For three years, I never once thought of replacing my cleansing oil because that’s how satisfied I was with the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. Then things happened and I decided to depart from the formula I once loved and started on this cleansing oil quest. Lanbelle Natural Deep Cleansing Oil is my fifth but unlikely to be my last because this one fell a wee bit short of claiming my heart.
I made note of this early on when I caught sight of it in one of Director Pi’s videos but couldn’t bring myself to order it so I was completely overjoyed when this arrived with the other wonderful products that made up my Kind Box. By the way, this is not a sponsored review. Director Pi doesn’t even know I exist and I got the Kind Box for free, as did some other 6,000-7,000 people in Korea.
Product Overview and Accessibility
The Lanbelle Natural Deep Cleansing Oil comes in a transparent bottle and is simple and minimal in design. Information about the product is very scarce, and I believe that’s why it’s one of the lesser known cleansing oils on the market. The product comes with 200ml for 36,000KRW at Lanbelle’s official site. However, it’s often discounted to 15,200KRW.
For those not in Korea, it might be difficult to find this, although I wouldn’t say it’s completely impossible, as a quick Google search does pull up a number of online shops that offer this. However, it may not be as accessible as, say, the Ma:nyo Factory Pure Cleansing Oil, which is everywhere.
Director Pi's Endorsement and Formula Breakdown
This cleansing oil has been featured a number of times in Director Pi’s YouTube videos, and it seems like something she’s very fond of, as she highly praises Lanbelle for the formula and efficacy. Lanbelle Natural Deep Cleansing Oil is comprised of only 8 ingredients.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
- Grapeseed Oil: Utilized as the main cleansing agent, making up 70% of the formula. It is less dense and includes Linoleic Acid, which has anti-oxidation effects.
- Macadamia Nut Oil: Helps remove sebum from pores and moisturizes the skin.
- Lemon Peel Oil and Lavender Oil: Infused for fragrance purposes.
Texture and Application
Natural Deep Cleansing Oil has a consistency that falls right in between water and oil, which is what I really like about it. I would rate it the best in consistency out of all the cleansing oils I’ve tried to date. It’s still runny, though, so I usually have to be quick with the transfer, otherwise the oil will slip through the cracks of my fingers before making it to my face.
I find that 2-3 pumps removes sunscreen effortlessly. However, I like to spend a little time over areas where I have a lot of blackheads, so I’ll usually pump an extra just for that. On days I wear makeup, I’ll use a little more.
Performance: Efficacy and Gentleness
The Natural Deep Cleansing Oil is really gentle and doesn’t sting or burn when it accidentally gets in my eyes. The formula has never once irritated my skin either. It also effectively dissolves sunscreen and makeup, as well as lifts impurities from a long, tired day. For those with a lot of blackheads, this works pretty well at dislodging them. I saw more results in the beginning than I do now, but I was still pretty impressed.
Limitations with Waterproof Makeup
Now, while I find the product efficacy wonderful at removing things like sunscreen and your typical face makeup such as foundation and BB cream, it’s not 100% effective on waterproof eye and lip makeup products. It gets off a decent amount of it, but it won’t completely remove it. This doesn’t bother me because I have a separate product for that purpose.
The Stripping Effect and Moisture Loss
Now for the bomb I’m about to drop: this thoroughly cleanses but at the expense of my skin’s moisture. You know that feeling you get after you lather up a foamy alkaline cleanser, work it over your skin, and wash it off? That squeaky clean feeling that lets you know you have removed all the dirt, grime, and inadvertently, precious moisture? Well, that’s what I get when I use this. The formula leaves my skin a bit taut, and this was something I noticed immediately. Once the oil cleanser was emulsified with water and rinsed off, my face was left feeling unusually dry and tight.
If not for being stripping, I would probably rate this my favorite out of all the cleansing oils I’ve tried. It’s a shame because I liked it up until that point. I was a tad disappointed because I was really hoping to end my cleansing oil quest with this one.
Overall Value and Final Thoughts
I like everything it offers, and find that it’s usually half price, so it’s not that expensive (at a little over 15,000KRW). The pump dispenses evenly, and the packaging is simple but functional. I was ready to give this one all my love, but it looks like I’ll be continuing on my cleansing oil quest.
Please keep in mind that my skin is dehydrated and oily, so your experience could be completely different. I find the Natural Deep Cleansing Oil to have a wonderful consistency and thoroughness as a first cleanser!
Double Cleansing Routine using cleansing oil and cleansing foam
User Experience with Combination Skin
This is a great oil for my combination skin. It removes all makeup, including eye makeup, without irritation. I enjoy the fresh, citrusy scent as well. Overall, no complaints, and I will happily finish off my bottle. Definitely worth looking into if you are in need of a cleansing oil and do not react poorly to essential oils.
Please note that there seem to be a couple of packaging variations. The ingredients look the same, but the label design is different. The lavender and lemon peel oil may pose issues for very sensitive skin, but I haven’t had any reactions.