The idea of massaging a palmful of cleansing oil into skin might not sound logical as a cleansing method—especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin. But oil cleansers are one of the most effective, gentle, and thorough formulas to melt away sunscreen, makeup, and sebum. Keep reading for everything you need to know about cleansing oils, how to use them correctly, and the best oil cleanser for your skin type.
What Is An Oil Cleanser?
An oil cleanser is an oil-based face wash that works by dissolving other oils, including sebum, makeup, and excessive oil, while softening skin at the same time. A cleansing oil is different from a face oil though, as a cleansing oil has a surfactant and/or an emulsifier in the formula too, allowing the cleanser to bind to oil and dirt and then be easily rinsed away with water—while a face oil is designed to soften and shield the skin, not dissolve and wash away.
How do these cleansing oils work so well? As you might recall in chemistry class, oil dissolves oil. This means an oil cleanser is the most ideal method for removing dirt, SPF, etc. without stripping or disturbing the skin barrier. In fact, cleansing oils have been scientifically proven to more thoroughly remove waterproof sunscreen while also causing less skin irritation and dryness compared to traditional cleansers.
Who Should Use An Oil Cleanser?
An oil cleanser is quite literally ideal for all skin types. Is an oil cleanser best for acne-prone skin? Absolutely. Oily skin? It’s particularly wonderful for oily skin. What about dry skin or sensitivity? It’s practically made for those skin types. The reason an oil cleanser is perfect for all skin types is because of its effectiveness. A cleansing oil breaks down makeup, sunscreen, and sebum without disturbing the skin’s surface, and then it just rinses away without leaving an oily residue. It’s one of the most useful methods for cleansing skin, while also being non-irritating and not disruptive to the skin barrier.
Ingredients to Consider
While cleansing oils are wonderful, not all cleansing products are created equal. Some oils are naturally more occlusive, meaning they’re likely to leave a film behind. Oils like olive or coconut can be more difficult to remove from the skin, so research and test before purchasing.
Oils that are naturally more beneficial to skin include jojoba, rosehip, argan, and camellia. Consider finding cleansing oils that include one of these ingredients.
How to Use An Oil Cleanser
An oil cleanser is your first step in any evening skincare ritual, here’s the method we at Tatcha enjoy using.
- Begin with dry (clean!) hands and a dry face.
- Apply one to two pumps into the palm of your hand and then massage the oil into skin in circular motions.
- You can then wet hands and continue to massage, allowing the oil to emulsify into a milk to further melt away makeup and impurities.
- Then simply rinse the cleanser off.
You can use a cleansing oil alone or pair it with its bff, a water-soluble cleanser (aka cream, foaming, or exfoliating cleanser). You’ve likely heard of a double cleanse, a ritual that begins with a cleansing oil and is followed directly by a cleanser or exfoliant to more deeply cleanse skin (ideal after a long day of wearing SPF and makeup).
The History of Oil Cleansers
Japan’s geisha have long prized oil cleansers, usually in the format of camellia oil (also known as Tsubaki in Japan). Utilizing the cleansing oil’s benefits in hair and skincare rituals, the performers massaged the oil onto the face to melt away thick stage makeup and keep the skin soft, too. Today cleansing oils are still an everyday treasure in Japanese skincare, seen as a way to gently and mindfully cleanse the skin.
The Best Oil Cleanser
At Tatcha, we’re always working tirelessly to innovate. But one of our most prized products is still one of our earliest creations: The Camellia Cleansing Oil. What makes it so extraordinary is the inclusion of Japanese camellia oil or Tsubaki. This featherlight botanical oil has been prized in Asia for centuries for its deeply moisturizing and antioxidant properties, helping to nourish from the inside out.
If that wasn’t enough, the cleansing oil also includes Tatcha’s proprietary Hadasei-3 complex to help nourish skin. The antioxidant-rich trio of superfoods (rice, green tea, and algae) work to hydrate, resurface, and plump while the cleanser melts away impurities, sunscreen, and waterproof makeup.
The Camellia Cleansing Oil thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture, leaving skin feeling balanced and nourished. It’s ideal for all skin types, including dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and combination skin.
