The Best Cleansing Oils to Use in 2020

Once upon a time, it was unheard of to use oils to cleanse your skin. Why would you use a greasy texture when you’re trying to clean up your face? Well, times have changed! Cleansing with oil has proven to be supereffective at removing stubborn makeup and impurities.

Cleansing oils won’t strip the skin; instead, they help keep skin nourished. If you’ve never tried cleansing with an oil, you could be missing a giant skincare trick. Foaming soaps and typical detergents can be drying, especially if you have existing red patches. A simple cleansing oil could help balance out your skin and give it a brighter look.

If you’ve been thinking about trying a facial cleansing oil, we’ve rounded up our favourites for you to try, and put together some top tips for using them.

What is the Oil Cleansing Method?

Oils cleansing was originally introduced by the Korean beauty experts—they really know their stuff! If you’re wondering how to oil cleanse face, the K-beauty cleansing method includes slathering skin with the oil of your choice, rinsing with a wet washcloth, and then following up with a supergentle cleanser.

You don’t have to double cleanse to see the effects of an oil cleanse though. A simple hydrating cleansing oil will help clean the skin gently while nourishing and hydrating. Makeup removers often include oils because they help budge stubborn waterproof makeup, especially from the sensitive eye area.

Does Oil Cleansing Work?

In a word, yes! Like attracts like, thus oil attracts oil. So, if you’re wearing a face full of oil-laden makeup, oil cleansing will help break things down. You’ll then be able to easily remove the residue by massaging away the makeup remnants. You can use oil cleansing for acne scars and helping soothe more irritated skin.

What are the Benefits of Oil Cleansing? Who is Oil Cleansing Best Suited To?

The benefits of oil cleansing are hydrated, happy, and soothed skin. Normal foaming cleansers can cause irritation, especially if you suffer from breakouts. Oil absorbs oil, so cleansing oils cleanse skin thoroughly and can actually clear pores too. Oil cleansing can suit all skin types; just give your skin a couple of weeks to adjust to the new method. If you see an increase in breakouts after you start oil cleansing, you may need to use a different kind of solution.

How to Oil Cleanse the Face?

How you use an oil cleanser depends on the product you use. In general, to oil cleanse, you should apply the oil to a dry face and let it melt into the skin. Then, once everything has been dislodged, wet a washcloth with warm water and gently massage over the skin. Use it to wipe away the oil. Skin should then feel superclean! If your skin still feels a little oily, simply double cleanse with a gentle formula. Pat dry with a towel, and follow up with your usual skincare regime.

How To Apply Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil

How Often Should You Oil Cleanse?

The trick to keeping skin healthy is to not use hot water when oil cleansing. Warm water on your washcloth will remove the excess oil but won’t harm the skin. Skin should be left clean, smooth, and soothed. You can oil cleanse daily, but it’s good to mix things up every so often in your skincare routine. If you oil cleanse too often, you’ll strip away the skin’s natural barrier, which could lead to irritation. Oil cleansing once or twice a week should be sufficient for some. You could even keep it to a once-a-week nourishing treat!

Dermalogica PreCleanse 150ml is the pre-cleanser that removes grime before you move on to your second cleanse. The lightweight oil keeps skin hydrated, refreshed, and revived. Shake the bottle and shake a generous amount into the hands. Start at the neck and circle upwards over the face. Remove the formula with warm water and a damp cloth. It really is a perfect cleansing oil and the best oil cleanser for double cleansing.

With Vitamin E to fight free radical damage, Safflower Oil to nourish, and Omega-6 to help rebalance the skin, the Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil 140ml cares for skin while it cleans. Perfect for morning and evening use, this oil cleanser leaves the skin looking restored. The optimised ratio of lipids included helps restore the skin and prevent the signs of premature ageing.

Protecting the skin’s natural barrier, Cosmedix Purity Solution Deep Cleansing Oil is nourishing enough for sensitive skin while cleansing enough for those who have a lot of blackheads and blemishes. To use, apply a liberal amount to the face, neck, and chest area, and massage around the skin. Next, wet hands and massage again to form a milky texture. Rinse away the product, and you’ll see how clean your skin is!

This cruelty free cleansing oil is formulated with CO2-extracted Andean Rosehip Oil, prized for its high concentration of Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9, and antioxidants that help defend and repair the skin. To see the effects of Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil, apply 2 to 3 pumps to dry skin and massage away the impurities. Add a few drops of water, and then rinse everything away to reveal beautifully cleansed skin.

Use nourishing Avène Xeracalm Cleansing Oil morning and night to cleanse away any debris on the skin. Hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, it’s the perfect formula for those who have trouble with irritated skin, redness, and atopic dermatitis.

This is the latest edition to Aesop’s Parsley Seed range. In typical Aesop style, the Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil blends plant-based ingredients with laboratory-made ones to make highly effective products. The Parsley Seed range is perfect for those with sensitive, combination, and dry skin.

For a youthful, more radiant appearance, apply the oil to dry skin and gently massage it around the face. Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil has a lightweight texture, making it perfect for all skin types—especially dry skin. Use 2 to 3 pumps morning and night to reap the botanical benefits.

Rich in protective fatty acids, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. Acting powerfully but gently, the oil will remove stubborn makeup, sunscreen, and other stubborn products. Use daily to maximise the results. You can even add a capful to the bath to soothe your entire body.

With signature T.E.N. Water to condition and nourish the skin, Cremorlab T.E.N. Cremor Eau Thermale Cleansing Balm gently cleanses and polishes. Pores are left looking clearer, and your overall complexion will improve over time. Apply a small amount to the face, massage in, and then remove with warm water.

Quick to use but supereffective, philosophy purity made simple cleansing oil for face and eyes works by lifting away makeup and impurities away from your skin. Apply a small amount to your face and massage it in. Apply warm water and watch the formula turn into a milky cleansing lotion. Remove all the excess with a damp washcloth.

Erno Laszlo Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil moisturises the skin with a pH level that’s identical to that of your own skin. This maintains the essential fatty acids skin needs to function healthily. Apply a generous amount over your skin and add warm water to cleanse excess oil, trapped impurities, and makeup away.

Free of Parabens, Sulphates, and Phthalates, this Erno Laszlo cleansing oil is sensitive skin-friendly and packed with essential minerals. Massage the gel-like formula over the face and jawline to remove unwanted impurities. Follow Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Cleansing Oil with Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar to deep-cleanse the skin.

Made in Australia, Ella Baché Botanical Cleansing Oil features Hemp Oil sourced from Byron Bay and Sweet Almond Oil to help balance out the skin. Evening Primrose will help calm the mind. And Kakadu Plum Seed Oil is a powerful antioxidant that helps defend the skin from free radicals.

Safe enough to use around the delicate eye area, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil always leaves skin feeling clean and comfortable. Massage into the skin gently and add water to make an effective milky emulsion. Use once or twice a day.

The unique formula of Cremorlab T.E.N. Cremor Refreshing Cleansing Gel Oil keeps skin moisturised and doesn’t strip away any natural oils. Suitable for all skin types, and one of the best cleansing oils for oily skin, the formula is gentle enough to use twice a day. Always rinse thoroughly after use, and finish with cold water to refresh.

The gentle Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil formula is mineral oil-free, noncomedogenic, and ophthalmologist-tested for the sensitive eye area. This oil perfectly pairs with Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Eye Cream. Apply morning and night for nourished, supple skin.

If you’ve never tried cleansing with an oil, now could be the time to start! With so many nourishing oils available, you’ve got an easy way to remove makeup. And oil cleansers won’t dry out even the most sensitive of skin. Give one a go and let us know how you get on!

Want to find out more about oil cleansing and other great ways to keep your skin clear of impurities? Check out some of our guides:

• All The Reasons You Shouldn't Be Scared Of Oil Cleansers

• Want a Deeper Cleanse? How To: Double Cleanse Like Its Inventor

• The 5 Best Makeup Removers For Acne Prone Skin

• Best Face Cleansers & Body Washes for Acne

• The Best Face Washcloths for Every Skin Type

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.

Now, let's recap! What are the Best Cleansing Oils to Use in 2020

1. Dermalogica PreCleanse 150ml

2. Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil 140ml

3. Cosmedix Purity Solution Deep Cleansing Oil

4. Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil

5. Avène Xeracalm Cleansing Oil

6. Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Oil

7. Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil

8. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil

9. Cremorlab T.E.N. Cremor Eau Thermale Cleansing Balm

10. philosophy purity made simple cleansing oil for face and eyes

11. Erno Laszlo Phelityl Pre-Cleansing Oil

12. Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Cleansing Oil

13. Ella Baché Botanical Cleansing Oil

14. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil

15. Cremorlab T.E.N. Cremor Refreshing Cleansing Gel Oil

16. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil