SKIN1004 Centella Oil Cleanser: What It Does and How to Use It

What is the SKIN1004 Centella oil cleanser?

The product's name is Centella Light Cleansing Oil. SKIN1004 places the cleanser in its Centella range, where even washing your face gets a calming job description. The brand positions that range as gentle, calming care for sensitive skin.1

In general, oil cleansers remove oily residue and excess sebum, the oil your skin produces. Water based cleansers remove water soluble residue such as sweat and dirt.2

How do you use it?

Use the instructions on your bottle for the amount and starting conditions. This is the general sequence for double cleansing:

1. 1Clean your hands before touching your face.
2. 2Apply the oil cleanser to your palm and gently massage over your skin to loosen makeup, oil and sunscreen. Use your fingertips rather than scrubbing.
3. 3Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, not hot water.
4. 4Keep your face damp and gently apply a water based cleanser.
5. 5Rinse again and pat dry with a soft towel.

Do you need it morning and night?

Save the extra cleansing step for makeup or waterproof sunscreen removal rather than automatically using two cleansers every morning and evening. One thorough wash with a gentle cleanser is enough for most people. Double cleansing is optional, not a requirement for the rest of your routine.2

Remove makeup, including eye makeup, before bed. General guidance for acne prone skin is to wash with a mild cleanser on waking, before bed and after activities that make you sweat. That washing schedule does not mean an oil cleanser is necessary each time.4

Is it a good choice for oily or acne prone skin?

An oil cleansing step helps some people with oily skin, but causes breakouts in others. Do not choose it solely because your face produces a lot of oil. For oily skin, the safer starting point is a mild cleanser labelled oil free and noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores.3

For acne prone skin, an oil free makeup remover followed by a gentle cleanser is another option. If breakouts begin after introducing a new skincare product, stop using a suspected culprit rather than repeatedly washing harder. A dermatologist can help identify the cause when several products or other acne triggers are involved.4

What if your skin is sensitive?

Read the full ingredient list on the bottle, especially if you already know you react to a particular ingredient. Fragrances are the most common cause of contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and any cosmetic ingredient can cause a reaction. A familiar product can also cause an allergy after years of use without problems.56

Sensitive skin often stings during or just after cleansing. Too much washing can remove the surface oil film, increase water loss and leave skin excessively dry. Avoid rough scrubbing. If you also use an acne treatment that stays on your skin, be careful about adding an acne treatment cleanser, because the combination can cause excessive dryness and irritation.7

What should you expect?

Judge the cleansing step by removal of makeup, sunscreen, dirt and excess oil, not by how tight your skin feels afterwards. Tightness or flaking after washing are signs of dryness. Some cleanser formulas cause clogged pore acne, and scrubbing can turn blocked pores into inflamed spots.7

Watch beyond the first wash. A strong irritant can cause a reaction within minutes or hours, while weaker irritants can take days or weeks of repeated exposure. An allergic rash usually develops more than 12 hours after contact and peaks around 48 hours.6

When should you stop using it?

Stop using a cleanser that causes irritation. Itching, blisters, dryness, cracking or changes in skin colour can be signs of contact dermatitis, a form of eczema triggered by contact with a substance. Speak to a pharmacist if symptoms are troubling you, and see a doctor if they are persistent, keep returning or are severe.5