Today I wanted to share my favorite oil cleansers. An oil cleanser is the first step to removing all traces of makeup and sunscreen at the end of the day. The oil in these cleansers breaks down the makeup and removes it from the pores. This method of using an oil cleanser followed by a regular cleanser is a gentle method that can help keep skin clean and pores clear. Mineral sunscreens can be especially difficult for a lot of cleansers to remove and can lead to clogged pores and irritation when not properly removed each day. I always follow with a regular cleanser (such as DHC Pure Soap or Tatcha Rice Polish) after using the oil cleanser to remove all traces of any remaining oil. I think of the oil cleanser more as my makeup remover and then follow with my regular cleanser during my night time skincare routine.
For best results, you want to apply the oil cleanser first to dry skin and massage it all over to begin breaking down the makeup. Next add some water to work it into a more milky mild lather. These won’t lather like a soap, but they do turn into a milky creamier texture that I then wipe away gently with a washcloth. Then while my face is still wet I apply my cleanser as usual and rinse a few times.
Here are my most favorite oil cleansers that I always keep on hand. Even when I’ve tried other oil cleansers, tried using one regular cleanser, or when I tried mostly medical grade cleansers, these are the ones I always come back to, so I just stick with these now. I feel like this double cleansing method is what really keeps my skin clear.
- DHC Deep Cleansing Oil- This is the first oil cleanser I ever used and one I always come back to after trying other cleansers and methods. This double cleanse method really works for me and keeps my skin from getting irritated. I use this any time I am feeling more dry. I like to follow this with the DHC Pure Soap, another staple I’ve used for years.
- DHC Pore Cleansing Oil– This is a little more deep cleaning and I like to use this when I am mote oily or any time I feel my skin is congested. This one has some citrus oils which can be more astringent so I don’t use this every day. This oil is my favorite one to use when I do in facial massages to really deep clean the pores. I will usually just do this in the shower on hair mask day while I’m letting my hair mask soak in. I simply apply this oil and work it in for several minutes and really massage my whole face, focusing mostly on my cheeks and T- zone and then follow with the DHC Pure Soap to cleanse everything away.
- Tatcha Pure One Step Camelia Cleansing Oil– I tried this oil cleanser when Tatcha first came out and have used it off and on over the years. It works about the same as the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil for me, but seems to be a little thinner consistency. It also has my favorite light scent that makes me feel like I am at the spa. I feel like this oil tends to help brighten my skin tone a little, too.
Lately I’m really enjoying having all of these on hand for whatever my skin feels like it needs that day. I always keep the DHC oils in the shower (you can see their bottles are well loved in the photo), and I keep the Tatcha oil by the sink for when I wash my face there.
If you are looking for a cleansing oil, I can’t recommend these enough. What are some of your favorite cleansing oils? Do you tend to stick with what you love or do you try new ones often?