‘Oil’ is no longer a dirty word in the beauty world, with face and body oils alike being embraced as a viable and luxurious way to lock moisture into the skin. While cleansing oils are far from a new addition to the facial cleansing category, they’ve seen an increase in popularity over the past few years, with more and more people adopting the double cleansing method.
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While gel and foam cleansers certainly have their place (ideally as the second cleanse in a double cleanse routine), a cleansing oil is ideal for dissolving dirt, makeup, and sunscreen as a first cleanse. As oil attracts oil, oil cleansers are able to effortlessly cleanse the skin of surface impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oil or impairing your moisture barrier.
Without further ado, these are the best cleansing oils to try.
1. The Jojoba Company Jojoba Activating Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil teams The Jojoba Company’s hero Wadi-Wadi jojoba oil with vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil and mandarin essential oil, resulting in a rich formula that activates upon contact with water; forming a milky emulsion that removes makeup and impurities without stripping the skin.
2. Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil
A nourishing blend of castor seed, sunflower, black currant seed, and safflower oils come together with an array of botanicals like rosemary, liquorice, and black elderflower in the Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil, which works to soften and smoothen the skin as it cleanses.
3. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil
Perfect as part of a nighttime wind-down ritual, the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil uses nourishing squalane and evening primrose oil to remove the day, while the addition of lavender essential oil provides a calming dose of aromatherapy.
4. Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil
One of our go-to eco-friendly vegan skincare brands, the Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil stars Biossance’s signature plant-based squalane, teaming it with nourishing antioxidants to form a lightweight formula that effortlessly melts away makeup, sunscreen, and impurities, leaving skin feeling clean and hydrated.
5. Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil
Perfect for even the driest skin types, the Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil uses a fatty-acid rich blend of avocado, sweet almond, sunflower seed, rice bran, and macadamia oils to simultaneously cleanse and nourish the skin. Combined with Aesop’s irresistible herbaceous scent, it’s a winning formula.
6. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil Regular
Until recently, finding a cleansing oil at the supermarket or drugstore was no easy feat. However, the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil Regular fits the bill with its dermatologically-tested, non-comedogenic formula.
7. Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
Suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, the Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil works to strengthen the skin’s defence barrier while it cleanses, using a restorative blend of moringa, seed, safflower, and olive oils as well as vitamin E and omega-6.
8. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil
A luxurious formula, the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil utilises a nutrient-rich blend of apricot, safflower, and olive oils to effortlessly dissolve even the most long-wearing makeup. It emulsions into a milky cleanser upon contact with water and rinses off easily, without leaving any residue behind.
9. Clarins Total Cleansing Oil
Ideal for dry skin, this silky-smooth formula is enriched with alpine herbs like gentian and lemon balm from Domaine Clarins, working to cleanse your complexion of pollutants and makeup as a first cleanse. The addition of a unique Clarins microbiote complex helps balance the skin’s flora and promotes overall skin health.
10. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil
The aptly named Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil does exactly what its name suggests, dissolving impurities and makeup thanks to its powerful, glycerin-infused oil formula. A single pump of this hardworking, fragrance-free formula is enough to remove even the most stubborn eye makeup and long-wearing foundation.
11. La Mer The Cleansing Oil
All cleansing oils feel pretty indulgent, but trust La Mer to take the cake. This cleansing oil iteration incorporates La Mer’s famous miracle broth, combining it with precious marine oils, white pearl powder, and tourmaline, to provide a thorough cleanse while energising the skin. Plus, it’s shimmery.
FAQ
While traditional cleansing gels, foams, and creams are typically applied to wet skin, oil cleansers work best applied on dry skin. To use an oil cleanser or cleansing oil, apply to dry skin and massage the oil into your skin for 30 seconds to a minute. Then, add water and continue to massage your skin in circular motions. The oil cleanser will start to later into a milky emulsion; continue to work it into your skin for another 30 seconds before rinsing off.
Words by Arabella Johnson
