What is an oil cleanser?

Acne

by Dil | on July 6th, 2011 | 15 comments

What are they?

A replacement for traditional cleansers, cleansing oils are a massive hit in asian countries because of their ability to deep clean the skin. Western brands have recently caught on to this trend in a big way with many of them beginning to release their own cleansing oils.

How do they work?

The concept is very simple: like disolves like. Massaging an oil over your face helps to dissolve all the clogged oil and sebum trapped inside your skin. Once rinsed away, they take all the clogged oils in your skin with them. This works a lot better than trying to remove clogged oil with water and soap. The fact that cleansing oils remove other oily substances make them perfect for acne/clog prone skin.

Now if the sound of rubbing oil over your skin doesn’t sound very pleasant, it’s worth bearing in mind that cleansing oils emulsify. This means that, once they come into contact with water, they rinse away completely leaving absolutely no residue. Clever!

Who are they for?

Cleansing oils work particularly well for people with oily, acne-prone or clog-prone skin. Despite being oils, they can actually be a bit too drying for dry skin.

How do you use one?

Massage a few pumps of oil into dry skin for about 30 seconds.

Now, wet your hands and then massage your face again. The oil will turn into a milky white colour.

Rinse your face as usual and you’re done!

Recommendations

1. DHC Cleansing Oil. The gold standard of cleansing oils, it’s Japanese and olive-oil based. Perfect if you’re acne prone, you may want to avoid this if you have dry skin though.

2. DHC Mild Cleansing Oil. The new mild version is packaged ridiculously but it works as well as the original and is slightly moisturising so go for this one if you have particularly dry skin.

3. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils. Shu Uemura really propelled the popularity of cleansing oils both in Japan and here in the west. Their cleansing oils are all fantastic but incredibly overpriced. If they’re in your budget then definitely go for one, they come in various incarnations depending on skin type. I still prefer DHC over these ones though.

4. Fancl Mild Touch Cleansing Oil. This one’s great for sensitive and/or acne prone skin but it’s only available online. Affordable too!

5. MAC Cleanse Off Oil. One of the first Western brands to get cleansing oils right, this is perfect for most skin types. Other honourable mentions include Bobbi Brown who just released a nice cleansing oil that’s slightly moisturising.

So if you’re interested in cleansing oils, I highly recommend biting the bullet and ordering one. They’re great!

Author Description

Dil

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Comments (15)

WorshipBlues Monday - 06 / 09 / 2010 Reply

The DHC MILD oil is quit gel like don't you think? I love it so much because it's unique consistency and texture allows me to use it in the shower! The Shu one has mineral oil in it and thus causes hyper break outs on me :( The FANCL Light is another brilliant one that I use! It is so mild and a joy to use. Have you tried the RMK one? It's minty and quite powerful.
Daniel Monday - 06 / 09 / 2010 Reply

Thanks for the info. Didn't know that there are cosmetics products like that out there. I only read once in some forum about a guy who uses some home-made mixture of Olive oil and Castor oil for cleansing his face daily. He mentioned it's working great for his skin. I'm not a fan of home-made skincare products but now that I know there are oil based cleansers, I'm definitely going to try the DHC one. Too bad I have to buy all this stuff online from overseas, we have nothing here in Israel (in comparison to the US and EU) :( [frustrated/]
Jessica Monday - 06 / 09 / 2010 Reply

Good post again with nice recommendations! I recently bought Fancl and I am eager to use it! I really think this post could benefit to being the greatest 'What is Cleansing Oil' post if you made a very short introductory to home-made cleansing oils, just quickly mentioning you can make your own by using your choice of moisturising oil (Jojoba, Coconut, Extra Virgin Olive Oil - to name a few) and Castor oil - rub into skin, and take a shower. May need to follow-up with a cleanser!
DS Tuesday - 07 / 09 / 2010 Reply

where do u buy the DHC one? I'm living in Germany and do not really fancy to order it from Japan :/
- admin Tuesday - 07 / 09 / 2010 Reply
  
  DHC retails internationally, you may want to check if you can buy through http://www.dhcuk.co.uk which is UK-based.
- rosyi Saturday - 06 / 11 / 2010 Reply
  
  have you bought that DHC? i've tried to contact the costumer service, and they said that they don't ship to Germany because they don't have susidiary in germany. Ps: i live in Germany too.
Adam Friday - 10 / 09 / 2010 Reply

What is your opinion of the Anthony Cleaner ? Someday I'd love a review of the whole Anthony line!
- admin Sunday - 12 / 09 / 2010 Reply
  
  As in Anthony Logistics? I'll try and write a full line review soon!
Tommy Sunday - 12 / 09 / 2010 Reply

I tried the Cleansing Oil after reading your review. NOW, I too am a fan. I like how VERY CLEAN my face feels. I'm looking forward to discovering more finds as I continue to read through the entries on the site. The only issue I had was finding the product - being one w/little patience for waiting to receive packages from online ordering - so I had to research where it was sold retail here in LOS ANGELES. Only ONE location in a Japanese supermarket in Gardena. For other Angelenos who might be interested, there's a DHC product-line counter @ AMK Marukai Pacific Market (1620 W. Redondo Beach Blvd). It's marketed as a "make-up remover" so you may have to look beyond the nice saleslady's facial-query as to why you're buying it. Note: she will try to sell you the men's facial scrub.
- admin Sunday - 12 / 09 / 2010 Reply
  
  Thanks for the tip!
Tyler Saturday - 20 / 08 / 2011 Reply

I wanted to thank you for the site! Just stumbled upon it in the last few weeks. My question is this, do you use any websites that carry a large range of cosmetic products? I live in Canada and alot of the products reviewed and reccomended in your blog I am unable to find. I wouldn't mind placing an online order for some of these products but do you have any particular go to sites that have a good selection of costmetic products? Cheers
Katie Wednesday - 21 / 09 / 2011 Reply

The MAC cleanse off oil is excellent. Should be on everyone's shopping list!
Ben Tuesday - 27 / 09 / 2011 Reply

I went out on a limb and purchased the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, and I'm stunned!! My acne seems much calmer, and this is after only a day's usage!! Great stuff indeed. Thanks for the recommendation, Dil :)
Jake Friday - 20 / 04 / 2012 Reply

Hi! Thanks a lot for your recommendations! Just to clarify, after using DHC cleansing oil, do I still need to wash it with cleanser? Thanks.
Jake Friday - 20 / 04 / 2012 Reply

Sorry. Left out a point in my previous MSG. For the cleansing part, can I use any facial form? I'm currently thinking of using naive. Will it be too dry for me if I combine both? Thank you.

What is an oil cleanser?

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Dil

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