Melt away the day with an oil cleanser

Picture this: you've just returned home after a long day at the office and all you can think about is taking your makeup off.

You could use a traditional cleanser formula to do the job, but it could take you three or four applications to actually get every last stich of makeup off your mug. Or you could follow in the foot steps of those at the forefront of beauty (AKA the pioneers in Korean skin care) and try an oil cleanser that melts away your makeup in just one application. 

The best part? Oil cleansers contain a slew of hydrating ingredients that help to minimise that awful tight and dry feeling you can get after cleansing, making them a suitable option for all skin types including those with sensitive skin.

Even oily skin types can reap the benefits of an oil cleanser, because oil clings to oil, which means if you experience an overproduction of oil and sebum, an oil cleanser can help to effectively remove build-up without disrupting the skin's moisture levels. In other words, the skin won't overcompensate and produce more oil to hydrate skin that's been dried out from over cleansing.

Keen to try an oil cleanser for yourself? Keep scrolling, ahead you'll find BEAUTYcrew's top picks in the category...

2024's Top 3 Best Oil Cleansers

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil, $30.05, Beauty Amora
CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, $30.99, Chemist Warehouse
Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser, $37.50, Fenty Beauty

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
from $30.05 at Beauty Amora

This K-Beauty oil cleanser utilises a blend of antioxidant-rich plant and seed oils  (black bean, black sesame oil, blackcurrant seed oil) to help deeply hydrate normal to dry, and even sensitive, skin types. The richly moisturising formula targets dry patches on the skin, as well as effectively melting and removing heavy and waterproof makeup. Plus, this gentle pick is also fragrance-free. Score!

Key features:

Suitable for normal to dry skin types and sensitive skin types
Fragrance-free
Contains a blend of antioxidant-rich plant and seed oils (black bean, black sesame oil, blackcurrant seed oil)
Removes heavy and waterproof makeup
Richly hydrating formula targets dry patches 

Available at:

• $30.05 from Beauty Amora
• $35.10 from Oz Hair & Beauty
• $39 from Adore Beauty

CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser
from $30.99 at Chemist Warehouse

CeraVe has injected its signature triple ceramide blend into this formula alongside tried and true skin hydrators like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Designed to replace a double cleansing routine, the oil to foam cleanser melts away makeup using moisturising squalane oil, which emulsifies when in contact with water to help effectively cleanse and purify the complexion without drying out the skin.

Key features:

Contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and squalane
Oil to foam cleanser formula
Emulsifies and foams when in contact with water
Melts makeup and cleanses skin without drying out the skin

Available at:

• $30.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $33.99 from Priceline
• $33.99 from Priceline

Fenty Skin Melt Awf Jelly Oil Makeup-Melting Cleanser
from $37.50 at Fenty Beauty

This unique jelly oil cleanser formula contains a rich blend of kalahari melon, baobab, sunflower, castor, rosemary, clary, bergamot, orange and grapefruit oils and shea butter. This potent combo is focused on moisturising, softening, nourishing and conditioning skin, while also melting away longwear and waterproof makeup, sunscreen, dirt and oil. The jelly oil transforms when emulsified into a lightweight oil with a light spa water-inspired scent.

Key features:

Contains a blend of nine oils (kalahari melon, baobab, sunflower, castor, rosemary, clary, bergamot, orange and grapefruit)
Enriched with softening and conditioning shea butter
Jelly oil formula transforms into a lightweight oil upon application
Removes longwear and waterproof makeup, sunscreen, dirt and oil

Available at:

• $37.50 from Fenty Beauty
• $50 from Sephora

Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
​from $62 at Adore Beauty

Does your skin tend to feel stripped, dry, tight or uncomfortable after cleansing? It might be time to give this lipid-balancing oil cleanser a go. Enriched with hydrating and nourishing vitamin E, safflower oil and omega-6, this trio of ingredients simultaneously reinforce the function of a healthy moisture barrier, as well as helping to fight free radical damage. The silky oil formula transforms into a milky emulsion that helps to remove makeup, dirt and pollutants. Plus, it's gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin types too. 

Key features:

Contains vitamin E, safflower oil and omega-6
Silky oil cleanser formula transforms into a milky emulsion
Reinforces a healthy moisture barrier
Fights pollutants and free radical damage
Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin

Available at:

• ​$62 from Adore Beauty
• $62 from The Iconic
• $62 from Look Fantastic

KORA Organics Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil
​from $62 at Adore Beauty

All you need to do is shake this dual-phase formula oil cleanse to transform it into a milky emulsion that helps to cleanse away makeup, dirt, oil and impurities. The formula contains a blend of babassu oil, apple seed oil and silver ear mushroom, which work in unison to nourish, soothe, soften and hydrate skin during your cleansing routine. 

Key features:

Dual-phase formula (shake to activate)
Contains babassu oil, apple seed oil and silver ear mushroom
Nourishes and softens skin
Energised with clear and rose quartz
Cleanses away dirt, oil, makeup and impurities

Available at:

• ​$62 from Adore Beauty
• $62 from Sephora
• $62 from The Iconic

Now that you're on the oil cleanser bandwagon, it's time to take the next step n your cleansing routine. Try a cleansing device.

Main image credit: @dualipa