Hada Labo Oil Cleanser Review

Hada Labo Oil Cleanser gently but effectively removes makeup, dirt, and other impurities from the skin while providing moisture and hydration so your skin feels soft, smooth and supple after every use.

(Curious about Hada Labo products? Check out this list of the best Hada Labo products for your skincare routine!)

If you’re a fan of double cleansing like I am, chances are you’re also a fan of DHC Cleansing Oil, the cult-favourite oil cleanser.

It’s my go-to first cleanser at night and I really have no reason to switch. 

Until I saw that Hada Labo, one of my favourite skincare and beauty brands, carried an oil cleanser too. I just had to try!

Like their other skin care products, Hada Labo Oil Cleanser goes by different names, like:

• Hadalabo Gokujun Cleansing Oil
• Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil
• Rohto Hadalabo Gokujun Cleansing Oil
• Hada Labo Make Up Remover

They all refer to the same product.

What is a cleansing oil?

A cleansing oil is a facial cleanser that’s made up of a unique blend of skin-nourishing oils like olive oil and jojoba seed oil. It’s usually used as the first cleanser in a double cleansing routine.

First cleansers like oils are supposed to break down and melt away make-up, waterproof sunscreen, sebum and other impurities that water-based cleansers might not effectively remove.

Following with a water-based cleanser creates a lather that gets deeper into pores to remove impurities like sweat and grime.

Read all about double cleansing here.

And if it’s part of your skincare routine, check out the best face oils for gua sha.

Hada Labo Oil Cleanser ingredients

In addition to olive fruit oil and jojoba seed oil, this cleanser also includes super hyaluronic acid, a patent-pending ingredient that delivers superior moisture-retention properties.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing Ingredients below (source):

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Olive Fruit Oil, Water, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate (Super Hyaluronic Acid), Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate (Skin-adsorbed Hyaluronic Acid), Jojoba Seed Oil, Ceresin, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, BHT

Other things to know

• Packaging. This product comes in a 200-ml plastic bottle with a pump. It has a stopper on its neck so you can bring it while travelling and not have any accidental spills. You can also purchase refills so you don’t always have to buy a new bottle every time.

• Fragrance. This cleansing oil is fragrance free. It’s also free of artificial colorants, mineral oils and alcohols.

• Texture and Consistency. Unlike DHC, Hada Labo Oil Cleanser comes out clear; it only appears golden-hued because of the packaging. It’s also runnier and thinner than I expected. The texture and consistency is closer to a toner than an oil cleanser.

• Does it emulsify? Yes, this cleanser emulsifies. What this means is the product turns milky when a little bit of water is applied. This action not only helps lift off impurities, it also makes the cleanser easier to rinse off.  

• Is Hada Labo Cleansing Oil non comedogenic? This oil cleanser is very lightweight, easy to rinse off, and cleanses without clogging your pores. 

• Skin types. It’s very mild and gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. It’s runnier than DHC; perfect if you have oily skin and looking for a lighter oil cleanser. And because of its hydrating properties, it would benefit dry skin as well. 

How to use Hada Labo Oil Cleanser

I use Hada Labo Oil Cleanser as my first cleanser at night. 

I dispense 1 full pump into my dry hands and gently massage all over my dry face.

I try to get into every nook and cranny (side of my nose, side of my forehead, under my chin) and after about 1 minute, I rinse with lukewarm water and follow with my water-based cleanser.

What I like about Hadalabo Gokujun Cleansing Oil

• Fragrance-free. I’m such a big fan of fragrance-free skincare products. I’ve used other cleansing oils and cleansing balms that are overwhelming perfumed it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all.

• Easy to rinse. This product is very easy to rinse off and doesn’t leave an oily residue on the skin.

• Non irritating. It’s gentle and non-irritating too. Other oil cleansers tend to clog pores that can lead to breakouts. It doesn’t sting when you get the product on your eyes either.

What I don’t like about it

• Deep clean? I’ve been using this cleanser for more than a month now and I notice that I just don’t get that deeply cleansed feeling after using it. My skin doesn’t look as bright and clean, and doesn’t feel as refreshed.

• Drying. In fact, I feel a slight tightness to my skin. It doesn’t feel as smooth or supple compared to when I use DHC.

• Not as luxurious. And because it’s thin and runny, it’s not as luxurious to apply. I’m all for skincare products that make my skincare routine a very enjoyable thing to do at the end of a long day and this oil cleanser just doesn’t deliver on that.  

Do I recommend Rohto Hada Labo Gokujun Cleansing Oil

In a rating scale of 1 to 5 — 5 being awesome — this product is a 2 for me.

DHC has set very high standards as far as oil cleansers are concerned and I just prefer the thicker consistency of that oil cleanser, and the more moisturizing finish it gives.

This is not a bad product though. It’s just not for me.

I think this oil cleanser will be a good fit if you have oilier skin or if you live in a more humid climate.

Or maybe you’re worried that a regular oil cleanser will break you out. Then this is definitely worth a try.

Hada Labo Oil Cleanser is lightweight, mild and gentle, and won’t clog pores. Check it out at Amazon (affiliate links below).

You can buy the bottle here. And the Hada Labo Oil Cleanser refill here.

If you’re in the market for lightweight facial cleansing oils, also check out Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil.

This product didn’t work out for me but I love the rest of the Hada Labo personal care line. Check out my reviews below:

• Hada Labo Cleansing Foam Wash
• Hada Labo Toner
• Hada Labo Moisturizer
• Rohto Melano CC Vitamin C

As always, remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa.

So before trying a new product, it pays to do a little bit of research first. Pay special attention to ingredients that you might have a reaction to.

And doing a patch-test is always a good idea. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.

Happy skin experimenting!

Have you tried Hada Labo Facial Oil Cleanser? Did it work for you? Will you recommend it? Would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

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