What are cleansing oils and who are they for?
Interestingly, before 2014, cleansing oils were primarily products used in facial spas. For many of us, they have become an integral part of our skin care routine.
If you’re new to 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 are cleansing oils? 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.
Even though it’s an oil, it rinses off easily with water and leaves no residue. That’s because a clever formula allows cleansing oils to cleanse the skin and remove the “bad” oils, also known as sebum, which clog pores and cause 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 that leave the skin soft, ultra-soft, and hydrated.
How to use cleansing oils. Different brands of cleansing oils may vary slightly, but the best way to use most cleansing oils is as follows: Take a small amount of cleansing oil in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together to warm up the product.
Apply the cleansing oil to your wet face. Gently massage the product into the skin and any hard-to-reach areas, such as around the nose. Be careful around the eyes and use your fingers to gently remove mascara from your eyelashes.
Spray a little more water on your skin and massage the product in circular motions. Rinse the oil off thoroughly with your hands and water or a towel.
After removing the oil, you can double cleanse with a facial cleanser or other cleanser. Pat your skin dry with a soft, clean towel. For some oils, the method of removing them is different. Therefore, you should do this before using
read the instructions.
How does cleansing oil work?
When cleansing oil is applied to the skin and massaged, the oils in the cleanser dissolve dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other surface impurities. Everything is then rinsed away and ready for the next
step in your routine.
Cleansing oils do not penetrate pores, so there is no need to worry about 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 it of all the oils, leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable.
You may also find that removing oils completely causes your skin to produce too much sebum, which can make it appear shiny, greasy, and potentially breakouts. Cleansing oils ensure that the skin’s natural pH is balanced and that the skin’s protective barrier remains fully functional, 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 dissolve dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and deposits on the surface of the skin.
Cleansing oils are easily removed with water and will not clog pores. Cleansing oils do not irritate the skin and do not cause a feeling of tightness or discomfort. Cleansing oils leave the skin feeling soft. Cleansing oils are enriched with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients to ensure that the skin’s protective barrier functions properly.
Cleansing oils are a great way to gently remove makeup from the skin and eye area. Makeup remover oils for all skin types.
What skin types are best suited for makeup remover oils?
All skin types can use makeup remover oils as they are easy to rinse off and do not leave residue on the skin. Deciding whether to use a makeup remover oil is really a matter of personal preference.
If you have an oily skin type, you may be hesitant to use oils on your skin, but as mentioned above, the oils in cleansers can work on your skin without interfering with its natural sebum production and keep your skin moisturized.
The skin is actually clean. Excessive oil secretion from the skin can lead to blackheads, acne, and pimples.
It is recommended to check the ingredient list carefully as makeup remover oils may contain varying levels of essential oils such as almond oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil. These may cause certain problems for blemish-prone skin. Therefore you should
choose a makeup remover oil that contains antioxidants such as green tea and vitamin C to maintain a clear complexion.
If you have dry skin, you will love using a cleansing oil, as the high vitamin E formula and powerful nourishing ingredients help to easily remove makeup while moisturizing your skin, leaving your face looking radiant, happy, and healthy.
Some things to consider are finding products that are suitable for skin cleansing. Products like baby oil and coconut oil are great for moisturizing dry skin (especially on the body and when applied to damp skin after a shower!).
Use these oils to remove surface impurities and makeup, which can cause a number of skin issues when applied to your face.
Another aspect to consider when using a cleansing oil is the amount of makeup you wear on a daily basis. If you use a full coverage, oil-controlling primer, you will find that a cleansing oil can penetrate the product, but it won’t completely remove it. It’s best to double cleanse to ensure that no makeup is left on your skin. If you’re wondering what “double cleansing” means, it simply means using a cleansing oil to remove makeup, dirt, and debris.
Then use a face cleanser to remove makeup residue and impurities from your skin. We have a dedicated blog post on our website to help you find the best face cleanser for your skin type. We hope this answers some of your questions,
What is essential oil cleansing and how to use it for best results and very happy, 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.