Oils used to get a bad rap, catching the blame for everything from acne and blackheads to greasy skin. Today, we know that the right oils offer loads of benefits for skin without causing breakouts or leaving skin feeling greasy. There are oil-based shampoos to nourish hair, facial oils to boost hydration and radiance. There are even oils that help treat acne. Cleansing oils are also becoming a popular product, especially when used in a double cleanse routine.
Cleansing oils remove makeup, dirt and debris in one fell swoop. These ultra gentle — yet ultra effective — cleansers effectively whisk away even the most stubborn makeup while leaving skin soft and supple. The best part? They work for all skin types and won’t leave skin greasy or broken out. According to Lindsay Royston at Joanna Czech Studio, the oils are especially good for those with chronically dry skin or makeup wearers because they thoroughly remove all dirt, oil and impurities without stripping skin. This makes cleansing oils an excellent pick during the frigid winter months or when traveling to cold, dry climates.
Each product will vary slightly, but Royston says cleansing oils work best when they’re applied directly to dry skin with dry hands. Then rinsed with water at the end. The addition of water emulsifies the oil, turning it into a milky solution that will rinse away clean with no greasy residue.
Here are the 13 best cleansing oils your skin care routine needs ASAP.
[ Next: Why Double Cleansing Is Totally Worth It ]
The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #1
Mara Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $58 at Mara
A 2021 TotalBeauty Awards winner, this best cleansing oil boasts the brand’s signature algae blend along with papaya, pineapple, grapefruit and pumpkin enzymes. They work together to exfoliate, soften and smooth your complexion while restoring your skin’s natural moisture. The formula is safe for all skin types since it includes marine botanicals and squalane.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #2
Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser, $86 at Nordstrom
This lightweight oil melts makeup and banishes buildup courtesy of natural oils and jojoba esters. Throw in camellia oil for supple skin along with a concentrated blend of arnica, borage, alfafa, elderberry, meadowsweet and calendula that supplies nourishment via minerals, vitamins, nutrients and essential fatty acids and you get a formula that’s a must for all skin types.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #3
Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $32 at DermStore
Suffering from atopic dermatitis or eczema? Then you need to add this oil to your skin care routine. It calms, soothes and alleviates itching. The formula also moisturizes as it deeply cleans without drying out complexions.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #4
Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil, $48 at Sephora
Only one to two pumps of this camellia cleansing oil are needed to thoroughly clean skin. The formula functions as a makeup remover and a cleanser to streamline complicated skin care routines. The cleansing oil is effective, but it won't strip skin of its natural moisture. At the end, emulsify the product with water to rinse it away.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #5
Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Cleanser, $30 at Sephora
A foaming oil cleanser may seem like a misnomer, but the formula does lather when applied to damp skin. It's suitable for normal, dry and combination skin types and helps hydrate skin while smoothing with no greasy finish.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #6
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil, $31 at Ulta Beauty
Clinique's cleansing oil delivers exactly what it promises.It removes all of the grime that builds up during the day, including dirt, oil and makeup. It rinses away without stripping skin or leaving a greasy film.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #7
Origins Modern Friction Cleansing Oil With Radiance-Boosting White & Purple Rice, $36.54 at Amazon
The bottle has major vanity appeal. The different colors in the dual-phase formula actually come from the white and purple rice that boost radiance while washing away dirt and debris. To use the cleanser, shake the bottle, warm it up in hands, then massage it into skin. Add some water and the product will transform into a milk that easily washes away.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #8
Meow Meow Tweet Lemon Rose Cleansing Oil, $25 at Meow Meow Tweet
Stop struggling to remove makeup. This best cleansing oil takes off stubborn makeup without aggressive scrubbing thanks to the blend of coconut, jojoba and hazelnut oils. The lemon and rose geranium oils add a soft, uplifting scent.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #9
Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, $30 at Sephora
The best facial cleansers are gentle yet effective. Biossance's cleansing oil is nontoxic, fragrance-free, mineral oil-free, noncomedogenic and dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. The formula is suitable for all skin types because it scrubs away impurities and makeup while moisturizing.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #10
Monastery Sage Cleansing Oil, $48 at Monastery
Got oily and/or acne-prone skin? This cleansing oil is formulated to treat blemishes and calm irritation thanks to rare Greek sage and coriander. Apply the cleanser to dry skin, then remove it with a soaked cotton sponge, a towel or even a natural sea sponge.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #11
Eleni & Chris Sea3oil Cleansing Oil, $17 at Eleni & Chris
Say goodbye to caked on makeup. This cleansing oil effectively removes waterproof mascara and eyeliner. Yet it's still kind to skin. The omega oil-rich product is suitable for all skin types and works to make skin smoother and more hydrated. What more could we ask for?
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #12
Fresh Seaberry Skin Nutrition Cleansing Oil, $43 at Sephora
Removes dirt? Check. Takes off makeup? Check. Nourishes skin? Check. Fresh's seaberry oil product has everything we want in a cleansing oil. The multiple plant extracts take away dirt and oil while hydrating skin. Use it on days when the cold weather has zapped moisture from skin.
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The Best Cleansing Oils That Are not Greasy #13
Erno Laszlo Sensitive Cleansing Oil, $58 at Belk
Those with sensitive skin don't need to be afraid of cleansing oils. This one is infused with anti-inflammatory plant extracts to help calm dry, easily irritated skin. A combination of vitamin E, jojoba oil and green tea oil removes trapped dirt without compromising skin.
