Yes, You Should Be Cleansing Your Skin With Oil, According to Dermatologists (2025)

On your quest to glowing skin, you’ve probably heard the rumors that cleansing oils work wonders. And thought...um, no way. After all, you’ve been taught that oil on your skin is bad, so how could washing your face with an oil cleanser possibly be a good thing?

Glad you asked: “Our skin naturally produces oil (sebum), which provides moisture and keeps it from drying out,” says Susan Massick, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “It’s important to avoid stripping away these natural oils entirely, because this will often lead to skin irritation and breakouts.”

But the foaming agents found in traditional cleansers often do exactly this, causing dryness that increases the chances of angry skin once you apply products with strong active ingredients, like retinol and vitamin C. On top of that, “over-stripping the skin of natural oils may also trigger more oil production by your keratinocytes, the cells that make up your skin,” says Nikhil Dhingra, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.

Cleansing oils to the rescue: They work on the chemistry principle of “like dissolves like.” That means cleansing oils are attracted to other oils (like the ones on your skin and in your makeup), and therefore have a knack for dissolving dirt and debris. As you rinse off the cleansing oil, impurities and excess oils are rinsed off along with it, without removing too much of the underlying oils that keep your skin protected, says Dr. Massick.

Best of all, cleansing oils are suitable for all skin types (though, proceed with caution if you’re acne-prone), and are especially effective for those with dry, sensitive, or mature skin.

How to choose the best cleansing oil for your skin

Shop by skin type: When choosing a cleansing oil, look for ingredients that solve your skin’s specific pain points. “For acne-prone skin, rosehip oil can be helpful,” says Hadley King, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York. “It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.”

For nourishing dry skin, Dr. King recommends looking for denser oils, like avocado and olive oil, while calming and soothing oils like rosemary, evening primrose, and camellia are best for sensitive skin.

Go light: Oils with a lighter consistency are preferable (though not mandatory), as they’re less likely to clog pores. Look for cleansing oils that use sunflower, avocado, or camellia oil as a base. “These ingredients cleanse, hydrate, and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” says Ramya Kollipara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Dallas.

One type of cleansing oil to legit avoid, though, are those that use essential oils as a base (like those used in aromatherapy): “These will irritate your skin, potentially trigger an allergic reaction, and cause more harm than good,” says Dr. Dhingra.

Scan for keywords: Check the label for important keywords, says Dr. Massick, such as non-comedogenic (less likely to cause breakouts), hypoallergenic (less likely to contain allergens that cause irritation and rash), and fragrance-free (less likely to irritate the skin).

Take it for a test drive: Even though cleansing oils typically contain natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, botanical extracts, and essential oils, this doesn’t mean you won’t have a reaction to them. “Some people can be allergic to these, so try your cleansing oil on a small test area first,” suggests Dr. Massick. (Say, under your jawline.)

Pricey isn't always best: “There are many cleansing oils available in a wide range of price points, and more expensive doesn’t mean better,” says Dr. Massick. What’s on the label is more important than what’s on the price tag.

To save you from scouring the beauty aisle for the perfect cleansing oil, here are the top dermatologist-backed picks (and a few tester favorites) to choose from:

This lightweight formula from Neutrogena removes stubborn makeup (even waterproof mascara!) sans a greasy residue. It contains a blend of fine oils that rid the skin of dirt, impurities, and excess oil so you’re left with skin that feels softer and looks healthier.

“I really like Josie Maran products—the brand’s cleansing oil included—as they’re formulated to be organic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free, and tend to be better tolerated by sensitive skin types,” says Melanie Palm, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital in California.

Dermaologica’s Precleanse has somewhat of a cult following. The thin consistency feels luxurious on the skin and easily breaks down gunk on the face, thanks to a base of apricot kernel, rice bran, and sunflower seed oils. Bonus: It has a light, citrusy scent that makes you feel like you’re at a spa.

Avène, a French line whose hero ingredient is mineral-rich thermal spring water, has a cleansing oil that’s great for more sensitive skin types and those battling irritation, dryness, or eczema. “The anti-inflammatory properties from the spring water help to balance out skin flora,” says Dr. Palm. Meanwhile, the amino acids and gentle lipids do their thing by restoring moisture to parched skin.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is infused with antioxidant-rich ingredients, like olive oil and vitamin E. It nourishes and hydrates the skin as it dissolves all traces of dirt and makeup without feeling heavy, greasy, or harsh on ultra-delicate dryskin.

If you’re looking for a cleansing oil for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, look no further. This one isfree from harsh detergents, alcohol, palm oil, and preservatives, and is certified organic, vegan, and cruelty-free.It’s also less of a gamble if you’re more acne-prone, as rosehip oil is known to calm acne, redness, and irritation.

Algenist’s cleansing oil combines alguronic acid, the brand’s patented anti-aging ingredient, with microalgae oil to lift away makeup and impuritieswhile also tackling fine lines and wrinkles. Best of all, it’s suitable for all skin types.

Whether you’re oily or dry, sensitive or mature, or a combination of it all, this vitamin E-enriched cleansing oil will dissolve impurities through the power of almond, sunflower seed, and castor oils. It also contains a dose of peptides to help lift the skin while gently cleansing and moisturizing.

This super-silky cleansing oil contains nourishing camellia seed oil and antioxidant-rich seaberry oil (a.k.a. seabuckthorn), among others, to cleanse, amp up moisture levels, and soften the skin. The result? A radiant complexion that feels smooth and supple.

This cleansing oil by The Face Shop, a Korean skincare line, is spiked with rice water, which contains antioxidants like vitamins A and E, as well as ceramides that keep the skin hydrated. It’s also enriched with jojoba oil, the ultimate skin balancer no matter if you’re typically dry, oily, or somewhere in between.