When people ask me what my best tip is skincare-wise, I am ADAMANT it’s cleansing oil. I think it’s the greatest product I’ve tried in my life, and I have tried many things because I’m an ex-Beauty Editor, a job where you literally are paid to play with skincare, basically.
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The thing is – I am a fundamentally lazy human being. I hate putting effort into anything, particularly when it comes to tedious tasks. Cleaning my face? The woooorst.
So cleansing oil was a game-changer for me. Basically, it’s the easiest step ever in removing all your makeup – eyes, lips, face, the lot. As someone who wears a full face of makeup daily, getting that stuff off – REALLY off, like not a trace left – is hard. Mascaras are long-wear these days, I wear a full coverage foundation, etc etc. That stuff isn’t meant to budge, so a normal cleanser won’t do the trick.
You use a cleansing oil FIRST, on dry skin, to get rid of makeup. Then, after you rinse it off in the shower (my trick) or at the basin, you go in with your usual cleanser, which is now doing it’s thing on the more important shit like clogged pores and your actual skin, not just hitting a makeup layer, you know?
I chatted to Jodie King, Director at Skin Clinic Blyss, for the expert take on cleansing oils.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
Basically, it comes down to “like attracts like” with oils, as Jodie explains.
“Oils in the cleanser are attracted to oils on the skin, whether it be sebum or oils in makeup. When massaged into the skin, oils in the cleanser bind to surface impurities – removing dirt without clogging pores and allow them to be comfortably rinsed away leaving the skin clean, soft and hydrated without stripping the skins barrier.”
You’re removing all the crap on your skin, basically, leaving it clean so your cleanser is doing it’s job to prep your ACTUAL face.
HOW DO YOU USE THEM?
Most of the confusion with cleansing oils is about how you use them. Some products are different (and should have specific instructions) but the basic rule is – apply them to dry skin. Literally just whack a pump of the stuff on top of your makeup. Then, rinse off in the shower.
“Massage a small amount onto dry skin, ensuring that you work the oil into problem areas. Cleansing oils will also remove eye makeup and are gentle for the eye area. If you are using a pre-cleansing oil, massage your cleanser over the op of the oil to remove impurities and the cleansing oil.”
You can then go in with another cleanser, if you want a deeper clean.
WHAT INGREDIENTS SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?
Some cleansing oils are just designed to whip off your makeup, but others have skin benefits that can help with everything from protecting your skin barrier to nourishing dryness.
“Look for a mixture of botanical oils. These may include olive, sunflower, safflower, almond or grape seed oils, green tea extracts and vitamins that include E or C for antioxidant protection.”
When it comes to what to avoid, try and steer clear of mineral oils, lanolin and fragrance – ESPECIALLY if you have sensitive skin.
CAN I USE ONE IF I HAVE OILY SKIN?
All skin types – even acne and oily skin – can use cleansing oil.
“Because cleansing oils don’t strip the skins surface (making it believe that the skin is dry), there is no chance of the skin becoming more oily. Cleansing oils that contain botanicals may also aid in calming inflammation caused by acne.”
Basically, don’t be scared to put oil on your already oily skin. If anything, it could help minimise sebum over-production.
