Does oil cleansing work?

Before we dive into how often to oil cleanse and how to use cleansing oil properly, you want to know if it actually works, right? Well, yes, it does – and on all skin types too! As well as leaving no greasy residue on the skin, oil cleansers cleverly cling to excess oil which makes removing impurities, makeup and sweat simple and effective.

What’s more, as oil cleansers are usually soap-free, your skin won’t be stripped of its natural oils either. So they’re perfect for restoring and maintaining balance. Cleansing oils get a huge thumbs up from us and we hope you’ll enjoy reaping their many benefits too.

How to use a cleansing oil

Read on for our step-by-step guide on how to oil cleanse your face.

Step 1: Splash your face with water

Warm water helps to open up your pores which makes it easier to remove impurities from deeper within the skin. Massage for a minute or so to really encourage those pores to open.

Step 2: Get massaging

Pump some oil into your hand (we find a little goes a long way) and massage onto the skin in small, circular motions. Take extra care around the eye area where the skin is thinner and more fragile.

Step 3: Massage some more

Trust us on this one! Aim for around two to three minutes of gentle massaging to allow your skin time to fully soak up the benefits of the oil – your skin will love you for it.

Step 4: Wipe away

Use a warm, damp towel to gently wipe away impurities – you may be surprised how much comes off!

Step 5: Remove eye makeup and lipstick

Instead of applying the oil directly, put a couple of drops onto a damp cotton pad. Gently wipe over the lip and eye areas until all traces of makeup are removed.

Step 6: Up the hydration

Your skin will now be clean, supple and super-hydrated, so you know what to do – treat it to a deeply nourishing moisturiser! For daytime, we love Super Restorative Rose Radiance Cream which will create a luminous complexion and an even skin tone, while smoothing skin texture. And for a nourishing overnight kick, try Extra-Firming Night Cream – our expert wrinkle control cream that will help to put the spring back into your skin.

How often should you oil cleanse your face?

This depends entirely on you. If you have a dry complexion, oil cleansing every day will help to lock in moisture for a hydrated and healthy face. Oils also help to rebalance your skin’s natural moisture and limit sebum production, so oily skin will benefit from daily cleansing too.

On the other hand, sensitive skin may only require cleansing once every few days to avoid irritation.

Is cleansing oil good for oily skin?

Looking after oily skin should always start with a good cleansing routine that is gentle, yet effective. But is an oil cleanser good for oily skin? While it can seem counterintuitive to apply more oil, Clarins has developed products specifically designed for oily skin types to improve your skin’s appearance with mineral and astringent properties, ideal for refining your tone in minutes only.

Reducing the amount of oil produced by your skin doesn’t require harsh chemicals and lotions that can cause many damages to your skin glands, quite the contrary. In fact, using these types of products can worsen the problem, leading skin to produce even more oil. The best skincare solution for oily skin types is to use gentle, balancing products which also take care of your skin’s health.

Which cleansers are best for oily skin?

Removing your makeup every night should be an essential step in any skincare routine, but especially for oily skin. It returns your skin to a healthy balanced state, whilst cleansing it of the day’s impurities.

Try using one of Clarins’ one-step cleansing lotions and toners, such as Water Purify One-Step Cleanser with Mint Essential Water. Its unique formula is mild and gently cleanses skin by removing impurities and any traces of makeup with a fresh, non-foaming action.

At night, be sure to hydrate your skin after cleansing by applying Lotus Face Treatment Oil, which seals in moisture while you sleep, without any greasy residue.

When is the best time to oil cleanse?

You can cleanse in the morning or evening, depending on what works best for you and your routine. We don’t recommend cleansing more than once a day, so try to avoid doubling up. If you oil cleanse in the morning, use a water-based makeup remover at night to avoid overloading your skin with oil.

As always, make sure you follow up with a moisturiser. Freshly cleansed skin is super absorbent so will gladly lap up the benefits. We love Beauty Flash Balm – a cult favourite that instantly moisturises, brightens and tightens facial contours, leaving skin firm and replenished.

Does oil cleansing work for acne?

Although excess oil on your face can cause acne, removing it entirely won’t help to solve the problem either. Overly-drying soaps and cleansers that strip your skin of its natural moisture actually have the opposite effect – by forcing it to create more. So, while applying more oil may seem strange, it will only help your skin to maintain its natural balance and moisture.

The oil in the cleanser is also able to dissolve substances with a similar chemical structure – such as dirt, excess oil and makeup – making it easy to remove the impurities that lead to clogged pores. Hello happy, hydrated skin.

Turn it up a notch…

Now you know how to oil cleanse your skin and the benefits it can bring to your complexion, it’s time to choose the right oil for your skin type. Not all oils are the same, so making sure you choose one with properties that will supercharge your skin is an important step to achieving that dewy, healthy glow. Read our guide on the best essential oils to find out which will help to address your specific skin concerns. We also offer an expert guide to double cleansing and how that can’t help your skin look more radiant than ever.

Or, even better, visit us at a Clarins Skin Spa for our Aromatic Balancer facial – a luxurious treatment with aromatherapy oils that will help to rebalance oily, dull or dehydrated skin. Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend some time enjoying the famous Clarins’ touch in a tranquil place of pampering and relaxation. Go on, you deserve it.