Reviews and opinions of popular facial cleansing oils
Benefits
- Effectively removes even long-wear make-up, SPF and everyday impurities.
- The hydrophilic formula transforms into a light, milky emulsion for thorough cleansing.
- Rinses off easily with water without leaving a greasy film.
- Leaves skin soft, smooth and pleasantly refreshed.
- Gently cleanses the complexion without a feeling of tightness or dryness.
- Helps protect the skin's natural hydrolipid barrier.
- Reduces moisture loss and helps maintain proper hydration.
- Improves skin softness and elasticity thanks to squalane.
- Provides antioxidant care thanks to vitamin E.
- Makes removing make-up easy without vigorous rubbing.
- A subtle passion flower scent makes daily cleansing more enjoyable.
- Works perfectly as the first step of a double cleanse.
- Combines effective make-up removal with skincare.
- Long-lasting bottle.
Disadvantages
- Available only in selected shops.
Nutridome cleansing oil is an excellent way to cleanse your skin effectively yet gently, without any feeling of tightness or dryness. Its hydrophilic formula thoroughly dissolves even long-wear make-up, SPF and everyday impurities, leaving your complexion fresh, soft and beautifully smooth. On contact with water, the oil transforms into a light, milky emulsion that rinses away easily without leaving a greasy film. A standout feature is its rich blend of plant oils, which combine effective make-up removal with skincare. Sunflower oil helps protect the skin's natural hydrolipid barrier, sweet almond oil softens and smooths the epidermis, and safflower oil helps maintain proper hydration. The formula is also enriched with squalane, which improves skin softness and elasticity, and vitamin E with its antioxidant properties. The lightweight texture makes it easy to spread and remove make-up without vigorous rubbing, while a subtle passion flower scent makes your daily routine all the more enjoyable. Nutridome cleansing oil works beautifully as the first step of a double cleanse, combining thorough results with exceptional comfort.
Benefits
- Effectively removes make-up, SPF and everyday impurities.
- Micellar technology allows thorough yet gentle cleansing.
- The oily texture turns into a milky emulsion, making make-up removal easier.
- Helps soothe irritation and reduce discomfort.
- Nourishes the skin and helps protect its natural hydrolipid barrier.
- Leaves the complexion soft, smooth and pleasant to the touch.
- Respects the skin's natural pH.
- Fragrance-free, reducing the risk of perfume-related irritation.
- Non-comedogenic formula developed with sensitive skin in mind.
- Dermatologically tested.
Disadvantages
- May leave a greasy film on the eyelids.
- Unpleasant smell.
- High price.
Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil is a gentle cleansing oil designed for the needs of sensitive skin prone to irritation and redness. Thanks to innovative micellar technology, it effectively dissolves even waterproof eye and lip make-up, SPF and everyday impurities, leaving your complexion clean and pleasantly refreshed. Its silky, oily texture turns into a delicate milk on contact with water, making it easy to remove make-up without vigorous rubbing. Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and moisturising ingredients, the formula helps nourish the epidermis, protect the skin's natural barrier and soothe discomfort. Added vitamin E provides antioxidant care, while Laminaria ochroleuca algae extract has soothing properties. The oil respects the skin's natural pH, is fragrance-free and has been dermatologically tested. The practical pump bottle makes dispensing easy, and the long-lasting formula is ideal for daily make-up removal.
Benefits
- Contains 100% naturally derived ingredients.
- Effectively removes make-up, everyday impurities and excess sebum.
- The oily texture turns into a delicate milk for easy rinsing.
- Doesn't leave an unpleasant, greasy film on the skin.
- Nourishes, softens and smooths the epidermis.
- Helps reduce moisture loss and keep skin properly hydrated.
- Provides antioxidant care thanks to plant oils and vitamin E.
- Suitable for removing face, eye and lip make-up.
- Vegan formula.
Disadvantages
- May require more product to remove waterproof mascara.
- Small size (75 ml).
- Relatively high price.
Caudalie Vinoclean is a cleansing oil that combines effective cleansing with nourishing skincare. Its 100% naturally derived formula dissolves make-up, including waterproof products, as well as everyday impurities, leaving your complexion fresh, soft and beautifully smooth. On contact with water, the oily texture turns into a delicate milk that rinses away easily without leaving a greasy film. At the heart of the formula is a blend of skin-caring plant oils. Antioxidant-rich grape seed oil helps protect the skin against oxidative stress, while sweet almond oil intensely softens the epidermis and reduces moisture loss. Added castor oil conditions the lashes as you remove your make-up, and vitamin E provides extra antioxidant protection. Caudalie Vinoclean suits a range of skin types, including oily and combination skin, and its gentle formula allows you to cleanse your whole face, including the eye area. A vegan formula, pleasant texture and easy application make it a valuable addition to your daily skincare routine.
Benefits
- Effectively removes make-up and everyday impurities.
- The silky texture spreads easily over the skin.
- Turns into a creamy milk on contact with water for easy rinsing.
- Leaves the complexion soft, smooth and pleasantly refreshed.
- Helps protect the natural hydrolipid barrier and reduce moisture loss.
- Soothes discomfort thanks to its plant extracts.
- Provides additional antioxidant care.
- Suitable for various skin types, including dry and combination skin.
- Refillable packaging reduces waste.
Disadvantages
- May struggle to remove waterproof make-up.
- Strong, perfumed scent.
- The thin, watery texture may mean using more product during make-up removal.
- Very high price.
Clarins Total Cleansing Oil is a luxurious cleansing oil that effectively removes even long-wear and waterproof make-up, leaving skin clean, soft and pleasantly refreshed. Its light, silky texture glides easily over the face and turns into a delicate, creamy milk on contact with water, allowing thorough cleansing without vigorous rubbing. The sunflower oil-based formula helps maintain proper hydration and protect the skin's natural hydrolipid barrier, while apricot kernel oil softens and smooths the epidermis. A standout element is the Gentle Complex, featuring organic lemon balm and yellow gentian extracts, which have soothing properties and help ease discomfort. Added vitamin E provides antioxidant protection, and moringa seed extract complements the formula's skincare benefits. Clarins cleansing oil is suitable for removing face, eye and lip make-up, and its pleasant texture turns daily cleansing into a comforting ritual. An added bonus is the refillable packaging, which helps cut down on plastic use.
Benefits
- Effectively removes long-wear and waterproof make-up as well as everyday impurities.
- Helps thoroughly clear the skin of excess sebum and make-up residue.
- Gentle Quick-Removing technology allows quick and thorough make-up removal.
- Doesn't leave an unpleasant, greasy film on the skin.
- Leaves the complexion soft, smooth and pleasantly refreshed.
- Helps maintain proper hydration of the epidermis.
- Can be used on both dry and damp skin.
- Suitable for various skin types.
- Dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested.
Disadvantages
- Contains alcohol denat. and fragrance.
- May increase the risk of irritation for those with very sensitive skin.
- May cause stinging eyes in some people during make-up removal.
- High price.
Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil combines thorough cleansing with comforting skincare. Thanks to Gentle Quick-Removing technology, it effectively dissolves even waterproof eye and lip make-up, excess sebum and impurities built up throughout the day. Its light, silky texture glides easily over the face and lets you remove make-up without vigorous rubbing. The mineral oil-based formula effectively dissolves oily impurities, while glycerin helps keep the epidermis properly hydrated. Added grape seed oil provides skincare benefits, and vitamin E delivers antioxidant action. A major advantage is that it can be used on both dry and damp skin, making daily make-up removal even more convenient. The oil has been dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested, and its formula suits a range of skin types.
Cleansing oil – effective cleansing and skincare
Thorough facial cleansing is the foundation of a healthy-looking, smooth and radiant complexion. The right cleansing oil effectively dissolves even waterproof make-up, SPF, excess sebum and everyday impurities without the need for vigorous rubbing. Modern hydrophilic formulas transform into a light, milky emulsion on contact with water, which rinses away easily without leaving a greasy layer. With the addition of skin-caring ingredients, cleansing oils also help keep the complexion soft, properly hydrated and comfortable.
How to choose the best cleansing oil?
When preparing our ranking of the best cleansing oils, we took the following criteria into account:
Does the oil effectively remove make-up, SPF and everyday impurities?
Can it handle waterproof mascara and long-wear make-up?
Does it cleanse the skin thoroughly without vigorous rubbing?
Does it emulsify easily on contact with water and rinse off quickly?
Does it avoid leaving a greasy film or a feeling of tightness?
Does it contain moisturising, nourishing and protective ingredients?
Is it suitable for removing eye and lip make-up?
Is it suitable for different skin types, including sensitive skin?
Is it free from irritation and unpleasant stinging of the eyes?
Does it have a pleasant texture and is it easy to apply?
Is it long-lasting, and does its price reflect its quality and effectiveness?
What ingredients should the best cleansing oil contain?
In a good cleansing oil, look for ingredients that combine effective cleansing with skincare:
Sunflower oil – rich in fatty acids, it helps soften the epidermis, reduce moisture loss and protect the skin's natural hydrolipid barrier.
Sweet almond oil – smooths and nourishes the skin, improving its softness and comfort after cleansing.
Safflower oil – contains unsaturated fatty acids that help maintain proper hydration and keep the epidermis in good condition.
Grape seed oil – has softening and skin-caring properties, and thanks to its antioxidant compounds, it helps protect the skin from oxidative stress.
Apricot kernel oil – smooths the epidermis, reduces the feeling of dryness and leaves the skin pleasant to the touch.
Squalane – a lightweight emollient that softens the skin, helps reduce moisture loss and improves its elasticity.
Vitamin E – has antioxidant properties and complements the protective action of the skin-caring ingredients.
Emulsifiers – allow the oil to blend with water and rinse away easily, minimising any greasy residue.
What is the most important function of a cleansing oil?
The primary role of a cleansing oil is to thoroughly remove make-up, SPF, sebum and impurities. Oil-based substances dissolve the greasy components of make-up, so even long-wear products can be removed without vigorous rubbing of the face. This is especially important when cleansing the delicate skin around the eyes. A well-formulated product also helps keep the skin comfortable after make-up removal. Plant oils and moisturising ingredients reduce the feeling of dryness, while emulsifiers make it easier to rinse the product off thoroughly. A cleansing oil works brilliantly as the first step of a double cleanse, followed by a gentle gel or foam.
What is the best cleansing oil?
The best cleansing oil should effectively dissolve even waterproof make-up, remove SPF and cleanse the complexion thoroughly without compromising its natural comfort. Hydrophilic formulas that emulsify easily with water and don't leave a greasy film are particularly worth choosing. A major advantage is the presence of plant oils, squalane and vitamin E, which help soften, smooth and care for the skin. A good cleansing oil should also be suitable for daily use, long-lasting and easy to apply.
What are the benefits of using a cleansing oil?
Regular use of the right cleansing oil can bring the following benefits:
- Thorough removal of make-up, including waterproof formulas.
- Effective cleansing of SPF from the skin.
- Removal of excess sebum and everyday impurities.
- Less need for vigorous rubbing of the face.
- Reduced feeling of dryness and tightness after make-up removal.
- Softer, smoother epidermis.
- Support in protecting the natural hydrolipid barrier.
- Greater skin comfort during daily cleansing.
- Easier make-up removal from the delicate eye area.
- Preparing the complexion for the next steps of your skincare routine.
- The ability to combine thorough make-up removal with gentle skincare.