Pore Cleansing Oil [PHA]
Pore Cleansing Oil [PHA]
Product Description
Product overview
Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [PHA] is a gentle, 2-in-1 Korean oil cleanser that melts away makeup, sunscreen, and sebum while mildly exfoliating with polyhydroxy acid (Gluconolactone). Formulated with soothing plant oils, squalane, and tea tree, it's designed to refine pores, soften blackheads, and leave sensitive skin feeling clean — never stripped.
Deep Pore Cleansing
Dissolves sebum, SPF, and makeup trapped inside pores thanks to oil-to-oil affinity.
Texture & feel
SENSORYDeep Pore Cleansing
Dissolves sebum, SPF, and makeup trapped inside pores thanks to oil-to-oil affinity.
Gentle PHA Exfoliation
Gluconolactone softens dead cells and smooths texture without AHA/BHA irritation.
Blackhead Softening
A 30-60 second massage helps loosen sebum plugs on the nose and chin.
Rinses Clean
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate emulsifies into a milky wash — no greasy film.
Safety & compatibility
SAFEContains lavender, rosemary, and tea tree essential oils. Many OBs suggest caution with essential oils during pregnancy — consult your doctor.
Not fungal-acne safe — contains soybean oil, sunflower oil, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba oil that can feed Malassezia yeast.
Safe to use in the same routine — cleansers rinse off. PHA is the gentlest acid and pairs well with retinol nights.
No conflict. PHA is acid-buffered and mild, so morning Vitamin C serum works fine after cleansing.
Contains citrus, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils. Patch test if you have very reactive skin.
Hanskin does not test on animals. Product is also free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and artificial dye.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSGlycine Soja (Soybean) Oil ~40-50%Proven
The primary cleansing base. A lightweight plant oil rich in linoleic acid and vitamin E that dissolves sebum, SPF, and makeup without stripping.
- Function: Emollient, oil-phase solvent for makeup and sunscreen removal
- Benefit: Linoleic acid content supports a healthy skin barrier
Ethylhexyl Palmitate ~10-15%Proven
A lightweight ester that gives the oil its silky, fast-spreading feel. Helps dissolve waterproof makeup and leaves no greasy residue.
- Function: Emollient, texture enhancer, solvent
- Source: Derived from palm and coconut fatty acids
Triethylhexanoin ~8-10%Proven
A non-sticky, non-greasy emollient ester that improves slip and skin feel. Helps carry oil-soluble actives across the skin.
- Function: Emollient, skin-conditioning agent
- Benefit: Adds silky glide without occlusive heaviness
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate ~6-8%Proven
The emulsifier that lets the oil transform into a milky wash when water is added. Crucial for clean rinse-off without an oily film.
- Function: Non-ionic surfactant, water-dispersible emulsifier
- Benefit: Creates a microemulsion that rinses cleanly with lukewarm water
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil ~5-8%Proven
A linoleic-acid-rich oil that supports the skin barrier and has a low comedogenic score. Adds antioxidant vitamin E and smoothness.
- Comedogenic rating: 0 — considered non-pore-clogging
- Benefit: Supports ceramide production in the stratum corneum
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride ~4-6%Proven
A lightweight coconut-derived emollient that boosts the oil's cleansing power and leaves skin soft rather than tight.
- Function: Emollient, solvent, skin-conditioning agent
- Benefit: Fast-absorbing and stable against oxidation
Gluconolactone (PHA) 10 ppmPromising
The star polyhydroxy acid. Too gentle to sting, Gluconolactone helps loosen dead skin cells, refines texture, and attracts water to the surface. At 10 ppm it acts as a mild smoother rather than a true exfoliant.
- Mechanism: A larger molecule than AHA/BHA — penetrates slowly and gently
- Benefit: Humectant, antioxidant, and photoprotective (PubMed-documented)
- Safety: Considered the most sensitive-skin-friendly chemical exfoliant
Squalane ~1-2%Proven
A biomimetic moisturizer that mirrors skin's own sebum structure. Keeps the cleanser feeling cushiony and helps prevent post-wash tightness.
- Function: Emollient, barrier support, antioxidant
- Comedogenic rating: 0-1 — very low risk of clogging
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil ~1%Proven
Technically a wax ester, jojoba closely mimics human sebum. It helps dissolve clogged pore contents while leaving a soft, hydrated finish.
- Benefit: Forms a thin, non-greasy semi-occlusive film that softens blackheads
- Comedogenic rating: 2 — moderate, but in rinse-off form risk is minimal
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil <0.5%Proven
A naturally antibacterial essential oil added to support blemish-prone skin. Contributes to the product's herbal scent profile.
- Benefit: Antimicrobial activity against P. acnes bacteria (clinical studies)
Botanical Extract Complex <1%Promising
A finishing blend of green tea, camellia japonica, lotus, and rhus semialata gall extracts. These contribute antioxidant and soothing support to a cleanser that would otherwise just strip.
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf: EGCG polyphenols with antioxidant action
- Allantoin: Helps calm irritation and supports barrier healing
33 ingredients
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Water, Canarium Luzonicum Gum Nonvolatiles, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Gluconolactone (10ppm), Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Squalane, Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Allantoin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Rhus Semialata Gall Extract, Oxygen, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol.
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEUse as thefirst step of a double-cleanse in the PM to remove SPF, makeup, and sebum. Always follow with a water-based cleanser.
How to use
HOW TO USEApply to dry skin
Dispense 1-2 pumps onto completely dry hands and spread over a dry face. Water at this stage reduces the cleansing power.
Massage 30-60 seconds
Work in gentle circular motions, focusing on the nose, chin, and hairline where blackheads and SPF tend to build up.
Emulsify with water
Add a splash of lukewarm water and continue massaging. The oil will turn milky-white as it binds to water.
Rinse thoroughly
Rinse with lukewarm water until no slippery residue remains. Follow with a gentle low-pH foam or gel cleanser.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You wear daily SPF or makeup and need a proper first cleanse
- You have blackheads or congested pores on the nose and chin
- Your skin is sensitive and reacts badly to AHA/BHA cleansers
- You want a gentle chemical exfoliant that won't disrupt the barrier
- You are new to oil cleansing and want something easy to rinse
Consider alternatives if:
- You struggle with fungal acne / malassezia folliculitis
- You are allergic or reactive to essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citrus)
- You want heavy-duty removal of waterproof mascara in one pass
- You prefer a completely fragrance-free formula
- You need strong active exfoliation — PHA here is only 10 ppm
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESLightweight texture emulsifies cleanly and dissolves excess sebum without stripping or triggering rebound oil production.
Works well with light use. Very dry skin may feel slightly tight — reduce to 1 pump and follow with a hydrating toner.
The sweet spot for this formula — deep-cleans the T-zone while being gentle on drier cheeks. Most-loved skin type.
PHA is the gentlest acid, but the essential oil blend can irritate very reactive skin. Patch test before full-face use.
Tea tree oil and PHA help with clogged pores and mild breakouts. Note: not fungal-acne safe due to fatty-acid-rich oils.
Non-stripping, squalane-rich, and loaded with antioxidants. Leaves mature skin feeling cushioned rather than tight.
Results timeline
8+ WEEKSClean, Soft, Non-Stripped Skin
Makeup and SPF dissolve and rinse away. Skin feels soft and cushioned — not tight like a typical foam cleanser.
92% noticedSmoother Texture
Nose feels less bumpy. Makeup sits better on skin as surface dead cells are gently lifted by the PHA.
68% noticedSoftened Blackheads & Refined Pores
Blackheads appear less prominent and easier to keep at bay. Pores look tighter after cleansing.
54% noticedClearer, Brighter Overall Complexion
Consistent use gradually improves dullness and overall skin clarity thanks to daily micro-exfoliation.
41% noticedRatings by platform
12K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Gentle PHA exfoliation suitable for sensitive skin types
- Emulsifies cleanly — no greasy post-cleanse film
- Generous 300ml XL size lasts 3+ months of daily use
- Effective for softening blackheads on the nose and chin
- Non-stripping — skin feels soft, not squeaky-tight
- Pump dispenser is hygienic and has a lock
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, cruelty-free formulation
Criticized
- Contains multiple essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citrus)
- Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe — contains fatty oils
- PHA concentration is very low (10 ppm) — minor smoother, not real exfoliant
- Weaker on heavy waterproof mascara than balm cleansers
- Citrus-herbal scent may bother fragrance-sensitive users
- Bulky bottle is not travel-friendly
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPESVery similar purpose — pore-focused K-beauty oil cleanser for sensitive skin. Anua uses heartleaf (houttuynia cordata) extract instead of PHA for soothing. Slightly better at makeup removal; no PHA benefit.
Lighter, centella-based formula for extra sensitive skin. No PHA and a shorter 200ml size, but cheaper and fragrance-lighter. Great if the Hanskin essential oil blend irritates you.
A solid-to-oil balm rather than a pump oil. Excellent makeup remover with colloidal oatmeal for sensitive skin, but no PHA exfoliation and different application ritual.
Fermented bean oil with a cult following. Silkier texture and no essential oils, making it better for very sensitive skin. No PHA component for chemical smoothing.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDEStorage & shelf life
12 MONTHS12 months after opening. Unopened shelf life is 24-30 months from manufacture date printed on the bottle.
Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the pump locked when not in use to prevent oxidation.
300ml yellow recyclable plastic pump bottle with a lockable dispenser — hygienic and leak-resistant.
Not ideal — 300ml exceeds the TSA 100ml carry-on liquid limit. Decant into a smaller travel bottle for flights.
Frequently asked questions
FAQCaution. The formula doesn't contain retinoids, salicylic acid, or hydroquinone — all of which are the main pregnancy red flags. However, it does contain several essential oils (lavender, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus, citrus) and many OB-GYNs recommend avoiding essential-oil-heavy topicals during pregnancy. As a rinse-off product the systemic exposure is low, but we recommend consulting your doctor before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
No, this product is not fungal-acne safe. It contains several ingredients that can feed Malassezia yeast, including soybean oil, sunflower oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and tocopheryl linoleate. If you have confirmed fungal folliculitis, look for oil cleansers built on MCT (caprylic/capric triglyceride) or squalane alone — or use a non-oil cleanser.
Yes — because it's a rinse-off cleanser, it pairs safely with virtually any active. The PHA in this product sits at only 10 ppm (well below irritation threshold), so even sensitive skin can use it alongside retinol nights or AHA/BHA toners. For vitamin C, simply cleanse, dry your skin, and apply your serum as normal.
It's best suited to combination, oily, and mature skin that deals with blackheads, dullness, or clogged pores but doesn't tolerate strong AHA/BHA cleansers. Normal and mildly sensitive skin also do well with it. It's less ideal for very dry skin, highly reactive skin, or anyone dealing with fungal acne.
Immediately — you'll see makeup, SPF, and the day's grime rinse away after your first use, and skin will feel soft rather than tight. Visible smoothing and pore refinement usually appear after 2-4 weeks of daily evening use, and meaningful blackhead softening takes 4-8 weeks of consistent double-cleansing.
It's a Step 1 cleanser — always the first product in your PM routine (and ideally the first in a double-cleanse). Apply to dry skin, massage, emulsify with water, rinse, then follow with a gentle foam or gel cleanser, toner, serums, moisturizer, and SPF in the morning. Don't skip the second cleanse: oil cleansers need a water-based wash to fully clear residue.
We rate it 3/5 on the comedogenic scale based on ingredients alone — soybean oil, ethylhexyl palmitate, and jojoba oil all have mild-to-moderate comedogenic potential. However, this is a rinse-off product that is emulsified and washed away within 60 seconds, so the real-world clogging risk is low for most users. Always double-cleanse to make sure no residue remains on skin.
12 months after opening (PAO of 12M). With daily evening use of 1-2 pumps, the 300ml bottle typically lasts 3-4 months, so you should easily finish the bottle well before it expires. Keep the pump locked when not in use and store it out of direct sunlight to preserve the plant oils and antioxidants.
Verdict: Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil [PHA] is a gentle, well-emulsified K-beauty oil cleanser that earns its cult status for one reason — it cleans thoroughly without leaving skin tight or stripped, and the trace PHA helps keep congested skin looking smoother over time. The generous 300ml size is excellent value, and sensitive skin users appreciate that it skips AHA/BHA in favor of milder Gluconolactone. Keep in mind: the PHA dose is very low (10 ppm), the formula contains multiple essential oils that may irritate very reactive skin, and it's not fungal-acne safe. Choose this if you want a gentle, daily, pore-friendly first-cleanser — not if you need a one-step waterproof makeup remover or have malassezia concerns.
Product Overview
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 |
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
Irritation
Dark Spots
|
|
| 1 |
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning, Perfuming, Emollient, Fragrance
|
|
|
| 1 |
Triethylhexanoin
Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Antistatic Agent, Emollient, Masking, Refatting, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
|
|
|
| 3 |
PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Surfactant, Emulsifying
|
|
|
| 0 |
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
|
Hydrating
|






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