DHC quietly swapped out olive oil for a new base. Nobody told us. The cult-favorite Japanese cleansing oil now runs on a blend of *MCT and mineral oils* — and the internet is losing it.
The real question: does it still melt through sunscreen like butter on a hot pan? Or did they just create an expensive makeup remover with zero soul?
[IMG_1: A side-by-side bottle shot — old label vs. new label, with ingredients list blurred in background]
📋 **What It Is Now**
New formula. Same $28 price tag. Claims to “remove stubborn makeup” without stripping — but that was never the old formula’s problem. The old one *was* the strip club. This one’s trying to be a spa.
Waterless base
No water means no dilution — it stays oily until you emulsify
Vitamin E + rosemary leaf
Antioxidants that aren’t just shelf decoration
No fragrance, no parabens
Smells like… nothing. Which is actually fine.
[IMG_2: A pump of the oil on a dry hand, catching light]
🧪 **Ingredients That Actually Matter**
Old formula: olive oil heavy, thick, almost greasy. New one: MCT oil (caprylic/capric triglyceride) + mineral oil + squalane. Lighter. Faster rinse. But here’s the thing — MCT oil is comedogenic for some people. Mineral oil isn’t. So it’s a trade-off.
- MCT Oil: Absorbs fast, but can clog pores for acne-prone skin
- Mineral Oil: Safe, stable, cheap — old-school but effective
- Squalane: Lightweight hydration, mimics your skin’s natural oils
- Rosemary Leaf Extract: Antioxidant, not a preservative gimmick
[IMG_3: A close-up of the ingredient list on the back of the bottle]
👍 **The Feel Test**
First pump — watery. Thin. Not the thick, satisfying glide of the original. I actually checked if I got a counterfeit. But it spreads across dry skin like a dream — takes 10 seconds to dissolve a full face of waterproof mascara. Rinses clean in 3 seconds flat. No film. No panic.
Week 2: My skin isn’t angry. That’s the surprise. Old formula left a slight tightness. This one? Nothing. It’s boring in the best way.
[IMG_4: Oil emulsifying with water on a white sink surface]
👎 **The Verdict You Actually Want**
My skin stayed clear. Makeup came off completely. No breakouts. No redness. But — and here’s the but — if you loved the original’s heavy, oily feel, this will disappoint. It’s lighter. Less luxurious. More utilitarian.
[IMG_5: A cotton pad after a double cleanse — clean, no residue]
💡 **Final Call**
The new DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is technically better — faster rinse, no tightness, still melts everything. But it lost its soul. It’s now a reliable friend, not a cult icon. I’d buy it again, but I won’t hoard three bottles like I used to.