Why you should try an oil cleanser… + my four favorites!

Winter is in full swing and in my opinion, the best thing you can do for your skin right now is switch to an oil cleanser. I’ve been a big fan of cleansing with oil for ages now, but they still get a bad rap, especially amongst my friends with oilier complexions. But guys. Oil cleansers are for everyone… here me out! They’ll leave your skin feeling silky soft, but never greasy.

The most important thing to know is that oil attracts oil. So when you apply a cleansing oil to your face, it will instantly bond with any oil… sweeping up dirt, impurities, makeup… all of the grime. I typically start by massaging a quarter size amount all over my face. I’ll start with my face and then do my eyes so not to spread my eye makeup all over my face. Then I like to let it sink in for a while (maybe 30 seconds… though sometimes I will brush my teeth with the oil still on my face). From there, I add just the tiniest splash of water, which will emulsify the oil into a milky consistency that rinses away.

Today I’ve rounded up my four favorites… It’s terrible but I have all four in my bathroom right now… I love them all for different reasons.

First up is Tata Harper’s Nourishing Oil Cleanser. This is an old favorite and while it wasn’t the first oil cleanser I ever tried, it was the first one that I fell in love with. It’s rich and silky and ultra luxurious and packed to the grim with vitamins and nutrients (beta carotene, vitamins A, C and E, lycopene and omega 3). I wrote more about it here, but double-cleansing my skin with this + Tata’s Purifying Cleanser completely changed my skin (eliminating roughness, tightness, + dry patches) when it was going through a wonky phase. I will say that it is the most expensive of the bunch, and also probably the best option for dry skin. If you have oilier skin or are just trying a face oil for the first time, I would recommend the Caudalie.

The Caudalie Cleansing Oil is also 100% natural and probably the lightest oil out of the bunch. It’s also the most affordable, retailing for $28. This one contains castor oil, which is actually an incredible cleanser – it detoxifies and has anti-bacterial properties. It’s soft, non-greasy, and will not clog your pores. Other ingredients include Sweet Almond Oil, Grape-Seed Oil, and Sunflower Seed Oil.

I cannot say enough good things about bareMinerals’ new Oil Obsessed Cleansing Oil. I don’t want to say it’s the best part, but the smell is just insane. It smells so good (like lavender and eucalyptus) which makes for an incredibly comforting experience. I wrote more about this one here, but it is a truly excellent cleanser, and the lavender scent will make you want to use it every night before bedtime. It takes off all of my makeup, and rinses away without any greasy residue. L-O-V-E.

Last but not least is Dermascience’s Camellia Cleansing Oil. I was hesitant to include this one as it’s hard to find online (I did find it here!), but you can get it at Whole Foods. It’s from a Korean beauty brand (VANT 36.5) and is becoming one of my favorite oil cleansers. Camellia Oil has long been a favorite in K-Beauty, but (like most K-Beauty!) is gaining popularity in the Western Hemisphere as it manages to penetrate the skin without clogging pores. This one gets skin super clean while deeply nourishing it. It is probably the best out of the bunch at getting my mascara off… it’s just a little hard to find. That said, I know for a fact that it’s available at the Whole Foods in Columbus Circle and Paramus!