When it comes to a full face of foundation and liquid lipstick or other stubborn costume makeup, you’ve got to go in with the big guns.
In either solid balm or liquid form, oil cleansers are the most effective, yet gentle, option for breaking down heavy-duty makeup.
If it seems counterintuitive to add more oil to your face to clean it, rest assured. Cleansing oils are actually incredibly effective at breaking down grime and emulsify and rinse away easily with warm water. The best part is the way they leave skin feeling plump and hydrated, rather than tight and dry.
They can be used every day and are generally gentler on the skin compared to traditional foaming cleansers because they don’t strip away the skin’s natural oils. This helps maintain skin’s moisture barrier, which is important for preventing dryness and irritation.
How does oil cleanser work?
Oil-based cleansers are lipophilic, so they bind with, and gently help remove surface oil-based products. They work on the principle of “like dissolves like,” meaning oils dissolve other oils. Oil-based cleansers designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum (or the skin’s natural oils), and other impurities that are oil-based, which water alone or water-based cleansers might not fully remove.
Most are made with gentle natural oils like castor oil, camellia sunflower or Jojoba oil though sometimes can include mineral oil.
To use, you simply add a little to your dry hands and massage over dry skin on your face – yes, directly over the top of your makeup! Don’t wet your face beforehand, as oil cleansers work best when applied directly to dry skin.
Once you’ve massaged it into your makeup, over lashes and oft-missed bits like the corners of your nose, emulsify with warm water before rinsing away. You can also encouraging the last traces of makeup to budge with a damp flannel if required.
If you’re looking for a deep or effective clean, many people like doing a double cleanse. Proponents say the first cleanse, using an oil cleanser, is to remove makeup, while the second cleanse, with a lighter gel or cream, cleans out pores properly in preparation for serum and moisturiser.
Best oil cleansers to try
The best part about oil cleansers is there are great options from budget buys to more luxe, sensorial options. These are our top picks:
L-R: Emma Lewisham Illuminating Oil Face Cleanser; Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil; La Roche Posay Lipikar Cleansing Oil; Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil; Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Facial Oil
