ILSO Super Melting Sebum Softener

Where I got it

I have been shopping for Korean cosmetics lately and this is my first time purchasing from OliveYoung. OliveYoung is quite big in Korea so I feel safe to purchase from them and the overall experience was very good. Email notifications and shipping information was clear and shipping from Korea to New Zealand was under 2 weeks. The softener set with the free cotton pads (40) was USD $23 and the Deep Clean Master set was USD $10.44.

What I got

I bought the ILSO Super Melting Sebum Softener and the Deep Clean Master Set.

Super Melting Sebum Softener (150ml). Introducing the Sebum Softener, a game-changer in sebum care, inspired by the power of our iconic Nose Patch. This innovative product melts away stubborn sebum, leaving your pores undeniably clean and refreshed.

Featured ingredients:

• Fruit Powerhouse: Infused with Malus Domestica, Prunus Mume, and Papaya extracts, this formula gently nudges sebum into circulation, preventing it from becoming a stubborn clog.
• Enzyme Boost: Papain, a natural enzyme, works like a tiny bulldozer, breaking down and dissolving sebum for a smoother, clearer complexion.
• Grapefruit Glow: This revitalizing extract adds a touch of acidity, mimicking your skin’s natural pH to dissolve sebum without irritation.
Sebum Remove Complex: The Core Expertise:
• Squalane & Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract: This dynamic duo forms a protective shield, preventing sebum from oxidizing and turning into dark, stubborn plugs.
• Alkaline Advantage: Our carefully balanced formula gently dissolves sebum, mimicking the natural cleansing power of your skin.

Ingredients: Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract, White Willow Bark Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Phytosterols, Ethylhexylglycerin, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Panthenol, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Squalane, Glucose, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Papain, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Madecassoside, Citric Acid, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract

Deep Clean Master Set. No.1 ranked sebum control product in Olive Young. Use deep clean master to easily take care of wide areas. The dual extrusion cotton swab allows gentle pressing of detailed areas. Deeply cleanse blackheads, dead skin cells, sebum, and impurities by using it with various cosmetics. It is easy to grip and hold with a convenient grip design. It is lightweight and can be easily used for daily use without burdening the wrist. It is suitable for those who want to gently remove sebum after using nose packs, easily cleanse hard-to-remove wash-off packs, and tidy up dead skin cells and impurities while cleansing.

How I find it

First of all, you do not need the deep clean master to be able to use the sebum softener, you can use something like a spoon or cotton buds, etc. However, I would highly suggest getting it because it is so easy to grip, it is a good size to get to the sides of the nose and it even has a silicone cover to keep it nice and clean.

The cotton sheets are cut to small size but I like to cut this even smaller or cut in areas to fit the shape of my nose. The material of the cotton sheet is a not absorbent so you do not need a lot of solution to saturate the pad. For the forehead area, I like to cut it into a V-shape to fit between my brows.

Ok, let’s have a look at the sebum softener.

After cleansing, I like to wipe my skin with a toner pad and keep it on my face to keep it from getting too dry while I use the softener.  I saturate the cotton sheet with the sebum softener solution. Place it on the area you want to melt sebum – nose, forehead, or chin area. Then wait for 10 minutes for the sebum to melt. I find it crucial to leave it for the required time so that the blackheads and sebum is thoroughly softened and easily removed without force.

When ready, peel off the cotton sheet and then use the cotton buds to gently push the sebum and blackheads out. The puds are black to make the removal of the sebum very dramatic. Use the deep clean master (I’ll call it the tool), to gently scrape the surface and a little gentle pressure may be used to stubborn blackheads. The first few times it might be a little difficult to remove long-time blackheads or congestion, but as you have used it a few times, the blocked pores will be softened gradually and eventually your pores will not accumulate so much dead skin that it will be difficult to remove. The most satisfying part is the sides of my nose because the tool curves perfectly to get around the crevices.

Here you can see my results… My first time using this I did get some good results, but I wasn’t able to remove everything, especially the stubborn blackheads. I kept using this every week to slowly remove stubborn congestion and keep my pores clean.

Overall

I love this product and this is the only one of this kind I have in my stock and I know I will keep using this and keep repurchasing until I try something similar. The weekly session keeps my pores clean and prevents build-up of sebum and dead skin cells. I would use a pore-care serum (BHA acid) after each session and a calming serum or cream afterwards because even with gentle pressure, it can cause a little trauma to the area.