Which Cleansing Oil is the Best?

Oil-based products are some of the best ways to remove makeup — especially stubborn eye makeup or lipstick. I find that for days where I go a bit heavier (like when wearing wedding for a special event or even using something waterproof), a cleansing oil is a must.
To clarify, I do not have oily skin (I’m more on the dry side), so using a cleansing oil hasn’t caused any issues. If you’re worried about your skin feeling too oily after applying a cleansing oil, you can always follow up with a gentle foaming cleanser for a nicer finish. And since cleansing oils have been around for years, brands have perfected their products to not clog pores like the oils of years before.
Cleansing Oils I’ve Tried & My Top Pick
Over the years, I’ve tried a few cleansing oils. Some I received as samples or minis from my latest Sephora order, while others I purchased on my own to try. Here are the most recent five cleansing oils, saving my favorite for last.
boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil – This cleansing oil is packed with anti-aging and hydrating skin nutrients like green tea and rosehip. The coolest thing about it is that it does truly give your skin a refreshing “cooling” affect (as the name suggests). I recommend swapping over to this cleansing oil during the summer months.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil – I wanted to love this product since I’ve seen a lot of people rave about it (and it makes almost every “top cleansing oil” list I see in magazines), but I just didn’t love it. I found that I had to use a lot of the product to remove my makeup, and it left my skin feeling too oily at the end.
Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil – This product has since been rebranded a bit (the name now contains “Vinoclean”), but the ingredients are the same. On the pro side, it’s vegan (if you prefer vegan skincare) and is certified “clean” at Sephora. I found that it did a nice job of removing my makeup and cleansing my skin, but I found a more affordable option that I liked even better (see below).
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil – This is a super luxurious cleansing oil for the woman who wants something a little more than an everyday cleansing oil. It has a lavender scent and contains squalene. I did find that it worked best when I used a cloth or disposable cotton pad to really get the makeup off my eye area.
My Top Pick: Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Oils – I randomly picked this up at the drugstore when I was desperate to try out a cleansing oil for my makeup, as my current product wasn’t cutting it. I re-purchased it probably 4 or 5 times before I switched over to a cleansing balm, which proves just how much I love this product. The oil removes all makeup, nourishes your skin, and has a nice earthy smell to it (I’m not sure how else to describe the scent).
I dont know why cleansing oils intimidate me – but I need to try one!
Do these leave your eyes cloudy after using them? I’ve never been able to find an oil or balm that didn’t do that.
They don’t for me – I use a warm washcloth really lightly after using the oil to get rid of any excess around my eye area. If you’re super careful and diligent, it shouldn’t leave your eyes/lashes cloudy.
We have a similar skin type so I’m going to definitely check out the Burt’s Bees one. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion!