What is a cleansing oil and who should use it for?
Interestingly, before 2014, cleansing oil was primarily a product found in spas for facials. For many of us, it has become an integral part of our skin care routine. If you don’t know about cleansing oils, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place as we’ll explain what they are, their benefits and how you should use them.
What is a cleansing oil?
Cleansing oils were originally designed to be used alone or as part of a double cleanse in the morning or evening. They help remove makeup, dirt, debris and excess oil from the skin. Although it’s an oil, you’ll find that it rinses off easily with water and doesn’t leave any residue. That’s because a clever formula allows cleansing oils to cleanse the skin and remove the “bad” oil, also known as sebum, which clogs pores and causes blemishes. Compared to other cleansers like micellar waters, gels and creams, which sometimes contain surfactants that can dry out the skin, cleansing oils are rich in moisturizing ingredients to leave the skin soft and hydrated.
How to use cleansing oil
Cleansing oils may vary slightly from brand to brand, but for most, the best way to use them is:
Pour a small amount of cleansing oil into the palm of your hand
Warm the product by rubbing your hands together
Apply the cleansing oil to your entire wet face
Gently massage the product into the skin and hard-to-reach areas, such as: B. Around the nose
Be especially careful around the eyes, using your fingers to gently remove mascara from your eyelashes
Wet your skin with more water, then remove the product from your skin in circular motions
Rinse the oil off thoroughly with your hands and water or a towel
You can then double cleanse with a face wash or other cleanser after using the cleansing oil
Pat your skin dry with a soft, clean towel
Some oils have different removal methods, so you should always read the instructions before using them.
How do cleansing oils work?
When you use a cleansing oil and massage your skin, the oils in the cleanser break down the combination of dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other surface impurities. Then rinse it all off, ready for the next step in your routine.
Cleansing oils do not penetrate your pores, so there is no worry of clogging them. Instead, your skin is left clean and soft. You may find that other cleansers with oil-free formulas are sometimes too harsh on the skin, stripping away all the oil from your skin, leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. You may also find that removing oils completely causes your skin to produce too much sebum, making your skin appear shiny and greasy, and potentially causing blemishes. Cleansing oils maintain your skin’s natural pH balance and ensure that your skin’s protective barrier remains fully functioning, resulting in a healthy, balanced complexion.
What are the benefits of cleansing oils?
There are many benefits to using cleansing oils:
Cleansing oils can be used alone or as part of a double cleanse to keep your skin clean.
Cleansing oils break up dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and debris that are bound to the skin’s surface.
Cleansing oils are easily removed with water and will not clog your pores.
Cleansing oils will not dry out your skin, leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable.
Cleansing oils leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Cleansing oils are rich in moisturizing and nourishing ingredients that keep the skin’s protective barrier functioning properly.
Cleansing oils are ideal for gently removing skin and eye makeup.
Cleansing oils are suitable for all skin types.
What skin types are best suited for cleansing oils?
All skin types can use cleansing oils because they rinse off easily and do not leave residue on the skin. Deciding whether to use a cleansing oil is basically a matter of personal preference.
If you have oily skin, you may be hesitant to apply oils to your skin, but as mentioned earlier, the oils in cleansers work on the skin without disrupting natural sebum production and can actually keep the skin free of excess oils that can cause blackheads, blemishes, and acne. It is recommended to check the ingredient list carefully because cleansing oils may contain varying amounts of essential oils such as almond oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil. These can easily become a problem for blemish-prone skin. Therefore, choosing a cleansing oil that contains antioxidants such as green tea and vitamin C can help you maintain a clear complexion. If you have dry skin, you will really enjoy using a cleansing oil. The vitamin E-rich formula and powerful nourishing ingredients help to easily remove makeup while locking in moisture for a radiant, happy face.
A few things to keep in mind is to find a product that is designed to cleanse the skin. Products like baby oil and coconut oil are great for moisturizing dry skin (especially on the body and when applied to damp skin right out of the shower!). Using these oils to remove surface impurities and makeup can cause a number of skin issues when used on the face.
Another point to consider when using a cleansing oil is the amount of makeup you wear on a daily basis. If you use a full coverage and oil-control foundation, you will find that a cleansing oil can penetrate the product but it won’t remove everything. It’s best to double cleanse to ensure that your skin is free of any traces of makeup. If you’re wondering what double cleansing means, it’s simply removing makeup, dirt, and debris with a cleansing oil, and then using a face wash to cleanse your skin of any remaining makeup and impurities. Our website has a dedicated blog post to help you find the best face wash for your skin type.
We hope this answers some of your questions about cleansing oils and how to use them to get the best results for beautiful, healthy skin.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.