I received a few emails on this subject so I thought it would be an interesting topic for discussion š
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 donāt wear makeup, or donāt 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 donāt wear makeup, I rarely use a cleansing oil before a regular cleanser. Not because I donāt believe in it, but because Iām just a little bit lazier š
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 donāt 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 hasnāt harmed their skin so I suppose it doesnāt hurt š 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 donāt wear makeup? Or do you think its just a waste of money and time?
Paris B
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.
Yup me too! Iāve been doing it for years and when I donāt double cleanse I feel odd. Unless its a weekend where I have no makeup on or donāt get all sweaty then I use just one cleanser.
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 iāll go back to using it soon.
Depending on the brand of cleansing oil, I donāt 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 š
I skip cleansing oil if Iām not wearing makeup too. Let me try if there is any difference in my skin if I do double-cleansing.. š
Give it a shot š You might like it!
On days I donāt wear makeup, Iām always wearing sunscreen so I always use a cleansing oilā¦ I find that cleansing oil is a must when trying to remove waterproof sunscreens! I think double cleansing is an absolute mustā and I looove those softymo cleansing oils! Better than Shu U. in my opinion. Though- Iāve never seen that speedy version you have pictures. Can you do a review of cleansing oils?
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 Iāve ever used and they are so inexpensive too! I canāt use Shu Uemura as it breaks me out. I got these off Sasa.com. The pink version is the lighter version. Iāve reviewed the regular Kose Softymo cleansing oil in a previous post but not this one ā will do in a bit.
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?
Hiya Shay, ok Iāll get down to the post ā might take a while. Iāve used tons! š And as for how to emulsify the oils, you could read this previous post š
Thanks!!
On A regular basis, I donāt 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 š
I do agree that it helps clean my skin better too! And it helps unclog pores, provided it doesnāt clog them in the first place š
When I donāt 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!!!!
Hmmā¦ 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 š
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
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 Iāve been at it for years š Canāt be lazy if you want to look good mādear! š
When I am not wearing makeup , that is my lazy day š 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 š
Iāve seen those around but am not quite convinced. Perhaps Iāll give it a go and see how it fares
When Iām not wearing makeup, I donāt use cleansing oils at all. Because the cleansing oil Iām using cannot be found in Malaysia, ahaha ^.^ I need to make me stock last the whole year until my aunt goes back there.
And which is this mysterious cleansing oil then? š
Shisheidoās Perfect Liquid ^.^
Cool! Havenāt come across this one š
Shu SA here suggested to use cleansing oil morning and night, but I only use at night, regardless if I wore makeup or not.
I donāt use it in the morning too. Too much work, and I donāt see why I should be double cleansing in the morning when my face isnāt oily or dirty š In the evenings, I find it therapeutic š
Another reader below commented that using CO in the morningg helps? I want to try but Shu CO is so exoensive grrr
You can say that again! Hence Iām sorta glad it clogs my pores so I donāt buy it heheā¦ š
Cleansing oil when I use sunblock, which is not everyday (terrible!). If I am not leaving the house, I wonāt use sunblock.
Would like to ask since youāre a fan of the Kose Softymo Oils ā 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!
Hmmā¦ 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 wonāt be fussy about which I can get my hands on! š
I double-cleanse regardless. Even if I was just at home with only sunscreen on, I always think itās cleaner.
It most certainly is cleaner! I just get lazy on weekends when thereās no makeup on š
If I wear sunscreen (yes! I donāt always do! :x) Iād use a cleansing oil. Otherwise, I donāt. But I can still get away without using one because I use the Hada Labo Tamagohado cleanser and it gets a lot out.
:O You donāt always wear sunscreen? How can! š So many people seem to love that Tamagohada cleanser, I seem to be the only one feeling a bit meh about it š
Iām using cleansing oil everyday..smtimes when i get lazy (on weekend when not wearing makeup) Iām not using the cleansing oil..but, u know what? i noticed that, whenever Iām not using the cleansing oil i can see my pores clogged.. then i started using it everyday and its really help a-lot!
Thatās good to know that it helps you š I donāt get clogged pores if I donāt use cleansing oils but if I do, using a CO helps unclog pores, which is great š
I used cleansing oil last timeā¦ After I ran out, I didnāt re-purchase because I was just doing a mummy a favour by finishing up her SKII cleansing oilā¦ lolā¦ too expensive! Hahahaā¦ I think that if u donāt wear makeup or sunscreen, u can skip out the cleansing oilā¦ Sunscreen is really hard to get off! I learnt that the hard way when I didnāt knowā¦ Double cleansing is super important!!
I use Cliniqueās Rinse-off foaming cleanserā¦ It does its job well, doesnāt give me breakouts, and keeps my skin soft š
Hmmā¦ Clinique has a foaming cleanser? Is it like those self foaming ones? I love that sort of cleansers š That said, I hope those who donāt wear sunscreen everyday are in the minority these days š
Yup ā I think itās the one thatās in a white squeeze tube with Cliniqueās signature green cap.
Hmmā¦ ok so its not a self-foaming cleanser then?
You can only get these full size at airports, if I recall, yes?
Errā¦ actually I donāt know. Iāve never paid attention to this one haha.
I always use makeup removing oil in the morning BEFORE using my regular cleanser š 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 š so better safe than sorry iād say!
but if i donāt wear makeup that day, at night iād just use my regular cleanser š
Thatās very fascinating that you use your cleansing oils in the morning too! Most people I know donāt š Thanks for sharing!
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 didnāt try. Maybe I should try.
I usually use COās when I wear make-up. Otherwise, Iām too lazy since itās 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 š Thanks Paris!
Oh do try the Kose Softymo cleansing oils. I swear you wonāt go back to regular (expensive) ones. Just remember to leave me some for when I do go to HK! š 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.
Canāt wait to get to HK! Donāt worry about the stocks of Softymo COās, my dad wonāt let me haul that much, there is a baggage limit to think about! Thanks Paris! I guess Iāll have to try out the blush testers and see which one I like better š
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.
Is there a Tamagohada water based makeup remover? Hmmā¦ I didnāt know that ā must be good! š
Maybe she means the one you reviewed, the Hada Labo one?
Tamagohada also has a Make Off foam, I know, but Iāve never heard of anything else.
Oh that could be true ā thatās the Super Hyaluronic Acid one and I didnāt know they have a make off foam? Or is that the self-foaming cleanser thing?
I donāt because i find that cleansing oils clog my pores! ive tried Shu, DHC and YSL and they all clog me š
Yikes! Thatās horrible right? Shu and DHC kill my skin too. Lucky for me, the cheaper oils work just fine š
I had a cleansing oil a while back and although people told me itās better for the skin, I donāt find myself reaching out for it. Call me lazy š
Lazy! š Well I wouldnāt call this a necessity so long as you clean your skin properly of makeup, thereās no reason you HAVE to use a cleansing oil š