The idea of putting oils on our face can feel a little odd – especially if it’s supposed to cleanse our skin! But that’s exactly what cleansing oils are supposed to do and many who have tried them swear by them.
If you haven’t tried cleansing oils and are wondering about them, you’re on the right page. We’re going to give you the low-down about how it works, and also recommend a few of them for you to try.
All you need to know about cleansing oils
Cleansing oils are used for the removal of makeup, grime and dirt. They are meant to melt waterproof makeup upon massaging it gently on your dry skin.
In most cases, it is recommended that you do a double cleanse after applying cleansing oils, which means that you use a water or gel based cleanser after the oil cleanser.
However, note that some formula specifies that double cleansing is not necessary.
Are cleansing oils suitable for everyone?
The good news is that cleansing oils are suitable for all skin types! The trick is to pick an appropriate product according to your skin type. Read the label or speak to a beauty advisor to find something right for you.
How do cleansing oils benefit me?
1. They can remove oil
Even if you have oily skin type, cleansing oil can still work for you. This is because cleansing oils are made up of “good oils” that have an affinity with the sebum on your skin and can help to remove it by “attaching” itself to sebum (and impurities). The great thing is that the oil won’t dehydrate your skin because it’s incapable of removing water.
2. They improve skin texture and appearance
Oil cleansers typically contain other skin-loving benefits to help improve the texture of your skin or to address specific skin concerns, such as dullness and acne. So hey, don’t be surprise if you see your skin improving after switching to cleansing oil!
The best cleansing oils
Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil
Suitable for all skin types, this product consists of a blend of botanical oils to gently dissolve surface impurities and remove long-wearing eye makeup.
It also contains the extracts of kukui nut, white water lily, and goji berry extract to help the skin feel instantly soothed.
It retails for S$79 for 200ml.
Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil does double duty as it is rich in antioxidants and squalane, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling.
What’s great is that the squalane oil is derived from sustainable sugarcane too, which is always a plus in our book.
It retails for S$44 for 200ml.
Shu Uemura Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
This is formulated with 75% skincare ingredients, so this product not only effectively cleanses your skin, it also embraces your skin with a light cocoon of moisture.
It is powered by precious Japanese tsubaki oil – or Camellia Japonica, which is cold-pressed from the seeds of Camellia.
It retails for S$168 for 450ml.
Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil
Break up with your makeup with this cleansing oil which uses nanotechnology to rinse away surface debris such as waterproof makeup quickly and easily.
Rich in vitamin E, it also helps to refine the appearance of pores and protect against free radical damage.
It retails for S$55 for 150ml.
Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
Made up with a mix of 100% natural origin nourishing plant oils such as sweet almond, castor, and grape seed, this cleansing oil is effective on waterproof makeup too.
What’s great is that you don’t even need a cotton pad to use this product. Its oil texture transforms into a milk on contact with water for fast and easy rinsing.
It retails for S$36 for 150ml.
Fresh Seaberry Skin Nutrition Cleansing Oil
Seabuckthorn oil is the star of the show in this cleansing oil. It not only helps to cleanse your skin, it also maintains its natural moisture levels.
This product is also rich in omegas, so it has nourishing and moisture-retaining benefits. This will allow your skin to feel soft and supple.
It retails for S$68 for 150ml.
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil
Take your day’s worth of makeup off with this cleansing oil that immediately dissolves even the most stubborn makeup residue off your face.
Suitable for all skin types, simply glide it on your face and then rinse off with water. It’s that simple.
It retails for S$53 for 200ml.
Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser
This cleansing oil has a low pH of 5.5 which means it gently melts away both makeup and dead skin cells without stripping away your moisture.
It contains skin loving ingredients to keep the skin hydrated after cleansing and boost the fundamental of the skin’s health.
It retails S$43 for 200ml.
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
With great ingredients like Coix Lacryma-Jobi seed, tangerine peel extract, and apricot kernel oil, this cleansing oil cleans the skin while leaving a brighter and healthier base.
It delicately and gently dissolves makeup without overstimulating the skin, so if you’ve got sensitive skin, this might be a good choice for you.
It retails for S$55 for 200ml.
Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil
We’ve got another cleansing oil here that is formulated with japanese Camellia seed oil, which is an excellent source of anti-oxidants.
This product not only draws out oils and removes sunscreen and waterproof makeup, but it also hydrates the skin and doesn’t strip it of its natural moisture.
It retails S$75 for 150ml.
Three Balancing Cleansing Oil R
Suitable for normal, dry, and combination skin, this is a balancing cleansing oil that cleanly removes makeup, dirt, sweat, dead skin, and sebum.
Using the power of frankincense oil, geranium oil, orange peel oil, petitgrain oil, and other skin-loving ingredients, the result is softer, smoother, and brighter skin.
It retails for S$68 for 185ml.
Kora Organics by Miranda Kerr Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil
This is a powerful yet gentle cleansing oil that nourishes your skin with a rich source of fatty acids.
Certified organic, this product is also has no artifical fragrance, is cruelty free, and is vegan.
It retails for S$59 for 150ml.
Manyo Bleak-head Remover Pure Cleansing Oil
This K-beauty branded cleansing oil utilises a blend of several different plant oils such as soybean oil, hazel seed oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, and more.
It’s a multitasking product that retains the essential moisture of the skin while penetrating deep into the pores to push all the contamination out.
It retails for S$69.90 for 400ml.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
Japanese brand DHC’s cleansing oil is so popular that it says there’s one sold every ten second worldwide!
The reason its so popular is that it utilises an antioxidant-rich olive oil to dissolve all traces of dirt and cosmetics including waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Just add water and it will transform into a milky emulsion.
It retails for S$44 for 200ml.
FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil
FANCL is another Japanese cosmetics brand that is good quality, and their cleansing oil is no different as this product effortlessly removes makeup without stripping the skin’s natural oil.
There are 0% preservatives, fragrances, artificial colours, petroleum surfactants, and ultra absorbing agents, which means it likely won’t irritate sensitive skin.
It retails for S$33.99 for 120ml.
Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect Cleansing Oil
Rich in mineral black sugar and botanicals, this cleansing oil gently removes makeup and impurities.
It’s an all-in-one product that is effective in deep cleansing, micro exfoliating, smoothing skin texture, and moisturising.
It retails for S$33.89 for 200ml.
beplain Greenful Cleansing Oil
K-beauty brand beplain’s cleansing oil melts away stubborn makeup and gently dissolves blackheads lodged deep in pores.
Suitable for sensitive skin, this product contains 100% natural origin oil, mainly containing mung bean.
It retails for S$51 for 200ml.
Perfect Diary Ultra Light Purifying Cleansing Oil
Containing squalane and amino acids, this cleansing oil instantly and effectively dissolves makeup while maintaining the skin’s natural barrier and improving the skin’s texture.
Ideal for sensitive skin, this formula is non-acnegenic, silicone oil free, mineral oil free, fragrance free, preservatives free, and pigment free.
It retails for S$69.90 for 150ml.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
We’ve got another all-in-one cleansing product for you here. This one conveniently removes sebum and makeup together.
If you’re bothered by how oily cleansing oils are, this one is supposedly less oily than others, and is light as water!
It retails for S$42.87 for 200ml.
Softymo Deep Cleansing Oil
If you don’t mind mineral oil as an ingredient, you can try this cleansing oil out. Other than mineral oil, it also has a blend of five certified organic oils: olive oil, jojoba oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, and shea butter.
This means your makeup will be gently washed away alongside pesky blackheads and other pore-clogging junk.
It retails for S$16.90 for 230ml.
Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil
Approximately 85% of the product consists of plant-based oils, there’s sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil, jojoba seed oil, and black currant seed oil.
There are only six ingredients in this product, so it’s highly unlikely to irritate your skin. The remaining two products are Capric Triglyuceride, an moisturising emollient, and PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, a safe emulsifier.
It retails for S$35.90 for 150ml.
innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Cleansing Oil
If you’ve got a lot of blackheads you want to get rid of, consider using this pore cleansing oil.
It uses volcanic powder sourced from Korea’s Jeju island to absorb sebum and dissolve makeup. Just add water to emusilfy.
It retails for S$30 for 150ml.
SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil
SK-II is pretty popular for their treatment essence, but did you know that they’ve also got their own cleansing oil?
Formulated with their signature ingredient PITERA, this is a 2-in-1 cleanser and makeup remover that cleanses pores and removes makeup, mascara, and sunscreen.
It retails for S$99 for 250ml.
Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleansing Oil
Powered by super hyaluronic acid, you know this baby is going to intensely hydrate your face and leave it feeling soft and smooth.
PH-balanced, this cleansing oil is formulated with high purity olive olive to remove even the most water-proof mascara.
It retails for S$20.90 for 200ml.
Biore Cleansing Oil
This is another product with mineral oil, but also dissolves makeup and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
We like how it comes with its own stopper so you don’t have to worry about it being pumped by accident and getting everywhere.
It retails for S$17.90 for 150ml.
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil
Formulated with rice extract, rice bran oil, and kukui seed oil, this cleansing oil not only gently removes hevay makeup from dry skin, but also provides rich moisture and nourishment.
While this is suitable for normal to dry skin, there’s also a version called Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil that has a light watery texture.
It retails for S$14.81 for 150ml.
Featured image credit: Shimmering Mom & Bubbly Michelle
