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- The Best Cleansing Oils
The Best Cleansing Oils For Clean, Hydrated Skin
Finding yourself working a little too hard to get your makeup off at the end of the day? Hate getting left with stripped, dried or irritated skin after cleansing? Or do you just feel like your cleansing routine could do with an update? With cleansing oils, all of those issues will be a thing of the past.
Cleansing oils are like a little luxury for your skin routine, and they’re packed with benefits that go beyond just removing makeup. If you haven’t jumped on the cleansing oil bandwagon yet, you’re in for a treat! These oils are super effective at breaking down stubborn makeup, dirt, and excess oil without stripping your skin of its natural moisture.
So, what is a cleansing oil?
Cleansing oils might sound a bit fancy, but it's actually a straightforward skincare hero. Essentially, it's a type of cleanser that uses oil to lift away makeup, dirt, and impurities from your skin.
Unlike traditional cream cleansers or cleansing foams, oil-based cleansers work by dissolving the grime on your face, including stubborn waterproof makeup, without needing to scrub or tug at your skin.
How does it work?
When you massage the oil onto your dry face, it binds with the oils and impurities on your skin. This helps break down and lift away everything that’s been clogging your pores. After a quick rinse with water, the oil emulsifies, turning into a milky texture that rinses off cleanly, leaving your skin fresh and clear.
Choosing a cleansing oil for your skin type
One of the best things about cleansing oils is how they can cater to different skin needs. Whether you’re dealing with acne, oily skin, or sensitivity, there’s a perfect cleansing oil out there for you.
For those with acne-prone skin, cleansing oils can help dissolve pore-clogging impurities while keeping things gentle and non-irritating. If you’ve got oily skin, don’t worry—there are formulas that balance your skin’s oil production without leaving it feeling greasy. And for those with sensitive skin, the right cleansing oil can soothe and hydrate without causing any irritation.
Need more convincing? Allow us to dive in and show you our favourite cleansing oils for acne-prone, oil, and sensitive skin.
The best cleansing oils for acne-prone skin
Neogen Dermalogy Real Fresh Cleansing Oil Green Tea
£32.00Cleansing oil and green tea come together to remove makeup whilst delivering refreshing hydration. The green tea calms the skin, acting as an anti-inflammatory agent whilst the cleansing oil deeply impurities and blackheads making this one of our top picks for the best cleansing oils for acne-prone skin.
hanskin BHA Pore Cleansing Oil
£27.00Hanskin has formulated a gentle yet effective cleansing oil that deeply cleanses the pores, washing away all signs even the heaviest of makeup and manages sebum production. Using betaine salicylate, this pore cleansing oil helps to remove dead skin cells, whilst rosemary oil and eucalyptus work to prevent breakouts and calm the skin.
Ma:nyo Blackhead Pure Cleansing Oil Kill Pad
£29.00Swipe your way to clean blackhead-free skin with this innovative multi-tasking cleansing oil pad. Providing a gentle facial exfoliation as the pad wipes away makeup, SPF, and dirt, the textured side of the pad helps to smooth skin texture whilst BHA and jojoba oil leave the skin clean and refreshed.
The best cleansing oils for oily skin
Benefit The Porefessional Get Unblocked Oil Cleanser
£17.70Perfect for all skin types, but especially for oily skin, this cleansing oil works wonders to rid you of blocked pores and melting away makeup. Grape seed, jojoba seed and avocado oils work to unclog your pores and remove excess oil from the skin to leave you with a nourished and clear complexion.
ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
£14.99A game-changer for those with oily skin, this lightweight oil effectively dissolves excess sebum, makeup, and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. The formula penetrates deep into pores, gently cleansing and tightening them. Unlike heavier oils, this one rinses off easily, leaving your skin fresh and balanced.
CosRx Pure Fit Cica Clear Cleansing Oil
£27.50 £29.00 (6% off)CosRx Pure Fit Cica Clear Cleansing Oil is a must-have for oily skin types seeking a gentle yet effective cleanse. This lightweight oil effortlessly removes makeup, dirt, and excess sebum while soothing the skin with its star ingredient, centella asiatica (Cica).
The best cleansing oils for sensitive skin
Weleda Make-up Removal Cleansing Oil
£12.40 £15.50 (20% off)This natural formula is enriched with calming ingredients like organic sunflower seed and jojoba oils, which work together to dissolve makeup and impurities without irritating your skin. Its soothing blend helps to maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, leaving it soft and balanced after cleansing.
Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil
£23.00Formulated with a blend of nourishing plant oils like black sesame and black currant seed, this cleansing oil from Klairs effectively removes makeup, excess oil, and impurities without causing irritation. Free from artificial fragrances and harsh chemicals, this cleansing oil leaves your skin feeling soft, clean, and refreshed.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil With Ginseng Seed & Soybean Oil
£14.99 £19.99 (26% off)This rich yet gentle cleansing oil from Beauty of Joseon is infused with nourishing ginseng seed oil, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and soybean oil, which helps to hydrate and protect the skin’s moisture barrier. It effortlessly melts away makeup, dirt, and excess oil, leaving your skin feeling clean and supple without any irritation. The soothing formula is perfect for sensitive skin, calming and rejuvenating as it cleanses.
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil
£13.65 £19.50 (30% off)This micellar cleansing oil from Bioderma combines the purity of micellar technology with nourishing oils to effortlessly remove makeup, impurities, and excess sebum while respecting your skin’s delicate nature. Infused with soothing agents, it calms and hydrates as it cleanses, ensuring your skin feels comfortable and refreshed without any irritation.
So there you have it, our top picks for the best cleansing oils to help you find your ideal match for a radiant, healthy glow. No matter your skin type, there’s a perfect cleansing oil out there for you and now you’re one step closer to achieving perfectly cleansed and hydrated skin.
Written by Franchesca Villar
With a love for all things beauty, Franchesca is a skilled beauty content and copywriter with expert knowledge of all of the latest beauty trends. She loves perfecting her bouncy blow-out routine (no matter how time-consuming), is on the eternal hunt for the best glow-boosting product, and is a lip-gloss addict.