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Product photo: manyo.us (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 200ml.
Pure Cleansing Oil
ma:nyo's classic cleansing oil: soybean, hazelnut, grape seed and olive oils with an emulsifier that rinses milky, plus a scent from orange peel, lavender and tea tree oils.
Buyer verdictAn effective, inexpensive first cleanse for normal, dry and combination skin that removes sunscreen and makeup well. The essential oils make it a poor fit for sensitive skin. It's a cheap Seoul basket item and a reliable way to reach the tax refund minimum.
- Key ingredient
- Soybean oil, Hazelnut, grape seed and olive oils
- Texture
- Thin, golden oil that turns milky white with water
- Routine step
- cleanser · PM
- Korean pack
- 200ml
Overview
Key ingredients
- Soybean oil The first ingredient; dissolves sunscreen, makeup and sebum
- Hazelnut, grape seed and olive oils Light plant oils that keep the cleanse cushioned
- Sorbeth-30 tetraoleate Emulsifier that turns the oil milky with water so it rinses off
- Orange peel, lavender and tea tree oils Essential oils that give the scent; can irritate sensitive skin
What it is
ma:nyo (Manyo Factory in Korea) is a Korean brand that built its name on cleansing oils, and this is the original. It’s a thin, golden oil in a 200ml pump bottle, and it’s one of the best-known Korean cleansing oils. In Korea it’s now labelled Pure Soybean Cleansing Oil.
The Korean ingredient list is almost all oil. Soybean oil is first, followed by hazelnut seed oil, an emulsifier called sorbeth-30 tetraoleate, grape seed oil, another plant oil and olive oil. Next come orange peel oil, jojoba, lavender oil, plant squalane and tea tree oil. There are also small amounts of sunflower, evening primrose, camellia, rice bran and argan oils. Limonene and linalool, the natural scent compounds from those essential oils, are listed at the end.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You wear sunscreen or makeup daily and want a thorough, inexpensive first cleanse
- Your skin is normal, dry or combination and doesn’t mind a light natural scent
- You like a thin oil that rinses off without a greasy film
Skip it if
- Your skin is sensitive or reacts to essential oils and fragrance allergens
- You’re very oily or acne-prone and prefer lighter, fragrance-free oils
- You want a balm that won’t spill in your bag
What the ingredients do
Oil dissolves oil. Soybean, hazelnut, grape seed and olive oil break down sunscreen filters, silicones, makeup pigments and sebum, which water-based cleansers struggle to lift. Hazelnut and grape seed oils are relatively light, so the oil feels thin rather than heavy.
Sorbeth-30 tetraoleate is the important ingredient you won’t see on the front of the bottle. It’s an emulsifier, so when you add water the oil turns milky and rinses away instead of sitting on the skin.
The essential oils give it a fresh, herbal citrus scent. They’re the main reason people with sensitive skin should be careful. Orange peel oil, lavender oil and the limonene and linalool they contain are common irritants for reactive skin.
How to use it
ma:nyo’s directions are specific. Pump a suitable amount onto a dry face with dry hands and massage it in gently. Then wet your hands a little and massage again for about 30 seconds, until the oil turns milky white. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Follow with a gentle foam or gel cleanser as your second cleanse. Keep the oil away from your eyes if they’re sensitive, and keep the pump dry so water doesn’t get into the bottle.
How it compares
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is the most popular rival. It’s lighter and has no essential oils, so it’s the safer pick for sensitive or acne-prone skin. SKIN1004 Centella Light Cleansing Oil is another fragrance-free, gentle option. Numbuzin No.1 Clear Cleansing Oil is very light and rinses especially cleanly.
New to this? Our double cleansing guide explains the two-step routine.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes, as a basket item. We haven’t matched a like-for-like listing on Amazon yet, so there’s no direct comparison, but Olive Young’s price is low, and the bottle is regularly on promotion. On sale it just clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum by itself.
The 200ml bottle is over the carry-on liquids limit, so pack it in your checked suitcase. Tape the pump shut or put the bottle in a zip bag.
FAQ
Does it really remove blackheads?
It can loosen some of the soft plugs in pores, which is why Korean reviews often mention 'grits' after massaging it in. It won't clear deep or stubborn blackheads. For those, a BHA product works better.
Is it fragrance-free?
No. It contains orange peel, lavender and tea tree oils, plus the fragrance allergens limonene and linalool. Skip it if essential oils bother your skin.
Can it remove waterproof mascara?
Mostly, yes, if you hold it on the lashes for a few seconds before rubbing. Very long-wear mascara may need a dedicated eye remover.
Why is the Korean name different?
In Korea it's now sold as 마녀공장 퓨어 소이빈 클렌징 오일 (Pure Soybean Cleansing Oil). Abroad it's usually called ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil. It's the same 200ml pump bottle.
