What is Oil Cleansing? Should You Double Cleanse?

Curious about oil cleansing? Here's what you need to know, including how to do it, and whether it's right for your skin type.

Skincare fans, and especially those who prefer natural beauty products, may have come across the term 'oil cleansing' before. It sounds odd to use oil to clean your face, especially if you grew up an acne-prone teenager who was adverse to oil in any products. However, there are some merits to this method, and I'm here to break down the benefits, how to do it correctly, what to do if you have oily skin, and the best oils if you want to try it for yourself.

Jump to:

• What Is Oil Cleansing?
• Benefits of Oil Cleansing
• How To Do It
• Modified Cleansing Method: Double Cleansing
• Can I Cleanse With Oil If I Have Oily or Breakout Prone Skin?
• My Oil Cleansing Routine and Favorite Oil Cleanser For Acne Prone Skin

What Is Oil Cleansing?

Oil cleansing is simply using natural oils or oil-based products to gently cleanse the skin and balance the skin's natural oils. The concept is that like dissolves like - meaning that oil is more effective at dissolving oil and impurities, while warm water opens up the pores and allows it all to be washed away, all while leaving the skin's barrier nourished and intact.

With oil cleansing, a pure oil or oil blend is used all over the face to dissolve makeup and impurities, and then wiped away using a warm, wet washcloth. It may be followed up with a more traditional cleanser, but in the purest form, no other cleanser is used.

Benefits of Oil Cleansing

Fans of oil cleansing claim many benefits, including:

• balancing skin, whether you are oily or dry
• soothing sensitive skin
• clearing acne and blackheads
• nourishing dry or mature skin
• maintaining the skin's barrier - the natural oils and microbiome that protect the skin

And it's not just skincare fans claiming these benefits. More research is coming out that traditional cleansers can be too harsh and disrupting to the skin barrier, leading to excessive drying and in turn excessive sebum (oil) production¹; while leaving the skin barrier intact and the microbiome undisturbed can help protect the skin against acne and certain infections². Studies show that oil cleansing helps the skin retain moisture, and can improve skin barrier function, which can be beneficial to those with dry and aging skin^3,4. Furthermore, oil was shown to be more effective at removing sunscreen, while causing less irritation and dryness than regular cleanser⁵.

How To Do It

In its most pure form, the oil cleansing method goes like this:

1. Rub a quarter-sized amount of cleansing oil between your hands and massage all over dry skin, using circular motions to massage skin for 1-2 minutes.
2. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and apply to the face, allowing it to remain there until it cools.
3. Gently wipe away impurities and excess oil with the washcloth.
4. Repeat if needed (for example, if you were wearing heavy makeup and need more cleansing).
5. Follow with any other serums, treatments or moisturizers you like.

Modified Cleansing Method: Double Cleansing

If you don't feel like this method completely removes all makeup and impurities, or if you have stubborn acne-prone skin, you may opt to try the double-cleanse method. You still get the benefits of oil cleansing, but you also don't have to worry about any remaining oil or residue clogging your pores. This is the method I've adopted after traditional oil cleansing left me needing a little something extra. Just make sure to use a very gentle water-based cleanser without surfactants or harsh chemicals. I use True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser, though any of their cleansers would be great. A gentle cleansing milk would also be good.

Double Cleansing Method

1. Start with the method for oil cleansing above.
2. Follow with a gentle, natural water-based cleanser, gently massaging onto your face and rinsing away with warm water.
3. Pat skin dry and follow with any serums or moisturizers.

What I typically do is skip the washcloth in the oil cleanse and just rinse with warm water, then use a washcloth with my cleanser before rinsing it all off. Do what works for you!

Can I Cleanse With Oil If I Have Oily or Breakout Prone Skin?

Yes! I was skeptical of the oil cleansing method myself, since I have sensitive, breakout prone skin. Frankly, I was skeptical of all oil-containing skincare after having oil-free everything pounded into my head as a teenager. But adding oils into my skincare routine has been the absolutely best thing for my skin, especially as I get older! I not only use the oil cleansing method (I use a modified version - see above), but I also use face oils as moisturizers both in the morning and evening. They're essential for keeping my skin balanced and hydrated.

That said, there is often a bit of an adjustment period when you first start oil cleansing as your skin rids itself of toxins and impurities. You may notice more breakouts for 1-2 weeks while your skin rebalances. Make sure you're using an appropriate oil or blend for your skin type, and if you still have trouble, try the double cleansing method or change up the oil you're using. I prefer a pre-mixed oil so that I don't have to play guessing games blending my own.

My Oil Cleansing Routine and Favorite Oil Cleanser For Acne Prone Skin

As I mentioned above, I use the double cleansing method. My favorite combination works extremely well for me at removing everything from the day - mineral sunscreen, makeup, sweat and grime - while also leaving my oily skin moisturized, nourished and balanced. Here's what I use:

Oil cleanse with One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Oil followed by True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser

(Psst! They are also both available at Credo Beauty. Grab $25 off your purchase with my link!)

Resources

1. The effect of a daily facial cleanser for normal to oily skin on the skin barrier of subjects with acne ↩︎
2. The human skin microbiome ↩︎
3. A study on skin conditions by water-soluble cleansers ↩︎
4. The effectiveness of using a bath oil to reduce signs of dry skin: A randomized controlled pragmatic study ↩︎
5. The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen: Water, cleanser or cleansing oil? ↩︎