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The best oil cleansers for your skin

by Aaron|August 22, 2024
Bottles of oil cleanser from PCA Skin, Eminence, Avene and Elemis on a light pink background

The phrase “like dissolves like” from chemistry class applies to skin care too. Oil dissolves oil, which means oil cleansers for the face and body can be an effective way to dissolve oil-based makeup and rid your skin of excess oil, dirt and debris. Oil based cleansers—also called cleansing oils—are also a great choice for double cleansing, a popular skin care technique that involves washing your face twice for an extra-thorough cleanse. Ready to give oil cleansers a try? We’ve spelled out everything you need to know about eight of the best oil cleansers from some of our favorite dermatologist-approved brands.

11 of the best oil cleansers for face and body

Laura Mercier Conditioning Cleansing Oil

Laura Mercier Conditioning Cleansing Oil

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Seven natural oils combine to create this oil-based conditioning makeup remover, including borage seed, kukui nut, macadamia, safflower, moringa seed, starflower and damask rose oils.

How to use: Apply a small amount of this cleansing oil to your dry face and massage gently. Next, add warm water to help dissolve any lingering traces of makeup and dirt before rinsing thoroughly.

Good to know: This nourishing cleansing oil helps bring moisture in your skin up to an optimal level, making it one of the best oil cleansers for dry skin.

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

Where to use: Face and body

Key ingredients: La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, niacinamide and sustainably sourced shea butter from Burkina Faso in West Africa leave skin feeling soft and moisturized.

How to use: Dispense a pump of cleansing oil into your hands and lather it up before applying to wet skin. After massaging with your hands to cleanse, rinse thoroughly.

Good to know: This oil based cleanser is suitable for the whole family to use, including babies as young as two weeks old.

Eminence Organics Stone Crop Cleansing Oil

Eminence Organics Stone Crop Cleansing Oil

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Nourishing sunflower oil and jojoba oil combine with extract of stone crop, a succulent that is known for its hydrating properties.

How to use: Apply a small amount of this cleansing oil to your skin and neck and gently massage with your fingertips. Next, wet your face to emulsify the cleansing oil, and then rinse.

Good to know: If you prefer skin care made with organic ingredients, this is one of the best cleansing oils for you. Eminence Organics grows many of its ingredients, including organic stone crop, at the Eminence Certified Organic Farm in Hungary, about three hours outside of Budapest.

Avene XeraCalm AD Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

Avene XeraCalm AD Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil

Where to use: Face, body and scalp

Key ingredients: Avene Thermal Spring Water soothes skin with trace minerals while jojoba seed oil provides moisturizing benefits and I-Modulia, a postbiotic complex, calms skin itching.

How to use: In the shower, you can lather up this cleansing oil before applying it to your skin and rinsing. To use it as a bath oil, you can pour five pumps of cleanser into running water.

Good to know: One of the best cleansing oils for sensitive skin, this gentle formula can be used for all ages, including newborns.

Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil Duo

Mad Hippie Cleansing Oil Duo

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Organic safflower oil helps soften skin while antioxidant-rich ginger and vitamin C work together to help even out skin tone.

How to use: After massaging this oil onto dry skin, dampen a washcloth with warm water and drape it over your face until it cools, then gently wipe the remaining oil off.

Good to know: This set features two bottles of cleansing oil (two ounces each), so you can keep one at home and one in your gym bag. You may also have a replacement ready and waiting in your cabinet when you run out.

ISDIN Isdinceutics Essential Cleansing Oil-Based makeup Remover & Hydrating Cleanser

ISDIN Isdinceutics Essential Cleansing Oil-Based makeup Remover & Hydrating Cleanser

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Sunflower seed and olive oils form the cleansing oil base of this formula while vitamin E provides an additional skin-soothing boost.

How to use: Use dry hands to spread two or three pumps of cleansing oil to your dry face, keeping eyes closed as you gently massage eyelids and eyelashes to remove ]eye makeup](https://www.lovelyskin.com/c/eyes-shop-by-product-type-makeup ). Apply a bit of lukewarm water and massage to emulsify the oil before rinsing.

Good to know: This facial cleansing oil removes even the most stubborn waterproof makeup and also protects your skin’s moisture barrier as it cleanses.

EVE LOM Cleansing Oil Capsules

EVE LOM Cleansing Oil Capsules

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: A wide variety of oils—grapeseed, eucalyptus, hops, clove, camelina and Abyssinian oils—team up to rinse away all traces of makeup.

How to use: Twist open a single-use capsule and squeeze out the cleansing oil into a dry palm before massaging onto your dry face in circular motions. Rinse with warm water and you’re done!

Good to know: This oil cleanser’s single-use capsules are biodegradable and travel-friendly.

PCA SKIN Daily Cleansing Oil

PCA SKIN Daily Cleansing Oil

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Grapeseed, sweet almond, soybean and eucalyptus oils team up with hydrating glycerin in this gentle yet effective cleansing oil.

How to use: Start by massaging onto dry skin with dry hands before adding water to emulsify this cleanser into a lather, then rinse.

Good to know: This facial cleansing oil contains antioxidants and fatty acids to help fight free radical damage that can lead to premature aging.

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Sweet almond, jojoba, eucalyptus, orange, lavender and coconut oils combine with skin-smoothing shea butter in this oil cleanser with a silky balm texture.

How to use: Scoop out a bit of cleansing balm with your fingers and warm it in the palm of your hand until it melts, then smooth onto your face and massage for up to two minutes. Remove with a washcloth moistened with warm water.

Good to know: In addition to the original formula, this cult-favorite oil based cleanser comes in other scents such as rose, green fig, summer bloom and unscented. It’s also one of the best oil cleansers for acne when used as part of a double cleanse with a water-based cleanser such as LovelySkin LUXE Exfoliating Gel Cleanser.

Dermalogica Oil to Foam Total Cleanser

Dermalogica Oil to Foam Total Cleanser

Where to use: Face

Key ingredients: Sea buckthorn oil helps nourish skin with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, while a plant-derived prebiotic attracts moisture to your skin. Sodium cocoyl glutamate provides a deep, gentle cleanser, making this one of the best cleansing oils for sensitive skin.

How to use: You can start by massaging this gel-oil onto damp skin. Next, wet your hands and continue massaging your skin to help the formula foam up to wash away excess oil and makeup. Rinse with warm water and you’re good to go!

Good to know: Botanical oils derived from orange peel, grapefruit peel and lavender give this oil cleanser a natural aromatherapy-inspired fragrance.

Now that you’re well-versed in all the best oil based cleansers, you can check out the best face serums for addressing your top skin concerns on the LovelySkin Blog.

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About the Author

Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.

Other Posts by Aaron

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