Oil: It’s not just for deep frying and cars
I would love to hug the genius/sadist who, one fateful, oil-slicked day, threw that first potato into a vat of boiling oil. Buddy, I’d like to shake your greasy hand. 🙂
Mmm, fries…
But oil’s not just for cars and deep frying. Companies have been pushing cleansing oils for years, and skin care lines like Shu Uemura and Decleor even sell them as specialized makeup removers (on the premise that oil attracts oil).
Boscia has one, too. Their MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil will set you back $26 for a 5-fl. oz. bottle. The preservative-free, non-comedogenic cleansing oil is made from eucalyptus, rose hip, green tea, jojoba and golden palm oils (among other things; check out the full list of ingredients in the bottom pic), and the company claims it’s good for all skin types and cruelty-free.
I’d been using it for about a week when it came time to pack for Hawaii. The question was: would it stay or would it go?
I decided to leave it at home. It just didn’t seem unique or hard enough to replace with any number of other non-foaming oil cleansers. Not that I think it’s bad, because I don’t. Not at all. I like how moisturizing it is and that it doesn’t leave behind an oily residue, but my problem is that it just doesn’t remove my makeup very well.
Even with two full pumps of product, it couldn’t remove all of my face makeup (my standard for pictures: foundation, powder, concealer, blush and primer). It got most, but not all. I found myself having to bring out the big guns to finish the job — my tried-and-true PMS (Philosophy Purity Made Simple) for my face and Bliss Lid + Lash Wash for eye makeup.
I got a little concerned the one time I got MakeUp-BreakUp in my eyes. They clouded up, which, for the record, I DID NOT ENJOY. Nope, I’m blind enough as it is.
Thankfully, my vision cleared up, and now I see MakeUp-BreakUp for what it is: a somewhat uninspiring cruelty-free oil-based cleanser with a nice list of ingredients. Perhaps if it had delivered the cooling, refreshing sensation I expected it to from the product’s name, I would have brought it along for the ride.
NOTE: People with sensitive noses may like that it’s unscented. There’s a plus.
NOTE: If you need a makeup remover to vanquish heavy duty stuff, you might check out Clinique Cleansing Balm.
PRICE: $26 for a 5-fl. oz. bottle
AVAILABILITY: At Sephora stores and also online.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
i am not a fan of oil-based cleansers. im with u on ur decision to leave it at home.
Hi Antithesis,
What oil-based cleansers have you tried?
i love dermalogica’s oil cleanse. it’s fantastic.
Ooh, I’m on the fence with the Dermalogica – it works, but it smells like a forest…
Have either of you tried the Dermalogica Microfoliant? I used to love that stuff back in the day.
I was totally against oil-based cleansers, but I went old school and got some Pond’s cold cream. Babes- it’s a moisturizer and makeup remover in one. I just wipe all my makeup off with the cream and kleenex, a quick wash to get any excess cream off, and spot treatment- perfection. I’m a complete convert, and it’s like 5 bucks for a 5 oz tub, which lasts forever.
I was SURE it was going to clog my pores but BAM, my skin looks great. And I have to admit, though I’m slightly embarrassed by this- I tried it after hearing Kylie Minogue loves it. But seriously- the girl’s in her 40’s and looks FANTASTIC.
Hi Molly,
Not gonna lie — I LOVE KYLIE!!
So many readers here rave about Pond’s. What’s your skin type? I’m worried about it breaking me out, ya know?
Yeah!! I love Kylie too! She’s so cute and when people tease me for being short (5’3”) I can be like NOT AS SHORT AS KYLIE!
I’ve got really sensitive combo skin- with mild rosecea. I have found that if I skip washing after (as I am lazy and prone to do) it does double duty of moisturizing, but I have to full-face-spot-treatment out of paranoia 😉
olive oil is great! cheap too!
Hi Caren,
I’ve heard a lot of women use and love olive oil for cleansing and makeup removal. Do you use it to remove eye makeup as well.
I’ve only used it as an impromptu exfoliator (add a bit of brown sugar)… one of these days I’ll get around to trying it.
i tried actual oil cleansing for a week and it broke me out, scared to try oil cleansers lol. may try at some point, but this one surely won’t be the one that I try! thanks for the review
Hi Vonnie,
Which one did you use?
My skin is pretty sensitive too…
Try Lumiene’s cleansing oil from CVS..it costs 10 bucks and it cleans really well if you massage it on for a bit…leaves my skin soft and glowing!
Thanks for the drugstore alternative, Apple. I didn’t know CVS had one. 🙂
How’s your weekend going so far?
The only oil cleanse I’ve tried is the one by DHC, and I was very pleased with its ability to remove every bit of my makeup. I did get it in my eye one time though and it did cloud up. Very unpleasant. Also, it leaves my skin feeling a little tight, but that’s nothing moisturizer can’t fix.
Hi Alice,
I know several women who love the DHC Oil. What moisturizer do you use with it?
Happy Sunday!
Oooh a second for that clinique cleansing balm (the milk is good too, less greasy, alllmost as effective). It’s great day to day and the only cleansing oil product I’ve used that doesn’t sting my eyes. And it’s a lifesaver if you say, ride your bike while painted in neon glitter body paint in the Fremont Solstice Parade yet need to go to work the next day. Or so I’ve heard.
LOL, Saffron!
Clinique Cleansing Balm takes off *everything*! It’s amazing. Good to know that it works on neon glitter body paint. I haven’t had the chance to try that out yet. 😉
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend. What are you up to?
I’ve actually never used a cleansing oil… sounds crazy, considering that I wear a full face every single day. I guess since I’m super acne-prone but thankfully have my skin under control I’m too scared to vary my routine at all? Luckily, my regular cleanser (Basis Sensitive Skin bar soap) does an awesome job at removing foundation.
Hi Keerthi,
It’s been years since I’ve used Basis, but back in the day I loved their Cleaner Clean Face wash. I haven’t tried their Sensitive Skin bar soap — is it very drying?
Oh, just in case anybody wants to read the Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash review, here it is. It’s really great if your skin is oily/acne prone and you hate that dry, tight feeling from harsh cleansers.
Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash, a Drugstore Gem
ew… not a huge fan of oil based cleansers… i’ve recently embraced “washing” my face with lotion and a cotton-ball, haha! and moisturizing with argan oil~ but removing make-up? just seems.. odd..
Hi BeautyMaven,
I bet that’s very moisturizing! Which lotion are you using?
I’ve never tried any cleansing oils. I know of people who prefer and use cleansing oils before washing their face but I can’t imagine using a cleansing oil for my entire face! I think I will try it though one of these days. I usually just use Clinique’s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover for my eyes before washing with facial wash.
Hi Nika,
Before I tried this one I used from Decleor years ago. I still remember being nervous about using an oil product, but it was actually okay. Everything makes me break out, and so far I haven’t had any trubs (knock on wood) with any of the cleansing oils I’ve tried.
I LOVE LOVE shu uemera’s cleansing oil. It removes the toughest waterproof makeup, leaving no residual. It removes makeup and cleanses your face at the same time. Plus, it won’t cause break outs even for those of the oiliest/acne prone skin (like me).
Hi Tzu,
I know there are a few different versions of the Shu Uemura cleansing oil. Which one do you use?
I’m on the hunt for a new, non drying eye makeup remover because Lancome bifacil is too drying in the winter. Ugh, I hate testing out new cleansers/makeup removers because it’s always a shot in the dark. Reviews like this help narrow it down a bit though. thanks! Might have to check out bliss lid and lash wash as you keep mentioning it
Hi Knownever,
My BFF introduced me to the stuff years ago. Here’s a review just in case you’re interested:
Bliss Lid+Lash Wash: A Blissful Eye Makeup Remover
Let me know if you have any questions about it!
Have you tried Neutrogena Ultra Soft Makeup Wipes? they take off every single bit of product from your face with one swipe. They dont leave any residue and you dont have to wash your face afterward. These are my lifesavers!
Hi Megan,
I’ve tried their Hydrating Cleansing Wipes and their Ultra Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads and liked both. One of these days I’ll get around to picking up the Ultra Soft Wipes. 😀
How’s your weekend going? Doing anything fun?
I am a huge fan of OCM ( Oil cleansing method ) I use grapeseed oil with a splash of castor oil when I need some deeper cleansing. This melts of my makeup and leaves my skin supple and soft. I recommend it to everyone.. Yeah I admit it’s not always the easiest but once you get the hang of it it’s easy peezy…. I have a friend that did have some purging and it lasted about 3-4 day but once that was done she is sooooo happy with the way her skin looks.. Grapeseed oil is unique and this 33 year old gal can use all the anti-oxidants and anti-aging help I can get 😉
i alternate my current makeup remover w/ an oil cleanser and i <3 it 🙂 its a japanese brand called kracie.
Tried this one a year or two ago and wasn’t impressed. Wimpy!
I LOVE Nude’s cleansing oil. Smells amazing, takes everything off.
I love Nude’s cleansing oil as well! It not takes everything off, it actually rinses off super nicely too!
Hi Karen,
such a late response…but anyhoo, I started off with the “Fresh” version which is in a pink bottle and its for oily skin. I’m currently on the “brightening” verison which is the purple bottle. I’ve not had any breakouts from either types.