Description
What it is
The Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is Klairs’ first-cleanse product. It is a light, dark-tinted oil in a pump bottle that you massage onto dry skin to dissolve sunscreen, makeup and oily residue, then emulsify with water so it rinses off. The black in the name refers to the dark seed oils in the formula, such as black currant and sesame.
It contains emulsifiers (PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and polysorbate 20) that help turn the oil milky when water is added, which is what lets it rinse away instead of sitting on the skin. It comes in a 150 ml bottle and is meant to be followed by a water-based cleanser in a typical Korean double-cleansing routine.
Key ingredients
- Jojoba seed oil: a liquid wax ester similar to skin sebum that helps lift oily makeup and sunscreen.
- Black currant seed oil: a seed oil rich in fatty acids, one of the dark oils behind the product name.
- Sesame and soybean oils: additional plant oils that help dissolve long-wear products.
- Cranberry seed oil and andiroba (Carapa guaianensis) seed oil: conditioning oils that help the skin feel soft after rinsing.
- Shea butter: adds a cushioned feel during massage.
- PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate and polysorbate 20: emulsifiers that let the oil rinse cleanly with water.
Product details
| Brand | Dear, Klairs (South Korea) |
|---|---|
| Size | 150 ml |
| Format | Cleansing oil with pump |
| Main concerns | Removing sunscreen and makeup, oily residue, congested-looking pores |
| Skin types | All skin types |
| When to use | Evening, as the first step of a double cleanse |
| Fragrance | Contains fragrance |
How to use
- Start with dry hands and a dry face.
- Dispense 1 to 2 pumps into your palm.
- Massage gently over the face, spending a little longer on areas with sunscreen or makeup.
- Wet your hands and keep massaging until the oil turns milky.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, then follow with a gentle water-based cleanser.
Tip: water on the face or hands before the oil goes on stops it from spreading and dissolving properly, so keep everything dry until the emulsifying step.
Who it suits
This oil suits anyone who wears daily sunscreen or makeup and wants to remove it without scrubbing. Oily and combination skin types often like oil cleansing because it dissolves excess sebum without the squeaky, tight feeling some foaming cleansers leave behind. Dry skin also benefits from the cushioning oils. To see how double cleansing fits into a full routine, read our Korean skincare routine for beginners.
Who should be careful
The formula lists fragrance, so people with fragrance allergies or very reactive skin may prefer an unscented cleansing oil. It contains shea butter (a tree-nut source), soybean oil and sesame oil, which matters for anyone with those allergies. Keep it out of the eyes, and rinse well if it gets into them. Acne-prone skin should watch for clogging, as reactions to plant oils vary from person to person.
Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inner forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 to 48 hours before using it on the face.
Full ingredient list
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polysorbate 20, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Isopropyl Palmitate, Glycine Max (Soybean) Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol
Notes: contains fragrance. No water and no drying alcohol. Includes shea butter, soybean oil and sesame seed oil, which are relevant for people with nut, soy or sesame allergies. Isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate are emollient esters some acne-prone users choose to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a second cleanser after the Klairs cleansing oil?
The oil rinses off with water, but in a Korean double cleanse it is followed by a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue.
Is it safe for oily skin?
Oil cleansers are often used by oily skin types because oil dissolves oil. The key is to emulsify and rinse thoroughly.
Is the Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil fragrance-free?
No. Fragrance appears on the ingredient list.
Why does the oil turn milky?
The emulsifiers in the formula mix with water to create a light emulsion, which is what lets the oil rinse away without leaving a greasy film.
Learn more
After cleansing, a hydrating toner such as the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is a natural next step. For more cleanser ideas, see the best Korean skincare products in Canada.
Ingredient lists can change between batches and markets. Always check the box you receive. This page is an independent guide; melaxin.ca does not sell products directly.
