We’re no chemists, but if there’s one thing that stuck with us from chemistry class, it’s this: “Like dissolves like.”
And since we use oil-based skincare products every day, we need to ensure they are properly removed before sleeping. Oil-cleansing is essential if you want to achieve glowing, Korean-like skin!
To achieve this, you need to start your Korean beauty regimen with Korean oil cleansers. So if you haven’t found the best Korean cleansing oil for your skin type, we’ve got you covered with this list.
10 Best Korean Cleansing Oils for Glowing Skin
Make P:Rem Radiance Me. Cleansing Water Oil
Our Pick
When you first see this Korean cleansing oil, you’ll notice it has a unique look to it. The yellow part at the top of the bottle is the oil cleanser part. The other half is actually cleansing water.
This is one of those beauty products that try to mix the goodness of multiple mediums in one. So whether you belong to dry or oily skin types, this Korean cleansing oil will be a welcomed step to your Korean skincare routine.
BEAUTY TIP: Use it before applying your foam cleanser.
This double phase cleanser is the best Korean cleansing oil to try out if you are iffy about using pure oil to get rid of makeup. It’s 70 percent water and 30 percent oil. You get to reap the benefits of double cleansing.
Another thing to love about this Korean cleanser is the fact it has Vitaberry 5, which is a mix of Raspberry, Cloudberry, Sea Buckthorn Berry, Bilberry, and Blackberry.
Pros
- Double phase oil and water cleanser
- Easy to remove
- Does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate
Cons
- Not as effective in removing oil-based makeup as pure cleansing oils
Skinfood Black Sugar Cleansing Oil
Best for Removing Heavy Makeup
The main component of this Korean cleansing oil is black sugar, as can be gleaned from its name.
Black sugar contains AHA that helps exfoliate the skin. It also is rich in Glycolic acid to help treat sun damage and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
The texture of this cleansing oil is quite runny that it almost doesn’t feel like your “run of the mill” oils anymore. As a result, the nutrients of these oils are absorbed easily by the skin. This is also why it is very effective in removing makeup.
Another thing we love about this cleansing oil is its container. It has a separate clamp for the nozzle that helps prevent accidental spilling of the oil. However, the clamp does not take care of the extra cleansing oil that gets clogged in the nozzle after dispensing, so it will still leave a small mess.
The adhesive power of this cleansing oil is on another level. It’s why we chose this as the best Korean cleansing oil for removing makeup.
Pros
- Smells like burnt caramel
- Oil spreads easily on skin without being greasy
- Exfoliates dead skin cells
Cons
- Contains mineral oil
- Expensive
Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil
Best for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Innisfree makes high-quality oil cleansers, and this one is no exception. It’s infused with green tea extract that is rich in antioxidants. The natural ingredients will take care of the excess oil on your face, making this the best Korean cleansing oil for those with acne-prone skin and oily skin.
It is enriched with a unique green complex from Jeju Island. The main ingredient of this cleansing oil is Alkyl Benzoate, an ester derived from naturally occurring oils.
The texture is very slippery and the formula is water-soluble. Thus, this oil cleanser is not hard to rinse off after use.
We have to note, however, that this Korean cleansing oil does take longer to remove makeup. But once it does, it leaves you with a fresh “citrusy” fragrance. Your skin will feel more nourished and moisturized.
Pros
- Perfect for oily and acne-prone skin types
- Helps ease sun damage
- Leaves a subtle citrus smell
Cons
- Requires to be massaged longer compared to most oil cleansers
- Not suitable for those who are allergic to isopropyl palmitate
Laneige Perfect Pore Cleansing Oil
Oil cleansers are not the first thing to come to mind if you want to refine your pores. But this Laneige oil cleanser does just that while acting as a mild makeup remover.
What we love about this Korean cleansing oil is the fact it contains no artificial ingredients or harmful chemicals. This makes this gentle cleanser ideal for any skin type.
This lightweight cleansing oil contains Mugwort extract that refines the pores. It also has natural virgin coconut oil that provides cleansing and nourishment to the skin.
For better effects, steam a towel and put it on your face to open up the pores before using this gentle cleansing oil.
Pros
- Mild enough to fit all skin types
- Mugwort extract effectively refines pores
Cons
- Has a strong smell
Nature Republic Forest Garden Cleansing Oil
If you’re looking for the best Korean cleansing oil to moisturize dry skin types, this Nature Republic cleanser should be on top of your list.
Let’s face the fact that many foam cleansers strip moisture off our skin. Prepping your face for the second step of your double cleansing routine with this Korean oil cleanser will help alleviate that problem.
This product is rich in jojoba oil that helps dissolve excess oil and oil-based makeup. It also has chamomile extracts that have antifungal and antibacterial properties. The extract helps calm skin redness which makes this oil cleanser perfect for those who have acne-prone skin.
To boost the moisturizing power, this Korean cleanser also has macadamia oil rich in fatty acids.
The only problem we have with the Nature Republic Forest Garden Cleansing Oil is the fact it does not do a great job in removing matte liquid lipsticks. This may depend on the lipstick’s formulation, but we would have loved a cleansing oil that could take care of every kind of makeup.
Pros
- Contains macadamia and jojoba oil moisturizes the skin
- Has chamomile extract that prevents skin redness
Cons
- Does not effectively remove matte lipsticks
Innisfree Apple Juicy Cleansing Oil
This Korean cleansing oil derives its cleansing power from apple oils which help brighten the skin. This results in the sweet smell of apples after cleansing.
This oil-based cleanser has a light texture that does not give away a greasy feeling.
Aside from its natural components, we also love the fact that this cleanser does not contain parabens, colorants, and mineral oils. It’s good for sensitive skin types.
The only problem we have with this cleansing oil is the fact it takes a while to remove highly-tinted cosmetic products.
Pros
- Brightens skin with green apple extract
- Has no harmful ingredients (safe for sensitive skin types)
- Leaves a sweet natural fruity smell
Cons
- Does not effectively remove tints
Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil
This cleansing oil is an effective makeup remover that can also effectively remove excess oil from the skin.
The coconut oil nourishes and moisturizes the face deeply by adhering to oil-based makeup. It also contains Grape seed oil with anti-aging properties to keep your skin nourished. In addition, it has apricot kernel oil that helps gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells to reveal that youthful glow.
This oil-based cleanser does not burn or sting at all. However, it does contain mineral oil that may not react well to those with sensitive skin types. Most users don’t have a problem with this, but it’s better to test it out first before committing to the full bottle.
Pros
- Perfect for normal to dry skin
- Contains grape seed oil with anti-aging properties
- Gently exfoliates dead skin cells
Cons
- Might not react well with a sensitive skin type
- Smell is too strong
The Face Shop Natural Rice Water Light Cleansing Oil
When you want to purify your skin, this is the best Korean cleansing oil for you. Packed with rice water, moringa, and jojoba oil, it effectively detoxifies the skin so it can absorb more of the goodness of your other beauty products.
Jojoba oil is a gentle and light oil that contains anti-inflammatory properties to calm irritated skin, making it a common ingredient for the best cleansing oils. Moringa oil, on the other hand, is rich in Vitamin A that helps increase collagen production. It belongs to a group of rare premium oils.
The formula is quite thick, so it might take some time for the skin to absorb the nutrients. You should take some time before you finally rinse the Natural Rice Water Light Cleansing Oil off.
This Korean oil cleanser is also not suitable for those with sensitive skin because its main ingredient is isopropyl myristate, a potential acne-causing ingredient.
Pros
- Anti-inflammatory ingredients like jojoba oil
- Nourishing properties
Cons
- Thick consistency
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
Neogen Dermalogy Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Oil
After a tiring day, your skin deserves some soothing. This cleansing oil makes it easier for you to achieve that.
The oil-based ingredients in this product are combined using Micellar technology. It helps oil, gunk, and dirt stick better to the formula so that it’s easier to wash off. The Micellar water content also hydrates the skin as it cleans it.
An ingredient called Centella Asiatica extract, or Cica as its more widely known, soothes skin irritation as well. It’s mixed in with Madecassoside which enhances the skin-calming effects for maximum relief. These also continue to hydrate the skin.
This oil-based cleanser isn’t strong enough to remove makeup on its own, though. It’ll wipe off a good amount, but won’t do the job completely. It’s still better to use another makeup remover before this, particularly for your eye makeup and mascara.
Many who bought this have also complained about the packaging. They notice that the product has spills and leaks when it gets delivered. They realize that the safety seal isn’t locked well. It’ll probably be better to look for this in a physical store just to be sure.
Pros
- Uses oil-based Micellar technology
- Soothing ingredients
- Nourishes dehydrated skin
Cons
- Can’t remove makeup on its own
- Bottle tends to leak the product
Tonymoly Wonder Apricot Deep Cleansing Oil
This deep cleansing oil is an all-in-one makeup remover for your face, eyes, and lips. More than just makeup, it can also get rid of gunk and oil that are trapped deep in your pores.
The key ingredient is Apricot Seed Oil which can penetrate easily into the skin and expunge dirt. The formula is also completely water-dissolvable so it isn’t a hassle to rinse off.
Other ingredients include Pomegranate Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil. These all work with each other to bring moisture and nourishment to the skin!
Many users love commenting on the fruity scent of this oil. It makes their Korean skincare routine much more enjoyable.
This deep cleansing oil is NOT recommended for people with dry and combination skin, though. The strong oil-removing properties may leave their skin feeling overly dried out.
Also, though this works well in removing eye makeup like eyeshadow, it doesn’t do so good for waterproof mascara. You might still need a separate remover for that.
Pros
- Removes lip, face, and eye makeup
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin
- Fruity scent
Cons
- Not suitable for dry skin and combination skin
- Can’t remove waterproof mascara
What Is Cleansing Oil, Exactly?
Simply put, cleansing oils are oil-based makeup removers. As pointed out in the introduction, like dissolves like.
If you are using oil-based products on your skin, you won’t be able to remove them through water-based foam cleansers.
Using Korean oil cleansers is the first step to the 10-step Korean skincare routine. This is the first part of the two-step process called the Korean double cleansing method.
The double cleansing method is HIGHLY effective, and you should definitely adopt it into your skincare routines. In fact, some prefer to take a step further and commit to double cleansing every day.
Cleansing oils come in two main forms — liquid form and in oil balms. Both forms function the same way — by attracting oil-based gunk from the skin to effectively remove them.
What Does Cleansing Oil Do for Your Skin?
The main purpose of a oil-cleansing is to remove dirt, makeup, and your skin’s natural oils like sebum. But in addition to cleansing, the rich formula of most cleansing oils helps nourish the skin and address other skin concerns.
Korean cleansing oils, in particular, contain high-quality natural ingredients to aid in solving dryness, sensitivity, and other problems.
Even if you have very oily or acne-prone skin, you should not skip this step. It’s a myth that Korean oil cleansers can worsen your oily skin problems.
In fact, it helps improve it by allowing your skin to take a break from producing too much natural oils (a.k.a excess sebum production) because it senses that it is already moisturized.
How Do You Use Cleansing Oil?
Cleansing oil is used at the very start of your skin care regimen. This is especially important for your night skincare routine when you’ve been wearing makeup the whole day. Doing double cleansing ensures you remove your makeup or any excess oils completely.
To use liquid-form cleansing oil, squeeze some into your hands and gently massage the product all over the face. Include the eyelids to remove eye makeup, but be careful not to get any oil into the eyes.
Users warn that applying cleansing oils around the eyes is not safe. Using a makeup remover first before applying cleansing oils to remove mascara seems to be a safer option.
In general, cleansing oils are applied water-free. However, others such as The Face Shop Natural Rice Water Light Cleansing Oil can be used even when the skin is slightly wet.
Products like the Natural Rice Water Light Cleansing Oil work better by adding a little water. Just make sure to read through the product instructions to be safe.
After massaging onto the skin, rinse off with lukewarm water. Balm oil cleansers are used similarly.
Check the container label for the recommended amount and apply the balm all over the face. Balms tend to be messier compared to oils, but they are more travel-friendly. They can also take care of oily skin and excess sebum production just as well.
Do You Need to Use Cleansing Oil Everyday?
The short answer is yes.
You should cleanse using a cleansing oil once a day to remove stubborn makeup and pollution particles that water-based cleansers can’t.
There’s a reason why Koreans integrate this in their Korean skin care routine. You can’t really be sure you’ve thoroughly cleansed when you limit yourself to just water-based cleansers.
Double cleansing is the way to go!
Types of Cleansing Oils and Their Benefits
Camellia Oil
This Geisha treasure is good for dry skin.
Despite its thick consistency, Camellia oil is non-comedogenic. It’s safe for those prone to acne and blackheads caused by clogged pores.
It also contains Vitamin E, C, D, and A that replenish the skin’s nutrients as they strengthen the barriers.
Moringa Oil
This oil has a high concentration of Behenic acid that protects the skin from aggressors. It is also used in perfumes to protect the skin from harsh chemicals that may be in the formula.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains 49 percent of lauric acid. In one study, it was found that lauric acid was the most effective in blocking bacterial growth. This means these natural oils is best for acne-prone skin.
Coconut oil also has anti-aging effects and gently exfoliates to reveal a healthier complexion.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is also packed with lots of antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins.
However, take note that olive oil should not be used excessively especially on infants and adults with dry skin. If used in excess, this oil can cause childhood atopic eczema and can lead to clogged pores.
Rice Bran Oil
“You have a rice bran splendor” is a Japanese compliment that means you have a healthy-looking skin. This is because rice bran oil is extremely helpful in reducing dark spots and moisturizing dry, flaky skin.
It is full of antioxidants including CoQ10 and Lycopene, as well as Vitamin E that helps in brightening.
The Best Choice for Glowing Skin
When it comes to skincare, Korea has always been at the forefront!
Korean beauty standards are different from the rest of the world, which is why when it comes to cleansing oil and skin care as a whole, Korean brands are a favored choice.
If you’re still starting out, we would recommend the Make P:Rem Radiance Me. Cleansing Water Oil because of its dual nature.
If you like wearing heavy or stubborn makeup, the oil cleanser we suggest would be the Skinfood Black Sugar Cleansing Oil because it can take care of the removal process while still being gentle on the skin.
We wish you luck with your foray into the wonderful world of cleansing oils!
CHANGELOG:
August 18, 2021 – Updated product descriptions, improved article formatting, reviewed and updated overall content
July 14, 2021 – Reviewed and updated article links
