Essello Clear-off Cleansing Oil (500ml)

• Type: Cleansing oil, the first step of a double cleanse
• Key ingredients: 88% vegetable oil, Dogo hot spring water
• Who it suits: All skin types. Especially good for blackheads, clogged pores, oily or combination skin, and anyone who wears sunscreen or makeup daily.
• Feel: Light oil that turns milky when it meets water and rinses off without a greasy film
• Size: 500ml salon-size pump bottle. Lasts several months of nightly use.
• Brand: Essello, Korea

Sunscreen, makeup and sebum are oil-based, and oil dissolves oil. A cleansing oil lifts them off the skin and out of the pores more thoroughly than a foam cleanser can, without scrubbing. This is why double cleansing is the standard first step in Korean skincare, and why Leah's routine starts here.

1. Start with dry hands and a dry face. Pump 1 to 2 pumps into your palm.
2. Massage over the whole face for 1 to 2 minutes. Spend extra time on the nose and chin, where blackheads form. Use small circles with light pressure.
3. Wet your hands and keep massaging. The oil will turn milky white as it emulsifies.
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. Follow with Essello On-Off 6 Cleanser to finish the double cleanse.

For blackheads: once or twice a week, massage the nose area for a full 3 to 5 minutes before emulsifying. Over a few weeks you will feel the grits loosen.

Can oily or acne-prone skin use a cleansing oil?
Yes. Done properly, with full emulsification and a second cleanse, it removes excess sebum rather than adding to it. Many of our oily-skinned customers find it reduces their blackheads.

Does it remove waterproof makeup and sunscreen?
Yes. That is what it is designed for. Massage a little longer over waterproof mascara or long-wear sunscreen.

Do I need a second cleanser?
Yes. The oil does the heavy lifting; the On-Off 6 Cleanser rinses away the residue. Skipping the second step can leave a film.

Can I use it in the morning?
You can, but most people only need it at night. In the morning, the On-Off 6 Cleanser alone is enough.

Why is it 500ml?
Essello is a professional brand used in Korean skin clinics, so bottles are salon-size. At 1 to 2 pumps a night, a bottle lasts many months and is far cheaper per use than a small retail bottle.