The Oil Cleansing Method, Explained

Key takeaways

• Oil dissolves oil: a plant oil loosens sunscreen, makeup and excess sebum without the stripping feel of strong detergents.
• Massage oil onto dry skin for about a minute, then remove it with a warm, damp cloth.
• Castor oil adds cleansing pull; use more of it for oily skin and less for dry skin.
• Oil cleansing works best at night, and some people follow it with a short gentle wash.

Washing your face with oil sounds like the opposite of getting clean. Yet the oil cleansing method has become a favorite in chemical free beauty for a simple reason: oil is very good at dissolving other oily things, including makeup, mineral sunscreen and the sebum your skin produces during the day. It does that without relying on the strong foaming detergents found in many face washes, so many people find their skin feels softer and less tight afterward.

Here is how it works, which oils to choose, and how to make it part of your routine.

Why oil cleans

Chemists have a short phrase for it: like dissolves like. Water alone cannot lift oily residue, which is why most cleansers use surfactants, molecules that let oil and water mix so grime can rinse away. Strong surfactants work well, but they can also remove more of your skin's own oils than you want, which some people notice as tightness or flaking.

A plant oil takes a different route. When you massage it over your face, it blends with long wear makeup, water resistant sunscreen and sebum, loosening them. A warm cloth then lifts the whole mixture away. Some oil stays behind as a thin, soft layer, which is why many people find they need less moisturizer afterward.

Choosing your oils

Most oil cleansing blends use two parts: a base oil and a little castor oil.

• Base oil: Sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond, grapeseed or olive oil. Lighter oils rinse off more easily. Olive is rich and suits drier skin.
• Castor oil: Thick and sticky, castor oil gives the blend more "pull" and is often described as more cleansing or drying. It is rarely used on its own because it is so heavy.

These ratios are common starting points, not rules. Adjust by how your skin feels.

Skin type	Castor oil	Base oil	Suggested base
Dry	About 1 part	About 9 parts	Sweet almond, olive or avocado
Normal	About 1 part	About 4 parts	Sunflower or jojoba
Oily or combination	About 1 part	About 2 parts	Grapeseed, sunflower or jojoba

If you would rather not mix your own, a ready made face oil works too. Our Beauty Oil already includes castor oil alongside jojoba and lighter oils, so it can double as a cleansing oil and a moisturizer. Read more about picking oils in how to choose a facial oil.

Avoid oils with added synthetic fragrance, and be careful with blends heavy in essential oils, since you are massaging them close to your eyes.

How to oil cleanse, step by step

1. Start with dry skin and dry hands. Oil grips makeup and sunscreen best before water is involved.
2. Pour about a teaspoon into your palm, or a little less for a smaller face. Warm it between your hands.
3. Massage for about one minute. Use slow circles over your whole face, including the sides of the nose, hairline and jawline. Gently press over closed eyes to soften mascara, without rubbing hard.
4. Soak a soft washcloth in warm water and wring it out. It should be comfortably warm, never hot.
5. Lay the cloth over your face for a few breaths, letting the steam relax things, then gently wipe the oil away. Rinse the cloth and repeat until your skin feels clean but not squeaky.
6. Finish as needed. If your skin feels comfortable, you are done. If it feels slick, follow with a short wash using a gentle bar or cleanser.

Use a fresh cloth each night, or at least every couple of nights. A damp cloth sitting in a warm bathroom collects bacteria quickly.

Single cleanse or double cleanse?

Double cleansing simply means an oil cleanse followed by a second, gentle wash. It suits people who wear heavy makeup, use water resistant sunscreen daily, or have oily skin and dislike any residue. A mild facial bar such as our Beauty Bar for the face works well as the second step, kept brief. People with dry skin often skip the second wash and let the oil film act as their moisturizer.

Morning or night?

Night is the natural time to oil cleanse, since that is when you are removing a full day of sunscreen, makeup and pollution. In the morning a water rinse or a quick gentle wash is usually enough. Our morning and night skincare routine shows how oil cleansing fits with the rest.

Common mistakes

• Using a cloth that is too hot. Hot water and rough scrubbing can leave skin red and irritated. Warm is enough.
• Skipping the massage. The minute of massage is where the work happens. A quick swipe will not dissolve long wear makeup.
• Too much castor oil. If your skin feels tight or dry afterward, lower the castor oil.
• Expecting instant results. Give it two to three weeks. Some people notice small changes in their skin as they switch, and the first week is not always representative.
• Using it as a deep pore cure. Oil cleansing is a gentle way to clean skin, not a treatment for acne or clogged pores.

Is oil cleansing right for oily or breakout prone skin?

It can be. Many people with oily skin find it leaves their face less stripped, which may mean less of that rebound shine later in the day. That said, everyone's skin is different. Start with a lighter base oil, a higher share of castor oil, and always follow with a gentle second wash. If breakouts worsen after a few weeks, stop and simplify. Our guide to natural skincare for oily skin covers other options, and persistent or painful acne is worth a visit to a dermatologist.

Oil cleansing and eye makeup

Oil is excellent at loosening mascara and eyeliner, including many water resistant formulas. Hold an oil soaked cotton pad or cloth over closed eyes for twenty or thirty seconds, then wipe gently downward. If your eyes are sensitive, use a plain oil with no essential oils near the eye area. You will find more tips in removing makeup without harsh chemicals and clean mascara for sensitive eyes.

The quiet appeal

Part of what people love about oil cleansing is the ritual. A minute of slow massage and a warm cloth at the end of the day is calming in a way a quick foam rarely is. It also keeps your bathroom shelf simple: one bottle of oil can remove your makeup, cleanse your face and moisturize afterward. That is chemical free beauty at its most practical. As with any new routine, patch test a new oil before using it all over your face.

From the ranch

Made in small batches, without the ingredients discussed above.

Questions people ask

Does the oil cleansing method really work?

For many people, yes. Oil dissolves makeup, sunscreen and sebum effectively and removes them with a warm cloth, without strong detergents. Results vary by skin type, so give it two to three weeks and adjust the oils as needed.

What is the best oil for oil cleansing?

Common choices are sunflower, jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond and olive oil, often blended with a small amount of castor oil. Lighter oils suit oily skin and richer oils suit dry skin.

Do I need to wash my face after oil cleansing?

Not always. Dry skin often feels best with just the oil and a warm cloth. Oily skin, or skin wearing heavy makeup and sunscreen, may prefer a short second wash with a gentle cleanser.

Can oil cleansing cause breakouts?

It can for some people, often when the oil is too heavy or not fully removed. Choose a light base oil, wipe thoroughly with a warm cloth, and stop if breakouts worsen after a few weeks.

Sources and further reading

1. American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Face Washing 101
2. Ananthapadmanabhan KP et al., Cleansing without compromise: the impact of cleansers on the skin barrier, Dermatologic Therapy (2004)
3. Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL, Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils, International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018)

This guide is for general education and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, allergy, or are pregnant or nursing, talk with your doctor or a board certified dermatologist about the products that are right for you.