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I think we can all agree that while putting on makeup can be fun, taking it off is less so. (Cue the stubborn eye makeup that lingers even after you’ve gotten out of the shower.) When it comes to makeup remover, you’re not in want of options. There’s face wash, bar soap, towelettes, micellar waters and my childhood staple, petroleum jelly. But one of the most effective ways to remove your makeup is using an oil-based cleanser (especially if you wear heavy makeup). Oil-based cleansers dissolve the oil on your face that holds onto your makeup, giving you a more thorough clean. After chatting with NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner and doing extensive testing, I’ve rounded up ten of the best oil-based cleansers, ranging from Burt’s Bees to Drunk Elephant, Kora Organics and The Ordinary. May your face be squeaky clean.
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The 10 Best Oil-Based Cleansers at a Glance
Meet the Expert
How I Vetted the Best Oil-Based Cleansers
To cull this list of the 10 best oil-based cleansers, I spoke with Dr. Turner about the features and ingredients he would consider when shopping for one himself. Then, I researched the internet’s most loved products, looking at data from Google Trends and forums to see what people were raving about. Ultimately, I put together a list of 17 oil-based cleansers for consideration, testing 12. Fellow PureWow editors and our testing team evaluated the cleansers based on efficacy, ease of use and scent. Here are our top 10.
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“[I have combination skin and used the Addiction Tokyo cleansing oil to take off my makeup.] The scent was very pleasant, aromatic but clean. With a few swipes, everything glided right off, including eyeliner and mascara,” says tester Claire Ngozi. [I thought it was] very gentle, not drying and didn’t sting. Hands down one of the best cleansing oils I have ever used.” The lightweight formula is packed with sesame, olive and jojoba oil. It rinses away easily and can even be used to remove false eyelashes.
This is one of my favorite oil-based cleansers because it also doubles as an exfoliant. Every cleanser comes with a small vial of Bamboo Booster, which is great for giving the lips (or my entire face) a quick scrub. The scent is a light, pleasant kiwi/strawberry combo, and the balm leaves my face feeling soft and hydrated. My only gripes are that the tube of exfoliant is so small it’s almost impractical to offer it at all, and at $38 per jar, it’s definitely one of the pricier options on this list.
“I’ve been on the lookout for a skin-cleansing product that gets the job done and is gentle on my sensitive skin. I want (more than) a few things from my cleanser: Something that doesn’t feel sticky on my hands or face, that’s hydrating and gentle on my skin and that works quickly so I can go to sleep as soon as humanly possible. Bonus if it’s affordable but still feels a little luxurious. I [used the cleansing oil to] wash off a face full of Friday night makeup. I was immediately impressed with the way the oil felt in my hands, light and silky, but not greasy. It contains a blend of coconut oil (rich in vitamin E) and argan oils (rich in antioxidants, aka “liquid gold”) that hydrate skin as you cleanse. As I thoroughly massaged the lightly fragranced oil onto my face, I watched my makeup melt right off and rinse down the drain. Sooo satisfying (just me?). After drying off, my skin felt soft, smooth, hydrated and clean.” – PureWow Senior Editor, Branded Content, Kelsey Paine
Versed is one of my favorite skincare brands because they make great products at accessible price points, all while upholding strong commitments to the environment. The Day Dissolve balm is so calming, thanks to the gentle eucalyptus scent. It’s also gentle on the eyes, never stinging mine even though I’m thorough when taking off mascara. Versed advises using it as part of a double-cleanse routine, but I think it stands on its own.
“I liked the scent of Kora Organics’ cleanser, which contains no artificial ingredients. It does have a more organic smell to it (think mushroom) that I like. This wasn’t the best makeup-removing product, but what pleasantly surprised me is that it…
Read More: The 10 Best Oil-Based Cleansers, Tested & Reviewed