MA:NYO (manyo): the Korean brand behind the Pure Cleansing Oil

If you're interested in Korean double cleansing, you may have come across the name manyo. At the heart of this Korean brand is a single bottle: a cleansing oil that melts makeup, turns into milk on contact with water and rinses off without leaving a greasy film. It has sold more than 20 million bottles.

But MA:NYO doesn't stop at makeup removal. Behind the oil is a real skincare range, built around fermented ingredients and gentle formulas. In this guide, we explain where the brand comes from, what's in its main products, how to find your way through its lines and, above all, where to start for your skin.

The story of manyo, “the witch's workshop”

It all began in March 2012 in Seoul, with the founding of the company 마녀공장, “Manyeo Gongjang”. Word for word, it means “the witch's factory”: “manyeo” (魔女) means witch and “gongjang” factory. In English, it's written Manyo Factory, and on the bottles simply MA:NYO. The image is deliberate: like the witch in fairy tales who chooses her ingredients to brew her potions, the brand wants to select the best actives for the skin.

The product at the heart of its success is the Pure Cleansing Oil. According to the Korean business press, it carried the whole company, all the way to its stock market listing. Its success is such that in August 2025 the brand announced it had passed 20 million bottles sold. In 2026, it was also chosen by Marie Claire readers in the cleansing oil category of its Readers’ Choice Awards.

At the same time, the company grew. It joined the Seoul stock exchange (KOSDAQ) on June 8, 2023 and developed other brands alongside MA:NYO, like Our Vegan (a 100% vegan line) or Banilla Boutique (scented body care). In 2025, a Korean investment fund, KL&Partners, took control of it.

Internationally, MA:NYO has set up in Japan, where you'll find it on Qoo10 and in Don Quijote stores. In Korea, it's sold at Olive Young, and in the United States on Amazon. As of mid-October 2026, we have around fifty MA:NYO products on sale, from cleansing oils to sheet masks. On some bottles, like those of the Pure Soybean and Glutathione 7 lines, you'll see the name written “manyo”, without the colon: it's the same brand.

The MA:NYO philosophy: good ingredients, no cheating

On its Korean website, the brand sums up its vision in one sentence: “good ingredients don't deceive the skin”. Its slogan, “Everyday magic for your skin”, and the words “endless hunger for ingredients” printed on its bottles point the same way. In practice:

• One main ingredient per line: soybean, galactomyces, bifida, panthenol, glutathione… The name of the line tells you right away what's inside.
• Lots of fermented ingredients, chosen for the comfort and radiance they bring to the skin.
• Gentle formulas: the brand says it designs low-irritation products, also intended for sensitive skin.
• A simple idea: the “magic” is skin regaining its own strength. No miracle promises, just steps that are easy to keep up every day.

Key ingredients of MA:NYO

Each MA:NYO line revolves around one main ingredient. Here are the ones to know before you choose.

Soybean, at the heart of the cleansing oil

The new version of the Pure Cleansing Oil is called Pure Soybean. On the official website, wild soybean oil (Korean “dolkong”) tops the ingredient list, along with other plant oils and fermented soybean extracts. Soybean gives its name to the whole cleansing line, from the Pure Soybean Cleansing Oil to the Pure Soybean cleansing milk.

Galactomyces, for radiance

Galactomyces is a ferment derived from a yeast. It's valued for smoothing skin texture and giving a more luminous complexion. MA:NYO often pairs it with niacinamide in its Galactomy line, as in the Galactomy Niacin Essence, which has been in its range for a long time.

Bifida, for the skin barrier

Bifida (Bifida Ferment Lysate) is another fermented ingredient. It helps strengthen the skin barrier and keep skin comfortable. It's the pillar of the Bifida line, from the Bifida Biome Complex ampoule to the Bifida Cica Herb serum, which adds centella.

Panthenol, for tight-feeling skin

Panthenol (provitamin B5) helps skin stay supple and hydrated. Paired with ceramides, it forms the Panthetoin line, the one for dry and sensitized skin, like the Panthetoin Cream.

Centella and heartleaf, to soothe

Centella asiatica (cica) and heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) are two plants widely used for sensitive skin in Korea. They help reduce the look of redness. You'll find them in the Bifida Cica Herb toner and in the Our Vegan vegan line.

Glutathione, the 2026 newcomer

Glutathione is the brand's new card: it's the active in the Glutathione 7 line, launched in 2026 and featured on its official website. It helps fade the appearance of dark spots and even out the complexion, as in the Glutathione 7 Dark Spot Serum.

MA:NYO lines to know

Which MA:NYO for your skin?

Pick your need: we give you our favorite product, plus two others to round it out.

A complete MA:NYO routine, morning and evening

Morning

1. CleanseThe Pure & Deep Cleansing Foam, lathered between your hands, then rinse with lukewarm water.
2. ToneThe Galactomy Clearskin Toner, patted in with your hands or with a cotton pad.
3. SerumA few drops of Bifida Biome Complex ampoule.
4. MoisturizeThe Galactomy Essence Cream, or the Panthetoin Cream if your skin is dry.
5. ProtectThe Vegan Foundation-Free Sun Cream Moisture SPF 50+, even when it's cloudy.

Evening

1. Remove makeupThe Pure Soybean Cleansing Oil on dry skin, then emulsify with a little water before rinsing.
2. CleanseThe Pure & Deep Cleansing Foam to finish the double cleanse.
3. ExfoliateThe Galactomy Enzyme Peeling Gel, only 1 to 2 evenings a week.
4. Targeted careThe Glutathione 7 Dark Spot Serum for dark spots, or the Bifida Cica Herb Serum if your skin is sensitive.
5. NourishThe V.Collagen Heart Fit Cream or the Panthetoin Cream to finish.

Our tips for using MA:NYO

• Apply the oil to dry skin, with dry hands: 2 to 3 pumps, and massage for a good minute to melt your makeup.
• Don't skip the emulsifying step: add a little lukewarm water and the oil turns milky. That's what lets it rinse off without leaving a greasy film.
• Focus on the nose and chin, where blackheads settle, with small circular movements.
• One new product at a time: wait one to two weeks before adding another, and test it first on a small area.
• Exfoliate, yes, but not every evening: a peeling gel or pads once or twice a week is enough.
• Sunscreen is a must as soon as you use dark spot products or exfoliants.

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FAQ about manyo

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Jihyun, team Ma Petite Corée