I am not new to pimples or pimpy as I've been with it almost half my life! I've had a long list of insecurities and woes just because I had tons of pimpy all over my face. The very reason I started chronicling beauty products & regimens and dermatologic procedures is to make others aware that there are things that help alleviate stubborn pimpy and make them go away.

Belo Essentials now offers an anti-acne skin solutions in the new AcnePro three-step Clear Skin system. The skincare line banks on the efficacy of Purified Bee venom in clinically treating mild to moderate acne by minimizing inflammation. Through AcnePro's Cleansing, Toning and Repairing stages, almost anyone can say hello to a cleaner and clearer skin everyday!

  

Belo Essentials AcnePro Gel Face Wash (50mL, P99.75) "Effectively helps eliminate acne-causing bacteria & remove excess oil leaving skin smoother and pimple-free."

A pea-sized amount of the gel-like facial wash generously foams into a lather that cleans the face well and leaves skin fresh and still well-moisturized. This wash is nice to use in following up a good makeup remover to ensure deep-seated oil and dirt are taken cared of.

Cleansing is almost a forgettable part of a skincare regimen. I was able to love it more when I felt how soft and supple my skin has become after the 2nd week into using this.

Belo Essentials AcnePro Treatment Toner (60ml, P79.75) "Effectively unclogs congested pores, dry up pimples and exfoliate dead skin cells."

The toning experience further refreshes the skin with a cool, soothing liquid. I like how it is lightly scented making me forget that toners usually smell of medication or strong alcohol.

A word of caution to those with oily skin: the toner can take time getting absorbed into the skin so make sure not to over saturate the cotton pad for it. It's fine if it happens in the evening before bed time but can be a pain if you use to much toner in the morning as it can feel a bit tacky against the skin. What's great about the toner is that you don't need too much to make it work.

Belo Essentials AcnePro Pimple Gel (10g, P149.75) "Helps dry up pimples fast, lighten blemishes, calm inflammation and promote healing & ant-bacterial action."

Repair is probably the most exciting stage in the system as this is where "magic" happens. The AcnePro pimple gel tube is packed with a non-fragrant product that effectively retards the ugly process of an exacerbated & inflamed pimpy. The key is to be keen enough to do the Repair Work at the onset of a growing pimple!

I like that all products in the AcnePro skincare system are oil-free and are truly hypoallergenic & non-comedogenic during the whole time I've been testing it out. The three products are also packed well and in durable, fuss-free tubes and bottles and the sizes of each product is perfect either for travel or for a full-month's use.

With the truly affordable price tag on top of it all, Belo Essentials AcnePro 3-Step Clear Skin System is probably the next best skincare line worth checking out. Using the products twice a day makes it easier for anyone to finally take charge of their skin, face the world and do more, and finally say goodbye to pimpy!

Disclaimer: Products were sent to me for review purposes

Dubbed as the creme de la creme of Shu Uemura's beauty cleansing oils, the Ultime8 Sublime promises to target eight skin concerns by combining eight exquisite oils of botanic origins. Eight... botanic! And so I jumped off the edge of my seat to get my hands on this miracle despite the fact that I'm already impressed and satisfied with the Sakura Fresh variant. Oh girrrrrls, *SMH*.

                  Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, 150mL

The Exquisite Eight

• Jojoba Oil: high in Omega-3 essential fatty acids to activate collagen and provide hydration plus improve skin suppleness
• Safflower Oil: rich in Omegas-6 and -9 which help maintain the skin barrier
• Camelia Oil: is regarded as a precious beauty oil in Japan; has restorative and rejuvenating properties due to oleic acids, Omega-3,-6,-9 and Sasanquasaponin, which has anti-oxidative properties
• Soy Oil: a natural emollient that moisturizes and protects the skin
• Olive Squalene: a natural emollient that mimics human sebum and leaves skin soft and moisturized plus provides anti-oxidant effects
• Shea Butter: abundant in triglycerides and fatty acids offering protection from photodamage; reinforces the skin’s barrier function and helps protect it from stressors
• Ginger Root Oil: a medicinal oil in Asian countries which reduces inflammatory and oxidative reactions; helps prevent skin damage, reduces wrinkles, brightens and smooths skin.
• Corn Oil: contains a variety of fatty acids and forms an ultra thin oil layer on the skin surface to protect it from dryness.

Shu Uemura Ultime8 's Physical Properties

The packaging and pump bottle are both impressive and its unique black twist-to-open nozzle (the rest are white) seems to scream "I AM SPECIAL". It smells luxuriously herbal and has a slightly heavier consistency & feel compared to the Shu cleansing oil Fresh variant.

I find that the recommended amount to be used, 3-4 pumps, is too much for my entire face. I use a pump and half (amazing pump system that allows flow control, as with the older variants) and yet I don't feel I skimped on it. I knew the 150mL will last me till the end of its shelf-life (6 months). And it did!

          Opened mid-February 2013. This photo was taken 2 days ago (posted at Instagram too, @the_beautybin)

Claims, Thoughts, Reviewed!

Shu Uemura reports that it tested the Ultime8 Sublime on 49 Asian women who used the cleansing oil twice a day. The test yielded the following results:

94% says skin feels smoother 

92% says skin feels moisturised 

90% says skin looks more radiant 

92% says skin looks refined 

85% says skin looks revitalized 

90% says skin appears more translucent 

92% says skin looks more supple 

90% says skin feels nourished 

I assume these are the eight skin benefits that the product claims to provide the skin. Out of these benefits, I'm surprised to see that:

(1) the least experienced benefit is skin revitalization, which I felt almost instantly after the first few uses; and

(2) the mother of all benefits, skin purification / cleansing, isn't reported. Personally, I'd consider "moisturised" and "nourished" one and the same, making room for "X% cleaner skin" in that report.

Price: P2650 for 150mL

          P6250 for 450mL

Where to buy: Shu Uemura counters

Shelf-Life: 6 months for the 150mL bottle

If I were to enumerate the benefits the Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime cleansing oil gave my skin, it has to be: skin purification, revitalization, radiance, and moisturization. That's 50% of the promised results. But hey, I wasn't using it twice a day like the test subjects did.

"Use Ultime8 Sublime once a day and you get half of the entire benefits". Well played Ultime8, well played.

Repurchasing?

While it never caused me pimples nor negative skin reactions, I won't be. I get clean, revitalized, radiant and moisturized skin from the Fresh variant which costs so much cheaper than this! I was also hoping this cleansing oil could help reduce pore size but it didn't. 

Looking at the benefits above, this product seems to have been created for aging (but I am aging!) progressively aging skin, those with age-spots and/or sun-spots, and dehydrated skin. I'm very sure these people would've written a very different review but with a similar recommendation.

If you don't have sun-spots, age-spots, freckles, and dry skin, I encourage you to try Shu Uemura's other (hello, cheaper) cleansing oil variants first. The Ultime8 Sublime may sound like it is and was formulated to be the best cleansing oil among the rest, but it's apparently not so in my case.

When I was researching for a good alternative to Shu Uemura cleansing oils, Nature Republic's Forest Garden Cleansing Oils caught my fancy as their line up carries a good array of makeup removing oils close to Shu's (feel free to comment below if you know of brands with such variety). Shu's got six variants, Nature Republic has five.

Price: P665 (10% off for Nature Republic cardholders)

Available at: Nature Republic boutiques at Festival Mall, SM North and SM Fairview

Their "Balancing" cleansing oil may be the best for me as I am drier on the cheeks and oily along the T-zone. The scent is quite overpowering but wasn't anything near unpleasant.

Five variants of the Nature Republic Forest Garden Cleansing Oil Line:

MOISTURE (Borage Oil & Carrot Seed) - blue; moisturizing; best for dry skin

BALANCING (Rosemary & Ylang Ylang) - pink; revitalizing; perfect for stressed out skin

FRESH (Tea Tree & Lemongrass) - green; acne-busting; capable of targeting pimples and comedones

PREMIUM (Argan Oil) - white; perfect for those who want added radiance

MILD (Chamomile) - lilac; a good choice for those with sensitive skin

And I actually thought 'Balancing' was meant for unbalanced/combination skin, hee!

blue, pink, green and white bottles (lilac variant not in photo)

My only question is: why can't I have Balancing, Fresh, Premium and Mild in one bottle? The good old saying holds true in beauty products, too: "You can't have 'em all!". Ho well, the Nature Republic Forest Garden cleansing oils are worth checking out anyway --- great packaging, and from what I've been hearing from people, tough on the most stubborn gunk on the face!

The Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser promises to:

• remove 99% of dullness-causing dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam
• provide skin with the proven whitening efficacy of mulberry extracts (Morus alba root extracts) that are rich in Vitamins B3 and C to help visibly brighten skin.

CLEANING ABILITY

The cleanser dispenses a fragrant and astonishingly silky ball of foam I love putting on my face. I use four pumps of the product to properly clean my face and it does the job. That is, if I do not put on foundation or bb cream. Otherwise, I use the Neutrogena Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam cleanser as a follow-up to my Shu Uemura cleansing oil routine.

Available at: Watsons 

Price/ weight: 307.50/ 175mL

I have been alternating the cleanser with a salicylic facial wash for almost 2 months now and it never caused me to break out (compared to the Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit variant). It is consistently non-drying and does not leave my face uncomfortably taut.

WHITENING POWER

If you expect this to land you a MAC shade lighter in no time, pull your standards down a bit. In 2 months, I only see brightening wonders after each use. I don't remember waking up and gushing over a fairer complexion. It's also proper to consider that:

• I do not use the cleanser on a daily basis
• I've only almost used up one bottle of the Brightening Mulberry ultra foam wash 

Perhaps a more frequent usage or another bottle of this Neutrogena cleanser will do permanent wonders. Morus alba extracts are known to function as natural skin bleaching agents making it a little difficult to discount the possibility that this cleanser can improve skin clarity over time. 

Recommendation. If you're on the hunt for a mild cleanser that's tough on non-makeup dirt and impurities, this is a good product. I strongly feel that those with less problematic skin (acne-free) will find this a good cleansing staple. Plus, there's a bonus of ending up with a brighter complexion after each wash, too! 

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Brightening Mulberry Ultra Foam Cleanser.

The Neutrogena Deep Clean Ultra Foam Cleanser comes in two variants: Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit and Brightening Mulberry. You must be wondering how someone overly gaga about brightening and whitening chooses to prioritize testing out the revitalizing variant over the illuminating one. Let me tell you that ever since I turned 30, I'm more for products that promote cell renewal!

Product says ---

Developed with dermatologists, the innovative new formula contains the leading Neutrogena® Deep Clean® Technology that effectively removes 99% of dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells from the skin with a velvety fine foam, as well as Anti-Oxidant Pink Grapefruit Extracts that helps stimulate healthy cell renewal.

The product promises:

• an ultra clean face through its ultra velvety-rich foam
• better cell renewal c/o Pink Grapefruit extracts

The Deep Clean Promise

Unless one has a super techie device to objectively quantify a clean face, the best way to evaluate a cleanser's efficiency is to observe the amount of gunk a cotton ball shows us after toning. I often use an antiseptic, Clindamycin, after cleansing and the Neutrogena Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam cleanser passes the "cotton ball test". I never had to worry about any evidence of extreme dirt residue during the time I used this.

And if you'd like to know what I think about the cleanser in the least objective way, my face feels clean and looks brighter after I use it!

This product works well for those who use light face makeup or none at all. Since I am acne-prone, even if I wear sheer powder, I always tandem the Neutrogena Ultra Foam cleanser with a good cleansing oil or a cream makeup remover.

The Antioxidant Factor and the eX-Factor

The product introduces grapefruit extracts into the foaming facial wash to stimulate healthy cell renewal. I almost literally died when I learned about it since it was what my stressed out skin severely needs. 

However, I started breaking out from the cleanser in less than a week. I gave it another week to be tried out but the pimples are just making my skin, in its already bad state, far more horrible-looking. And so I had to stop. I knew I had to give the Neutrogena Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser the eX approval. We were over.

I gave the bottle to a good friend who has a normal skintype and was experiencing occasional bouts of stubborn whiteheads (which she never experienced before). And what do you know--- she loved the cleanser and is using it religiously to date.

ღೋღೋ ღೋ ღೋ

I would have loved to keep the product because it:

• was just P307 for an effective 175mL cleanser
• had a citrusy, yummy fragrance (but is def too strong for those who prefer non-scented cleansers)
• creates a rich, velvety foam out of the pump

I would have loved to experience a more permanent revitalized face from the Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser if only I did not break out from it. I am still unsure why I harbored tiny grape-like zits on my face but I'm hoping it's not from the grapefruit extracts!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: This is not a paid post. Product was sent to me for review purposes. Post content is in accordance with my personal experience while using the Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Pink Grapefruit Ultra Foam Cleanser.

If you are up-to-date with my cleansing oil posts, you know how I'm madly in love with Shu Uemura's High Perf Balancing Cleansing Oil. But there was one morning this year when I sat down and conferred with my finances; I sheepishly asked permission to restock my Shu cleansing oil in the midst of a budget crisis.

Wallet: Well, go ahead. Just make sure the money that gets out of me gets replaced.

Bank Acct: Don't look at me. You know I can't be withdrawn.

Bank Acct 2: Why exactly do you need to spend that much on some bottled-up oil again?

Long story short, budget denied. Your finances will never understand the power of a pricey makeup remover.

And that was how I met Pure Beauty's Perfect Cleansing Oil. Forgive the long prologue. 

Pure Beauty is a saving product especially for those who know the great benefits of removing makeup with oil but is reluctant to break the bank for a cleanser. Do you really need to shell out thousands of pesos to get a superbly clean face? No. 

But let me tell you that Pure Beauty is a far cry from Shu Uemura --- it just doesn't give you the peace of mind that you already have a clean face because it feels and smells a lot like grease. It took me a week to get convinced that this makeup remover really melts off all the foreign stuff on my face. I also hoped to see some skin glow after completely rinsing off this cleanser, as I do with Shu, but no, that may just be a higher price to pay for. 

Tips: Application- Spread 2 1/2 to 3 pumps (yes, it's possible to control the amount of product pumped out! great, huh?) of the makeup remover on your UNWASHED, DRY face. Gently massage all over the face and feel the deep-seated dirt and makeup disintegrate. Use another pump of product when dealing with eye makeup. Rinsing (very important) - cup a tiny amount of water on your hand and massage on the face to turn the oil into a soapy state. Oil gets emulsified in this manner rather than rinsing with TOO MUCH WATER. It's a tedious job but it's a fair price to pay for this inexpensive yet effective product.


Follow up with your usual cleanser after completely removing oil. The Neutrogena Deep Clean Revitalizing Cleanser (pink grapefruit) tandems with the cleansing oil well.

What's to like? The inexpensive price tag! For 149php, I got something that does a good job in removing waterproof makeup and to some degree, mascara and liquid eyeliner. I've used this since January of this year and I never broke out from it. It's also nice that most Watsons outlets, if not all, carry Pure Beauty cleansing oils. 

Uh-ohs. If you are accustomed to Shu High Perf Balancing Cleansing Oil's luxurious scent and feel, then be ready to shake the hand of disappointment with using something that smells and feels like cooking oil. This makeup remover takes time in getting completely rinsed off. And if you just splash water and don't rinse off well, expect the face to feel tacky to the touch.

190 mL, 150php, available at Watsons
shelf life: 3 years

Recommendation. I'd highly recommend to acne-prone girls who use longwearing/or waterproof makeup and sunscreen. It's safe and gentle to use on a daily basis, just make sure not to rub the oil too hard on the face. I definitely choose this over Kanebo Freshel cleansing oil because it works just as good and is 5x less expensive. 

I will NOT recommend to:

• those who already have a budget for the Shu cleansing oil 
• those who barely have time to primp their faces at night --- won't work for you since it can be a pain to emulsify and rinse the oil off.

Through the years I've incorporated oil cleansing method in my evening skincare, I have grown to appreciate the benefits of a perfectly cleansed face. I've tried deep cleansers that barely does the job right and my acne-prone skin acts up whenever I get too lazy to get the cleansing part of my regimen right.

Cleansing oils help save the day (or night!) because it  makes me less susceptible to breakouts. Pure Beauty cleansing oil has proven that no one needs to to bite the bullet for a Shu cleansing oil to ensure clear skin. It's good to know that pimply girls like me can steer clear from horrible zits with just 150 a pop!

I'm thankful to experience cleansing oils because these cleaning agents have definitely contributed in reducing the incidence of my breakouts. I love the fact that the affordable Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil is at par with the Shu Uemura High-Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh (pink variant) in terms of removing face makeup. 

But there are differences you might want to be aware of before going for the cheaper brand. I've tabulated the differences (and similarities) between these two Japanese skincare products:

	Shu Uemura Fresh	Kanebo Freshel
Packaging	plastic bottle, comes with pump, twist-type seal	plastic bottle, comes with pump, stopper-type seal
Price/Volume	P1200/150mL @ Duty Free ~P1800/150mL at Rustan's	P720/180mL, goes on sale occasionally at 10-20% off
Availability	abundant stocks at Shu Rustan's and Duty Free	limited supply at Kanebo counters over SM and Landmark
Scent	faint floral	unscented
Consistency	thin	thick
Cleansing ability	excellent, removes eye makeup completely in a separate step	excellent, can remove traces of eye makeup at first cleansing
Feel (both will give you this slight oily afterfeel. you may want proceed to washing with facial cleanser and water (double cleansing) if you are uncomfortable with it)	during: regal, feminine after: clean, soft skin, no taut face feel	during: cooking oil feel on the face after: clean, no taut face feel
Ease of use	easy to emulsify, easy to rinse off	takes time to emulsify, needs more water when rinsing
Effects on Skin	radiant	no radiant effect
Degree of harshness	no breakouts, just a bit drying on the skin when used on a daily basis for a long period of time	no breakouts, less drying
Pumps of oil needed	1-2 for my small face	no less than 2 pumps for my small face

Whether it be Shu Uemura or Kanebo Freshel, you'll get the benefit of a squeaky clean, near-pimple-free face! Personally, I prefer the Shu Uemura cleansing oil because radiance is pretty priceless (and I'm really lazy to work up the Kanebo oil into a soapy state). 

It wasn't until I learned how to use this cleanser properly that I came to realize its invaluable role in making my skin look better. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I used to wet my face prior to applying the Cetaphil Gentle Skin cleanser on my face. Have you committed the same mistake?

Happy first of November, everyone! I still can't believe how fast time flies! A few more weeks and we'll all be saying hello to the controversial 2012...

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, 591mL/20floz
Mild, non-irritating, softens as it cleans!

I saw that the cleanser performed better when used properly, slathered on a non-wet face. As a makeup remover, I rinse via tissuing it off (I repeat the process 2-3x for heavy makeup); as a regular cleanser, I resort to water for rinsing.

And I saw an enormous amount of difference in my skin's texture and overall look! 

Pros: Cetaphil Gentle skin cleanser is an awesome way to restore balance to the skin. It makes it more supple and healthy-looking. I love that the cleanser is clear and unscented and that the huge bottle comes with a pump. 

It also comes in different sizes to fit your budget but the 591mL bottle gives the biggest bang for the buck. Our local Mercury drugstores carry it in 250mL and 473mL bottles at 275php and 540php. I saw 60mL trial-sizes too in beauty sections of department stores and is sold at ~90php.

If you are fond of cleansing oils, check out my take on the Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Oil in Fresh (Pink) and Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil. I've also done a Shu Uemura vs Kanebo Cleansing Oil Compounded Review.

The Cetaphil cleanser is my makeup remover (use generously), cleanser and my solvent for prednisone in my DIY treatment for contact dermatitis. It's definitely an inexpensive 3-in-1 product for me!

Cons: the parabens on the ingredients list is a letdown. Propyl-, Butyl- and Methyl- to be exact. Also, the 591mL size is not available locally.

I challenge you dear readers to be soap-free for a week. Work this clear cleanser onto your skin and see why people are raving about the absence of soap in a skincare routine. The Cetaphil Gentle skin cleanser is definitely a product I'd recommend. You just have to make sure you're using it as directed! *wink*

If you're eager to try out oil cleansers but do not have the extra budget to spend for Shu Uemura or DHC cleansing oils, I will not hesitate to recommend you a bottle of Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil. It works at par with Shu and DHC without the prohibitive price.

Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil, 180mL, 720php

What I love about it:

• excellent cleansing ability
• inexpensive (720php) yet effective 
• 2 pumps'll do the trick, A 180mL bottle can last you several months
• no break outs, been using this for the 3 months already (photo above was taken weeks after my first month of using it)
• no scent
• i attribute my decreased tendency to break out from my using this product (all cleansing oils, really)

One reviewer even noted that this cleansing oil fared better than Shu and DHC when taking off the notoriously stubborn Majolica Majorca Lash Expander. Perhaps there is truth to this claim because among all the makeup removers I've used (Shu, DHC, Pond's), this product managed to perfectly clean my face in one emulsification!

Uh-ohs:

• if you're a Shu fan, Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil's consistency is thick
• it takes too much time to emulsify the oil, this is not for the lazy and impatient ladies
• not all Kanebo counters in SM Beauty carry the product. Got mine from SM Beauty Megamall
• lose the tiny stopper and you ruin the entire sealing system

I do not recommended this for those who want a clean face FAST before hitting the sack. Because of its thick consistency (N.B. thicker than Shu, thinner than DHC), you'll need the extra time to emulsify this properly.

Helpful Hints:

1. Do not skimp on the product just because it's thick. The lesser amount you use, the more difficult it is to emulsify the oil. Use a minimum of 2 pumps.
2. Add water in small parts. Running water will not remove the oil and dirt. This takes genuine patience for it to give you a squeaky clean, makeup-free, unclogged skin.
3. Emulsify properly via hint number 3 lest you clog your skin with oil + dirt
4. I recommend washing with soap and water after properly rinsing the oil off (double cleansing).

Check out how Kanebo fares versus the popular Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil in Fresh (Pink).

Kanebo Freshel is the first inexpensive yet effective cleansing oil I've ever used. It may be a shame that I take a few added minutes in doing my evening skincare regimen with this cleanser (and not have the liberty to sleep the soonest when I feel beat up), but looking at a cleaner cotton pad after toning makes it worth the extra time! 

Neutrogena takes cleansing to greater heights by coming up with the Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser. This product claims to clean the skin while keeping the its moisture level normal. It is also able to restore the skin's natural moisture balance for users who complain about the ill-effects of skin dehydration.

Packaging

It is stored in a no-spill, dreamy blue, clear plastic bottle with a pump. The pump dispenses a fair amount of mousse product, but I feel that you need at least two pumps to clean the face a lot better. The 150mL bottles aren't travel-friendly (it's bulky and lacks the "twist pump-to-lock" feature ala-Shu Uemura) and I'm hoping that they'll come up with a smaller Neutrogena Hydro Boost mousse cleanser bottle with a better sealing system soon.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser, 150mL, 445.50php

Scent

This has a strong soapy scent that seems subtle when the mousse first hits the face. I suddenly realize how strong and chemical-ish it actually smells after rinsing the cleanser off.

Cleansing Performance

This is a fuss-free, lather-rich, no-sting cleanser that does the job in my opinion. I get a cleaner cotton ball from toning after using this cleanser versus using my good old kojic soap. A downside though is that I do not feel "totally clean" just by using this product alone. This is best used in conjunction with a good makeup remover if you use makeup on a daily basis.

Not fond of the drying effect of mousse cleansers? Check out a more gentle Cetaphil Gentle Skin cleanser! I swear by this product in giving me a more supple and healthy-looking skin!

Mousse cleansers are notorious for drying out the skin. Surprisingly, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser impressed me when it was able to strip off any other dirt left from my usual oil cleansing without making my face uncomfortably taut. It lived up to the "cleans the skin while keeping the its moisture level normal" promise! 

Price

This retails at P445.50 per 150mL bottle. This is a rather steep price to pay for a drugstore brand. There are cheaper cleansers that can do the same job. But if you want the luxury of slathering a more regal texture on the face, P445.50 is a fair amount to shell out.

Liquid-to-mousse magic: Is one pump enough?

Recommendation

I highly recommend this product to those with annoyingly oily skin who are still on the lookout for a cost-efficient cleanser. This product does not contain excessive oil ingredients and leaves the skin clean and hydrated. Other skin types may find this cleanser beneficial too, but there are other cheaper cleansers in the market.

Helpful Hints:

1. Use the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser on dry face.

2. This isn't ideal to tote around. If you're camping out and will need this bottle, seal the cap with a tape and place it inside a Ziploc. The cap that prevents the pump from dispensing product may easily come off if the cleanser is not packed properly in the bag.

Rich mousse product that lathers well to clean the face thoroughly after makeup removal

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser is truly a breakthrough product for the brand. It offers consumers something new, effective and exciting. While the oily skin population will definitely want this cleanser, those with other skin types might just hop on to the next Neutrogena product.

Let me tell you that I used to be among those who snobbed Shu Uemura cleansing oils because of their steep price points. However, after trying out the Sakura Fresh (Pink) variant that Pammy gave me, I knew I deserved the guillotine for not giving this oil-based cleanser a chance.

Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing
Cleansing Oil in Fresh, 150mL, $28

Packaging. This cleanser comes in 450mL, 150mL and travel-size 8mL's.

   8 mL- perfect for testing the best cleansing oil in town

   150mL- I have weird skin: my HG skin products can turn against me after 8-10months. Remember my    Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel nightmare? This size is perfect for my "extended trial" period.

   450mL- most users claim that it lasts them a year (cost-efficient!)

Except for the minis, these cleansing oils come in lovely clear bottles with pumps. They are such sink candies, I tell you. My only gripe is that the pump can dispense too much product that shoots out too strong from the nozzle that can result to wasted oil. I prevent this from happening by pressing the pump slowly and halfway through so that I get the desired amount of cleanser on my palm (2 pumps is perfect for me).

Product Efficacy. It is an amazing makeup remover, a gentle facial cleanser and an absolutely effective skin mattifier.

As a makeup remover, It works as well as my Pond's cold cream. It leaves the face squeaky clean minus the tugging from facial wipes that always happens with cream and gel cleansers. I feel like I'm stalling wrinkles from appearing on my face because I've cut down on using facial wipes.

This does not work well on eye makeup, though.

As a gentle cleanser, this variant did not break me out. However, unlike most users who claim that this cleanser lessened their zits (or dried the pimples), I feel that it cannot stand against hormonal acne.

Check out how Shu Uemura fares versus the affordable Kanebo Freshel Cleansing Oil.

As a mattifier, Shu Uemura Balancing Oil in Fresh Pink has helped suck out the icky oil off my face! There are so many signs that clearly shows how less oily my skin has been ever since I've added this to my local obagi skincare routine and I'm loving these results to bits. I can not award the decrease in facial oiliness to Shu alone, though. My derma's meds helped a lot, too. But having the oil cleanser around has truly made an even more significant difference in having a matte and brighter skin!

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Mini/Travel size (8mL)
that Pammy gave me!

What to Expect. If you have never tried cleansing oils, you might be taken aback at how non-matte the skin can be after washing the cleanser off. The Shu Uemura cleansing oil will leave the face a lil slippery after washing, but once dried out, the face becomes a perfect canvass --- not too oily, not too dry.

Some follow up with soap. I don't.

Procurement. Rustan's carry Shu Uemura with a whopping 4,000php for the full size, and 1800ish on the 150mL bottle. If you don't want to put a dent on that card, you may want to:

a. ask a relative/friend from the U.S. or Japan or Taiwan to buy for you

b. get one from duty free! my 150mL bottle costs the same ($28) as the Shu website sells it.

c. buy from reputable Taiwanese sellers in ebay. Most of them offer free shipping and have fair-priced products.

Scent. It leaves a pleasant floral scent that isn't too strong.

I should've followed my instincts to try out cleansing oils in place of my good old Pond's cold cream makeup remover when my co-beauty blogger, Crystal, raved about the Shu Uemura Skin Purifier High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh. Crystal has tried cleansing oils from Elianto and DHC, and she ended up loving Shu Uemura's famed cleasnser.

While it comes with a hefty price tag, its pump not too effective, and its eye makeup-removing ability a failure, I will definitely have this product around. Shu Uemura High Performance Balancing Cleansing Oil in Fresh Pink is truly a good investment if you want better skin.

It was only this year when I realized how a complete skin care system can turn your life 360. I'm nearing the dreaded 30 and I just can't forgive myself for not knowing something as important as this! Cleanse, tone and moisturize (C-T-M): three easy steps to gorgeous skin. Just this past month, I started to use real facial cleansers (and finally gave my regular soap a break from interacting with my zits), a toner, and a moisturizer.

In a week's time, I couldn't believe my eyes at the huge difference that the C-T-M method can do! I've grown to love every budding zit that sits on my face (I've had them since third grade), and I didn't know if I'd jump for joy to not see pimples lurking on my forehead, cheek and nose OR if I'd start musing where in the world my acne have gone to. *royal chuckle* Needless to say, I'm one happy (and aging) gal to have finally found the right road to good skin!

While it may be difficult to develop the discipline to religiously cleanse, tone and moisturize the face, the fruits of such labor can be among the most rewarding things a girl can ever have. I've always planned on skipping the ritual since I'd rather sleep right away after a night's hot bath. But I was able to manage to convince myself that this was a good skin regimen, after all, it was the only skin regimen I have.

If you're still not into this skin care system, know that every girl HAS TO CLEANSE, TONE, AND MOISTURIZE! Its coveted effects may not be as drastic as how fast I achieved them (I noticed the glow a few weeks after), but it will surely pay off in the long run... and you'll remember your Scorecard Princess for it!

Are you in a skin regimen already? At what age did you start it? Lemme know!

Royally yours, Bleak