The third piece of Shangpree's S-Energy trio is, somewhat confusingly, a cleanser that behaves nothing like the watery toner and emulsion it shares a name with. The S-Energy Cleansing Gel is an oil-based cleansing gel, a makeup-and-sunscreen-dissolving first cleanse rather than a foaming face wash, and understanding that upfront saves a lot of confusion. Its job is to melt away the day, mascara, SPF, sebum, grime, by dissolving like with like, then rinse off (ideally followed by a second, water-based cleanse). It's the 'remove' bookend to a routine whose other S-Energy steps are about adding hydration back.
The formula is built around emulsifying oils and esters rather than soap. Olive oil PEG-7 esters lead, a gentle, water-rinsable olive-derived cleansing agent, supported by cetyl ethylhexanoate and isopropyl myristate as dissolving emollients and cyclopentasiloxane plus dimethicone for slip and to help lift silicone-based makeup and sunscreen. Panthenol adds a soothing, conditioning note so the cleanse doesn't leave skin stripped, and the now-familiar S-Energy cast appears again: baikal skullcap callus culture and the aromatic herbal-and-rosewood blend that ties the line together by scent. It's a simple, oil-cleanser-style formula with a spa fragrance signature.
In use, it does the oil-cleanse job smoothly. Massaged onto dry or slightly damp skin, the gel slips over the face and dissolves makeup and sunscreen with minimal effort, then emulsifies into a milky wash when you add water and rinses away without a heavy greasy film. Skin is left clean but not tight, with the conditioning esters and panthenol keeping it comfortable, exactly what you want from a first cleanse. The herbal aroma makes the step feel like the opening of a spa ritual, consistent with the brand's whole pitch.
A few caveats are partly format, partly formula. As an oil-style cleanser it's best used as the first step of a double cleanse, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen; on its own it may not leave the skin as thoroughly clean as some prefer. The silicones and oils mean it's not fungal-acne-safe, and the aromatic herbal-and-rosewood blend is, once again, a sensitization risk for reactive or fragrance-sensitive skin, a recurring theme across the whole S-Energy line that genuinely sensitive users should weigh. It's also worth noting the cleanser rinses away, so the soothing extras have limited contact time and are more about feel than function.
And, as with its siblings, the brand-and-price reality applies. This is a competent oil-cleansing gel, but oil cleansers are a crowded, well-served category at every price point, and the formula here isn't doing anything a good mid-range cleansing oil or balm doesn't. You're paying a Shangpree premium for the spa pedigree, the scent, and the cohesion of using the matched S-Energy steps together. For someone committed to the full line that cohesion has real appeal; as a standalone cleanser, the value is harder to argue.
On value specifically, it's a pleasant but premium-priced first cleanser. It removes makeup and sunscreen effectively and leaves skin comfortable, which is all a cleanser needs to do, but those are table stakes met by far cheaper products. Its strongest case is as the 'remove' step that completes the S-Energy ritual in the brand's signature scent; bought purely on cleansing performance per dollar, it doesn't stand out. As ever with this line, the question is how much you value the experience.
Where it lands: the S-Energy Cleansing Gel is a gentle, effective oil-style cleansing gel best used as the first step of a double cleanse to dissolve makeup and sunscreen, leaving skin clean but comfortable. It suits most skin types as a remover, but fungal-acne-concerned and fragrance-sensitive skin should be cautious of the oils, silicones, and aromatic blend, and value shoppers should know the premium buys the brand and the ritual more than any cleansing advantage.
A couple of practical notes. Use it on dry skin first for the most effective makeup breakdown, massage for thirty seconds or so, then wet your hands and keep massaging to emulsify before rinsing with lukewarm water; follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to finish. Avoid getting it directly in the eyes even though it removes eye makeup well, and as with the rest of the line, patch test if your skin reacts to fragranced or essential-oil-containing products. Used as the opening 'remove' step before the toner and emulsion, it completes a coherent, spa-scented S-Energy routine from cleanse to seal. For newcomers to double cleansing, the logic is worth a line: an oil-based step like this removes what water can't, makeup, SPF, and sebum, while a follow-up water-based cleanser clears sweat, dirt, and any residue, and the two together leave skin properly clean without the tightness of over-washing. Used that way this gel pulls its weight, and the conditioning esters mean even oily-leaning skin won't feel parched afterward. The one habit to build is emulsifying thoroughly: add water and keep massaging until the gel turns milky before you rinse, which is what stops any oily film from lingering. Skip that and even a good cleansing oil can feel like it left something behind; do it properly and this one rinses clean every time.
