How to Use Oil Cleanser

Oil cleansing sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? But it’s actually a wonderful way to really clean your skin (without stripping it of moisture). If you’re wondering how to use oil cleanser, you aren’t alone. Here is everything you need to know and what I think are the best oil cleansers.

How to Use Oil Cleanser

The first oil cleanser I used was the Dermalogica Precleanse – years ago. Because they called it a precleanse step and not an oil, I didn’t think twice about it. So, just think of cleansing oils and cleansing balms as a precleanse step if that helps!

And it really is if you do a double cleanse – it’s step 1 and you can follow with your favorite face wash – I think these are the best natural face wash options (and I share my specific favorites for double cleansing below)!

What is an Oil Cleanser

An oil cleanser is an oil-based face wash. Most gels, cremes, and foams are all water-based. The oil in an oil cleanser attaches to makeup, SPF, sweat, and excess face oil on your face. Then when you rinse with water, it all dissolves away (i.e. washes down the drain). The basic concept is that oil is attracted to oil, so it’s far more effective at really getting all the ‘stuff’ off your skin.

Who Should Use an Oil Cleanser

Oil cleansers are actually safe for all skin types!

• Dry Skin types benefits from the added moisture in the oil-based product
• Oily skin types get benefits of balancing excess oil*
• People who wear SPF regularly (and you should) benefit from a cleanser that actually removes buildup
• People who wear makeup also get that cleaner experience

*I didn’t know this for a long time, but oily skin is exacerbated by dryness. In fact when I’m working with clients on how to find your skincare routine, more often than not, people who describe their skin as combination and oily ‘at times’ actually have dry skin.

Our bodies excrete sebum to try to help with the dryness, so our skin is oily because it’s trying to hydrate. An oil cleanser (unlike many regular facial cleansers) doesn’t strip skin of moisture, so your body doesn’t want to keep overproducing oil.

How does Oil Cleanser Work

Oils dissolve buildup inside pores

Your pores get clogged by makeup, sweat, SPF, and other impurities. It’s normal. The oils in an oil cleanser can attach to all those particles and get washed away.

Emulsifiers allow the oil to rinse clean with water

Emulsifiers are what actually ‘join’ the oils in a cleanser and on your face with the water. So when you rinse with water, it all gets rinsed off.

Helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier

Cleansing oils don’t strip your skin of natural moisture the way many facial cleansers do, so your moisture barrier can stay balanced and strong with the use of an oil-based cleanser. You can see use cleansing balm for the same technique.

Allows for Full Cleansing with Double Cleansing

The amazing way to use a cleansing oil is as step one of a double cleanse. You can see how to double cleanse here, but in essence the cleansing oil is step one – attracting all the gunk in your pores and on your skin. Then you use a water-based cleanser to really clean your skin (not get caught up cleaning off everything else).

This is the best facial cleanser (liquid formula) to use in a double cleanse. And I love this facial bar (bar formula) as step two in the double cleanse. The former would leave you more moisturized.

Oil Cleansing Benefits

Removes Makeup & Sunscreen Effectively

The oil attracts oil in the products that stubbornly like to stay on your face.

Clears Out Pores

An oil-based cleanser (oil or balm) is the most effective at really removing makeup, sweat, impurities, and SPF from your pores.

Maintains Skin Hydration

Oil-based cleansers don’t strip the skin of moisture, helping you stay hydrated.

Supports the Skin Barrier

Because your skin isn’t stripped of hydration and then having it added back in, your skin barrier stays strong.

Balances Oil Production

Oil-based cleansers don’t strip hydration, so your body doesn’t overproduce sebum to make up for dryness.

Improves Skin Texture

All of the above combine to make skin happier and healthier.

How to Use Cleansing Oil

Start with dry hands and face

Oil binds best to dry skin, coming into direct contact with the ‘oils’ on your face (SPF, makeup, sweat, etc.). Having wet hands or face will emulsify the product too soon.

Apply Oil Cleanser to hands

Depending on the product, 1-2 pumps of oil cleanser is enough. Rub it between your hands to get it all over your palms.

Massage Gentle Into Skin

You shouldn’t be pushing or pulling your skin to apply your oil cleanser. Some oils are too thick, but you also might just need more product.

Massage Oil into Skin for at least 30 seconds

You want to get everywhere – to the edges of your face, all the pores on your nose, your eye makeup*, everywhere! So make sure to spend the time doing it.

*I love oil cleanser for removing eye makeup before I cleanse my face. Take note that oil cleansers cannot be used with some false eyelashes – ask your esthetician!

Add some water to emulsify the oil

Adding water begins to emulsify the product. Continue massaging around your face a little longer.

Rinse throughly with lukewarm water

Get all that product and everything else off your face!

Double Cleanse if desired

Especially if you have SPF or makeup on your face, a double cleanse is a great idea. I double cleanse in the evenings to get my face squeaky clean!

Pat Skin Dry & Finish Skincare Routine

Then just continue on with your skincare routine. I can’t recommend using a toner or essence before your serums and moisturizers enough. It’s really what makes all your products work better (this is my favorite one). You can learn more about what order to do skincare here if you’re a little overwhelmed or unsure what you should be using and when!

Best Oil Cleansers

There are many clean oil cleansers on the market. Ultimately a lot of which one is best for you will come down to smell and consistency. Some products I’ve used have been way too fragrant for me (yes, even clean ones) and others were so thick, I felt like I was beating up my face to move it around.

This is the best oil cleanser to get you started. It goes on easily and comes off easily. You won’t even feel like you have to do a double cleanse. This one is a true cleansing oil, however. It smells lovely and works beautifully as part of a double cleanse. Use code LUCIKG15 for 15% off!

Clean Beauty

Since clean beauty is an important part of sustainable living (what we wash down the drain matters as much as what we put on our skin), be sure to check out:

Non Toxic Makeup Brands
Counter Review (previously Beautycounter)
Crunchi Review (skincare)
Crunchi Makeup Review
Clean Beauty at Nordstrom

Common items of interest include shampoo bar reviews and how to you use them? What natural deodorant actually works? Are there refillable deodorant options? What’s the best double edge razor blades (the best safety razor and how to use them properly). And the best makeup brush cleaner (on the cheap and easy)!

There are also great natural skin care products for men, including hair care! And you’ll want to check out these wonderful natural bar soaps as well as the answer to the ever popular question: what are skin toners for!