I know what you're thinking: slather oil on my face? Are you nuts?
Not so fast. There's a good explanation for the existence of oil-based cleansers, I promise. Quick chemistry refresher: like attracts like, which means the oil in an oil-based cleanser bonds with and dissolves the oil and grime on your face. This means they can work for all skin types, even oily skin, since they remove oil without over-drying the way detergent-based cleansers can.
Oil-based cleansers are also useful for removing makeup, since most makeup contains oil. The best way to know which method of cleansing gets your face the most sparkling clean is to take one of these for a test drive. There is a slight risk of pore-clogging side effects, but that is usually from the non-oil ingredients, or from not rinsing them off fully. For a few shopping ideas, read more.
DHC's version ($11–$24) has a cult following, as does Shu Uemura's version. (That one wasn't for me, though — I broke out.) I had great luck with Laura Mercier Cleansing Oil Light ($40). Even though it is pricey, you only need a dime-sized drop to get the job done, and it removes makeup so thoroughly that there is no need for an additional makeup remover. For a few more shopping options, browse this widget.
Mulberry
Apart
DSquared
Good info, I've always been a bit scared to try these
1I was scared to try them as well, but I started with a free sample of DHC. I loved it. I ended up using Origins version b/c I didn't have to order it and needed more asap; but have since switched back to DHC. I think it does a bit of a better job.
In my experience, they are amazing at taking off all sorts of eye makeup - even the really stubborn kind.
And my normal combo skin (oily t-zone) is doing fantastic.
2Oils are great for oily skin...like you learn in chem 101, like dissolves like
3I've tried the DHC sample before and liked it. Maybe I'll order some.
4Lush's Ultrabland is also a really great oil based cleanser. Peanut oil I believe. I find it a bit too heavy to use as a full face cleanser, but I have never known anything to take off make up more thoroughly, even thick liquid liner and MAC's ultra-resilient Zoom Lash. It smells of honey too!
I would definitely be tempted to try out one of the above lighter formulas on my whole face though.
5The Shu Uemura cleansing oil is amazing.
6I've used actual oil for my oily skin doing the oil cleansing method. Using oil to clean my face at night has even dried up acne on my face. It does actually make sense the oil would be good for oily skin. You have to make sure to completely wipe off the oil though, but I got clear glowy skin from doing it. I need to do it more often again.
7For an at home version of one of these cleansers, just mix half castor oil and half of another oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil (or a blend of oils). You can very the amount of castor oil as well. Less castor oil will be more moisturizing, more castor oil will be deeper cleansing. It works every bit as well as any of these expensive cleansers.
8i didn't care for Origins oil cleanser. It just didn't feel good. I've got MakeUpForEver's Extreme Oil Cleanser. The bottle's almost empty. I've used MAC's oil cleanser when I'm in the store trying stuff on. I like it I think I might pick that up when I'm out of my current stuff. I'd love to try the other kinds you've listed. It feels kinda strange putting oil on your face but nothing else gets all the makeup off my face without drying it out or leaving it artificially greasy.
9Great tip gibson girl, although I don't know if we have castor oil here, my fourth grade teacher told me that I should try using baby oil to clean my face.
10i've tried the dhc version and it felt good, but i guess i wasn't wearing enough makeup to really determine if it was good at removing it.
11i've used desert essence tea tree oil cleanser. very good price. bought at trader joe's~
12Oh, speaking of jojoba oil, I've read that it's the best one for the face since the chemistry of it is the most similar to the oil our own body produces. I need to figure out where I can find some.
13Francoisehardly, health food stores should have it, and maybe even some vitamin stores as well. You might even be able to find it at the supermarket--some of my local ones carry a lot of stuff like that, to compete with the Whole Foods-style chains.
14Yep, I have tried the Origins and the Lush and I really like them both. I also tried the Boscia makeup breakup oil but I found that it irritated my eyes so I returned it. I don't understand why they put menthol in a product that is supposed to be ok to remove eye makeup. Weird.
15tokki - I use that too! It's actually a really great cleanser, although it's not 100% oil (it's castille soap, an oil-based soap, and olive oil) but it's really affordable and for those who still need to have that "soap" feeling on their face in order to feel clean, this is a great option! I've seen it at Trader Joes and Whole Foods.
16I use straight jojoba oil which I buy from tkbtradingco.com. sometimes I follow it up wit and oil based bar from pureluxecosmetics.com. soft glowy skin for me!
17This post made me think I really gotta make the switch to oil cleanser. I recently started using Biotherm oil based make up remover and love it.
18Don't forget the St. Ives new olive oil based cleanser, it's a cheap alternative and well formulated.
I´ve always thought that the body produces what it needs. I have dry skin and when I´ve used gel-like moisturizers (the kind recomended for oily skin) my skin has reacted creating oil and I´ve ended up looking shinny. So maybe it can work viceversa.
19Maybe I'll try one of these sometime...I've heard good things about the Shu Uemura and DHC ones.
20hakaanson and caudalie have amazing oils!! they are great to put on before your moisturizer and leave your skin feeling great!
21beautylaw i was gonna ask about that st ives one- has anyone tried it yet? i want to- cause i'm hoping its as good as dhc with out having to order it
22dhc is AMAZING! it works & it smells good. i'm on vacation & i forgot my cleanser. i've been using this & NOT ONE BREAK OUT! dhc offers lots of samples, so if you wanna try it, go for that. it lasts forever & smells nice.
23I will pony up the 20-something dollars for DHC. I love that stuff. The trick is to lightly rub it on your face while it's dry. If your face is even slightly wet it won't work. But man, after you rinse it off your face will feel soft and clean. There's no fragrance, nothing mysterious, it's just awesome. And no, they didn't pay me to say that! I've been waiting for Bella to write on this. Thanks!
24Hmm interesting...
25I've been using Shu Uemura's Cleansing Oil for 2 years and it's worked out great for me. I'm 17 (prime time for acne) and hardly ever get pimples. It's awesome.
26The DHC cleansing oil is amazing. Leaves your face really clean and clear, and is good for sensitive skins too. Dermalogica's Pre Cleanse is good too, but DHC is definitely the best - worth the money I promise!
27For ladies like me with extremely dry skin, oil-based cleansers are a godsend! I've never been a fan of Clinique but I loved their Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.
28My face is so dry it's itchy right now. I'm really thinking about trying it now, any suggestions for a cheapie kind so I can see if it works? I'm talking CVS cheap not Clinique cheap!
29I need to post again so I can subscribe
30mlmoreno47 St. Ives has a new one out that is olive oil based. I haven't tried it but I know it's a cheap alternative that I'm going to try.
31I absolutely love the oil cleansing method, which I discovered here:
http://community.livejournal.com/naturalliving/437205.html
Cleaning your face with oil sounds totally bizarre, until you try it and it works 800 times better than any soapy cleanser.
32I use the Sk-II oil cleanser and even with my very oily skin it makes me feel cleansed but still soft and it takes off any makeup I have one as well!
33LOVE DHC. Just got my first bottle last night and am already hooked. Do any others here use a soapy cleanser after using the oil as per the instructions on the website?
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