Review | DHC Mild Touch Cleansing Oil

For the past few weeks, I’ve been almost exclusively using DHC Mild Touch Cleansing Oil. One of the latest additions to the DHC family of skincare products, I enjoy using this to remove everyday light makeup (all that I can muster up these days, what with two school-going boys!).

A pump or two of this translucent – almost gel-like – liquid removes simple looks in seconds; once emulsified with water, makeup debris washes off easily. I always follow this with a facial wash, so I can’t comment on how it works when used alone. Interestingly, the brand claims that it can be used wet. According to DHC, this ‘shower-friendly makeup remover…utilizes moisturizing amino-acid based emollients to gently wash away cosmetics, dirt and environmental pollutants.’

This claim is somewhat true – I’ve removed water-resistant sunscreen with this cleanser using wet hands, without the awkward skipping and resistance of other cleansing oils with this method. I do prefer the dry method as this removes makeup more thoroughly.

With this oil, heavy makeup days require one or two more pumps and a touch more rubbing but it does the trick eventually. Surprisingly, it can also remove some waterproof makeup, despite the word ‘mild’ in its name. Then again, the word is also found in Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil which removes makeup well but has a tendency to smell sour. I do need a bit more work with stubborn mascaras, sometimes having to resort to a stronger oil cleanser or a bi-phase one like Nature Republic Herblier Mascara Remover (a moment of silence, please, for the exit of this excellent makeup brand~!).

It might have difficulty with waterproof mascaras but MTCO effortlessly removes waterproof liners and shadows. I suppose mascara clings to lashes, while the latter two forms of makeup rest on skin which produces oil that aids removal. Nonetheless, I prefer MAC Cleanse Off Oil for heavy makeup.

MTCO has a soft lavender scent that’s somewhat pleasant but isn’t as sweet-smelling as Sana Natural Resource Cleansing Oil. It’s also runnier and cleans off makeup more quickly than DHC Deep Cleansing Oil which feels denser/thicker, offering up a bit more resistance on the skin.

cetyl ethylhexanoate, ethylhexyl palmitate, polyglyceryl-10 dioleate, water/aqua/eau, isononyl isononanoate, polyglyceryl-2 sesquicaprylate, glyceryl behenate/eicosadioate, dextrin palmitate/ethylhexanoate, phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, phenoxyethanol, sodium dilauramidoglutamide lysine, moringa pterygosperma seed oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, tocopherol, dequalinium chloride, epigallocatechin gallate, linalool

Unfortunately, the ingredient list reveals comedogenic ingredients in this product (See the fatty acids like ethyl palmitate? Good as emollients/moisturisers but bad for acne-prone skin). I am careful to remove all traces of makeup+oil to prevent pore-clogging.

Retailing at S$37.50 for 150 ml, this makeup remover can be found at Watsons stores where DHC products are exclusively available.