Oil cleansers dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and sebum without stripping your skin. Whether you’re starting a double-cleansing routine or replacing harsh foaming washes, these are the best options across every budget and skin type.
What to Look For
- Base oils — Look for non-comedogenic options like soybean, grapeseed, or jojoba that won’t clog pores
- Emulsification — Quality oil cleansers turn milky with water and rinse clean without residue
- Skin type match — Lightweight formulas suit oily skin; richer oils work better for dry or mature skin
- Added actives — Some include gentle acids (PHA, BHA) for light exfoliation or centella for calming
- Fragrance — Sensitive skin benefits from fragrance-free formulas; others may include natural essential oils
Product Recommendations
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil — Best Overall
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The original Japanese oil cleanser that set the standard for the entire category.
DHC built this cleanser around organic olive oil, which binds to sebum and dissolves waterproof makeup without clogging pores. The formula includes rosemary leaf oil and vitamin E for antioxidant protection. It emulsifies cleanly and rinses without leaving a greasy film.
- Pros:
- Removes waterproof mascara effortlessly
- Fragrance-free and colorant-free
- Works on all skin types
- Proven formula with decades of use
- Cons:
- Olive oil base may not suit everyone
- Simple formula lacks added actives
Best for: Anyone wanting a reliable, no-frills oil cleanser that simply works.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil — Best for Sensitive Skin
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A K-beauty favorite formulated with soothing heartleaf extract for reactive skin.
Anua uses heartleaf (houttuynia cordata) throughout their line for its calming properties. This oil cleanser passed hypoallergenic and eye irritation tests, making it safe for use around the eyes. It targets blackheads and sebum while keeping inflammation in check.
- Pros:
- Hypoallergenic formula
- No eye stinging
- Effective blackhead removal
- Lightweight texture
- Cons:
- Contains light fragrance
- May need thorough rinsing
Best for: Sensitive or acne-prone skin that reacts to harsh cleansers.
MANYO Pure Cleansing Oil — Best for Blackheads
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Korea’s top-selling cleansing oil with over 20 million bottles sold worldwide.
MANYO packed this formula with argan, rice bran, camellia, and jojoba oils that melt into pores and dissolve blackheads during massage. The blend transforms into a milky emulsion that lifts away debris. Lab-tested to remove 99.74% of surface pollutants.
- Pros:
- Excellent for dissolving blackheads
- Rich blend of nourishing plant oils
- Dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic
- Natural scent from botanical oils
- Cons:
- Thicker texture takes longer to rinse
- Essential oils may irritate very sensitive skin
Best for: Those dealing with congested pores and stubborn blackheads.
Hanskin PHA Pore Cleansing Oil — Best for Gentle Exfoliation
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Combines cleansing power with polyhydroxy acids for light daily exfoliation.
Hanskin’s formula includes PHA (gluconolactone), a gentler alternative to AHA that exfoliates without irritation. Tea tree, jojoba, olive, and grapeseed oils dissolve makeup while the acid works on dead skin cells. The gel-oil texture spreads easily and emulsifies cleanly.
- Pros:
- Built-in gentle exfoliation
- Large 10 oz bottle
- Free from parabens and artificial fragrance
- Won’t sting eyes
- Cons:
- May be too active for very sensitive skin
- Gel texture differs from traditional oils
Best for: Those who want cleansing and exfoliation in one step.
Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil — Best Budget
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A Japanese drugstore staple that delivers quality cleansing at a fraction of the price.
Kose designed this for fast, effective cleansing without residue. Five oils (olive, jojoba, sesame, safflower, and shea butter) remove makeup and rinse so cleanly that some users skip the second cleanse entirely. The lightweight formula works quickly, living up to its “Speedy” name.
- Pros:
- Exceptional value
- Rinses completely clean
- Removes stubborn mascara
- Works on wet or dry skin
- Cons:
- Basic formula without added skincare benefits
- Packaging varies by seller
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want effective, no-nonsense cleansing.
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser — Best for Dry Skin
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A balm-to-oil cleanser built around moisture-locking squalane.
This cleanser starts as a balm that melts into an oil when warmed between your hands. Plant-derived squalane mimics your skin’s natural lipids, so it cleanses without disrupting the moisture barrier. Accepted by the National Eczema Association for gentle, non-irritating formulation.
- Pros:
- Supports moisture barrier
- Soap-free and non-comedogenic
- Eczema-friendly
- Affordable for the quality
- Cons:
- Balm texture requires warming up
- May feel heavy for oily skin
Best for: Dry, dehydrated, or eczema-prone skin that needs gentle cleansing.
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm — Best Premium Balm
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An award-winning balm cleanser with farm-sourced ingredients and sustainable packaging.
Farmacy’s balm transforms from solid to silky oil to milky lather as you massage. Sunflower oil dissolves makeup while papaya enzymes provide gentle exfoliation. The formula includes upcycled moringa, holy basil, and arugula for antioxidant benefits. Clinically proven to remove 99% of long-wear foundation and waterproof mascara.
- Pros:
- Three-phase texture transformation
- Natural papaya exfoliation
- 100% recycled packaging
- Pleasant citrus scent
- Cons:
- Higher price point
- Requires spatula for hygienic use
Best for: Those willing to invest in a luxurious cleansing experience.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil — Best for Anti-Aging
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Traditional Korean ginseng meets modern micellar technology for deep, nourishing cleansing.
Beauty of Joseon infuses this cleanser with ginseng seed oil, prized in Korean skincare for its revitalizing properties. The micellar technology lifts impurities like a magnet without scrubbing. Soybean oil base dissolves makeup while keeping skin soft and bouncy.
- Pros:
- Ginseng provides antioxidant benefits
- Gentle micellar cleansing action
- Subtle calming herbal scent
- Works for all skin types
- Cons:
- Light makeup removal only
- Best paired with foam cleanser
Best for: Those wanting cleansing with anti-aging benefits.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil — Best Lightweight Formula
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A watery-light oil cleanser featuring calming centella asiatica from Madagascar.
SKIN1004 sources centella from Madagascar for maximum potency. This cleansing oil has a notably thin, watery texture that spreads easily and rinses without residue. Six plant-derived oils (including jojoba, olive, and sunflower) dissolve sunscreen and makeup while centella calms the skin.
- Pros:
- Ultra-lightweight texture
- Dermatologically tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Ideal for oily skin
- Cons:
- May need more product for heavy makeup
- Contains bergamot oil (photosensitizing)
Best for: Oily or combination skin that dislikes heavy oil cleansers.
Verdict
For most people, the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil delivers reliable performance across all skin types and makeup levels. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, the Anua Heartleaf provides gentler cleansing with soothing benefits. Budget shoppers should grab the Kose Softymo Speedy—it punches well above its price point.
