The Oil Cleansing Method For Clear Skin + 15 Cleansing Oils To Consider

The Oil Cleansing Method is a skin care regimen that I wish I learned about years ago.

Popular for gently cleansing skin, deep cleaning pores and even credited for healing acne, oil cleansing is a cleansing technique that can be done by every skin type and just might change how you wash your face forever.

Oil cleansing is also the first step in the double cleansing method, which I’ll be explaining in this post as well.

So if you’ve always wondered how to oil cleanse, double cleanse, which oils are right for your skin type and 15 awesome oil cleansers you can browse based on your skin type so you can try this method out for yourself.

*this post contains affiliate links and some items have been gifted*

 

What Is The Oil Cleansing Method?

Oil cleansing is a regimen by which you cleanse your face or body using oil-based cleansers. Oils have incredible healing, nourishing and soothing properties and are quite absorbent of other oils, which is probably not what you would expect.

Oil cleansers have been found to:

-efficiently remove makeup and sunscreens

-soothe red, irritated or inflamed skin

-deep clean pores to remove blackheads/whiteheads

-lift excess sebum (oil) that can trigger acne

-gently clean all skin types without damaging the skin’s natural lipid barrier

-lock in moisture and keep skin balanced

If you use an oil-based cleanser at night to remove your makeup or SPF, you are already following the oil cleansing method. Washing your face with a cleansing oil and then performing a second cleanse with an oil-free cleanser afterwards is what is referred to as double-cleansing.

Can Oily Skin Types Follow The Oil Cleansing Method?

Yes! If you have oily skin, the thought of washing your face with an oil probably terrifies you, right??

But consider this: according to dermatologists, oil cleansing can be great for blemished, oily or acne prone skin because of the “like-dissolves-like” concept, whereby plant-based oils effectively dissolve the natural oils on our skin that have solidified and then clog up our pores. 

Once the oil cleanser breaks down the hardened oils on our skin, everything is easily lifted away when the cleanser is wiped off with a damp face cloth. This concept is why oil cleansing can be a great way to reduce blackheads, whiteheads and acne.

In addition, a good oil cleanser should leave your skin feeling soft and clean, not oily or greasy – just be sure to pick the right one for your skin type.

 

How To Choose The Right Cleansing Oil For You

There are a ton of awesome pre-formulated cleansing oil options out there, from drugstore to high end, which are geared towards different skin types and needs. I highly recommend using pre-made oil cleansers – which have been designed and tested for use on skin – rather than throwing random oils from your kitchen onto your face.

But which one oil cleanser should you choose? If you suffer from acne or clogged pores, choose an oil cleanser that is non-comedogenic and is made with grapeseed, argan and lavender oils. If you have dry skin, select cleansers with heavier oils, like avocado, jojoba or sunflower oil.

Sensitive skin types can benefit from oil cleansers made with calming oils, such as camellia or rosemary oils and formulas that are fragrance free. Ultimately, it could take some trial and error to find the best oil cleanser that your skin most enjoys, because every skin is different.

 

How To Cleanse With Oil (single and double cleansing)

1. Read the instructions for the cleansing oil first – some cleansers are designed to be massaged onto wet skin while others are best applied to dry skin.
2. Apply one or two pumps of the cleansing oil into the palm of your hands (most come in a bottle with a pump).
3. Rub the oil between your palms and then apply and massage the oil onto your dry face, unless otherwise instructed as per cleanser instructions.
4. Tip: If you are looking to remove blackheads or congestion, place a warm washcloth on your face for about five minutes before oil cleansing to prep skin and then apply and massage the oil onto your face.
5. Use a damp washcloth to gently wipe the oil from your face. Rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove any leftover oil (unless you prefer to leave some behind – a great option for dry or irritated skin types).
6. You can stop here, or follow up with an oil-free cleanser – like a foaming cleanser – to remove all traces of oil from your skin (known as the double cleansing method). Be sure to choose an oil-free cleanser that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight or dry afterwards.

RELATED READING: Why I Ditched My Foaming Cleanser

 

What To Expect After Oil Cleansing

If you are using a good cleansing oil, your face should feel soft, but not overly oily or greasy after you finish oil cleansing. I personally love how soft and supple my skin feels after a good oil cleanse, but again, you can always choose to double cleanse by following up with an oil-free cleanser afterwards.

Many acne sufferers have claimed that oil cleansing has helped reduce their acne and blemishes; however, if you find that you are experiencing more blemishes or acne while oil cleansing for more than two weeks, consider changing to a lighter oil cleanser or stopping altogether.

 

How Often Can You Oil Cleanse?

Depending on your skin type and its needs, you can oil cleanse up to twice a day. Oilier skin types will most likely benefit from oil cleansing only at night before bed, while drier skin types may prefer to oil cleanse in the morning to give their skin some extra nourishment for the day, especially in drier weather.

How often you oil cleanse is honestly up to you and the preferences of your skin, as well as the formula of the oil cleanser you are using.

 

Why Some People Claim “The Oil Cleansing Method Ruined My Skin”

Some people have tried oil cleansing and claim that it ruined their skin because they were either too shiny afterwards or had serious breakouts. Again, it’s possible that the oils selected were not the best for the skin type involved and aggravated existing conditions. In other cases, breakouts could occur due to purging, which can occur for some people when they try new skin care products and can last a few weeks until the skin gets used to the product. If continual purging occurs, you may need to consider double cleansing to remove all the oil from the skin (e.g. oil cleanse first, the follow up with a foaming cleanser to remove anything left behind).

And at the end of the day, we also have to accept that not everyone will have a positive response to a skin care product or method. Unfortunately, even after picking out the “right” oil cleanser, there will always be some skin types that just don’t tolerate oil cleansing and that’s ok! It’s not a one size fits all solution.

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 15 Awesome Cleansing Oils To Browse

Purito From Green Cleansing Oil

The Purito From Green Cleansing Oil is made with five natural essential oils, including olive oil, jojoba seed oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. The brand promotes it as a “clean” skin care product (if you’re into that thing) and boasts that their oil does not include mineral oil, linalool, artificial fragrance, polyethylene glycol and ethanol. It’s also cruelty free and vegan.

I received this cleansing oil as a free sample from the brand and loved how well it destroyed my makeup from the day and rinsed away clean.

RELATED READING: 25 Asian Beauty Brands You Need to Know About

The Body Shop Chamomile Silky Cleansing Oil

I love The Body Shop’s Chamomile Cleansing Butter (reviewed here) so I had to add the pure oil version to this list. Made with soothing chamomile to calm skin, this oil emulsifies when mixed with water to bust through SPF, makeup and oil using soybean oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower seed oil and sesame seed oil. This cleansing oil is scented, so I suggest staying away from it if you are sensitive to added fragrances in your skin care.

BUY IT: THE BODY SHOP

 

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Made with olive oil, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is targeted to dry skin types looking for a gentle cleanser that will leave skin soft and nourished. This cleansing oil is a cult favourite and has 8,500+ positive ratings on Amazon confirming that the colorant and fragrance free formula rinses away clean. 

BUY IT: AMAZON

 

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

This cruelty free Korean oil cleanser is made with natural oils extracted from Black Bean which the brand claims are effective in oil control and skin soothing. Black Sesame has antioxidant properties while Black Currant Seed is rich in minerals and vitamins. 

BUY IT: AMAZON

Iunik Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil

The Iunik Cleansing Oil has been on my wish list for a while now – it always has great reviews! Formulated with 94% natural oils, like calendula extract, it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals and ingredients that can cause skin irritations and breakouts. 

BUY IT: AMAZON 

 

Hadalabo Gokujun Cleansing Oil

This unscented cleansing oil comes from Japanese skin care brand Hadalabo and is recommended by YouTube’s infamous derm Dr. Dray herself. This cleansing oil is made with olive oil, jojoba oil (which are both antioxidant rich and well tolerated by oily skin types) as well as hyaluronic acid to boost hydration. 

BUY IT: AMAZON

 

Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

The Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil is targeted to dry to normal skin types and uses 8 plant-derived oils and extracts to clean and nourish the skin. It’s vegan and cruelty free and also received the Clean at Sephora rating if that floats your boat. 

BUY IT: SEPHORA

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Cleansing Balm

This balm from Paula’ Choice is a new release for the brand and comes in an easy to use squeeze tube (as it’s a balm, not a liquid). The balm itself is cruelty free, fragrance free and super thick and luxe. It can be massaged into wet or dry skin and removes SPF, makeup, dirt and oil for a smooth, residue-free finish. The main ingredients are jojoba oil and meadowfoam seed oils that nourish skin without damaging the sensitive moisture barrier and has been a recent fave of mine.

BUY IT: PAULA’S CHOICE | SEPHORA | NORDSTROM

Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil

The Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil is grapeseed oil based to nourish and balance skin while deep cleaning pores and is readily found on your drugstore shelves for about $8USD.

BUY IT: AMAZON

Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil

Neutrogena’s cleansing oil includes mineral oil, along with glycerin to remove impurities on the skin without leaving any greasiness or residue behind. Another drugstore staple, it’s readily available in store or online.  It does contain a light fragrance.

BUY IT: AMAZON

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

Kiehl’s cleansing oil contains squalane, Evening Primrose and lavender essential oil to cleanse away the day’s buildup while soothing redness and irritation. Recommended for normal to dry skin types who don’t mind fragranced skin care. 

BUY IT: AMAZONKlairs Fresh Black Cleansing Oil 

This cleansing oil is targeted to oily/combination skin types and promises to melt away dirt and oil for a clean, hydrated complexion. This vegan, cruelty free cleansing oil destroys my makeup each night with just one pump and gently removes eye makeup without stinging my eyes.

It’s also fragrance free and made with natural oils like sunflower oil, jojoba seed oil, grape seed oil and Black Currant oil to cleanse and moisturize skin. The oil is super lightweight and always washes away without any residue left over.

BUY IT: AMAZON

Malin + Goetz Facial Cleansing Oil

This cleansing oil uses a blend of fatty-acid based essential oils that emulsify with water into a gentle milk to thoroughly cleanse skin and rinse away residue-free. Grapeseed, avocado and olive oils hydrate and purify while lavender and eucalyptus calm and balance. Chamomile, vitamins a and e condition and soften, especially drier or more sensitive skin types. 

BUY IT: SPACENK

THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil

THE FACE SHOP is a Korean skin care brand that strives for all natural ingredients and no animal testing, so the inclusion of rice water, Moringa oil and Soapwart in the ingredients list should come as no surprise.  Made without mineral oil, the Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil promises to keep skin happy and hydrated while removing all impurities. As a bonus, the rice bran oil is claimed to brighten skin. 

This oil cleanser is fragranced, so stay clear if scents bother your nose or your skin. 

BUY IT: AMAZON

Dermalogica PreCleanse Cleansing Oil

This vegan, plant-based cleansing oil from Dermalogica is made with olive, sunflower seed oil, rice bran oil, safflower seed oil and kukui oil to remove the day’s dirt and grime from your skin. It’s vegan, cruelty free and fragrance free too.

BUY IT: NORDSTROM | ULTA

If you’re looking to remove dirt and oil that can clog up your pores and ruin your complexion, or you just want to use a more soothing, nourishing cleanser for your skin, the oil cleansing method might be just what your skin has been looking for!