HOLIKA HOLIKA Soda Pore Deep Cleansing Oil (150 ml)
Charming Scent Meets Underwhelming Performance
Packaging & First Impressions
From the moment you unwrap it, the HOLIKA HOLIKA Soda Pore Deep Cleansing Oil greets you with undeniably cute packaging—a simple, pastel-hued pump bottle that feels playful and cheerful on your vanity. Its semi-transparent yellowish oil, slightly reminiscent of olive oil, cloaks itself in a fresh citrus scent that’s light and summery.
Ingredient Breakdown (INCI)
Here’s the full ingredient list, sourced from official product listings and reliable ingredient decoders:
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Sorbeth‑30 Tetraoleate
- Polyisobutene
- Water (Aqua)
- Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate
- Butylene Glycol
- Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
- Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
- Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Ester)
- Phenoxyethanol
- Fragrance (Parfum)
- Limonene
Each of these ingredients plays a role—from olive and argan oils offering emollient, antioxidant benefits, to tea tree and witch hazel contributing antibacterial or astringent properties, and emulsifier Sorbeth‑30 aiding rinse-off. Limonene is present as part of the scent profile.
Sensory Experience
The texture is light and not overly viscous—think a smoother spinner of olive oil. It glides easily across dry skin and begins to emulsify with water into a milky fluid. The citrus-tinged scent is charming and refreshing, making the cleansing step feel enjoyable… until the reality of performance sets in.
The Elephant in the Room: Effectiveness
Despite the appealing aroma and adorable packaging, the product fails to deliver as a robust makeup remover:
- Makeup—foundation, mascara, even light BB cream—lingers after multiple applications.
- After rinsing, there is still residual makeup, defeating the point of a cleansing oil in a double-cleanse routine.
- The bottle claims it should dissolve point makeup and waterproof mascara, yet my results prove otherwise.
Final Verdict
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adorable, fun packaging | Doesn’t effectively remove makeup |
| Pleasant citrus scent | Leaves residue even after rinsing |
| Nourishing oil blend with antioxidants | Not suitable as a standalone makeup remover |
This oil feels more suited to act as a pore-refining treatment on pre-cleansed skin, rather than a full-fledged makeup remover. If you were hoping for a cleansing oil to whisk away your makeup effortlessly, you’ll be disappointed. I absolutely don’t recommend it for that purpose.
Alternatively, if you’re exploring oils for gentle maintenance on already-clean skin, this may offer some light cleansing and hydration—but be wary of its limitations.
Recommendation: What does work
For those seeking a genuinely effective makeup remover, especially for stubborn or waterproof products, Banila Co Clean It Zero Balm remains a top pick. Its sherbet-to-oil texture melts makeup quickly and rinses cleanly—does the job perfectly.
Final Thoughts
HOLIKA HOLIKA’s Soda Pore Deep Cleansing Oil wins on scent and aesthetic, but loses in function. You might keep it for special moments when low-impact cleansing is enough—but not as your go-to tool in the battle against makeup.
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