Anua oil based cleanser: which one to choose and how to use it

What does Anua cleansing oil do?

Pore Control is designed to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, sebum and impurities. Sebum is the oil your skin produces. Mild targets makeup residue, sebum and impurities, with a lightweight texture intended for sensitive skin. The Pore Control name gives the bottle a management position, but its practical job is washing makeup, sunscreen and oil away.123

A cleansing oil is a formulated cleanser, not just an oil to spread on your face. Cleansers contain surfactants, ingredients with an oil attracting part that loosens dirt and a water attracting part that lets it rinse away. Water alone cannot remove oily residue as effectively. Adding water to Anua's oil is the emulsifying step: you mix the oil with water before rinsing, rather than trying to rinse away an untouched layer of oil.145

Pore Control or Mild: which should you buy?

Choose Mild if avoiding added fragrance is your priority. Choose Pore Control if you want the version specifically marketed for sunscreen removal and you tolerate fragranced cleansers. These are different formulas, not the same oil with a quieter name. For sensitive skin, fragrance free is a useful starting point, but botanical ingredients can also cause contact allergy, so consider any ingredients you already know you react to.1245

How to use Anua cleansing oil

1. 1Start with a dry face. Dispense 2 to 3 pumps into your hands; Mild's detailed directions specify dry hands.
2. 2Gently massage the oil over your face in circular motions using your fingertips. Anua's general heartleaf routine describes a 60 second massage.
3. 3Add water and gently work it into the oil to emulsify it and loosen makeup residue. Do not skip straight from dry massage to the second cleanser.
4. 4Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Hot water can dry and irritate skin.
5. 5Keep your face damp and apply a gentle water based cleanser. Massage gently, then rinse away all cleanser residue.
6. 6Pat dry with a clean, soft towel rather than rubbing. Apply moisturizer after washing.

Mild's detailed five step directions start with dry hands and a dry face, although its shorter instructions describe adding water in the hands first. Follow the directions on your bottle if they differ. For either version, adding water, rinsing thoroughly and following with a water based cleanser are part of Anua's cleansing sequence.12

Should you use it every night?

Evening is the most practical time for Anua cleansing oil, especially when removing makeup and the day's oil buildup. Introduce one new skincare step at a time and use it for several days before adding another. That makes a new oil cleanser easier to assess without also changing the rest of your routine.7

Double cleansing is most useful for waterproof makeup or waterproof sunscreen; an oil first cleanse can also help remove excess sebum from oily skin. Most people do not need two washes when one thorough, gentle cleanse already does the job. Two cleansers are an option for stubborn residue, not a promotion your bathroom sink requires. Do not add a morning oil cleanse just to repeat the evening routine.3

Which cleanser should follow the oil?

For dry or sensitive skin, choose a gentle, unscented water based cleanser; cream cleansers are less drying than foaming cleansers. Normal skin can use a gentle, unscented cream or foam. Combination skin can use a water based foam. Oily, acne prone skin can benefit from medicated cleansers, but acids can irritate sensitive skin. If you already use a leave on acne treatment, adding an acne cleanser can cause excessive dryness and irritation.345

What should you expect, including blackheads?

Judge the cleansing step by whether makeup and oily residue rinse away and your skin feels comfortable afterward. Pore Control is designed for a lightweight, nongreasy finish, while Mild is designed to leave skin refreshed and hydrated. Neither product should be treated as a guaranteed blackhead treatment with a fixed results deadline. Do not scrub harder to chase pore clearing: scrubbing can turn blocked pores into inflamed spots.124

Can Anua cleansing oil cause breakouts or irritation?

Oil cleansers can cause breakouts in acne prone skin, particularly when used alone. Both Anua versions are labelled noncomedogenic, meaning intended not to clog pores, but new breakouts still warrant reassessing the cleanser. Follow the second cleanse instructions rather than leaving the oil on as skincare.123

Stop using a cleanser that causes redness, itching, swelling or a dry, chafed rash. Cleansers can cause irritation or contact allergy, and overwashing removes surface oils and increases water loss. If your skin becomes tight or dry, reduce unnecessary cleansing rather than adding more washing. Use fingertips instead of a scrubbing brush or rough washcloth, and keep rinse water lukewarm.45