No. 1 Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil

Double cleansing — the two-step method of using an oil-based cleanser followed by a water-based one — is the bedrock of Korean skincare routines. It's also the step most likely to be skipped, because who wants to spend five minutes wrestling with a thick, heavy oil that refuses to emulsify and leaves a greasy film on skin that takes three rinses to remove? Numbuzin designed the Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil as an antidote to that frustration, and the product name is basically a mission statement: make oil cleansing fast, clean, and effortless.

The formula is strikingly minimal. Thirteen ingredients. For a cleansing oil — a product category known for long ingredient lists packed with botanical extracts, emulsifiers, and various oils — this is spare. Corn oil forms the base, an uncommon but smart choice. It's lighter in texture than the olive, mineral, or camellia oils that dominate K-beauty cleansing oils, which gives this product a notably fluid, almost water-like consistency when you pump it into your hands. If you've avoided oil cleansing because you don't like the heavy, viscous feel of traditional cleansing oils, this product might change your mind.

Macadamia seed oil and sunflower seed oil round out the triple-oil base. Macadamia brings palmitoleic acid and a luxurious slip that makes the massage step genuinely pleasant. Sunflower oil adds linoleic acid content, which research has shown supports barrier function rather than disrupting it. Together with the corn oil, they create a lipid-dissolving system that tackles everything from waterproof mascara to zinc oxide sunscreen.

The emulsifying system — sorbeth-30 tetraoleate and sorbitan sesquioleate — is designed for fast, clean rinsing. Add water to the oil and it transforms almost immediately into a milky emulsion that washes away without the oily residue that plagues many cleansing oils. This is not a product that needs three rounds of water splashing to feel clean. One good rinse, and it's gone.

Clinical testing claims that the formula removes 94.39% of pore-clogging waste, and while brand-sponsored studies should be taken with appropriate skepticism, the basic principle is sound: oil dissolves oil. Users consistently report visible grits — those satisfying little plugs of dissolved sebum and dead skin — during the massage step, particularly on the nose and chin. Regular oil cleansing can help keep sebaceous filaments under control and reduce the appearance of blackheads over time.

The texture during use is genuinely distinctive. Most cleansing oils feel thick and somewhat heavy on the skin. This one is fluid and light — closer to a dry oil than a traditional cleansing oil. It glides across the face with minimal drag, making the 30-60 second massage comfortable rather than a chore. The corn oil base deserves credit for this: it has a naturally low viscosity compared to heavier plant oils.

There are two clear drawbacks to discuss honestly. First: fragrance. For a product designed for the calming, soothing No. 1 line, the inclusion of fragrance is inconsistent. Multiple users note the scent — and some report that it contributes to eye irritation during makeup removal around the eye area. A fragrance-free version would be an obvious improvement and more consistent with the line's sensitive-skin positioning.

Second: isopropyl myristate. This synthetic ester is excellent at dissolving sebum and makeup — it's one of the most effective solvents in cosmetic chemistry. It's also rated as comedogenic, meaning it has a higher likelihood of clogging pores in acne-prone individuals. For a brand targeting trouble-prone skin with its No. 1 line, this is a puzzling ingredient choice. If you know your skin reacts to isopropyl myristate, choose a different cleansing oil.

For everyone else, the Easy Peasy Cleansing Oil is an excellent, affordable first step in a double-cleanse routine. At $19.50 for 200 ml, with each cleanse requiring just 2-3 pumps, the bottle lasts three to four months of nightly use. That's under $6 per month for effective makeup and sunscreen removal — hard to argue with from a value standpoint.

The product doesn't pretend to be more than it is. It's not a treatment, it's not going to transform your skin, and it makes no grand promises about luxury or innovation. It's a well-designed cleansing oil that does its job quickly and cleanly, and then gets out of the way so the rest of your routine can work. Easy peasy indeed.

Formula

The Science

Oil cleansing operates on the fundamental chemistry principle that 'like dissolves like' — lipophilic (oil-loving) substances dissolve other lipophilic substances. Makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum are all oil-based or oil-soluble, meaning they dissolve more effectively in oil than in the surfactant solutions used by traditional water-based cleansers.

Corn oil, the formula's primary ingredient, is rich in linoleic acid (approximately 55-60% of its fatty acid profile). Research published in Pediatric Dermatology has demonstrated that linoleic acid-rich oils are less likely to disrupt the skin barrier compared to oleic acid-dominant oils like olive oil. This makes corn oil a particularly suitable base for a cleansing product designed for daily use on potentially sensitive or acne-prone skin.

The emulsification system — sorbeth-30 tetraoleate and sorbitan sesquioleate — uses non-ionic surfactants that reduce the surface tension between oil and water, creating the milky emulsion when water is added. These emulsifiers have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value designed to facilitate complete oil removal during rinsing, which is critical for preventing clogged pores from residual oil.

Isopropyl myristate is one of the most effective solvents in cosmetic chemistry for dissolving sebaceous material. Research has shown it has a high comedogenicity rating (4-5 on the 0-5 scale) in rabbit ear models, though human skin reactivity varies. Its inclusion significantly boosts the cleansing power of the formula but introduces a trade-off for clog-prone skin.

Dermatologist Perspective

Dermatologists generally support oil cleansing as an effective method for removing oil-based impurities, particularly sunscreen residues that water-based cleansers often leave behind. Board-certified dermatologists note that the double-cleanse method — oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser — is one of the most thorough approaches to evening skin cleansing. However, dermatologists typically caution that cleansing oils containing isopropyl myristate should be avoided by patients with active acne or a history of comedonal breakouts. For non-acne-prone patients, this formula's lightweight texture and effective emulsification represent a well-designed daily cleansing step.

Guidance

Oil cleansing is the foundational first step of the Korean double-cleanse method, and Numbuzin designed this product to make that step as quick and effortless as possible. The 'Easy Peasy' name is a statement of intent — this is a no-fuss cleansing oil for people who want to dissolve their sunscreen and makeup in under a minute and move on to the rest of their routine.

About Numbuzin Emerging Brand (2–5 years)

Numbuzin was founded in 2019 by Korean beauty startup Benow and won the 2022 Olive Young Awards. The brand's numbered product system has gained a strong following in K-beauty markets globally, though its track record is still relatively short.

Brand founded: 2019 · Product launched: 2021

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

Oil cleansers will clog pores and cause breakouts in oily or acne-prone skin.

Reality

The 'like dissolves like' principle means oil cleansers can actually help dissolve the excess sebum and oxidized oils that contribute to clogged pores. However, this particular formula's isopropyl myristate — a known comedogenic ingredient — may indeed trigger breakouts in some acne-prone individuals. If you're breakout-prone, choose a cleansing oil without isopropyl myristate.

Myth

You need to double cleanse even if you don't wear makeup.

Reality

If you wear sunscreen (and you should), oil cleansing is still valuable. Mineral and chemical sunscreens can leave residues that water-based cleansers alone may not fully remove. Even without sunscreen, oil cleansing helps dissolve accumulated sebum and environmental pollutants more effectively than water-based cleansing alone.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Dissolves waterproof makeup and sunscreen effortlessly"

"Lightweight oil texture doesn't feel heavy or sticky"

"Emulsifies cleanly and rinses off without residue"

"Removes blackheads and grits visibly during massage"

"Great value for 200 ml at under $20"

Common Complaints

"Contains fragrance, which some users find unnecessary"

"Can cause eye irritation and stinging during use"

"Isopropyl myristate may trigger breakouts in acne-prone skin"

"Some users wish for a fragrance-free version"

"May not fully remove very heavy, theatrical-level makeup"

Notable Endorsements

Olive Young bestsellerClinically proven to remove 94.39% of pore-clogging waste

Appears In

best cleanser for blackheads best k beauty cleansing oil best oil cleanser for double cleansing best cleanser for large pores

Related Conditions

blackheads large pores

Related Ingredients

sunflower oil vitamin e