If you want to get extra benefits from your cleanser while removing dirt and makeup from your face, then you need to use a cleansing oil. If you are still using harsh foaming cleansers or makeup wipes to remove dirt and makeup, then it’s time to switch to cleansing oil for the protection of your skin. Why is cleansing oil so essential for your skin? What are the benefits of cleansing oil? Is it suitable for oily skin? Here, we will answer all your questions about this skincare trend.

What is cleansing oil?

Simply put, cleansing oil is a type of oil-based skincare product used to cleanse your skin. It easily lifts away all the dirt, sunscreen, makeup, and excess oil from your skin.

Have you ever heard the phrase “oil attracts oil”? Cleansing oil works somewhat in this way. It can easily wash away the oil produced by your skin, known as sebum, and the oil-based ingredients found in various makeup or sunscreen products.

What Are the Benefits of Cleansing Oil?

A good cleanser starts your daily skincare routine by cleaning your skin’s makeup and dirt. But the benefits of cleansing oil do not stop there—it not only nourishes your skin but also provides you with many more advantages. I am explaining the extra benefits of cleansing oil:

1. Protects the Skin’s Natural Barrier
   A regular cleanser can leave your skin feeling tight and dry after use. But cleansing oil cleans while preserving the skin’s natural hydration and protective barrier. It also strengthens the skin’s natural barrier. This makes it ideal for dry and sensitive skin.
   
2. Nourishes, Hydrates, and Softens the Skin
   Most cleansing oils are enriched with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, sunflower oil, argan oil, or olive oil. So they surely hydrate and soften your skin while making it more nourished. After washing, the skin feels smooth and comfortable.
   
3. Soothes Irritation and Redness
   If you have sensitive skin, cleansing oil can reduce irritation, redness, inflammation, and even sensitivity. That’s because these cleansers are made from calming and natural oils. It is a soothing option for people with rosacea, eczema, or easily irritated skin.
   
4. Maintains Oil Balance
   Cleansing oil keeps your skin hydrated and calm, and over time it can help regulate the overproduction of oil. This helps reduce the tendency of your skin to become oily and acne-prone. And your skin benefits from this balance.
   
5. Gently Removes Makeup and Sunscreen
   Cleansing oils are incredibly effective at breaking down stubborn, waterproof makeup, long-wear foundation, and SPF. Unlike other cleansers, you don’t need to scrub—just massage and rinse. You’ll see it melts away without any irritation throughout the day.
   
6. Deeply Cleans Pores
   Oil attracts oil. So, cleansing oils penetrate deep into your pores and dissolve excess sebum, blackheads, and impurities, helping to prevent your skin from breakouts and dullness.
   
7. Prepares the Skin for Better Absorption of Other Products
   Cleansing oil creates a clean, hydrated canvas on your skin, allowing your serums, moisturizers, and treatments to absorb more effectively. That’s why it’s the ideal first step in your routine.

For your convenience, here are the 2 best cleansing oils I have tested. You will get the best benefits by using them.

How does cleansing oil work on your skin?

When you apply cleansing oil to your skin, the oil works differently than other oils you use. Our skin contains oil all over; in order to lubricate and moisturize itself, our skin produces its own oil called sebum. But the American Academy of Dermatologists believes that excess sebum can cause issues like breakouts and clogged pores.

But cleansing oil is a way to deal with excess sebum, and there’s a popular saying that goes: “Fight a thorn with a thorn.”
Cleansing oil forms a bond with the oil and dirt on your skin. And it works as a barrier to protect your skin. Along with that, it keeps the skin soft and hydrated.

Typical facial cleansers remove both good and bad bacteria from your skin. But cleansing oil does not remove the beneficial bacteria and microbes of the skin, which can help prevent acne infections on your skin.

This quality makes cleansing oils unique for skin care. And provides a dual approach to skincare. Cleansing oil not only removes impurities from within your skin but also can reach deeper than your average water-based wash.

If you want to know how to contour your face with makeup, then you can read this post.

Which Skin Types Are Suitable for Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oils are formulated in a way that makes them suitable for all skin types and are a versatile skincare product. I would say you should choose the right formula based on your skin’s needs. However, here I explained what kind of benefits cleansing oils provide for different skin types:

1. Dry Skin
   Cleansing oil is especially beneficial for dry skin. Foaming cleansing agents can strip your skin of its natural oils. But cleansing oils remove dirt and makeup from the skin so gently and replenish moisture that your skin doesn’t suffer any damage. The ingredients in cleansing oil help maintain your skin’s hydration barrier and make it feel soft, not tight.
   
2. Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
   This may sound counterintuitive to you, but cleansing oil works well for oily or acne-prone skin. The principle of “like dissolves like” works beautifully here. Cleansing oil dissolves excess sebum and deeply set impurities in the skin and stops the production of excess oil. For this type of skin, cleansing oil cleans without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
   
3. Sensitive Skin
   Cleansing oil is also gentle enough for sensitive skin. It removes makeup and impurities without harsh scrubbing or ingredients that could cause irritation. Cleansing oil is free from artificial fragrances, alcohol, and unnecessary oils to avoid increasing your sensitivity.
   
4. Combination and Normal Skin
   For combination or normal skin types, cleansing oil helps maintain balance. It hydrates dry areas and effectively cleans oily areas. Since most cleansing oils are made with plant oils, they easily ensure that the skin is refreshed and clean without becoming greasy or stripped.
   

Cleansing oil can be a gentle, effective first step in any skincare routine and can benefit all skin types.