By Anindita Maitra
Hello ladies!
Everybody is born with a flawless skin. However puberty can mess that up pretty bad for some unlucky ones. I am one of those (unlucky ones), who have suffered from treacherous cystic acne throughout teenage years (hormones turned my skin crazy!). With my teenage years ruined from uncontrollable breakouts and their after-mess (I mean literally), wrong skincare products, useless derm-recommended gimmicks (like extraction and all), I came to the conclusion that my skin absolutely hated me! Ugh! I was miserably despaired!
However, as soon as I turned 20, my skin started to calm down with lesser breakouts, reduced/disappearing cysts, pustules healing miraculously; with a bit of effort and right derma care regime. Now I hardly get any breakouts, my skin is almost healed (except for scar problems). But that didn’t change my acne-proneness, or my combination skin problems. So now I tread on the skin-nirvana path cautiously. Enough of self intro, today I will review Shu Uemura Porefinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil.
Price:
INR 2801
Claims:
An incredibly lightweight cleansing oil that leaves the skin clean, fresh and refined.
With the expertise in cleansing oil for half a century, our beloved fresh formula is powerfully reborn to target the source of oily concerns.
The water-like cleansing oil goes beyond make-up removal to dissolve and wash away excess sebum and blackheads that are stuck inside pores. No pulled or parched. The new formula, with cinnamon bark extract, regulates sebum secretion day after day. Shine is blotted and open pores appear shrunken. Blackheads are removed to reveal a refined, smooth skin.
Ideal for normal to oily skin types and acne-prone skin.
It says “non-comedogenic”, and suitable acne prone skin, but isopropyl myristate, tocopherol and ethylhexyl palmitate are acne triggering culprits. They are also irritants, so sensitive skin might sting.
My Experience with Shu Uemura POREfinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil:
The oil is not pink, just the bottle is. It has a watery consistency as you can see, which lathers lightly when rubbed with water. It does have a fresh fragrance; not too overwhelming. Although I bought it during summer last year, I couldn’t use it as it was making my skin more oily. However in winter, this came handy. I used it as a part of double cleansing method. Firstly I washed my face with this oil, then again with a foaming cleanser and voila!
My face was glowing! It was clean yet not dry. My skin is sensitive yet strangely (since it contains irritants) it was not irritated by this. As it appeared hydrating, I thought, why not try it alone, without a second cleanser? So I applied it alone. Next morning I broke out violently. Zits and pimples and re-activated acne (almost volcanic!!!) everywhere. Darned!
Later I surrendered it to my mom, who suffers from parched skin throughout the year. She replaced her usual face wash with this, and used it twice a day. The oil cleansing method with this oil worked well for her. It retained her skin’s natural oil without making her greasy/shiny (unlike me). And best of all, her skin appeared hydrated. My mom’s so happy with it.
So summing up all things said:
Pros of Shu Uemura POREfinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil:
• Non-drying, fresh and gentle cleanser
• Reduces shine as it says
• Works great for double cleansing (Korean method)
• Good for dry/normal skin
• Small amount works fine
Cons of Shu Uemura POREfinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil:
• It’s COMEDOGENIC and a potential acne triggering product!
• Makes oily and acne prone skin breakout during hot and humid months
• Might clog pores for acne prone/oily skin if another cleanser isn’t used
• Does not reduce pores as it claims
• Doesn’t dissolve blackheads or do anything to improve them
• Controls shine only for limited time
• Waaay too expensive
IMBB Rating:
For dry/normal skin : 4.5/5
For acne prone, oily /combination skin : 1.5/5
Would I Repurchase Shu Uemura POREfinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil?
As a part of my double cleansing regime – maybe; as a sole cleanser – hell no! However, since it has become my mom’s Holy Grail cleanser, she’s always going to go for it.
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