I've been using this cleanser for about 18 years. It takes longer to remove makeup than oil cleansers, but I feel like it cleanses gently. It also doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after washing. About seven or eight years ago, for reasons I can't remember, SK-2 had limited stock of this cleanser, and there was a purchase limit. During that time, I was forced to buy other cleansers, and tried several from other manufacturers, but none of them felt right. At that time, this cleanser felt like the only one that suited me. I often travel overseas for months at a time, and as a backpacker, I'm very selective about what I pack (especially liquids). I usually only bring the bare minimum of lotions and other items from MUJI, which are relatively easy to find locally, but this SK-2 cleanser is an essential item for me, and I always bring enough for each day I'll be traveling!