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Cleansing Oil Basics: Nourishing Skincare for All Skin Types
Skin Care

Cleansing Oil Basics: Nourishing Skincare for All Skin Types

5 June 2025


What Is Cleansing Oil and Who Should Use It?

Cleansing oil is a skincare product designed to remove makeup, dirt, and excess oil from your face. It’s gentle, moisturizing, and suitable for most skin types, including oily and dry skin.

Before 2014, cleansing oils were mostly used by professionals in spas. Today, they are a common part of everyday skincare routines for people around the world.

If you’re new to cleansing oils, don’t worry. We’ll explain what they are, how they work, how to use them, and which skin types benefit most.

What Is Cleansing Oil?

Cleansing oils are facial cleansers made with oils that dissolve dirt, makeup, and excess sebum from your skin. They’re often used as the first step in a double cleansing routine.

Unlike harsh cleansers, cleansing oils don’t strip the skin. They remove “bad” oil and impurities while keeping your skin’s natural moisture barrier intact.

Despite being oil-based, they rinse off easily with water and don’t leave a greasy residue behind. Most work well without needing heavy scrubbing.

How Does Cleansing Oil Work?

Cleansing oils use the principle that “like dissolves like.” The oil in the cleanser binds to the oil, makeup, and grime on your face.

When you massage it in, it breaks down impurities like:

Dirt and dead skin cells

Oil and sweat buildup

Sunscreen and makeup

Pollution particles

Once you rinse with water, the formula emulsifies. This means it turns milky and lifts all the gunk away, leaving your skin fresh and soft.

Unlike some cleansers, oil cleansers don’t penetrate the pores deeply. Instead, they clean the surface without disrupting your skin’s balance.

What Are the Benefits of Cleansing Oil?

Cleansing oils offer many advantages that make them stand out from gels, foams, and micellar waters. Here are some of the top benefits:

Gentle on skin: They cleanse without drying or irritating the skin.

Moisturizing: Many are packed with hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E or jojoba oil.

Effective makeup remover: They remove waterproof makeup with ease.

Preserves skin barrier: They support a healthy skin microbiome and pH balance.

Good for double cleansing: They work great as the first step in a two-part cleanse.

Your skin feels soft, not tight, after cleansing—perfect for dry or sensitive skin.

How to Use Cleansing Oil (Step-by-Step)

Each brand may have different directions, but most cleansing oils are used like this:

Pump or pour a small amount of oil into your palm.

Rub your hands together to warm the oil slightly.

Apply the oil directly to your dry face.

Massage it gently in circles, covering all areas.

Focus on tough spots like around the nose and mascara on lashes.

Add a little water to your hands and massage again—this emulsifies the oil.

Rinse thoroughly with warm water or a soft washcloth.

Follow up with a second cleanser if needed (this is called double cleansing).

Pat your face dry with a clean, soft towel.

Always check the label for brand-specific instructions.

What Is Double Cleansing?

Double cleansing is the process of using two cleansers—one after the other. You start with an oil-based cleanser and follow it with a water-based one.

Why do this? Because the first cleanse removes oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, and sebum. The second cleanse removes sweat, dirt, and leftover residue.

This two-step method leaves your skin completely clean without stripping it. It’s especially useful for people who wear a lot of makeup or live in polluted areas.

Who Should Use Cleansing Oil?

Cleansing oil can work for all skin types. Here’s a breakdown of how different skin types benefit:

Oily Skin

It might seem odd to use oil on oily skin, but it can actually help. Oil-based cleansers dissolve excess sebum without drying your skin out.

When you strip oily skin too much, it may overproduce oil to compensate. Cleansing oils prevent that by maintaining your skin’s natural balance.

Choose formulas labeled non-comedogenic and free of pore-clogging oils. Look for added ingredients like tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or green tea.

Dry Skin

Dry skin types will love cleansing oils. They’re often rich in nourishing oils like avocado, almond, or camellia oil, which soften the skin.

They gently remove impurities while locking in moisture. Cleansing oils leave dry skin feeling smooth and hydrated instead of tight or flaky.

Look for oils with vitamin E or hyaluronic acid to maximize hydration.

Sensitive Skin

Cleansing oils are often free from harsh chemicals, making them a gentle choice for sensitive skin.

Since they don’t contain drying surfactants, they reduce redness and irritation. Always check labels for fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options.

Combination Skin

Combination skin benefits from the balancing nature of cleansing oils. They hydrate dry areas while controlling oil in the T-zone.

The key is to find a formula with lightweight oils that won’t clog pores or weigh down your skin.

What Ingredients Should You Look For?

When picking a cleansing oil, choose ingredients suited to your skin needs. Here are some helpful oils and boosters:

Jojoba oil: Mimics skin’s natural oil; balances all skin types.

Grapeseed oil: Lightweight; great for acne-prone skin.

Sunflower oil: Rich in Vitamin E; supports moisture.

Green tea extract: Fights free radicals and soothes skin.

Vitamin C: Brightens and protects against damage.

Avoid mineral oil, coconut oil, or essential oils if you’re prone to breakouts or irritation.

Can You Use Natural Oils Like Baby Oil or Coconut Oil?

While baby oil and coconut oil can moisturize the body, they’re not ideal for cleansing your face.

They may clog pores or leave behind residue that leads to breakouts. Stick with cleansing oils specifically formulated for the face.

These are designed to emulsify with water and rinse away completely, unlike plain oils.

Should You Use Cleansing Oil If You Wear Makeup Daily?

Yes, especially if you wear foundation, SPF, or waterproof makeup. Cleansing oil breaks through even the most long-wearing products.

Heavy makeup users should double cleanse to ensure nothing is left behind. This keeps pores clear and prevents breakouts or irritation.

Even if you wear light makeup, oil cleansing can be beneficial as it lifts away pollution and daily grime.

How Often Should You Use Cleansing Oil?

Most people use it once per day—usually in the evening. This helps remove the day’s makeup, sunscreen, and dirt before bed.

In the morning, you can follow with a gentle cream or foam cleanser instead, depending on your skin’s needs.

What Are the Drawbacks of Cleansing Oil?

There are few disadvantages, but it’s worth noting:

Some formulas may contain fragrance or heavy oils that irritate sensitive skin.

If not rinsed properly, they may leave a film or cause breakouts.

Some people need a second cleanser to feel truly clean.

Always patch test new products and pay attention to how your skin reacts.

Final Thoughts: Is Cleansing Oil Right for You?

Cleansing oils offer a gentle yet powerful way to cleanse the skin. They hydrate, protect, and support a healthy complexion while removing all types of buildup.

They work well for nearly everyone—but especially dry, sensitive, or combination skin types.

If you wear makeup daily or struggle with dry patches, cleansing oils can make a big difference in your routine.

To get the best results, choose the right formula for your skin type and follow up with a second cleanser if needed.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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