I’ve gone through a lot of cleansing oils at this point, and if I had to pick one that feels like the most “standard issue” in my line-up, it would be the Manyo cleansing oil. I’m in my mid 30s with combination skin, so every night is the same balancing act: I need something strong enough to take off sunscreen and makeup after a full workday, but not so heavy that my T zone feels coated and muggy afterward. This one lands squarely in the “trustworthy, nothing-weird-happened” category for me. Not a life changer, not a regret purchase, just a cleanser that does its job and never stresses me out.

The texture was the first thing that stood out. Compared with Hada Labo Gokujyun cleansing oil and the Mixsoon cleansing oil, the Manyo formula is noticeably richer. Gokujyun and Mixsoon feel lighter and more slippy, almost like very thin dry oils that glide over the skin and barely register as a layer. The Manyo oil has more weight to it when you pump it out. You can feel a definite oil sheet sitting over your skin once you start massaging. It is still easy to spread and it does not feel sticky, but it has that more traditional cleansing oil presence. Some people will find that comforting and cushiony; others might think it borders on a little too substantial.

The scent is also more obvious than some of the other oils I own. It does not smell strongly perfumed, but there is a clear “oil” smell to it, almost like a cleaned up version of cooking oil. It is not my favorite fragrance experience, but it is also not so strong that it ruins the cleanse. Once I start massaging and especially after I add water and emulsify, the scent drops into the background. If you are someone who only enjoys barely there or completely unscented products, you will notice it, but it is not overpowering.

Where this cleansing oil really shows its strengths is in that first makeup removal step. A few pumps are enough to cover my whole face, and the slip is sufficient to break down sunscreen, foundation, blush, and daily city grime. As I work it in, I can feel everything starting to loosen without needing to tug at my skin. It does not sting my eyes as long as I keep them closed and avoid really grinding it into my lash line. It is not the fastest remover I have tried for heavy mascara, but for normal non waterproof eye makeup and everyday base, it performs well. At this age I care a lot about not abusing my skin barrier, and with this oil I never feel like I am scrubbing or dragging to get things off.

One of the nicest practical points is how quickly it emulsifies. The moment I add a little lukewarm water and start working it through, it shifts into that cloudy, milky phase almost instantly. It does not cling to the skin or fight the water the way some more stubborn oils can. Rinsing is straightforward: a few thorough splashes and it is gone, with no sticky corners hiding along the sides of my nose or under my jaw. From a usability angle, it is very low effort. Pump, massage, emulsify, rinse, done.

Because the base texture is on the heavier side, it does leave a touch of residue on my combination skin. After rinsing, my face does not feel squeaky, which I actually like, but I can tell there is a thin moisturizing film still sitting there. If you have dry or dry leaning skin, that leftover softness might feel like a bonus. On my skin, especially across the T zone, it can feel a bit extra if I stop there. It is not suffocating or greasy, but compared with Gokujyun or Mixsoon, which both rinse off more cleanly on me, the Manyo oil is definitely the one that leaves more slip behind.

Because of that, I always follow it with a second cleanser. When I go in afterward with a mild gel or low pH foam, that last bit of oiliness disappears and my skin feels balanced: thoroughly clean, pores decongested, but not over stripped. If you are someone who wants a single step cleanse and cannot stand any hint of residue, this probably will not be your favorite. If you already double cleanse and your second cleanser is gentle, the richer feel of the Manyo oil is easy to manage and can even add a little comfort to the routine.

In terms of irritation or breakouts, it has been uneventful in a good way. I did not see any dramatic improvement in my skin from using it, but I also did not see new clogged pores or extra sensitivity. My cheeks do not go tight, my jawline does not suddenly sprout new congestion, and my skin does not feel overworked. It behaves like a straightforward cleansing step rather than a treatment, and sometimes that is exactly what I am looking for.

If I line it up against my other oils, it shakes out like this

-Hada Labo Gokujyun : feels lighter, rinses off a little cleaner, but can seem almost too thin on days when I am wearing heavier makeup.

-Mixsoon cleansing oil : also on the lighter side, almost weightless on the skin, a good match for minimal makeup or just sunscreen.

-Manyo cleansing oil : the most substantial texture of the three, more of that classic cleansing oil feeling on the face, with a bit more cushioned massage and a slightly more noticeable after feel.

For me, the Manyo cleansing oil has become my “I do not feel like experimenting tonight” choice. It takes off what I need it to take off, it turns milky quickly, it rinses predictably, and it has never thrown my skin off. The trade offs are clear: a more obvious oil smell, a thicker texture, and a bit of residue that really wants a second cleanse. None of those are deal breakers for me, especially since double cleansing is already part of my routine.

So overall, I think of the Manyo cleansing oil as a dependable, easy to understand cleansing step. It is not the lightest, it is not the most luxurious, and it is not the one I rave about to everyone I know, but it is a bottle I can finish without effort and comfortably recommend to someone who just wants a cleansing oil that works the way you expect it to. If your goal is a no drama first cleanse that can handle everyday sunscreen and makeup, this fits that role very well.