hada Labo Cleansing Oil wins for me is that it truly rinses away cleanly. Some oil cleansers can leave a film on my skin – this doesn’t! Technically, I wouldn’t really have to follow up with a regular cleanser if I didn’t want to – that’s how easily it rinses away. However, as part of an efficient double cleansing routine, I’ll always follow hadalabo gokujun cleansing oil with a water-based cleanser.

Overall, this cleanser is a real winner for me! The ingredients list is simple and effective – it removes makeup incredibly well, leaving my skin ready for my skincare routine to follow. I also love that its an affordable cleansing oil – depending on where you are in the world, it’s usually no more than USD 15 from international retailers, or here in New Zealand, anywhere between the NZD 28-30 mark. 

Hada Labo Cleansing Oil Ingredients

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Olive Fruit Oil, Water, Sodium Acetylhyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Jojoba Seed Oil, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexanoic Acid, Dextrin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, BHT 

Is Hada Labo Oil Cleanser Okay for Oily Skin?

Here’s the thing – I have oily skin, and I really couldn’t imagine not using an oil cleanser! The Hada Labo oil cleanser is definitely suitable for oily skin. If this is your skin type, you might also notice these perks of using a cleansing oil: smaller-looking pores and less greasy skin.

That because an oil cleanser helps to remove any lingering excess oils on the surface of our skin, temporarily clearing out pores and managing the skin’s natural oils. This is a product ideal for oily skin!

Oil Cleanser vs. Micellar Water

Ok, but how does this stack up to a micellar water? While they both remove makeup, I generally prefer oil cleansers for double-cleansing at the end of the day. For removing long-wearing waterproof mascara, an oil cleanser totally wins! I also prefer the pore-minimising benefits of using a product like the Hada Labo Oil Cleanser.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil: Final Verdict

This is a skincare product that I’ve used for years and years. I happily suggest it for all skin types if you are looking for a gentle oil cleanser to every night to remove makeup and sunscreen. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and while you can only get it online, there are a LOT of retailers now stocking these fantastic Japanese skincare products.

Where to Buy Hada Labo Cleansing Oil