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).