Makeup maverick Shu Uemura launched his first cosmetic product, the iconic cleansing oil, in 1957.

The original Hollywood artist formulated the oil to help actresses remove their make-up quickly in between shoots, while maintaining their skin’s integrity.

“Makeup starts and finishes with cleansing.” – Shu Uemura

Shu, whose mantra has always been that beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin, knew the importance of proper cleansing from way back when.

Clearly, when a product is created to fulfill a need and created with heart, it will have longevity in the market.

50 years on, Shu Uemura’s iconic cleansing oil is available in eight versions (including a balm and a gel-oil) and the category is a bestselling one for the brand.

To mark the occasion, Shu Uemura has re-formulated its popular Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil.

It is concocted with jojoba oil, olive oil, ginger root oil, and shea butter oil, to keep skin moisturised while stripping it of (waterproof) makeup and other impurities.

The best way to use the cleansing oils?

With dry hands on a dry face first.

Massage face thoroughly while gliding hands over makeup to remove it.

Add some water to emulsify the oil so it becomes a milky lotion, rinse.