10 Oil-Based Cleansers To Wipe Away Every Last Trace Of Makeup

In our humble opinion, oil-based cleansers don’t get the rep they deserve. They cut through makeup, SPF, and hidden impurities without drying out your skin and they also feel hella-luxurious. In fact, they never strip your skin of moisture, unlike some of their soapy, water-based counterparts.

An oil-based cleanser is an absolute essential for skincare lovers, which should be followed by a water-based cleanser, AKA double-cleansing, as part of an evening routine or to remove makeup. The oil dissolves makeup, sunscreen and the day’s grime, while your regular water-based cleanser finishes off by actually cleansing the pores and skin of any remaining impurities. Double cleansing is the holy grail ritual of skincare lovers and derms!

It’s also important to note that when you use an oil-based cleanser you should always start on dry skin. So with your makeup and SPF on, then just start massaging your oil-based formula onto your skin. Massage for one minute into your dry skin (we always do our eyes last) then rinse away with water and follow with your water-based cleanser.

To kickstart you down the road of double cleansing, we’ve listed 10 of our fave oil cleansers. Get ready to level up your skincare routine.

1. For All-Out Nourishment: Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil Face, $9

Source: Palmer’s

Affordable with 5-star reviews? Yup. The Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil Face, $9, uses rosehip oil and sesame oil for a gentle yet thorough cleanse. It even incorporates rich cocoa butter for a surge of hydration and vitamin E to restore uneven tone and texture. Suitable for all skin types, it’s certainly a budget buy on par with its $$$ alternatives.

2. For Probiotic Goodness: TULA Skincare #Nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $32

Source: TULA Skincare

The TULA Skincare #Nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $32, is designed to nix pores, soothe skin, and dissolve your makeup easily. The lightweight cleanser uses probiotic extracts and natural oils to lift any leftover dirt from your complexion. It also contains ceramides and arctic winged kelp (a type of algae) to nourish your skin. Its non-comedogenic formula also makes it a winner for oily skin types as it doesn’t clog pores.

3. For Easy Makeup Removal: Neutrogena Ultra Light Face Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover, $9

Source: Neutrogena

The Neutrogena Ultra Light Face Cleansing Oil & Makeup Remover, $9, will always be our fave for its affordable price tag. Its lightweight formula has been tried and tested to extract oils and impurities hiding within pores. We also love that it doesn’t make our skin feel tight or dry after use.

4. For Indulgent Skincare Sessions: Augustinus Bader The Cleansing Balm, $74

Source: Augustinus Bader

Worth. The. Splurge. Trust us! When you first open its gorgeous recyclable glass jar, you’ll find a solid balm waiting for you. The rich formula melts effortlessly into skin and dissolves daily dirt buildup while making you feel boujee AF. Upon contact with water, it transforms into a lightweight milky water texture that rinses away to leave no greasy residue behind. The vegan and clean formula also comes with a 100% cotton muslin cloth, which intensifies the cleansing experience.

5. For Detoxifying: Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser, $36

Source: Youth To The People

Think: the healthiest juice cleanse ever. This vegan oil-based cleanser is formulated with skin-loving greenies like kale, spinach, and green tea for a natural glow. It utilizes cold-pressed antioxidants to remove makeup, detoxify your pores, and support your skin’s pH balance. And if that wasn’t enough, it’s a green buy too (#recyclable!)

6. For Stubborn Formulas: WISHFUL Clean Genie Cleansing Butter, $35

Stubborn mascaras are no match for our WISHFUL Clean Genie Cleansing Butter, $35. She’s a buttery babe infused with green tea and cherry blossom extracts that leave your skin feeling soft and supple. She’s a fighter who can melt the toughest products in minutes for a refreshed complexion without stripping your skin’s moisture levels. Our go-to mess-free, simple and effective formula.

7. For Therapeutic Vibes: Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, $32

Source: Kiehl’s Since 1851

The HB possé loves this cleansing oil for a reason. The mix of botanical oils does two things: it dissolves dirt and replenishes your skin’s epidermis. Plus, it feels like a pampering session for your skin with evening primrose oil, squalane, and lavender essential oil. She’s a non-comedogenic baby too, making her optimum for use on oily and acne-prone skin as she won’t clog pores.

8. For A Multitasking Moment: KAIKE MELT OIL CLEANSER, $25

Source: KAIKE

KAIKE wants you to have your cake and eat it too. That’s why the six plant-based oils in their cleanser will moisturize and soothe your skin while melting every last trace of makeup. Want to know more? Hemp seed oil keeps your skin plump while apricot kernel oil and castor oil balance your skin’s pH levels. The combo of grapeseed oil, tangerine oil, and watermelon seed oil work together to help rebalance uneven skin tone, calm inflammation, and brighten your glow game.

9. For Future Protection: UOMA BEAUTY GO AWF! AU NATUREL CLEANSING OIL, $15 

Source: UOMA BEAUTY

True to its name, this cleanser goes off on dirt, grime, and waterproof makeup. It’s powered by antioxidant-rich oils (olive oil, castor oil, and grapeseed oil) that emulsify into a milky texture when massaged onto your skin. Its vegan inkey list also boasts mulberry extract and vitamin E to protect your skin from any aging free radicals. Did we mention it’s totally recyclable?

10. For All Our Naturalistas: Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil, $16

Source: Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees were right to use pure coconut oil in this formula, especially since it’s known for its makeup-removing abilities in the DIY community. But it’s doubly special because it includes argan oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids, so your skin stays nourished after cleansing. Formulated without parabens and phthalates, this cleansing oil is also marked safe for contact lens wearers by ophthalmologists.

Before you shop any of these rich formulas, be sure to check out why double-cleansing is the most important beauty step of them all.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.