How to Use Cleansing Oil: Expert Tips for Clear, Hydrated Skin | IPSY (2025)

Washing your face at the end of a strenuous day can sometimes feel like more of an arduous task than a self-care ritual, especially when you need to scrub, scrub, and scrub to remove all that makeup, dirt, grime, and more from your complexion. While a regular facial cleanser may not be enough to remove stubborn eye makeup or sunscreen, one particular type can do the trick. Enter: cleansing oil. The oil-based cleanser offers a deep cleanse and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. A cleanser that removes makeup and impurities all while hydrating your complexion? Yes, such a thing does exist! We reached out to the skincare experts to learn more about this miracle product, including what it is, how to follow the oil cleansing method, whether you need to double cleanse, and more. Read on for their expert skincare advice.

Meet the Expert

Ka-Young Kang is the product planning & development team manager at MA:NYO.

Sarah Saleen is a licensed esthetician and beauty influencer.

Joanna Czech is a celebrity esthetician and founder of JOANNA CZECH SKIN CARE.

So, What Are Cleansing Oils?

As you might have already guessed, cleansing oils are a type of face wash that uses oils to wash your complexion. “[They] dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and impurities while keeping the skin’s natural moisture intact,” says Ka-Young Kang, product planning & development team manager at MA:NYO.

Kang continues, “To give you a better understanding of how cleansing oil works on your skin, cleansing oil removes makeup or oil-based impurities on the skin by dissolving them with the help of oil that is attracted to the oil found in your makeup products or blackheads on your skin. The oil in cleansing oils is lipophilic, meaning it is attracted to other oils, allowing it to dissolve makeup and excess oil while also softening the skin.” Even if you have oily skin, cleansing oils can help manage sebum production (aka excess oil production) and won’t antagonize your acne-prone skin. They can help balance your oil production, leaving you with a more balanced complexion.

How to Incorporate a Cleansing Oil Into Your Skincare Routine, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Start With Dry Skin

Licensed esthetician and beauty influencer Sarah Saleen recommends starting the oil cleansing process with dry skin. “Applying to dry skin will allow the oil to adhere to any oil-based impurities,” she says. Not only should you apply it to a dry face, but you should apply it with dry hands as well.

Step 2: Use Two to Four Pumps

Around two to four pumps of oil cleanser is ideal. Then, rub the cleansing oil in circular motions “to dissolve makeup, dirt, and other impurities you would like to remove,” says Kang.

Saleen recommends “focusing on any areas that are prone to clogged pores, like the nose or chin,” so that the cleanser can help dissolve excess sebum in those areas.

Step 3: Massage for Three to Five Minutes

Kang suggests massaging the cleansing oil into your complexion for three to five minutes, especially on problem areas, to let the cleanser work its magic. Again, use some extra time to massage over places that experience clogging or have some waterproof makeup on them that may require an extra bit of elbow grease to remove.

Saleen stresses that you should use the cleanser for at least 60 seconds; otherwise, you won’t be getting the most out of it.

Step 4: Emulsify

This next step is crucial in ensuring you’re able to remove the cleansing oil from your skin without leaving any behind. “Add a little water to the oil cleanser and continue to massage the skin in circular motions for 30 seconds to one minute,” Saleen says. “This should transform the oil cleanser to a milky consistency” so that no trace is left behind, even for those with mature skin who have fine lines and wrinkles.

Step 5: Remove With Lukewarm Water

Not cold water or hot water, but lukewarm water. The experts agree, this is the best temperature to effectively remove the cleanser.

Joanna Czech, celebrity esthetician and founder of JOANNA CZECH SKIN CARE, shares that she “removes her cleansing oil with warm water and a washcloth or puts it on a wet piece of cotton to use it as a makeup remover.”

Step 6: Follow With a Second Cleanser

This is known as double cleansing (more on that below), where after you wash your face with an oil-based cleanser, you use a water-based face wash to also rid the skin of any impurities left behind. “For a thorough cleanse, follow oil cleansing with a water-based cleanser suitable for your skin type. This can be a gel, foam, or creamy cleanser,” says Saleen.

Step 7: Complete the Rest of Your Skincare Routine

Once you’ve finished your second cleanse (or not), you can go ahead and complete your skincare routine. Add your toners or acids, or whichever products you use for your specific skin conditions, and top everything off with a moisturizer to seal in your hard work before you hit the hay.

Do You Always Need to Double Cleanse?

We touched on double cleansing in our “how to oil cleanse” process, but do you always need to do it? It depends. “If you have oily skin, wear heavy makeup, or heavy/water-resistant SPF, a second cleanse is highly recommended,” says Saleen. “This will ensure any impurities, and remaining oil residue are completely removed, minimizing chances of breakouts and clogged pores.”

Kang also advises double cleansing, noting, “It is highly recommended to double cleanse when using a cleansing oil, as this ensures there are no leftover oil residues on the skin.”

Czech notes that it “depends on your situation, like whether or not you are wearing makeup or SPF.” On days when you have on a little mascara and mostly clean skin, you can pretty much get away with a single cleanse or the use of micellar water. She suggests doing a double cleanse twice a week.

What Is the Difference Between a Cleansing Oil and a Cleansing Balm?

Maybe you’re new to a cleansing oil but have heard of a cleansing balm or vice versa. Turns out, there’s not much of a difference between the two. What sets them apart? The consistency. “Cleansing oil is a liquid, while the cleansing balm comes in a solid formulation,” Kang shares. “There is the misconception that they are very different, but they are actually both oil-based cleansers, making them both perfect options to remove makeup and blackheads, and can be used interchangeably as the first step when double cleansing.”

So, which one is best for you? “Someone with dryness may prefer a balm because of their extra skin nourishing benefits and rich emollient texture,” says Saleen. Czech also recommends balms for sensitive skin types because of their more moisturizing formulas. Oily skin types may fare better with cleansing oils because oil dissolves oil. Saleen shares that the best cleansing oils also have a lighter feel for oily and combination skin types.

Don’t be afraid to switch between the two either. Czech says, “I love using both and have 12 in rotation. It just depends on the season and the situation. In the winter, I typically use a balm, but I always travel with an oil cleanser.”

Why You Need to Start Using a Cleansing Oil

Incorporating a cleansing oil into your skincare routine can feel intimidating, especially if you have oily skin, but we promise it’s exactly what your complexion needs. As Czech reminds us, “There is no need to be afraid of the word oil.”

Really, it all comes down to finding the right cleanser for your skin type needs. “If you find the right oil cleanser formulated with gentle and natural ingredients and use it in the right way, you will find yourself reaching for it as a daily cleanser,” encourages Kang. We even have a few recommendations to get you started.

The EVEREDEN Nourishing Facial Cleansing Oil is infused with cold-pressed sunflower seed oil, argan oil, and jojoba seed oil, which promotes a strong skin barrier and helps protect against environmental stressors.

Saleen loves the HARUHARU WONDER Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover because it’s “nourishing and rich in antioxidants,” and it offers a low irritation risk for sensitive skin types since it doesn’t contain fragrances or essential oils.

The MA:NYO Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean is a favorite of Kang’s for those who struggle with an uneven skin tone. Because it contains nigella sativa seed oil, it helps with acne and dark spots on the skin to leave you with a more even complexion.

Czech swears by her trusted JOANNA CZECH SKIN CARE Environ Dual Action Pre-Cleansing Oil, and we love it too, especially for beginners. It’s easy to use and moisturizes your skin without leaving it too oily.

For those still a little wary, Saleen leaves you with some parting words: “It’s understandable to be afraid of oil cleansing, especially if you have oily, acne-prone skin, or have had a negative experience with oil cleansers in the past. But it’s important to remember that oil cleansers are not one-size-fits-all. Formulation and the technique being used do matter and can make a huge difference in your oil cleansing experience.” A little trial and error may be needed to find the oil cleanser that works best for your skin type—and don’t forget to follow the cleansing oil steps above to ensure you’re using the face wash correctly.

How to Use Cleansing Oil: Expert Tips for Clear, Hydrated Skin | IPSY (2025)
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