Medicube ZERO PORE BLACKHEAD DEEP CLEANSING OIL 205ml

Values: 100% Genuine (Adilsons policy) · Fragranced (not Fragrance-Free) · FA-Unsafe*

*FA-Unsafe: Skinsort's own published fungal-acne assessment for this exact product flags Soybean Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil and Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate as ingredients within the Malassezia-feeding fatty-acid range. As a rinse-off product with brief contact time, real-world risk is generally lower than an equivalent leave-on formula, but the ingredient composition itself is FA-unsafe, not FA-safe.

The Mauritius Over-Cleansing Cycle is real here: humidity-driven sebum and sunscreen residue get mistaken for "dirt," and over-washing strips the acid mantle, triggering the very oiliness you were trying to fix. An oil-based first cleanse — dissolving oil with oil, rather than stripping with a harsh foaming wash — is the gentler way to break that cycle before a proper water-based second cleanse.

Pros: genuinely broad, corroborated 11-oil blend; real LHA and niacinamide present (though undisclosed %); dissolves stubborn makeup and sunscreen effectively per multiple independent reviewers; rinses to a non-greasy finish for most users.
Caveats: contains an undisclosed "Fragrance" ingredient that a minority of reviewers describe as strong; not fungal-acne safe by ingredient composition; exact LHA/niacinamide concentrations are not brand-disclosed; currently out of stock at Adilsons at the time of writing — check back or ask on WhatsApp for restock timing.

In Mauritius heat, the "grimy" feeling by midday is sebum and sweat doing their job, not dirt — but washing more than twice daily strips the skin's acid mantle (target pH 4.5-5.5), which triggers compensatory sebum overproduction: the exact oiliness you were trying to eliminate.

This product breaks that cycle by cleansing with oil first — dissolving sebum, sunscreen, and makeup on contact rather than stripping the skin with surfactants alone — then emulsifying into a milky rinse via Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate so nothing oily is left behind. Niacinamide in the formula offers some mild barrier-supportive benefit even in a rinse-off contact window.

Classification: YELLOW (14+ with guidance). This product contains a real chemical exfoliant (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid/LHA) at an undisclosed concentration, plus a disclosed fragrance ingredient — not a bare hydrator, but also not a high-strength leave-on acid. It's reasonable for teens from around 14 with a parent's guidance on frequency, but not necessary for pre-teen skin that isn't yet producing adult-level sebum.

If a younger teen wants a gentle first cleanser without any acid content, a plain cleansing oil without an LHA claim is the safer starting point.

1. When: PM, as the first step of a double cleanse (or AM too, if you wore sunscreen overnight skincare or woke up feeling oily).
2. How much: 2-3 pump dispenses into dry palms.
3. How: Massage onto completely dry skin and face for 30-60 seconds, then add water and continue massaging until it turns milky, then rinse.

Introduce this as the ONLY new product in your routine. Wait a full 14 days before adding anything else. This isolation window ensures you can identify whether any reaction is caused by this specific product.

1. Zero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil (only if your skin feels oily on waking or you slept with product on) → 2. Water-based cleanser (optional second cleanse) → 3. Toner → 4. Moisturizer → 5. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++. In Mauritius's humid mornings, a light toner layer afterward helps replace any moisture the oil-to-milk rinse removed — humectants pull water from the humid air itself rather than from deeper skin layers.

1. Zero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil — massage on dry skin 30-60 seconds, emulsify with water, rinse. 2. Water-based second cleanser. 3. Toner. 4. Treatment serum (if any). 5. Moisturizer. This is a Recovery-lane step in a 4-night skin-cycling framework — it doesn't compete with your treatment nights, it just removes the day's buildup before them.

Emulsify first: massage onto completely DRY skin for 30-60 seconds before adding any water — oil cleansers only dissolve makeup and sebum effectively when applied dry; adding water too early dilutes the oil phase and cuts cleansing power. Add water gradually and continue massaging until the texture turns milky, then rinse fully.

Technique note: Hands deliver 100% of the product — there's no reason to use a cotton pad with an oil cleanser.

This is an encyclopedia map of all product types. You do not use all of these daily. You select modules based on your skin state.

Global rules: viscosity ladder runs thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals. Wait-time defaults: watery layers 10-20s, serum layers 30-60s, before sunscreen 10-15 min if going outdoors. Default amounts: toner/essence 5-8 drops, serum/ampoule 2-3 drops, eye product ½ rice-grain per eye, gel moisturizer 1-1.5 peas, cream 1-2 peas, occlusive seal rice-grain to pea-size, sunscreen 2-finger rule for face. Hard cap rule: if the routine pills, stings, or feels heavy, reduce layers, not increase.

AM Maximum Stack: 1. Rinse/Gentle Cleanse (optional; this product can fill this role if needed) → 2. pH-Prep Toner (optional) → 3. Hydrating Toner Layers (optional) → 4. Essence (optional) → 5. Mist (optional) → 6. Booster/Soothing Serum (optional) → 7. Antioxidant Lane (choose ONE) → 8. Pigment Support Lane (choose ONE) → 9. Hydration Serum Lane (optional) → 10. Oil-Control Lane (choose ONE) → 11. Peptides/Repair Lane (optional) → 12. Eye Serum/Cream (optional) → 13. Moisturizer → 14. Optional Sealing Layer → 15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable) → 16. Lip SPF (optional). In AM, prioritize comfort + SPF adherence over stacking; in high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack: 1. Micellar (optional pre-cleanse) → 2. [Anchor: Oil Cleanser/Balm — Zero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil] — massage dry 30-60s, emulsify, rinse → 3. Water Cleanser (second cleanse) → 4. pH-Prep Toner (optional) → 5. Hydrating Toner Layers (optional) → 6. Essence (optional) → 7. Soothing/Barrier Serum (optional) → 8. Targeted treatment (optional) → 9. Targeted Serum (optional) → 10. Moisturizer → 11. Sleeping Mask (optional) → 12. Occlusive Seal (optional) → 13. Spot Treatment (as needed) → 14. Lip Sleeping Mask (optional). Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night.

Lane strictness: Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure, default to the safest lane — barrier/hydration — and reduce layers.

This is an oil-phase product used at the very start of a routine, before any water-based step — it's washed off, not layered under anything. It never touches the "thin to thick" layering ladder that applies to leave-on products, because it doesn't stay on the skin.

Phase compatibility: Oil-phase, emulsifying (turns milky with water via Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate) — designed to be rinsed away completely, unlike a leave-on facial oil used last in a routine.

Before starting this product, your routine should already include a water-based second cleanser and daily SPF — an oil cleanser is a first step, not a complete cleanse on its own.

Makeup, sunscreen and sebum removal: The 11-oil blend dissolves lipophilic residue (makeup, chemical sunscreen filters, excess sebum) far more completely than a water-based cleanser alone can.

Blackheads and clogged pores: Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA) provides mild, gentle chemical exfoliation inside the pore lining during the massage step; the oil phase itself helps loosen sebum plugs before rinsing.

What this product cannot do: it cannot permanently close or shrink pores (pores have no muscle to contract), and a single cleanse will not remove deep, established blackheads that need consistent, repeated use over weeks.

All four options below were verified in Adilsons' live catalog as active and in stock at the time of writing.

• Primary — Medicube Zero Foam Cleanser 120g (19 in stock): a pH-balanced, no-acid second cleanse from the same Zero Pore family, designed to finish what the oil starts without stacking extra acid.
• Alternative — Medicube PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser 200ml (19 in stock): gentle amino-acid second cleanse if you want extra hydration.
• Alternative — Medicube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Whip Cleanser 120g (13 in stock): a niacinamide-forward second cleanse.
• Alternative — Medicube Azelaic Acid Niacinamide Deep Clean Foam Cleanser 120g (17 in stock): if you want a second cleanse that reinforces the pore/blackhead focus.

Pilling risk: None — this is rinsed off completely before anything else is applied.

This is a conflict-solver for ACTIVE ingredients. If you run multiple actives, use these rules to avoid irritation, deactivation, and barrier damage.

Universal rules: because this is rinse-off with brief contact time, it carries much lower interaction risk than a leave-on exfoliant — but its undisclosed LHA content still counts toward your total daily "acid load." If you're already using a strong leave-on AHA/BHA or a retinoid that night, don't also add a second heavily-marketed acid cleanser on top without checking your overall tolerance.

Chemical Exfoliants × Physical Scrubs/Brushes: don't combine this LHA-containing oil with a separate physical scrub or cleansing brush the same session — the combination risks micro-tears plus over-stripping. Choose one.

Scheduling Template — AM/PM Split: Use as your standard first-cleanse step both AM (if needed) and PM; it doesn't need to be scheduled around your leave-on active nights the way a strong exfoliant does.

Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night. If unsure, default to the safest lane — barrier/hydration — and reduce layers.

Pre-period breakouts happen because progesterone causes the pore lining to physically swell, narrowing the opening and trapping sebum beneath — a thorough oil-based cleanse before bed helps clear that trapped sebum before it has a chance to become a breakout.

MYTH: "Oil cleansers make oily skin worse." REALITY: Oil dissolves oil (sebum, sunscreen, makeup) far more completely than a water-based surfactant alone, and a properly emulsified oil cleanser rinses away fully, leaving no residue behind.

MYTH: "Adding water immediately makes it cleanse better." REALITY: Oil cleansers need to be massaged on completely dry skin first — adding water too early dilutes the oil phase and reduces makeup/sebum-dissolving power.

Hard water note: Mauritius tap water hardness varies by region; hard water can leave a calcium-stearate film after any rinse-off cleanse — follow with a pH-balancing toner to counteract tightness, especially since this oil already removes most of the day's residue thoroughly.

*Centella derivatives here sit at a lower-mid INCI position consistent with a supportive rather than headline dose; evidence for centella actives generally is strongest for barrier support in leave-on formats, so treat their role here as a soothing bonus, not a primary clinical claim.

Full INCI: Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Fragrance, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Corylus Avellana (Hazelnut) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Guaiazulene, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Tocopherol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract.

Preservative system: 1,2-Hexanediol and Pentylene Glycol — a modern, paraben-free preservative-booster combination.

Fragrance status: Contains a disclosed "Fragrance" ingredient (INCI position 3) — this is NOT a fragrance-free product.

Scent: Described by most reviewers as pleasant, though a minority found it noticeably strong; sensitive or fragrance-averse users should patch test first. EU26 allergens: Not individually broken out in the declared INCI — an opaque "Fragrance" entry may contain undisclosed allergens.* The citrus/aromatic botanical extracts in the formula (none of the classic citrus peel oils, but several aromatic leaf extracts) are a separate possible source of natural allergens. Alcohol: None detected.

*Based on brand-declared INCI. The term "Fragrance" or "Parfum" in the INCI list may contain undisclosed allergens. Patch test advised for sensitive individuals.

Aspirin sensitivity → Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA): LHA is a salicylic acid derivative. If you have a known aspirin or salicylate sensitivity, patch test this product first, even though rinse-off contact time is brief and the concentration is undisclosed but likely modest.

Halal: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No ethanol from fermentation, no porcine-derived ingredients, and no haram animal-derived ingredients detected in the declared ingredient list. This is NOT a formal Halal certification. Muslims with stricter requirements should consult their own scholars.

Vegan: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No animal-derived ingredients detected. This is NOT a formal vegan certification by The Vegan Society or equivalent body.

Cruelty-Free: *Brand-stated policy. Not independently certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or equivalent third-party audit. Medicube confirmed to Cruelty-Free Kitty that it sells a separate China-market product line in mainland China retail, where post-market animal testing may be legally required; cross-border e-commerce sales may be exempt.

Microplastic-Free: Yes — no polyethylene, nylon, or acrylate microbead polymers identified in the declared INCI.

MFDS Classification: Not confirmed as Functional Cosmetic — treated as General Cosmetic pending confirmation.

Clinical evidence: The "90.6% plant oils from 11 botanicals" composition claim is brand-stated and corroborated by the 11 named oils genuinely appearing in the INCI, but the precise aggregate percentage itself was not independently lab-verified by this research.

Evidence confidence: Medium for the oil-blend composition claim; Low* for LHA and Niacinamide's specific concentrations (undisclosed).

*No sample size, institution, or clinical protocol was found for any efficacy claim on this specific SKU — treat composition claims as ingredient-presence facts, not clinical-efficacy proof.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Unsafe. Soybean Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate are all within the C11-C24 fatty-acid range Malassezia yeast can metabolize — per Skinsort's own published assessment for this exact product.

Assessment: None. As a rinsed-off first cleanser, it never sits on the skin long enough to interact with any other product's texture.

Plant-oil-heavy formulas can oxidize over time, especially in Mauritius's heat — a rancid or noticeably "off" smell replacing the normal fragrance is the sign to discard. Store away from direct sun and bathroom humidity/heat where possible, and keep the pump cap closed between uses.

Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours, then behind the ear for 24 hours, before first facial use — especially given the disclosed fragrance ingredient.

If adverse reaction: STOP ALL ACTIVES. For 72 hours, use ONLY gentle cleanser + plain moisturizer + mineral SPF. NO acids, retinoids, Vitamin C, exfoliants, or essential oils. After 72h, reintroduce ONE product per 14 days.

Emergency stop signals: hives, swelling, blistering, persistent burning, or breathing difficulty — seek emergency care immediately.

1. Applying to wet skin first — this dilutes the oil phase and reduces makeup-dissolving power. 2. Rinsing before the texture has fully turned milky, leaving residue behind. 3. Skipping the water-based second cleanse, which an oil cleanser alone isn't designed to replace. 4. Using it as a leave-on facial oil — it's formulated to be rinsed off, not left on. 5. Assuming it's fungal-acne safe because it's "gentle" — the oil composition itself is not.

Overuse threshold: Using it more than twice daily offers no extra benefit and risks over-stripping via repeated emulsification — twice daily (AM/PM) is the practical ceiling.

At roughly 2-3 pumps per use, once or twice daily, a 205ml bottle provides several months of regular double-cleansing use — the pump dispenses a consistent, controlled amount per use per brand/retailer copy. Reorder roughly 2 weeks before you expect to run out, to allow for delivery time.

This oil cleanser does one job well — dissolving the day's makeup, sunscreen and sebum — but it's the first half of a proper double cleanse, not the whole routine.

AM: This oil cleanser (if needed) → water-based second cleanse (optional) → toner → moisturizer → sunscreen. PM: This oil cleanser → water-based second cleanse → toner → treatment → moisturizer.

If you're fungal-acne prone, this specific oil blend is not the right fit — see Mindful Alternatives below for an FA-safer in-catalog option. If you're fragrance-sensitive, patch test first given the disclosed Fragrance ingredient. If your skin runs dry in AC, this oil-first cleanse is genuinely gentler on dry skin than a foaming-only cleanser, so keep it in rotation rather than switching to a harsher wash.

Stock-true bundle idea: this cleansing oil + Zero Foam Cleanser 120g + a hydrating toner + daily SPF — the oil and foam cleanser together are the same "Zero Pore" family double-cleanse, both confirmed in stock at Adilsons for the second cleanser at the time of writing (this cleansing oil itself is currently out of stock — see At-a-Glance).

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth.

The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with Zero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil, not on margin or stock levels. If a pairing does not exist in our catalog, we say so. If you already own a product that fills the same role, use what you have first.

If you're fungal-acne prone and need a genuinely FA-safer oil cleanser, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil 200ml (17 in stock at the time of writing) is a lighter-weight, watery-textured option worth comparing.

If you want a similarly pore/blackhead-focused positioning from another brand, Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 200ml (18 in stock) targets the same concern with a different oil base.

Choose this Zero Pore oil over the SKIN1004 alternative if you want the broadest possible plant-oil blend (11 named oils vs. a lighter, simpler base) and you are NOT fungal-acne prone.

IF you're managing fungal acne, THEN switch to the SKIN1004 Light Cleansing Oil or another confirmed FA-safe option instead. IF you're not FA-prone and want the richest oil-cleanse feel with a mild bonus acid, THEN this product is a reasonable pick.

Don't upgrade to this oil if you're already breaking out in fungal-acne-typical areas (hairline, chest, back, forehead) — the ingredient composition works against you there regardless of how well it cleanses makeup.

This product's PRIMARY function is: first-step oil cleansing to remove makeup, sunscreen and sebum before a water-based second cleanse. You do NOT need this if you already own an unfinished oil or balm cleanser — finish it first, since oil cleansers typically don't have a strict expiry pressure the way an active serum does.

Stacking assessment: No Benefit if you already use a different oil cleanser daily (same mechanism, redundant purchase); Significant Benefit if your current routine has no proper first-cleanse step and you're relying on a single foaming wash to remove sunscreen and makeup.

This product is sourced through authorized Korean distributors — primarily Craver Co., Ltd (South Korea), alongside other verified distribution partners. Craver is a major Korean beauty distributor and the parent company of SKIN1004, handling authorized distribution for multiple K-beauty brands. All products are shipped directly to Mauritius via verified channels.

For comprehensive information about how we verify authenticity, our layered verification system, and how to check your product at home, visit our dedicated Authenticity and Trust page.

Genuine units carry a QR code on the inner box that resolves to medicubeverify.com with a green checkmark, plus a legible embossed batch code near the packaging seam — an absent QR code or a smeared/illegible batch code is the real red flag, not an unfamiliar-looking (but present) code format.

Medicube is the flagship skincare/beauty-device brand of APR Corporation (KRX:278470), founded in Seoul in 2014 by Byunghoon (Victor) Kim; Medicube itself launched in 2016 and APR went public on the Korea Exchange in 2024. The brand positions itself as "medical beauty" / dermatology-adjacent skincare, pairing at-home devices (the AGE-R line) with companion topical actives.

The "Zero Pore" family this product belongs to spans cleansers, masks, pads, serums, and now this cleansing oil — all sharing a pore/sebum-control positioning, though this research confirms the individual products vary meaningfully in acid content and formulation approach rather than sharing one recipe.

Independent review coverage for this exact SKU is real and reasonably substantial — approximately 458 reviews were found referenced on iHerb's dedicated review page for this product, though this research could not confirm the exact star average. Paraphrased themes (not direct quotes): one reviewer described the oil as gliding smoothly and rinsing off without a greasy residue, calling it effective for makeup and sunscreen removal; another reviewer, more mixed, found the fragrance stronger than expected and slightly irritating on sensitive-leaning skin; a third reviewer noted visibly less-clogged pores after a few weeks of consistent double-cleansing.

Common praise: effective makeup/sunscreen removal, non-greasy rinse, gentle enough for daily use. Common complaints: fragrance strength for a minority of users; Skinsort's fungal-acne-unsafe flag is a real, ingredient-based concern for that specific audience, not a general complaint theme.

Do I still need a second cleanser? Yes — this is a first-step oil cleanse; a water-based second cleanse removes any remaining water-soluble residue.

Is it fungal-acne safe? No — Skinsort's own published assessment flags this oil blend as FA-unsafe due to several of its plant oils; choose a different cleansing oil if you manage fungal acne specifically.

Does it contain fragrance? Yes — a disclosed "Fragrance" ingredient is present; it is not a fragrance-free product.

What percentage is the salicylic acid (LHA)? Not disclosed by the brand; INCI position suggests a genuine, non-trace but likely moderate dose, not a headline-strength acid treatment.

Is this the same as Zero Foam Cleanser? No — they're formulated very differently (an oil-based emulsifying cleanser here vs. a saponified soap cleanser with no acids there); see About Medicube above.

LHA (Capryloyl Salicylic Acid)

A gentler, larger-molecule derivative of salicylic acid, used for slower, lower-irritation chemical exfoliation.

Emulsify

The process where an oil cleanser turns milky as water is added, allowing it to rinse away cleanly rather than leaving an oily film.

FA-Unsafe

Contains ingredients within the fatty-acid chain-length range that Malassezia (fungal acne) yeast can feed on.

Double Cleanse

A two-step cleanse — oil-based first, water-based second — used to remove both oil-soluble and water-soluble residue.

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3, used for barrier support, sebum regulation and mild brightening.

Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate

An emulsifying ingredient that lets an oil cleanser turn milky and rinse clean with water.

Every product sold by Adilsons Beauty is 100% genuine, sourced through authorized Korean distribution channels. Full details on our verification system: Authenticity and Trust.

Our team is available to help you build a routine, troubleshoot reactions, and answer ingredient questions. WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

For in-depth skincare education, visit our blog at adilsons.mu/blogs/k-beauty or subscribe to our email to get our guided education series delivered to your inbox.

Coverage: Island-wide delivery (Mauritius).

Processing and Timing: Orders process in 1-2 business days; usually ready by Day 3 for pickup by our delivery partners/regional team. Partner collection can take up to 1 week. After pickup, delivery typically takes 1-5 business days (weekdays only).

Express: May be available by region; request on WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

Liquids/Sensitive Items: Serums, toners, liquid makeup (and kits containing liquids) are pickup or door-to-door only; checkout enforces this.

Scheduling: Deliveries run by region on set schedules; we will contact you the evening before.

Pickup: Citadelle Mall pickup available.

Returns: No change-of-mind exchanges.

Refunds (Summary): For defective/damaged on receipt (report within 48h), wrong item, or manufacturing defect within 6 months. Refunds via bank transfer (7-10 business days); card refunds may incur a 5% processor fee (fee not charged for defects/order errors). Opened skincare/personal-care items are non-returnable (except if damaged on delivery).

Source of Truth: This is a quick snapshot. If anything differs, the policy pages are final.

Store Policies: For the most up-to-date information, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Best for: Oily-to-combination skin that wears daily sunscreen or makeup and needs a thorough, genuinely dissolving first-cleanse step — and who is NOT managing fungal (Malassezia) acne.

Key benefits: a broad, corroborated 11-oil blend; real LHA and niacinamide content; effective, non-greasy makeup and sunscreen removal per independent reviewers.

Keep in mind: contains a disclosed fragrance ingredient, not fragrance-free; not fungal-acne safe by ingredient composition; exact active concentrations undisclosed; currently out of stock at Adilsons — check availability before planning a routine around it.