Even Oily Skin Types Can Use These Cleansing Oils (2024)

This one is rich in ingredients that calm itchiness and restore the skin's barrier, making it a dermatologist favorite. It also has another secret weapon: "Formulated with Avene's thermal spring water, this is gentle and soothing on the skin and a great option for those with sensitive skin," says New York-based dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell New York Presbyterian Medical Center. "Not only does it cleanse but it also helps to support and restore the skin barrier. It is gentle enough to be used on the face or body."

Rave review: "I have dry sensitive skin and my face seems to like this. I also like how easy this is to disperse—some pumps are just not user friendly. This is well packaged and there’s a lot of it, so this for me is overall a winner."

Oil cleansers are often recommended as part of a two-step double cleanse (that's when you use an oil product first and then follow it up with a foam cleanser)—and this one is designed to be used in this way. "I love the smell and texture of this product," says licensed dermatology physician assistant Merry Thornton, founder of Element Medical Aesthetics in New Canaan, CT. "We often use this on facial patients because it gets through oil, sunscreen and makeup with apricot kernel oil, orange peel oil, vitamin E."

Rave review: "I cannot live without this stuff. I've been using PreCleanse since my late teens when my skin was super oily. I'm now 37 and my skin is much drier and I find it nourishes and adds oil back to skin."

If you're dealing with red, angry acne or rosacea, you know: Inflammation is the enemy. That's where this gel-oil hybrid comes in: Rich in essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory oils such as passion fruit seed oil, this unique gel-oil balm promises to reduce irritation and redness after just one use. "This emulsion restores your hydro-lipid barrier and calms even the most sensitive skin types," says Lozina. "And, it has real rubies in it." Plus, the formula is vegan and you can buy eco-friendly refills once you're finished with your first jar.

Rave review: "I love my Ruby crystal cleanser. It’s nourishing on my skin, easy to use, and leaves my complexion looking fresh. It's the best cleanser I've ever tried."

Lozina chooses this formula when she's encountering a client with particularly stubborn blackheads since it works to dissolve pore-clogging gunk and can be used with your current cleanser as the first step in a double-cleanse routine. Not that you'd need to use a second cleanser: This one won't leave behind a sticky residue. Simply massage a small amount onto dry skin, wet your hands and continue massaging until a milky emulsion forms, and then rinse with warm water.

Rave review: "My makeup just disappears like magic. It's so easy to use and gentle on skin—I really cannot do without this product. You only need to use a tiny bit so one bottle lasts a long time. It's worth every cent."

For those who crave the makeup- and sebum-dissolving power of an oil cleanser, but can't get behind using a non-foaming face wash, there's this option from dermatologist-recommended mainstay, Cerave. Dr. Garshick is a fan of this formula, which is infused with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane to cleanse and leave skin feeling moisturized at the same time. "It's a great option for all skin types, but especially those with dry to very dry skin," she says. You can also use it as a pre-cleanse or on its own—and the formula is suitable for use on the face and the body.

Tester review: "Not only does this cleanser not irritate my eyes, it's just hydrating enough and it also doubles as an effective replacement for a double-cleanse for removing makeup. For once, the claims worked for me; I hope they never change this formula."

If you need an option that's strong enough to remove even the most stubborn makeup and sunscreen—including water-resistant and waterproof formulas—and will also leave you with a healthy glow, this is the formula for you. That's why this is one of Thornton's go-to picks: "It has an oil-to-milk texture with key ingredients that include extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, and clary sage," she says.

Rave review: "This makes my skin feel supple and nourished without feeling oily afterwards. It’s really lovely."

A blend of avocado, grapeseed, and olive oils, this powerhouse product thoroughly cleanses but is completely residue-free. The formula transforms into a milk-like texture that's perfect for dry and sensitive skin and is also fortified with vitamins A and E as well as nourishing and calming lavender and eucalyptus essential oils. And for those with particularly sensitive skin, the product eschews synthetic color and fragrance—both common skin irritants—for natural options. For this reason, Malin & Goetz's formula is one of Thornton's favorites.

Tester review: "It doesn't strip my skin of its natural oils and that is most important to me. I have extremely sensitive skin and this cleans makeup off of my face without feeling like I had done so."

It's a fact: Polluted air can have an effect on your complexion. This product—from a Japanese brand beloved by in-the-know aestheticians like Lozina—combines hydrating heavyweights like sodium hyaluronate and squalane with debris-clearing cleansing ingredients that effectively remove pore-clogging gunk and skin-damaging particulate matter. "I love it because it leaves skin hydrated, clean and silky smooth," Lozina says.

Rave review: "I've been using this cleanser for the past couple months and I love it."

This option—a Dr. Garshick favorite—uses a combination of grapeseed and sweet almond oils to dissolve makeup and remove pore-clogging debris without overstepping skin. But what makes this one a standout is the addition of tocopherol, an antioxidant that can shield skin from environmental damage and also hydrate. "It's best used by applying it onto dry skin and then rinsing with lukewarm water," Dr, Garshick says.

Tester review: "This cleanser is gentle and effective. It removes makeup, including eye makeup. and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I highly recommend it."

Sweet almond, grapeseed, sunflower, and castor oils combine in this clean vegan formula that whisks away makeup with ease and leaves skin feeling soft, supple, and moisturized—not greasy. Worried this one might break you out? Don't be: "This blend of natural plant oils is also non-comedogenic," says Dr. Garshick. Translation: Caudalie's cleansing oil is safe to use on complexions that tend toward the oily, acne-prone side.

Rave review: "This took off my full face of makeup off with two-and-a-half pumps. The smell is fantastic and it didn’t make my skin feel tight or uncomfortable. This is a new staple in my routine."

This product—a blend of all-natural ingredients like coconut oil, sea buckthorn, lavender, vetiver, and tamanu oil—will cleanse your skin, yes, But it's also an effective hydrator as well. "This oil resets and cleanses your skin and acts as a moisturizer and exfoliator as well," says Lozina, who selected this product as one of her top picks. "Plus, it smells fantastic." And for those who are looking for a product that's organic and completely plant-based, this one fits the bill: It features wildcrafted ingredients and is created in small batches.

Rave review: "It took me a while to get the hang of cleansing with oil, but I’ve been using it for three weeks and my skin looks and feels amazing. I’ve noticed a difference in texture and reduction of dark spots on my cheeks."

Sure, this one is pricey. But the experts who know products insist its worth the splurge. "This has an endless list of oils plus shea butter to moisturize your complexion and antioxidants to protect skin," says Thornton. Some of the highlights from the ingredient list: Alfalfa, which nourishes, vitamin A from Sacha Inchi oil to neutralize free radical damage and stimulate collagen production, and moisturizing squalane. Oh, and the formula is also vegan and cruelty-free.

Tester review: "I purchased this cleaner as I noticed my aging skin was getting drier with my previous cleanser. I was a little skeptical at first, but it's gorgeous. It leaves my skin dewy and is the perfect base for my nighttime moisturizer."

It may not be the most exciting option, but pure argan oil proves that no-frills is sometimes the way to go. "It’s very basic but it does the trick when you want to remove makeup and moisturize the skin," says Thornton. Plus, if you're a clean beauty enthusiast who doesn't want to use a product that contains chemicals, it doesn't get more natural than this.

Rave review: "This goes smoothly on my skin and leaves it feeling moisturized. I am beyond happy with my purchase and will continue to use it for as long as it's in stock."

An oil for oily skin? Absolutely! "This product is safe for acne and dry skin types plus it regulates oil production throughout the day," says Lozina. It's also fragrance-free, gentle on skin, and effectively removes makeup while leaving your face nourished and moisturized. An all-around winner.

Tester review: "I have oily skin and this has become my favorite cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling clean without over drying it."

A mineral oil-based cleanser that tackles even the most stubborn makeup and dirt but has a lightweight, non-greasy feel? Sounds impossible—especially at under $10—but it's not. Neutrogena's unscented formula is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested to be gentle and effective at removing even the most stubborn impurities. It's a win for your skin—and your wallet.

Tester review: "I just started using a primer and waterproof mascara and didn't realize how hard they would be to remove. It was a giant hassle until I got this—I massaged in a little bit around my eyes and then removed it all easily."

The name kind of says it all—these are oil-based cleansers that serve as a gentler alternative to foaming cleansers, which have the potential to strip skin and leave it dry and dehydrated. "As opposed to traditional water-soluble cleansers, these products rely on the principle of like dissolves like, meaning the oils in the cleansers work to remove the oils in makeup and sunscreen, not to mention your skin's natural sebum, without drying out your complexion," Dr. Garshick explains.

The main ingredients in these cleansers tend to be plant-derived oils such as grapeseed, sunflower, and argan oils, adds Thornton. Oftentimes, they are used as part of a double-cleanse, where an oil cleanser is followed with a foaming cleanser to remove any leftover slickness.

Despite what you may assume, yes, they can be. Because inflammatory skin conditions—acne included—are characterized by an impaired skin barrier, anything that helps to keep that barrier intact is a good thing—and oil cleansing is one of the best ways to gently remove grime without compromising your skin's outer layer, Thornton says.

But it all depends upon the ingredients used: "Not all oils are created equal so you need to be savvy in your ingredients," Lozina stresses. "Oils that can be very pore clogging include coconut oil, flaxseed, wheat germ and palm oils, so try to avoid those." Also, look for the work non-comedogenic on the label, which means a product has been tested to not clog pores, says Dr. Garshick.

A great starting point is to look for a selection of oils that are made of smaller molecules that can penetrate the pores such as argan oil, clary sage, sunflower oil, and maracuja oil, says Thornton. And the more streamlined the ingredient list, the better—especially if you have sensitive skin, says Lozina. "I always suggest taking the less-is-more approach—fewer ingredients are generally better tolerated by those with sensitive skin," she says.

In terms of what to avoid, our experts eschew common skin irritants like fragrance and sulfate surfactants. "Some others to avoid include myristyl/isopropyl myristate, isocetyl/octyl/isopropyl stearate, hexadecyl alcohol, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and lanolin," says Lozina. "These are all highly comedogenic ingredients to avoid in your home skincare routine."