So, My Makeup Wipes Betrayed Me
Listen, I was a loyal makeup wipe user. Like, “buy in bulk from Costco” loyal. One night, after binge-watching three episodes of some true crime documentary, I dragged a wipe across my face and my skin just… screamed. Red, tight, angry. It was the final straw. I went down a TikTok rabbit hole about double cleansing and landed on this West&Month Citrus Cleansing Oil. The promise of “gentle” and “moisturizing” while taking off my stubborn waterproof mascara sounded like a dream. Honestly, I was skeptical. Oil? On my combo, sometimes-sensitive skin? This could go so wrong.
First Impressions & That Smell
The bottle is nice, feels substantial. But the real star when you pump it out? The scent. It’s not fake, sugary citrus. It’s like a faint, fresh orange peel. Not overwhelming at all, but just really pleasant. It feels like a little spa moment, which, after a long day, I’ll take. The texture is a light oil, not thick or gloopy. I followed the instructions: dry hands, dry face, two pumps. I massaged it in, and I gotta say, watching my foundation and blush just melt away is deeply satisfying. My waterproof eyeliner dissolved into a smokey eye mess in about 10 seconds of gentle rubbing. No harsh tugging.
Here’s The Thing About Rinsing
This is where some cleansing oils fail for me. They leave a weird film. The West&Month one rinses cleanly with lukewarm water. It emulsifies into a milky lather and just washes away. My face afterward doesn’t feel stripped. It doesn’t feel like I need to sprint to put moisturizer on. It just feels… clean. And soft. That “comfortable, non-irritating” claim in the description? Yeah, they nailed it. My post-wipe redness hasn’t made an appearance since I switched.
Okay, Let’s Talk Pores & The One Little Gripe
The “pore cleansing” part. I don’t think it magically shrunk my pores (nothing does, let’s be real). But my pores look cleaner. Less… congested. My nose area feels smoother. I follow it with a gentle water-based cleanser, and my skin just seems happier overall.
Now for the downside, because nothing’s perfect. The price. At around $34, it’s not the cheapest option out there. A bottle lasts me about two months with nightly use, so the cost-per-use isn’t wild, but the upfront cost gave me pause. I made a quick comparison chart for you lazy folks (I am also lazy, so I get it).
| What | West&Month Oil | My Old Makeup Wipes |
|---|---|---|
| Price Point | $$ ($34/bottle) | $ (Cheap bulk pack) |
| Makeup Removal | Effortless, dissolves everything | Tugging, often needed 2 wipes |
| Skin Feel After | Clean, soft, not tight | Clean but often dry/irritated |
| Experience | Pleasant, almost spa-like | A chore |
Worth It? My Final Take
If you’re still scrubbing with wipes or a makeup remover that leaves your skin feeling tight, I really think you should try an oil cleanser. And this West&Month one is a fantastic place to start. It’s gentle, it works incredibly well, and it actually makes cleansing something I don’t dread. Is it a life-changing miracle? No. But it’s a really, really good product that does exactly what it says. The price is the only thing keeping me from giving it a full 5 stars. But for the health of my skin? Yeah, I’ll probably repurchase.
My skin feels balanced. My makeup comes off without a fight. And that little hit of citrus scent is a nice bonus. Honestly, my only regret is not switching from wipes sooner.
