February 2, 2011

Review: Do You Know About MAC Cleansing Off Oil?

Be honest, when you think cleansing oil do you automatically think Shu? In a Western world it’s possibly the first thing that enters your head since our market lacks the variety of cleaning oils that Asia is privy to!

But did you know MAC has a cleansing oil that rocks?

Check it!


A cleansing oil from MAC to remove all your makeup easily and effortlessly.


Meet MAC Cleansing Off Oil, a 5 oz bottle that’ll set you back a mere $24 bucks ($5 cheaper than Shu’s 5 oz size).

With a bright, sunny citrus scent this invigorates your senses as it cleans your face. Simply pump two to three squirts into the palms of your hands and go to work massaging into a dry face full of makeup! Add a bit of water to emulsify the oil (it’ll turn into white and milky), now proceed to rinse! Done! A deep clean that removes all your makeup in a flash including the waterproof variety.

Part of the appeal of MAC’s Cleansing Oil is the fact that it has a really pleasant scent and a formula that works well at removing makeup easily without making your face tight. Although oil on your face may sound a tad strange, rest assured it rinses off completely and leaves behind a soft, hydrated finish sans a greasy feel.

The formula runs a bit thinner than Shu’s version but it still manages to perform well and remove even the toughest makeup. If you’re wanting to attack your waterproof mascara with it as well this will do the trick at removing it easily with little effort.


The fragrance might be a bit much for sensitive types. I personally love it but sensitive types be ware.

  • Anyone who wants an easy, deep clean!
  • Anyone who likes cleansing oils (MAC makes a fine one).
  • Anyone wanting an easy to locate cleansing oil that doesn’t break their budget.
  • Those like to remove their makeup in one step!

  • Those sensitive to fragrance!


I think MAC Cleansing Off Oil is one of those products that is easily overlooked so if you didn’t know about it already or failed to try it prior, grab yourself a bottle now, you’ll be ever so happy about the purchase!

Great stuff! Makes removing my makeup easy, breathy!

Muse Approved for purchase!

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About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Morgan

    Cleansing oils are my favorite as of right now. I just don’t understand why it’s not popular here in the US! There’s a skin care line that I’ve been dying to try that their whole line is nothing but based on cleansing oils which is Tu’eL. One day… 🙂

    _M

  • Larie

    hmmm…interesting! but if i wanted to try this, i’d have to walk into a mac store 😛 they scare me.

    • Mia

      I avoid them. I walked in one day and got ignored. Both associates were busy. One was ringing up a customer and the other was applying make-up on another. I waited around and both just took their sweet time (with the same customer they were each helping). I decided that, after wasting a half hour of my time, it just wasn’t worth it and left.

  • Heather

    I was unpleasantly surprised how little the MAC girls in my area knew about their cleansing products. I was sold products for a person with oily skin when I have terribly dry skin. I wonder if this would be a product to try. Nonetheless I have disliked almost all of MAC’s skin care. I am starting to believe MAC’s hiring practice is to hire employees based on looks rather than talent.

    • the Muse

      not only mac heather alot of counters are kinda like that 🙁 Sometimes I’ll ask at counters for a new product and they don’t know what I’m talking about 🙁 kinda sad how bad customer service is!

  • Misato-san

    I’m aware it exists but it’s too expensive to me… make up can be removed by simple oil (yes, the one you can also use for cooking!) so… ^^

  • Mandy

    I love to use cleansing oils. I can’t use anything else and feel clean afterwards >__< But all the ones that I have tried so far tend to dry my skin out or leave it feeling very tight.

    • Yinyan

      You should try the Lumene Lift Touch Cleansing Oil (pink bottle). It’s formulated for dry skin and only like $11 at cvs (If you wait for a BOGO week it could be even less!) That one and the DHC cleansing oil are the only things that i have found work for my dry skin – hope that helps!

    • Mandy

      I have combo-oily skin. It’s been drier because of the colder weather though.
      Thanks for the recommendations. Will definitely try them next!

  • Kimber

    I am working on my second bottle of this right now and I love it! I really love the smell too.

  • Eleanor

    I was thinking of trying this. I had been noticing lately how cetafil cleanser doesn’t do the job of removing my new foundation.

    Boy and i glad to see your review. I am definately one of those who can’t have the fragrance. Can anyone say asthma?

    Does anyone have a suggestion for an alternative cleansing oil. Sometimes, a little fragrance is ok, especially if it is citrus or almond.

    • the Muse

      Eleanor it’s not overpowering but don’t quote me as I’m really not that sensitive 😛 DHC doesn’t have fragrance nor does SHu’s ;-D so those are options also if you have access Fancl makes one that’s great for sensitive types!

  • Yoyo

    Out of all the cleansing oils I’ve tried, I liked this the least. It really dried my skin out. >_< Plus it doesn't get my waterproof mascara off as well as my Fancl cleansing oil (my favorite!).

    • the Muse

      aw sorry to hear it yoyo! I liked it alot ;-D not the best oil I’ve used but def a nice one and so easy to locate which makes it a plus ;D!

  • SupaStarxoxo

    How does this one compare to the DHC deep cleansing one?
    Which one do you prefer? 🙂

    • the Muse

      both are great supa. only diff would be the scent of this and the fact that it runs thinner than dhc’s. 🙂

  • Jeweled Thumb

    I wasn’t the biggest fan of this one. Echoing the sentiments above it left my skin a bit dry and it burned my eyes. Love their scrub though!

  • joolz

    I didn’t find that this cleansing oil did such a great job. I used to use Shu but of course it’s too expensive, but now I use NARS and I like it better than MAC’s. I love MAC’s brush cleaner though!

  • Chanel

    I’ve never tried a cleansing oil before but I have heard really great things about them. I’ve heard mized reviews about the MAC one. I might give it a try and see how it goes.

  • HapaGirl84

    Hi Muse! Love your blog. I noticed you’re a fan of Origins — I used to work there for a while. Have you tried their Clean Energy cleansing oil? It’s well-priced at $18.50 for 6.7 oz. and it has essential oils of safflower, sunflower, olive, etc. I always recommended it for customers with dry skin and I myself use it (even though I’m combo) for easy makeup removal at night. Keep up the great work!

    • the Muse

      hapa I’m glad you mentioned this, it’s in my to be reviewed pile but does origins sell a pump for it?!

      • HapaGirl84

        Hey Muse! They do indeed, although not all locations may have one in stock (we often sold out of ours, but we’d always hold one for a customer and call when it came in). They are $1, but I’m not sure if you can order them online. I’d say if you have a store nearby, call them ahead of time and they can set it aside for you (and give you free samples of other stuff you might want to try when you come in to pick it up!). Also, ALL Origins products are free of mineral oil, parabens, dyes, fragrances, etc.

  • Polly

    Hey Muse, thanks for the review!
    I love this cleansing oil! I’m halfway through my first bottle, but I have never noticed the scent, how strange! Maybe I just have a really bad sense of smell lol 🙂

    • the Muse

      whoa polly it has a really bright fragrance 😀 unless it isn’t scented on your side of the world

  • Chill-seeker

    I’ve used the pink shu uemura for oily skin, but the mineral oil left me with little inflammation bumps 🙁 I was introduced to the Mac one because it’s mineral oil-free and i was thoroughly impressed. Believe me, I’m incredibly skeptical of Mac face products and skincare, but it takes off my waterproof and Asian mascaras with ease. Sounds like it might be better for combo/oily skin though.

    • the Muse

      chill seeker awesome to hear it ;-D I’m dry and didn’t have probs with it. was surprised so many people felt tight after use! 🙁

  • Nunuiviet

    Been using a lot of cleansing oil a long time ago, coz very popular in Asia.I used everything from cleansing milk, cleansing gel , cleansing cream an also cleansing water (miscellar lotion) the latter does a very good job the one from larocheposay. But hey what a coincidence the muse, I’ve just bought 2 bottles of Mac cleansing oils 2 days ago, coz I’ve went to a Mac makeup class tutorial, so of course they introduced a lot of stuff from Mac. Frankly speaking I’m very scekptical about Mac skincare, but I tried a few stuff and ending up buying too much I think. I bought the whole lightful range, the lip conditioner , the fix plus lavender (4 bottles), 2 cleansing oils and the fast response eye cream. Gonna try this stuff as a skincare regimen for a while and see what will be the results. Before that used to cleanse with the miscellar lotion, and follow up with lush fresh farmacy or philosophy purity or sometimes soap and glory clean Mary. Well, I personally I have combination oily skin and I find the Mac cleansing oil a bit drying… Weird, the first day I used it I though it was ok… Have to use it a little longer…

  • Phyrra

    I’ve never really used cleansing oils. Do you just apply to a cotton round? And it really takes off mascara? Mascara is always the hardest thing for me to get off! I’ve been using a Neutrogena makeup remover lotion recently.

    • the Muse

      hey Courtney sorry delayed reply. it will indeed but not with a cotton round ;-D just close your eyes and rub the oil around your eye area and rinse. use on dry skin first, add a little water to emulsify, and finally rinse. I do like using an waterproof eye makeup remover before hand though to get the first round of mascara and shadow off and follow up with oil to remove the rest of my makeup. just a warning it gives you trippy cloudy vision for a few minutes after use ;D!

      • Phyrra

        wow, so no cotton needed at all!
        I never use cotton balls but got into using cotton rounds (the ones that are round and flat like a plate) to remove my makeup (and nail polish).

        • the Muse

          noooo! just rub it on your dry face, add a little water after massaging for a few, and proceeded to rinse ;D!

    • Grace Lin

      I love the one muji makes! Everytime I’m in Taiwan I buy the xL bottle by the dozen 😀

  • Shan

    I’ve been using this for 2 years and love it. Makes taking make up off a breeze. A 2nd cleanser would help, but for those lazy late nights, just using this will generally take everything off sufficiently 🙂

  • Felicia

    Thanks so much for introducing me to cleansing oils! I’ve been using this MAC cleansing oil since a month now and absolutely love it. I’ve tried so many makeup removers in the past, and this one is a dream to work with. It removes all my makeup including waterproof mascara and eyeliner. And the fragrance is nice too. Thanks again and love your blog!!! 🙂

  • marcela

    heyyy, i just bought this marvelous thing and i use it like fight now and i love it! but the thing is: do i have to apply water to all the bottle? cause Mac seller told me that but i doubt

    • Isabella Muse

      apply water to the bottle? No. You have to rinse it off with water.