I received a few emails on this subject so I thought it would be an interesting topic for discussion 🙂
Most of us are familiar with the concept of using cleansing oils to remove makeup. Personally, I like using cleansing oils for this purpose because its convenient (eyes and face in one) and seems to leave my skin cleaner than other makeup removers. But then I do follow up with a cleanser thereafter.
But what if you don’t wear makeup, or don’t wear a lot of makeup? Do you still need to use cleansing oils or can you?
When I first started getting into skincare, I was told that you can and should use cleansing oils even if you do not use makeup (this was when I was using Japanese skincare). The rationale is the same as that for makeup removal.
Cleansing oils clean out your pores and help unclog dirt from pores better. Also, the concept of oil dissolving and removing oils works the same way as our skin does get oilier throughout the day.
On a personal note, if I don’t wear makeup, I rarely use a cleansing oil before a regular cleanser. Not because I don’t believe in it, but because I’m just a little bit lazier 😛
However, I must say that when I do use a cleansing oil, I do notice a difference in my skin. It looks and feels cleaner and I believe that the cleansing oil helps to remove remnants of sunscreen on the skin too.
When I massage the oil on my skin, I usually feel these gravelly bits under my fingertips, and if I have areas of skin with clogged pores, I do find that using a cleansing oil helps with that.
I know of some people who don’t use makeup but who use cleansing oils regularly because they use sunscreen and they believe that cleansing oils help remove sunscreen at the end of the day. I know GUYS who use cleansing oil because they say it helps their skin stay cleaner and clearer. It hasn’t harmed their skin so I suppose it doesn’t hurt 🙂 Also, in Japanese skincare (where double cleansing is common) they recommend the use of cleansing oils as the 1st step of cleansing. The use of a cleansing oil as a makeup remover appears to be secondary.
What do you think? Do you think cleansing oils are necessary even if you don’t wear makeup? Or do you think its just a waste of money and time?
Paris B
SzeLing says
Cleansing oil everyday for me. =D
I really did notice a difference on my skin after adopting the double cleansing method. Thus, now a true believer.
ParisB says
Yup me too! I’ve been doing it for years and when I don’t double cleanse I feel odd. Unless its a weekend where I have no makeup on or don’t get all sweaty then I use just one cleanser.
cat says
I stopped using cleansing oil even when i wear light makeup. But i do feel cleaner when i use cleansing oil to clean. But i do need to double cleanse as i felt the oil makes me my face feels oily. I think i’ll go back to using it soon.
ParisB says
Depending on the brand of cleansing oil, I don’t get the oily residue. Are you emulsifying it enough? Previously, I did not and I got the oily feel but when I started emulsifying it properly, it no longer felt oily after washing. That said, it depends on the brand I use 🙂
Sandra says
I skip cleansing oil if I’m not wearing makeup too. Let me try if there is any difference in my skin if I do double-cleansing.. 🙂
ParisB says
Give it a shot 🙂 You might like it!
liz says
On days I don’t wear makeup, I’m always wearing sunscreen so I always use a cleansing oil… I find that cleansing oil is a must when trying to remove waterproof sunscreens! I think double cleansing is an absolute must– and I looove those softymo cleansing oils! Better than Shu U. in my opinion. Though- I’ve never seen that speedy version you have pictures. Can you do a review of cleansing oils?
ParisB says
Oh yes! I did read that for effective removal of waterproof sunscreen, you should use cleansing oils too. I absolutely adore Softymo cleansing oils. The best I’ve ever used and they are so inexpensive too! I can’t use Shu Uemura as it breaks me out. I got these off Sasa.com. The pink version is the lighter version. I’ve reviewed the regular Kose Softymo cleansing oil in a previous post but not this one – will do in a bit.
Shay says
Hi, I find that I need to do do double cleansing with sunscreens. If not I get red bumps immediately the next day.
However, I do get oily residue after the cleansing oil. I need a good cleanser for the 2nd cleansing too.
ParisB, would you please do a comparison of the cleansing oils you have used before and also how to emulsify properly for non oily feeling?
ParisB says
Hiya Shay, ok I’ll get down to the post – might take a while. I’ve used tons! 😛 And as for how to emulsify the oils, you could read this previous post 😀
Shay says
Thanks!!
Nikki says
On A regular basis, I don’t use much makeup, mostly powder and lipgloss, I think using a Cleansing Oil is not vital but it helps in making your skin softer, smoother and cleaner! Since I started using Cleansing Oils, my skin texture improved a lot, and I think my face is cleaner at the end of the day 😀
ParisB says
I do agree that it helps clean my skin better too! And it helps unclog pores, provided it doesn’t clog them in the first place 😛
xin says
When I don’t wear makeup, I hardly use cleansing oils simply because when the oil emulsifies, and when i splash my face with water, the milky stain tends to stick to the tiles on the floor and i hate the stain a lot! cis!!!!
ParisB says
Hmm… I never get that on my floor! Perhaps its because when I do use cleansing oils, its in the shower and then I have my bath so everything washes away 😀
tass says
I used to think double cleansing will cause the skin to produce more oil, but seems like i am wrong? anyway, double cleasing means double effort, and does not equal to me. hehe. i am lazy :p
ParisB says
There is a theory that if you remove too much oil, your skin compensates by producing more oil. So far, I have not experienced such side effects by using cleansing oil and I’ve been at it for years 🙂 Can’t be lazy if you want to look good m’dear! 😉
Jess says
When I am not wearing makeup , that is my lazy day 😛 But I do agree that after cleansing with cleasing oil, face is definitely clear and cleaner! And nowadays I opted for Biore cleansing oil wipes which is simpler and faster 😀
ParisB says
I’ve seen those around but am not quite convinced. Perhaps I’ll give it a go and see how it fares
Hanny says
When I’m not wearing makeup, I don’t use cleansing oils at all. Because the cleansing oil I’m using cannot be found in Malaysia, ahaha ^.^ I need to make me stock last the whole year until my aunt goes back there.
ParisB says
And which is this mysterious cleansing oil then? 🙂
Hanny says
Shisheido’s Perfect Liquid ^.^
ParisB says
Cool! Haven’t come across this one 🙂
Natalie says
Shu SA here suggested to use cleansing oil morning and night, but I only use at night, regardless if I wore makeup or not.
ParisB says
I don’t use it in the morning too. Too much work, and I don’t see why I should be double cleansing in the morning when my face isn’t oily or dirty 😛 In the evenings, I find it therapeutic 😛
Natalie says
Another reader below commented that using CO in the morningg helps? I want to try but Shu CO is so exoensive grrr
ParisB says
You can say that again! Hence I’m sorta glad it clogs my pores so I don’t buy it hehe… 😉
KS says
Cleansing oil when I use sunblock, which is not everyday (terrible!). If I am not leaving the house, I won’t use sunblock.
Would like to ask since you’re a fan of the Kose Softymo Oils – among speedy CO, Deep CO and Whitening CO, which one do you prefer? I have only tried Deep Cleansing Oil so far, but love it! Already on my 2nd bottle!
ParisB says
Hmm… I think I might have to say the Whitening Cleansing Oil which I believe is this. The Deep cleansing oil is a bit thicker so it needs more work, and Speedy is very light which is nice but does not get all my mascara off very easily. Either way, they all are awesome so I won’t be fussy about which I can get my hands on! 😉
LeGeeque says
I double-cleanse regardless. Even if I was just at home with only sunscreen on, I always think it’s cleaner.
ParisB says
It most certainly is cleaner! I just get lazy on weekends when there’s no makeup on 😉
Connie De Alwis says
If I wear sunscreen (yes! I don’t always do! :x) I’d use a cleansing oil. Otherwise, I don’t. But I can still get away without using one because I use the Hada Labo Tamagohado cleanser and it gets a lot out.
ParisB says
:O You don’t always wear sunscreen? How can! 😛 So many people seem to love that Tamagohada cleanser, I seem to be the only one feeling a bit meh about it 😛
EmmaEL says
I’m using cleansing oil everyday..smtimes when i get lazy (on weekend when not wearing makeup) I’m not using the cleansing oil..but, u know what? i noticed that, whenever I’m not using the cleansing oil i can see my pores clogged.. then i started using it everyday and its really help a-lot!
ParisB says
That’s good to know that it helps you 🙂 I don’t get clogged pores if I don’t use cleansing oils but if I do, using a CO helps unclog pores, which is great 😉
yuki says
I used cleansing oil last time… After I ran out, I didn’t re-purchase because I was just doing a mummy a favour by finishing up her SKII cleansing oil… lol… too expensive! Hahaha… I think that if u don’t wear makeup or sunscreen, u can skip out the cleansing oil… Sunscreen is really hard to get off! I learnt that the hard way when I didn’t know… Double cleansing is super important!!
I use Clinique’s Rinse-off foaming cleanser… It does its job well, doesn’t give me breakouts, and keeps my skin soft 🙂
ParisB says
Hmm… Clinique has a foaming cleanser? Is it like those self foaming ones? I love that sort of cleansers 😛 That said, I hope those who don’t wear sunscreen everyday are in the minority these days 😉
domncroxd says
Yup – I think it’s the one that’s in a white squeeze tube with Clinique’s signature green cap.
ParisB says
Hmm… ok so its not a self-foaming cleanser then?
Hanny says
You can only get these full size at airports, if I recall, yes?
ParisB says
Err… actually I don’t know. I’ve never paid attention to this one haha.
Jennifer says
I always use makeup removing oil in the morning BEFORE using my regular cleanser 🙂 It helped a lot! I knew this because for a while I stopped using cleansing oil in the morning before cleanser, there were bumps here and there growing out 🙁 so better safe than sorry i’d say!
but if i don’t wear makeup that day, at night i’d just use my regular cleanser 🙂
ParisB says
That’s very fascinating that you use your cleansing oils in the morning too! Most people I know don’t 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Shay says
Actually I realized that my skin is a bit oily in some mornings. Perhaps its the residue of sleeping mask or richer moisturizers. I think maybe double cleansing would help! But my skin is fine with sIngle cleansing in the mornings. So didn’t try. Maybe I should try.
Denise says
I usually use CO’s when I wear make-up. Otherwise, I’m too lazy since it’s more work. But after reading, I will have to get a bottle or two of Softymo when I go back to HK! On another note, which blush would you suggest I get first? Bourjois or Majolica Majorca? Since they cost about the same in HK 😛 Thanks Paris!
ParisB says
Oh do try the Kose Softymo cleansing oils. I swear you won’t go back to regular (expensive) ones. Just remember to leave me some for when I do go to HK! 😉 As for blushes, much depends on the finish you prefer. Bourjois tends to be more shimmery and sheer while I only own 1 Majolica blush (that I hardly use) but it has good finish and texture and is a little more pigmented.
Denise says
Can’t wait to get to HK! Don’t worry about the stocks of Softymo CO’s, my dad won’t let me haul that much, there is a baggage limit to think about! Thanks Paris! I guess I’ll have to try out the blush testers and see which one I like better 🙂
Julie says
I use the Tamagohada water-based makeup remover followed by a cleanser for double cleansing. im skeptical about using cleansing oils since my face is oily acne prone so i stick to water based cleansers.
ParisB says
Is there a Tamagohada water based makeup remover? Hmm… I didn’t know that – must be good! 🙂
Julia says
Maybe she means the one you reviewed, the Hada Labo one?
Tamagohada also has a Make Off foam, I know, but I’ve never heard of anything else.
ParisB says
Oh that could be true – that’s the Super Hyaluronic Acid one and I didn’t know they have a make off foam? Or is that the self-foaming cleanser thing?
Aretha says
I don’t because i find that cleansing oils clog my pores! ive tried Shu, DHC and YSL and they all clog me 🙁
ParisB says
Yikes! That’s horrible right? Shu and DHC kill my skin too. Lucky for me, the cheaper oils work just fine 😀
Jessica says
I had a cleansing oil a while back and although people told me it’s better for the skin, I don’t find myself reaching out for it. Call me lazy 😛
ParisB says
Lazy! 😉 Well I wouldn’t call this a necessity so long as you clean your skin properly of makeup, there’s no reason you HAVE to use a cleansing oil 😉