Review: Neogen Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil

Where to purchase: From Yesstyle HERE

Price: £26

Volume: 300ml (It’s a big bottle)

Made in: South Korea

Good for: I would say more oily greasy skins and less drier skins as this may be stripping for very dry skins if you double cleanse especially.

What is it?: A Deep clean cleansing oil – the sales point is that ‘Micellar’ technology is used that means it removes eye makeup better than a regular oil cleanser. Also contains cica to soothe inflammation and hydrate the skin (but this product doesn’t stay on your skin so I don’t know how much benefit cica and HA will do to your skin momentarily).

Directions: ”Begin with dry hands and a dry face. Add 1-2 pumps into the palm of your hand and massage onto your face, including around the eyes. Rinse off with warm water and massage to help dissolve surface impurities and makeup.”

How I use it: I use this as a cleanser to remove my spf as I follow up after with a cotton-pad soaked with (currently) the IOPE Derma water. If I have makeup, I double cleanse. Sometimes it can be a little drying if double cleansing – but not alarming.

Full Ingredients list: Isopropyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Water, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Butylene Glycol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hyaluronic Acid, Madecassoside, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil.

NOTE: Full Product Ingredient Breakdown is on Skincharisma

Fragrance?: Yes – the Bergamot Fruit oil – I can smell it when rubbing into my skin. I wont complain too much since this is a wash-off product and doesn’t remain on the skin. FYI the Soybean oil also provides fragrance but also skin conditioning).

Does it sting?: No – this doesn’t sting my eyes.

Texture: Feels like an oil – this feels MUCH thinner than the DHC cleansing oil. This doesn’t turn as much into milk like the DHC cleansing oil does when mixed with water. It does wash off fine i.e. I’m not left with an oily greasy residue after like you can feel with the DHC oil.

The effect?: This does feel like a deep clean and does remove makeup (waterproof makeup needs a double cleanse). It can be stripping if you have dry skin. I think for oily, greasy skin this would be absolutely fine. But I can tell that this strips the skin a little bit more than my DHC cleansing oil. I think using this as a double cleanser could leave the skin a little dry to those with dry skins.

Removes makeup?: Yes. After a double cleanse, this works to remove my makeup. Personally I don’t have an issue with this removing my concealer/waterproof mascara, I just take my time to massage the makeup away. I would like to add that my sister much prefers this cleansing oil to the DHC cleanser.

How long I’ve been using this?: For over a month

The effect?: Cleansed skin with removed makeup. tiny bit drying but just a smidge.

Packaging: Plastic bottle with a screw tap that locks and unlocks. I’d still be worried to travel with this because the locking/unlocking mechanism doesn’t seem too reliable in luggage.

What I like:

• Easy to wash off
• Removes my SPF
• Large volume (takes a while to get through!)
• Removes my makeup and eye makeup well (after a double cleanse
• Like the pump mechanism (easy to use and it locks/unlocks).

What I don’t like:

• Fragrance (Bergamot Fruit Oil)
• Can be stripping depending on your skin condition (if dry then this may feel a bit too stripping, especially when double cleansing). But oily skins should find this ok.

Rating and Conclusion: 3.9(extremely close to a 4)/5 – Not a bad oil cleanser! the fragrance is unneccesary so I’ve taken a point off. The texture is light and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. But could be stripping if over done so deducted a bit. The fragrance at least is very light (not overpowering) and this does remove waterproof makeup after a double cleanse – so it does the job! and the volume is large.

Would I repurchase?: If I couldn’t find a cleansing oil without fragrance as this is good at removing makeup and you get a lot!

Better than DHC?: DHC is thicker – but at least it doesn’t have fragrance! In terms of the cleansing effect, I feel like both are as good as each other, perhaps the DHC is SLIGHTLY better.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.