Oil has an undeservedly bad rep, and we're here to change that
While we’re sure that cream cleanser you’re using is very nice, it might be worth switching it out for the best cleansing oil.
Why? Nothing removes make-up, surface impurities and dirt from your pores quite as well as an oily formula will. You’ll find you barely have sweep it across your eyes to shift even the best waterproof mascara.
Using an oil cleanser on an already oily complexion might seem counter-intuitive, but the best thing to remove oil is in fact, oil. It’s one of the biggest beauty myths that oil will make you break out if you have oily skin; this is simply not true, as in fact it’s probably the best cleanser for your skin type.
Lifting dirt and oil from your skin, cleansing oil goes on to dry skin, emulsifies with a little water and washes off as a milk, leaving your skin feeling clean and soft. Much like a cleansing balm, it can be used as the first step in your double cleanse. Read on as we break down the best that money can buy…
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, £24, Lookfantastic
One of the best-selling and most famous cleansing oils out there, this olive-oil based formula is super thick and nourishing for a really thorough cleanse. It leaves your face feeling soft and never greasy, and has a gentle and natural scent. Especially great for dry skin types.
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Simple Cleansing Oil, £4.66, Boots
If you’re looking for a bargain, the Simple cleansing oil is the way to go. It’s made with natural grape seed oil for soft and comforted skin, as well as vitamins A & E, and will dissolve make-up in a jiffy.
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Votary Rose, Geranium & Apricot Cleansing Oil, £45, Cult Beauty
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I can’t get enough of this cleansing oil. It smells incredible without being too rich; easily dissolves impurities, make-up, SPF, the works; and doesn’t overload my combination-to-oily skin (though it’s suitable for all skin types). It’s a bit like having an ultra-express spa treatment every evening, and comes with a great textured cleansing cloth to wipe the whole thing off when you’re done. I wouldn’t be without it. Ever.
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Keep on scrolling for more of the Marie Claire approved cleansing oils to snap up, stat.
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The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, £12, thebodyshop.com
The body shop offer some of the best cleansers on the high street, with the Camomile Cleansing oil a firm favourite in the offices. Efficient and bang for your buck, this one takes off all of your make-up gently with the comforting smell of chamomile to help you wind down at the end of a long day. The Sumptuous Cleansing Butter from the same range is also excellent.
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bareMinerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil, £23, Fabled
Oil Obsessed is bang on in terms of thickness (not too thick and gloopy, not so thin it easily seeps between your fingers), smells delicious and, most importantly, doesn’t leave your eyes super blurry when removing eye make-up. A win-win if ever we heard one.
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Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil, £32.50, Fabled
Truth: Elemis make some of the best cleansers the world has to offer. Rich in skin beneficial Omega-9, this glorious formula cleanses and softens the skin without stripping it, for a radiant-lookign complexion all year round.
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Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil, £34, Escentual
Shiseido’s cleansing oil is so fluid that it’s almost water-like, but don't let that fool you; its cleaning power is exceptional. As well as being an great cleanser, it has a really comforting smell, like fresh laundry in an airing cupboard.
