To remove makeup at the end of a long day, my makeup remover of choice is the cleansing oil. Ever since I was introduced to it, I have never looked back as it leaves my skin feeling clean and soft every time.
I was discussing the use of the cleansing oil with my regular facialist and she gave me some pointers on how to use cleansing oils effectively to remove makeup. These tips coupled with some I discovered through trial and error have helped in making my skin feel cleaner and make more effective use of the cleansing oils as well.
- Always start with dry hands and a dry face. The oils act to loosen the dirt from the ports of the skin and water emulsifies it to wash it out. If your hands or face are wet, it counteracts the use of the oil and that leaves your skin feeling oily and not clean.
- Use at least 2 pumps of oil. You need sufficient oil for the cleansing properties to work. If you try to save by using less oil then you may find that the layer of oil is too thin to clean the skin properly. My personal experience puts 2 pumps of oil as sufficient.
- Warm the cleansing oils in the palm of your hand before applying. I personally find that some cleansing oils are thicker than otheres. Warming them in the palms of my hand by rubbing my palms together gently helps make them more liquid, which also helps you spread it on the skin more evenly.
- Massage the cleansing oils into your skin. Unlike a foaming cleanser, which you apply, rub a little then rinse off, cleansing oils require a little more work. After spreading it all over your face, gently massage the oils into the skin with the tips of your fingers. You will feel the oily slowly becoming more liquid as they warm up on the skin. You will also feel little bits of grit on the skin start to form as you slowly massage the oils on the skin. With careful massage on congested areas of the skin, even blackheads and clogged pores can be cleared this way.
- Introduce water a little at a time. First, wet your hands and massage your skin, to emulsify the cleansing oils. You will find the oil dissolving under your fingers and turning a milky white. This is what removes the oily feeling on the skin. After a while, wet your hands again with a little more water and massage again. Repeat until all the oil is emulsified then rinse until clean. This way, you can ensure that there are no oils left on the skin. This is something not every sales person will tell you. Usually they stop at the introduction of water and I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about their skin feeling oily and congested after using cleansing oils which may be attributed to improper washing.
- Use warm water. I personally find that warm water helps wash the cleansing oil off better and leaves the skin feeling cleaner and smoother. You can use cold water after that if you like.
These are just some little tips which I practice. Using these tips, I’ve found that almost any brand of cleansing oils can work for me as effectively, except for some brands which I react to caused, I suspect by the ingredients. I’ll be doing a challenge write up about high end and low end cleansing oils in the near future so stay tuned!
Do you have any tips to share for using cleansing oils effectively?
Update: Read this post for more tips and all the cleansing oils I’ve ever used!
P/S Its a very special date today 08-08-08! 😀 How are you marking it? I will be watching the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Beijing. How exciting!
I am a proud cleansing oil user too! 🙂 thanks for the tips parisb!
Nikki : Yay for cleansing oils! Do you have any tips to share?
Since cleansing oils are quite expensive…. *blushes* I massage it on my face for good 3 minutes, then I leave it..for 5 minutes..before I latter it..it does make my face softer 🙂
Because I’m lazy, I only use cleansing oils when removing heavy makeup or waterproof mascara.
Could you remind me again what are the cheaper options for cleansing oils if I didn’t want to splurge on Shu’s?
Paris B, are you using Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil for Make-Up remover? My face is super duper sensitive and when it gets irritated. it’ll peel around my mouth (Like now 🙁
Always start with dry hands and a dry face-False
This applies to different types of cleansing oil, for example Biore Cleansing Oil, back of the product prints “wash it even during shower, the latest method in Japan!”
Biore works well and it has green apple scent which isn’t bad and ZA is a cheaper alternative and it is great too! 🙂
Cleansing Oil changed my life! A definite must have for anyone whether they wear makeup or not.
Great tips!
Hi PB……another great tips! 🙂
I use both of cleansing oil and foam. Currently using kanebo freschel (the last bottle, i should search the other since it’s been d/c’ed ) and SKII cleelineansing foam.
I dont why i still use the foam…not b’cos i feel oily after using cleansing oil…it’s just hmmm….incomplete feeling, I guess.
Why do u think about it? Is it bad for my skin if I use both? **yes..it’s bad for my wallet**
tx
I think I made some mistypo on last post X) LOL
I love using cleansing oil. but when i was younger i can’t use them caused i tend to break out after cleansing so i try not to use it too often. Maybe then my skin was too oily.
But i started on Shu Uemura cleansing oil a couple of years ago and it works well for me.
My friend suggested Make up forever’s cleansing oil. Anyone has any feedback on this?
Nikki: I’ve never left it on but I definitely massage it in nicely. No point wasting all that oil eh?
Monstro: There are tons. Kanebo Freshel which I’m using now is pretty decent and you can also look under Za and Kate. I’ll be writing something on this soon so I’ll do my research then
ysbaby: No I’m not using Shu Uemura. The oil doesn’t agree with me but the pictures do lol…
Connie: Yep face feels super clean doesn’t it?
Reeka: I do that too – double cleansing its called. I wrote about it some time back, check under some of my previous posts! 🙂
@lav: Thanks for the info! Have you tried wet it in the shower and does it work as well? I don’t think we get Biore oils here in Malaysia yet.
@summer: I’ve never tried Make Up For Ever’s oil. I prefer using the Japanese brands. That said, cleansing oils are supposed to be good for oily skin as it helps clear out the impurities. Perhaps it was the ingredients that did not agree? I know there are some that cause me to break out e.g. Shu Uemura. btw please only leave 1 comment. The system automatically puts it into moderation for new comments. 🙂
hi yeap! I tried it and it works! I think it’s different formula of cleansing oil
and it really does great even for waterproof mascara 😀
I love Japanese brand cleansing Oil too have tried the KOSE softymo and Tiss
I love them.They change the way i cleanse my face everyday. I’m very interested with RMK cleansing oil. can u please give a review of this product if u have the chance?
Somehow or other I can’t seem to wrap my head around the idea that oil can be used for cleansing… 🙂
So I’m looking forward to more of your posts in this area to help me make up my mind!
@miith: I’ll try to get a sample of RMK if I can. Thanks for the feedback!
@rinnah: It really works a treat! Especially on days when my skin feels extra grimy e.g. if I’ve been out and about.
sorry about that. I can’t seem to post thats why i kept trying to post.
I will try make up forever when i used up my current cleansing oil.
Thanks.
paris, since you’re an expert on blushers, can you do a post on what colours suits what skintone, shimmer or matte, bla bla. can ah? cos i really don’t understand why nars got so many different shades. or is it a different colour to suit different mood and taste?