These gentle face washes melt away makeup and grime.
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Cleansing your face with oil might seem counterintuitive (and conjure visions of clogged pores and breakouts). But in fact, cleansing oils are actually good for skin: "These formulas effectively remove makeup, dirt and impurities while helping to maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann.
Oil-based face cleansers combine with the oils on your skin and in your makeup, breaking them down so they're easier to remove, explains cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowski. Dermatologists recommend oil cleansers because they "are specially formulated to take away impurities in the skin while leaving a layer of moisturizing oils to prevent skin irritation," explains Julia Tzu, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.
The GH Beauty Lab is constantly evaluating the latest face cleanser formulas, including cleansing oils. They are assessed by consumer testers with a range of skin types (including oily, sensitive, combination and dry) for their cleansing efficacy, ease of application, and the look and feel of skin after use.
Curél's fragrance-free cleansing oil proved to be a standout as one of the best makeup removers in GH Beauty Lab testing and it's a GH Beauty Award winner. It rated best for not feeling sticky and 100% of testers said the formula didn’t irritate their skin. The face wash also scored well for dispensing easily and making skin feel smooth. "It did a great job of removing my makeup with no trace left," one user marveled, yet "didn't dry out skin," another commented.
For high-end quality at an affordable drugstore price, look no further than this Palmer's formula, which delivers hydrating results. "It did a great job of completely taking off my makeup!" said one GH tester who has dry skin. "It was just the right amount of oil to leave my skin smooth and moisturized." Softening grapeseed, jojoba and rosehip oils team up to wash away makeup, dirt and oil.
Parched skin drinks up this Burt's Bees cleansing oil, which is rich in plant oils (including argan, coconut and sunflower). "Many cleansers can aggravate my constantly dehydrated skin, but this feels so nourishing and comforting as it melts away the grime of the day," says one GH beauty editor, adding that it's a great face wash for dry skin because it "somehow leaves skin feeling hydrated and soft to the touch yet clean, with no layer of oily residue lingering."
EltaMD's GH Beauty Award-winning face wash is an oil-based gel made with emollients that melts into a light milk, whisking away even the most stubborn makeup and grime without greasy residue, which we think makes it one of the best face washes for oily skin. Unlike some oil cleansers, it makes skin feel deeply cleansed, ideal for oily skin types. The formula effectively removed residue from sunscreen and heavy makeup, Beauty Lab evaluations found. “My face felt clean and toned yet soft afterward,” a tester remarked.
This CeraVe formula is a rare oil cleanser that actually foams. It's a GH Beauty Lab expert favorite — and available at both your local and online drugstore for a good value. "I am a huge fan of this — it is truly the only cleansing oil I use," Wizemann raves. "It gives me all the benefits but without the messiness." GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn also sings its praises: "It’s so gentle, but leaves my face very smooth, clean and makeup- and dirt-free, with no dryness or tightness."
Cleanse even the delicate eye area using Caudalie's gentle oil face wash formula loaded with botanical oils: sunflower, castor seed, sweet almond and grape seed. Unlike some formulas that require a separate eye makeup remover, this was created for use around the eyes. "It really soaks into skin to remove the day's makeup and gunk, and the almond scent is amazing," says one GH beauty editor.
With a rich olive oil base that cuts through grit and grime, the DHC deep cleansing oil has earned cult classic status, converting even the oil-averse. "It took me a while to get on the cleansing oil bandwagon, but this all-star converted me,” raves GH Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price. “It leaves my skin super soft and supple and literally removes every last trace of makeup." Antioxidant vitamin E and rosemary top off the moisturizing formula.
Tatcha's star cleansing oil made with Japanese ingredients like rice bran, camellia seed oils and green tea is beloved by GH beauty experts. "This works so well to take off dirt and grime,” one GH beauty editor said. “It’s also super gentle, so it won’t irritate skin." The formula emulsifies on skin and leaves behind a dewy, smooth feeling.
No fear of skin irritation with Naturopathica's mild oil-based cleansing balm, a GH Beauty Award winner made with skin-coddling plant oils. The rich formula combines nourishing sweet almond oil, plus shea butter and honey to relieve reactive skin as it gently cleanses. The proof: "My inflamed face actually felt better using this," a tester reported.
From the dermatologist-recommended skincare brand Isdin, this formula was a GH Beauty Award winner for conditioning skin as it dissolves both the day’s impurities and makeup. GH Beauty Lab experts were impressed by the product’s thorough cleansing performance. “It feels soft and silky on skin — a really luxurious experience — and doesn’t dry out my face,” one remarked. Another said: “It leaves skin luminous but not oily.”
Dissolve the day's makeup and grime with this Kiehl's cleansing oil formulated for the evening. "It's especially helpful to use at night since it smells like lavender and is really relaxing,” one GH editor said. “It works like a charm to take makeup off." Hydrating squalane and evening primrose oil unite to boost complexions' radiance all the while making skin (namely redness) feel soothed. Our beauty editors also rave about the formula's "heavenly, aromatherapy-like scent."
The GH Beauty Lab evaluates face cleansers, including cleansing oils, throughout the year. Face cleansers are distributed to consumer testers of a variety of skin types who use the products in their skincare routine for a set time period. They then assess each formula on factors including texture, scent, level of lather, ease of application, irritation, efficacy at removing makeup and impurities from skin, and look and feel of skin after use.
In the Beauty Lab's most recent face cleansers test, 408 products were label-masked to eliminate bias and evaluated by 376 testers. Scientists calculated 4,512 consumer survey answers to identify the best formulas.
Consider the following factors to determine which face cleansing oil is the most effective for you:
✔️ Your skin type and needs: "Keep in mind what type of skin you have and whether you have any specific concerns, like acne, sensitivity or aging," Wizemann advises, and choose formulas that call those out on the packaging.
✔️ The product texture: Decide whether you favor a lightweight or heavier option, Wizemann says. "If you prefer a cleanser that leaves less of an oily residue, check the ingredients list to see if it contains emulsifiers [look for an ingredient with polyglyceryl, like polyglyceryl-10 dioleate], which help it rinse off faster with water."
✔️ Skin sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin, "choose a fragrance-free option and avoid any essential oils and botanical extracts, as they can irritate skin and trigger allergies," she notes.
"Cleansing oils are a type of facial cleanser that uses oil to remove dirt, makeup and impurities from skin," Wizemann explains. "They are typically formulated with carrier oils, a blend of plant oils such as coconut, olive, jojoba or grapeseed oil that make up the base of the formula." In addition, cleansing oils "often contain emulsifiers to help the oils mix with water, making the product easier to rinse off," she says. "Some formulas may include vitamins and antioxidants for additional skincare benefits and preservatives to ensure and maintain product’s stability."
As for how they work, "when massaged onto the skin, the cleansing oils bind with the oils on skin, as well as makeup, sunscreen and other impurities," Wizemann notes. "This process dissolves these substances, allowing them to be easily washed away with water." Cleansing oils can remove even stubborn makeup and residue, too: "The oil also helps to break down waterproof makeup and can lift dirt and debris from pores, resulting in a thorough cleanse," she says.
Yes, "almost any skin type can benefit from cleansing oils," says pro makeup artist Tati Westbrook, especially those with dry and sensitive skin that want to cleanse without dehydrating or irritating skin. "Those with very oily skin may find that cleansing oils feel too heavy, so it's important to choose products suited to your skin type and preferences, such as the feel on the skin after cleansing," Wizemann notes.
Remember that a little goes a long way with cleansing oils, Wizemann says, so start with a small dollop of the product. "Massage the cleansing oil in circular motions onto dry skin with dry hands," she recommends. "Then wet your hands with warm water to emulsify the oil and rinse it off thoroughly." Pat your face dry with a clean towel and follow with the rest of your skincare routine.
GH Beauty Director April Franzino originally wrote this guide based on GH Beauty Lab testing data and scientist expertise. She most recently updated this story with additional expert commentary from our Beauty Lab experts. GH Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin has also contributed writing and reporting to this guide.
GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann conducted the Beauty Lab's most recent face cleanser and makeup remover tests, and oversees the assessment of face cleansing oils for the GH Beauty Awards.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
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