If you’re searching for a budget-friendly cleansing oil, look no further than the Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil from Kose. An ideal dupe for the iconic Deep Cleansing Oil from the cult Japanese beauty brand DHC, it’s loved by J-beauty fans worldwide.

I snapped this up during my holiday to Japan and although I bought an awful lot of the DHC oil, I’m always keen to try other brands.

A cleansing oil to target signs of ageing and boost moisture

The Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil has a fairly small ingredients list. Rice bran oil, a popular ingredient in Japanese skin care, deeply moisturises skin and reduces visible fine lines and wrinkles. Orange oil targets signs of inflammation like bumpy or scaly skin or redness and promotes a healthy glow.

Anti-ageing safflower oil and olive oil also eliminate dry patches and help skin care conditions like acne or eczema. Additional skin soothing comes from jojoba seed oil, which can calm rosacea and repair damaged skin. Rosehip is a multi-purpose anti-ageing ingredient that increases collagen levels, minimises hyperpigmentation and encourages a brighter complexion.

A cult Japanese cleanser for all skin types

I understand why this is such a popular product with fellow Asian beauty enthusiasts! It has a refreshing citrus scent and is slightly thinner than the DHC oil but thicker than one of my other favourite cleansers, the Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil from Neogen.

Regardless of whether I’m removing make up or cleansing bare skin, I apply a few pumps to my hand and gently massage it into my skin. Obviously, I use more product depending on the amount of make up I wear but this cleansing oil never feels heavy on my skin. It’s lightweight so it’s perfect if you have skin that’s sensitive, oily or prone to blemishes.

I really enjoy using this cleanser. I literally can’t fault it. It does a really great job at removing my make up, particularly my long-lasting foundation and concealer. It deeply cleanses my skin, cleans pores and eliminates product build-up. I also use it to remove my mascara and brow cushion (it doesn’t pull on my lashes or brows, yay!).

It sounds totally gross but as I remove my make up, I can feel it dissolving beneath my fingers with this oil. Not sure whether that’s a nice feeling. I always follow this up with a cleansing foam as part of a double cleanse.

Overall, this is fantastic value for money and is the best budget cleansing oil I’ve used so far! The 230ml bottle lasts a long time and because I’m impressed with the results, I’d definitely buy it again when I get through my stash of the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.

Find out how I look after my skin overnight and check out my review of the Laneige Cica Sleeping Mask that I bought in South Korea!

Kose, approximately £9