Everything You Need To Know About The Oil Cleansing Method

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Everything You Need to Know About the Oil Cleansing Method

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Mandy Ferreira and Elizabeth Bennett — Updated on January 21, 2025

Benefits
Choosing an oil
How to use
Frequency
What to expect
Takeaway

The oil cleansing method uses certain oils to gently cleanse the skin and remove makeup. It may have additional benefits, particularly for dry skin.

Oil cleansing involves applying specific oils to the face as an alternative to water-based face washes. For some people, particularly those with dry or sensitive skin, cleansing oils may be a gentler way to wash the face.

Explore the benefits of oil cleansing, plus find tips on adding this step to your skin care routine.

What is the oil cleansing method?

When it comes to effective skin care, oil cleansing may sound like a major misstep. After all, you’ve probably come across plenty of warnings about avoiding oil on your face, and it might stand to reason that only oil-free products lead to clear, gorgeous skin.

However, certain oils may benefit the skin. Soothing, healing ingredients that have a long history of use worldwide are enjoying a resurgence in popularity as oil cleansing for the face goes mainstream.

Plenty of well-known brands now include oil cleansers in their product lineups, and many people have turned to oil cleansing as a way to gently:

remove makeup
soothe sensitive skin
reduce breakouts

Why use oil cleansing?

For many people, “cleansing” brings to mind foamy lather.

Oil cleansing can include products that lather, but it often simply involves pure oils rinsed away with a damp washcloth.

Some people, particularly those who follow a K-beauty skin care routine, might follow the oil cleanse step with a gentle, water-based face wash to remove any oil residue.

K-beauty is short for Korean beauty, an umbrella term for Korean skin care products and techniques that have become popular in the United States.

Benefits of oil cleansing

The reasoning behind slathering your face in oils in the name of cleansing stems from the idea that “like dissolves like.”

In other words, putting clean, nourishing oils on your skin aims to help:

lift excess sebum, the oily substance produced by glands on your skin
clean out clogged pores, like blackheads and whiteheads
remove dead skin, pollutants, and makeup

That’s why many makeup removers include oil. Oil can lift oil-free, oil-based, and waterproof formulas off your skin and lashes.

Traditional cleansers can irritate the skin, cause excessive dryness, exacerbate acne, and ultimately cause the skin to produce more oil after washing. Oil cleansing, on the other hand, can help balance the skin and lock in hydration.

Using oils instead of traditional soap or detergent cleansers can also help protect the skin’s natural lipid layer and the “good” bacteria that live there.

Research from 2023 suggested certain bacteria that thrive on your skin may help protect against acne and infections.

Oils used for cleansing may also have other skin benefits, though research specifically exploring oil cleansing remains limited. For instance:

A 2017 study of 60 adults and children found that bath oil, used every other day for a month, seemed to promote better skin barrier function and relieve dry skin more effectively than oil-free cleansers.
A 2023 test tube study suggests that compounds in virgin olive oil may help support skin tissue regeneration and wound healing.

How to choose a cleansing oil

Now that so many brands have come out with oil cleansers, you can easily find oil cleansers online and in most drugstores and beauty stores.

That means you can buy a premixed version formulated for your skin type or try making your own.

Tip: If you have acne-prone skin, opt for noncomedogenic products. This means they’re less likely to clog your pores.

Oil cleansing ingredients

The oils most commonly used in DIY recipes are olive oil and castor oil.

Most recipes recommend starting with a one-to-one ratio of these two oils, then increasing the amount of olive oil for dry skin or castor oil for oily or acne-prone skin.

For dry skin: Use moisturizing olive oil, which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants and can promote hydration. You can also add coconut or avocado oil for extra moisture.
For sensitive skin: Avoid castor oil. This oil, which has antibacterial properties, acts as an astringent cleaner and can cause dry skin. Try jojoba oil or rosehip oil instead.
For oily or acne-prone skin: Jojoba oil could be a good option since it may help reduce acne and balance oil production. Argan oil may also help regulate sebum production and promote clearer skin. Another good option is the non-greasy marula oil.

Regardless of what oils you choose, buying high quality oils and cleansers without added scents or dyes is important.

When possible, avoid food-grade oils and choose cold-pressed, unrefined, virgin oils designed for use on the skin.

Pro tip: Do a patch test

A patch test can help you check for any potential unwanted reactions before you use a product on a large part of your skin. Doing a patch test before trying any new skin care product is always recommended.

Apply a small amount of oil to a less visible section of your face, such as your jawline or just under your ear.
Leave the area alone for 24 hours.
Check for any signs of irritation, including itching, swelling, inflammation, or changes in skin color.
If you don’t notice any changes, you can try using the oil or cleansing product on the rest of your face.

How to oil cleanse

There are two ways to oil cleanse.

Basic oil cleanse

A basic oil cleanse involves applying the oil and removing it with warm water or a wet washcloth.

Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil in the palm of your hand. For dry skin, start with a 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of castor oil. For acne-prone or oily skin, start with a 1/2 teaspoon of jojoba and a 1/2 teaspoon of castor oil.
Apply the oil before wetting your face. Use your fingertips to gently massage the oil into your skin for several seconds to a minute to remove impurities like makeup and dead skin cells and allow the oil to penetrate.
Use a damp, warm washcloth to gently wipe away the oil. Be careful not to press too hard or scrub your skin, which can lead to irritation and breakouts. You can rinse with warm water instead of a cloth if you want oil to stay on your skin. When you finish, your face should be hydrated but not greasy or overly irritated from wiping it down.
Pat dry with a towel and apply moisturizer if needed.

K-beauty double cleanse

For this way of cleansing, you’ll follow the oil cleanser with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove any lingering residue.

If you’re prone to acne or oily skin, it may help to give this method a try. You’ll still get the cleaning and hydrating benefits of the oil cleanse, but you won’t have to worry about left-behind oil clogging your pores.

Follow the first three steps above for a basic oil cleanse.
Wash with a gentle, water-based face wash that won’t strip your skin of its new hydration.
Pat dry with a towel and apply moisturizer.

Some cleansing oils contain surfactants in their formulas. Once you add water, the mixture foams slightly, which helps it rinse off cleanly.

How often should you oil cleanse?

It’s best to oil cleanse only once a day instead of every time you wash your face. You can also do it less frequently as a special treatment.

Wondering about the best time of day for this skin care step? Aim to oil cleanse at night to help clean and hydrate your skin before bed.

What to expect after you oil cleanse

After oil cleansing, your skin will likely feel supple and free of makeup and other products. You may not need to moisturize afterward, depending on your skin type and the oil you choose.

For some people, oil cleansing can cause an allergic reaction, irritation, or clogged pores, so it’s always a good idea to do a patch test before applying an oil cleanser to your face.

Just know a patch test typically won’t reveal how your pores respond to oil cleansing. It may take some time to determine how your skin tolerates certain types of oil.

If you have cystic acne, ask a dermatologist before trying an oil cleanse. They can offer more guidance on trying oil cleansing without causing further irritation to your skin.

What about purging?

Very few studies exist on oil cleansing, but anecdotal reports suggest it may take a week or two for your skin to adjust. In the meantime, you might notice some purging, or an increase in pimples or dry and peeling skin.

Purging refers to breakouts caused by new products that bring bacteria to the surface of your skin. You’ll generally notice a mix of different kinds of pimples in the places where you tend to break out.

On the other hand, you could also notice itchy, raw, or inflamed patches of skin, especially in new areas where you usually don’t notice breakouts.

This typically suggests a negative reaction to the oil or cleansing product, not a purge, so you may want to check with a dermatologist before using it again.

The bottom line

If you want to change how you wash your face, the oil cleansing method might be worth trying. However, this method might not work for everyone, so pay attention to how your skin responds.

If you notice an increase in breakouts, especially after oil cleansing for a few weeks, you may need to gently cleanse afterward, use a different oil, or stop oil cleansing altogether.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Blaak J, et al. (2022). An updated review on efficacy and benefits of sweet almond, evening primrose and jojoba oils in skin care applications.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34957578/
Chen W, et al. (2019). The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen: Water, cleanser or cleansing oil?https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12995
González-Acedo A, et al. (2023). The benefits of olive oil for skin health: Study on the effect of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleocanthal on human fibroblasts.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10181161
Jayawardena R, et al. (2021). Health effects of coconut oil: Summary of evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analysis of interventional studies.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187140212100062X
Kottner J, et al. (2017). The effectiveness of using a bath oil to reduce signs of dry skin: A randomized controlled pragmatic study.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0020748916302000?via%3Dihub
Lin T-K, et al. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
Mijaljica D, et al. (2022). Skin cleansing without or with compromise: Soaps and syndets.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8954092/
Smythe P, et al. (2023). The skin microbiome: Current landscape and future opportunities.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9963692/

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Mandy Ferreira and Elizabeth Bennett — Updated on January 21, 2025

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