Using an oil cleanser on sensitive skin is actually a great idea. Even if you have oily skin, there are still plenty of oil cleansers that will work for you. The point of an oil cleanser is to remove makeup and leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, and clean. And while they are very hydrating, that’s not their main purpose.
Cleansing oils are incredibly gentle on the skin, meaning they’re unlikely to irritate even the most sensitive skin. If you find that a cleansing oil breaks you out, it might just be that brand. You should try a different one with different ingredients.
Here are a few great cleansing oils made specifically with sensitive skin in mind.
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil
You can get this knockout of a cleansing oil from Sephora for $35 a bottle. Shiseido is one of the world’s most trusted beauty brands and they have tons of skincare products that are beloved by many, this is just another to add to that list.
This cleanser will remove all makeup from the skin without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. It can be used on dry or wet skin as the first step in your skincare routine at night.
Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil
Palmer’s Skin Therapy Cleanser Oil is on the budget side, only costing $14 per bottle at Walmart. This brand is well known for its cocoa butter, but its cleansing oil is also to die for.
Palmer’s cleanser contains cocoa butter, sesame oil, rosehip oil, and a top oil that helps to promote healthy skin cells.
One Love Organics Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover
One Love Organics Cleansing Oil + Makeup Remover is great for breaking apart even the thickest of foundations with its laundry list of plant based ingredients, including pumpkin seed, papaya seed, and sunflowers seed.
This oil is both hydrating and packed with antioxidants. It will definitely help take your skincare routine to the next level. For $42 a bottle, you’ll cherish this cleansing oil with your life.
Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil
If you’re looking for a cheaper drug store option, try the Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil. Good cleansing oils are hard to find at the drug store, they’re always either too oily or made with the wrong kinds of oils, causing breakouts and struggling to remove makeup.
The Neutrogena option is game-changing, a blend of fine oils that remove impurities and makeup while leaving the face silky smooth. It’s also non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested.
How Does Cleansing Oil Work?
Cleansing oils work by dissolving makeup when it interacts with it. A lot of makeup, including most concealers, foundations, and SPFs are oil-based, meaning oil cleansers will easily take these products off of your face.
How to Use Cleansing Oil
Cleansing oils can be used on both wet and dry skin as the first step in one’s skincare routine. You should always use a makeup wipe or eye-safe makeup remover around the eyes, so you don’t damage them. Once you’ve removed your eye makeup, you can go in with your cleansing oil. There are plenty of eye-safe cleansing oils out there, so you might be able to use yours as a catch-all.
Cleansing oil doesn’t lather, but you will be able to see it dissolve makeup on contact when you rub it into your skin.
You’ll then want to rinse your face of the oily, makeup-y mixture and prime your skin for the rest of your skincare routine by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. We suggest using a milky cleanser or other soft/gentle cleanser option. You don’t want to use anything too harsh, as you may damage your skin.
