Over the last few years, cleansing oils have made their way into the beauty spotlight. They are notable for being effective, gentle, non-stripping, and are one of the top choices for whisking away dirt, grime, and makeup on all skin types.
What is cleansing oil?
It is pretty self-explanatory: Cleansing oils are oils that use the properties of “like dissolves like” to remove dirt and oil from skin rather than using harsh soap ingredients that can strip the skin. Cleansing oils are mixtures of a single oil or a blend of oils without surfactants or emulsifiers.
How do they work?
The oil in the product helps to attract and remove excess oil from your skin but does not dry out your complexion. Cleansing oils have become popularized, some do contain surfactants, also called a surface-active agent, which is a substance such as a detergent that, when added to a liquid reduces its surface tension thereby increasing its spreading and wetting properties. Products with surfactants might be more drying than traditional oil cleansers so make sure to read the label to ensure you know what you’re getting and that it will be the right product for your skin type.
“It is thought that oil cleansers eliminate excess oil because they mimic the molecular structure of skin oil, which enables them to engage with the excess oil and remove it without robbing your skin of all its moisture” says Dr. Gretchen Frieling, a triple board-certified dermatopathologist based in Boston and Founder of Sonyer Skin.
What are the benefits of cleansing oil?
1. Melts away makeup
Cleansing oil is great for removing makeup. Massaging oil into your skin helps to dissolve foundation, lipstick, and even mascara, which you can then easily wash away with water or double cleanse with your favorite gentle cleanser aka Lait Demaquillant : Crisp Conditioning Face Milk.
2. Non-stripping
Cleansing oils balance the skin’s natural oils, which keeps your complexion nourished and moisturized, as opposed to foam-cleansers, which can strip the skin of its natural moisture and leave it dry,” says Dr. Frieling. “Cleansing oils can actually help protect your natural lipid layer as well as safeguard the good bacteria that reside on the epidermis.” Just be sure to follow up with other moisturizing ingredients in your serums and moisturizers to ensure that your skin barrier stays protected and intact.
3. Works on all skin types
Because cleansing oils are among the gentlest of the cleansing options, they work for most skin types, but are particularly great for dry and sensitive skin. “Oil-based cleansers work on all skin types, says Dr. Frieling. “You would use them if you are noticing your water-based cleanser is resulting in drier skin or irritation. Oil-based cleansers can be more soothing and add additional benefits like minerals and antioxidants.” There is some debate amongst the professionals about
whether people with oily or acne-prone skin should stay away from cleansing oils, due to the fact that some formulations can cause breakouts.
How do I choose the best cleansing oil?
Not all cleansing oils are created equally, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Ingredient list of any product you choose—and please, don’t just use whatever cooking oil you’ve got lying around in your kitchen cabinet on your skin. It is best to use products specifically made for facial cleansing, and avoid non-cosmetic formulations like plain coconut, olive, or mineral oils. Lighter oils like squalene, rosehip, and grapeseed oil are light, less comedogenic and but also provide hydration.
Lait Demaquillant : Crisp Conditioning Face Milk
This velvety oil combination is infused with Lilies, Fresh Greens, and Clean Musk, to give you a dewy and delicate makeup-cleansing experience. A Pumpkin and Grape Seed Oil combination gently removes dirt and grime without excessive drying of the skin. Mascara is calmly, yet effectively, removed with excessive scrubbing. This best-selling makeup remover is the secret to glowing and healthy skin, even after wearing the heaviest of makeups.
