What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (2024)

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (1)

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The idea of using oil to clean your face might sound counterproductive, especially if you have oily skin, but spoiler alert: Everyone can benefit from adding a cleansing oil to their routine. "Think about it—oil attracts oil, so when you use it to cleanse, it acts like a magnet, gripping onto the excess sebum and grime on your skin, then washes away when you emulsify everything with water," says Greeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology. The practice of using oil to clean your skin isn't new; however, it's become more popular since double cleansing (the K-beauty method of using an oil-based formula before a traditional cream, gel, or foaming cleanser) started trending.

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Depending on your skin type, a cleansing oil may be the only cleansing step you need. One of its biggest benefits is that it leaves the skin hydrated. "I like cleansing oils because they're moisturizing, gentle on the skin, and excellent at breaking down stubborn makeup, even waterproof formulas, without causing irritation or stripping the skin of its natural oils," Yadav says.


The best way to use a cleansing oil is to apply it to dry skin and then massage for up to a minute to loosen and attract oils in the skin, says Kristine Keller, BABOR expert esthetician. "Next, moisten fingertips with cool water and massage the cleanser in circular motions until it forms a milky emulsion. Then, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water," she says. Look for non-comedogenic oils that aren't greasy so they don't leave behind a waxy residue or film. "Great oils include jojoba, rose hip, apricot kernel, and squalane," says Yadav. Ahead, we gathered some of our favorite cleansing oils. Give these a try:

1

Best Exfoliating

MARA Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (8)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (9)Gently exfoliates skin
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (10)It's pricey compared to other options on this list

Yadav loves this formula because it contains jojoba oil and fruit enzymes that gently exfoliate the skin. "The resurfacing and nourishing qualities of this formula leave your skin with an amazing glow," she says.

2

Best Non-Greasy

Elcientials The Double Cleanser

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (11)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (12)Milky lather
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (13)Removes waterproof makeup
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (14)Not available at popular retailers like Sephora or Ulta

If you can't resist a cleanser that suds, you'll love this formula that starts off as a oil and then turns into a milky lather when mixed with water. It contains soothing sweet almond, coconut, and hibiscus oils and gently removes waterproof makeup, dirt, and oils.

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Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (16)Soothing formula
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (17)Protects skin
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (18)It's pricey compared to other options on this list

When your skin needs a break from harsh ingredients, try this lightweight formula that contains soothing apricot kernel oil. Yadav likes it because it's rich in antioxidants and vitamins to protect the skin barrier and is great at breaking down makeup, she says.

4

Best for Makeup

MAC Hyper Real Fresh Canvas Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (19)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (20)Effectively removes makeup
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (21)It's a little runny

This cleansing oil leaves skin feeling silky smooth and easily breaks down makeup and thick SPF.

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5

Best Hydrating

Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (22)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (23)Very hydrating
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (24)Easily breaks down makeup and SPF
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (25)May be thick for oily skin types

Try this jelly-meets-oil cleanser, made with nine different oils, when you need to remove full-glam waterproof makeup or layers of SPF. It's heavy-duty but doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy.

6

Best for All Skin Types

Babor HY-ÖL

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (26)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (27)Doesn't leave behind a greasy residue
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (28)Best when used with the HY-ÖL booster, which is an additional cost

Keller describes the soap bark tree in this formula as a "dirt magnet" because it effectively cleanses without harsh scrubbing. It's also a water-soluble formula, making it "suitable for all skin types. And it maintains the barrier of the skin," she says.

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7

Best for Oily Skin

Erborian Black Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (29)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (30)Lightweight
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (31)It's a little messy

The charcoal in this formula helps purify the skin and control excess sebum production, making it ideal for oily skin types. It's also lightweight and leaves skin looking glowy.

8

Best Vegan

Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (32)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (33)Softening
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (34)May not be suitable for around the eyes

Made with sustainably sourced sugarcane-derived squalane, this nourishing oil softens the skin and boosts radiance while removing makeup and other impurities.

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9

Best Drugstore

Neutrogena Ultra-Light Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (35)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (36)Affordable
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (37)Contains fragrance

Finding a cleansing oil at the drugstore can be tricky, but this formula is a great go-to because it's lightweight, affordable, and non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn't clog pores.

10

Best Soothing

Sahajan Essential Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (38)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (39)Protects from environmental aggressors
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (40)Some reviewers don't like the smell

Using an oil to cleanse skin is a popular practice in India, which is why this formula features a rich blend of moringa, squalane, and rose oils traditionally praised in Ayurveda for their ability to clean, protect, and soothe the skin.

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11

Best Emulsifying

Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (41)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (42)Milky emulsifying formula
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (43)Contains fragrance

This cleansing oil emulsifies easily and doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. It's made with tangerine peel extract to remove impurities and apricot kernel oil to nourish.

12

Best for Sensitive Skin

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (44)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (45)Nourishing
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (46)It may feel greasy for oily skin

If you're already a fan of the brand's iconic Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, you'll love its cleansing oil version. The easy-to-glide formula removes makeup and impurities and is great for sensitive skin because it's made without common allergens, like fragrance, alcohol, parabens, or sulfates.

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13

Best Overall

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (47)

Why We Love It
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (48)Moisturizing
What to Consider
  • What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (49)May not be suitable for around the eyes

The organic olive oil in this formula moisturizes skin and makes it feel decadent. Vitamin E helps to soften and protect against free radical damage. All skin types can benefit from this formula, including sensitive.

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (50)

Genesis Rivas

Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok

What to Look for in a Cleansing Oil and the Best Ones to Shop (2024)

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