A new shu uemura cleansing oil, but make it foam. Botanicoil Foam.

shu uemura cleansing oils have always been my only go-to when it comes to removing makeup and cleaning the face. It’s one of those “if you know you know” beauty products that you swear by or you’d never try (because you’re scared of). But after 23 years of washing my face with this and nothing else, I can safely say that I’ve found my holy grail of anti-ageing skincare.

Above: The Botanicoil Indulging Plant-Based Cleansing Oil, $72 for 150ml on SEPHORA.

The yellow variant of the oil was the original formula that I started with in my early 20s and it still remains my favourite version today. It has been updated over the years countless times, but believe it or not, it smells almost the same as it did back then, and hallelujah! It works the same too. If you’ve never tried a cleansing oil, I’d recommend this one in a heartbeat; it works for all skin types and feels like silk on skin. Also, after you wash it off, your skin will also feel like silk.

There’s a 50ml bottle of this on Sephora if you just want to give it a try, plus this size is great for travelling with.

Other popular variants of the cleansing oil include the Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil and the Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant And Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil — these I’m told are the best sellers and are also suitable for all skin types.

Above: The Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, $72 for 150ml on SEPHORA.

The Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil has what the brand calls, a cashmere-like texture, and includes incredible ingredients like Japanese Camellia, which has anti-inflammatory benefits. There’s also Korean Ginseng that helps the skin retain its elasticity, and Golden Bamboo full of vitamin E and anti-oxidants.

Above: The Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant And Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil, $62 for 150ml on SEPHORA.

The Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant And Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil is infused with green plants like Japanese Uji Matcha, which is well-known for being a strong anti-oxidant. If you feel like your skin is very polluted (eg. from the environment), then this version is for you.

Which brings us to the new version that’s for everybody — especially those who haven’t tried any of the brand’s famous cleansing oils. This is the Botanicoil Gentle Amino Cleansing Foam:

Above: The Botanicoil Gentle Amino Cleansing Foam, $55 for 125ml on SEPHORA.

For anyone who hasn’t washed their face with a cleansing oil because “it’s an oil!”, a foam texture is certainly far more acceptable. This formula is mild, it has no soap, but is instead infused with amino acids and Japanese Yuzu extract so it’s close to the skin’s pH (which is a good thing).

And if you’ve been wanting to try cleansing oils, this formula includes a blend of nine essential oils that calm the skin and are relaxing to the senses.

The texture comes out of the tube rather fluid, but lathers up beautifully with a little bit of water. While the product description claims that this is fragrance-free, it actually smells fresh and clean, and these are natural scents that come from the essential oils in its formula. I love that the skin feels really smooth and soft after rinsing the foam away. If you get a chance to try this, you’ll be hooked as well.

The formula is gentle so it’s suitable for not just all skin types, but for sensitive skin as well. You can use it in the morning to remove overnight sebum and impurities, and at night to remove makeup and grime from the day.

The Botanicoil Gentle Amino Cleansing Foam, $55 for 125ml on SEPHORA.