How to Oil Cleanse (and Why It Works)

 

If washing your face leaves it feeling tight, dry, or uncomfortable, your cleanser—or how often you’re using it—may not be the right fit for your skin.

Some cleansers do a wonderful job. Others remove more of the skin’s natural oils than a particular complexion can comfortably tolerate. This can be especially noticeable as skin becomes drier with age.

Oil cleansing offers another option.

The oil cleansing method uses carefully selected oils to loosen makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and the day’s dirt so they can be gently removed with a warm, damp cloth. There’s no foaming lather and no need to scrub until your face feels squeaky clean.

Instead, skin is left feeling clean, soft, and comfortable.

How I Discovered Oil Cleansing by Accident

My introduction to oil cleansing happened at about 2 a.m. on a girls’ trip to Asheville.

We had just returned from a night out, and I needed to remove my makeup. I don’t wear makeup very often, but when in Rome—or, in this case, Asheville.

I hadn’t packed a facial cleanser. What I did have was a jar of coconut oil, which I was using as a body moisturizer at the time.

So I slathered some onto my face, held a warm washcloth against my skin, and wiped everything away.

The makeup came off beautifully.

I’m sure the Airbnb was thrilled that I used one of its white washcloths for this experiment, but I digress...

From then on, I used coconut oil whenever I occasionally wore makeup. It was simple, effective, and didn’t leave my skin feeling stripped.

Years later, when I began studying cosmetic formulation, I learned that coconut oil isn’t ideal for every complexion. It can feel heavy, contribute to clogged pores, or cause sensitivity for some people.

That late-night experiment eventually became the inspiration for a more thoughtfully formulated cleansing oil.

What Is the Oil Cleansing Method?

Oil cleansing is exactly what it sounds like: cleansing your skin with oil rather than a soap or detergent-based cleanser.

The chemistry behind it is fairly simple. Many of the substances we want to remove from our faces—including makeup, sunscreen, and sebum—are oil-soluble. Applying a cleansing oil helps loosen and dissolve those materials so they can be lifted away with a damp cloth.

You may have heard this explained as “like dissolves like.” In this context, that’s a principle of solubility: oils can help dissolve and lift other oil-soluble substances.

A well-formulated cleansing oil can help remove:

• Makeup, including many long-wearing products
• Sunscreen
• Excess sebum
• Sweat and everyday dirt
• Residue from skincare products

Because the oil is removed mechanically with a warm, damp cloth, an oil cleanser does not need to foam to do its job.

Why Try Oil Cleansing?

The oil cleansing method may be worth exploring if your current cleanser regularly leaves your face feeling tight, dry, or irritated.

People often assume that truly clean skin should feel squeaky. But that sensation can also mean the skin has lost more of its natural oils than it comfortably tolerates.

Oil cleansing offers several practical advantages:

It Removes Makeup and Sunscreen

Many cosmetic products and sunscreens are designed to resist water. Oil helps loosen those products without requiring aggressive rubbing or harsh detergents.

It Cleanses Without a Foaming Lather

Some people enjoy foaming cleansers. Others find that they leave the skin feeling dry or uncomfortable. Oil cleansing provides an alternative that doesn’t rely on foam.

It Can Simplify Your Routine

A cleansing oil can serve as both makeup remover and cleanser, eliminating the need for multiple products.

It Leaves the Skin Feeling Comfortable

After the excess oil is removed, a light layer may remain behind. For many complexions, this leaves the skin feeling soft rather than stripped.

How to Oil Cleanse Step by Step

Oil cleansing is simple, but technique matters.

1. Begin with Dry Hands and a Dry Face

Apply a small amount of cleansing oil to your palm. The amount you need will depend on how much makeup or sunscreen you’re removing, but you want enough for your fingers to glide comfortably without tugging at the skin.

Starting with dry skin allows the oil to come into direct contact with makeup, sunscreen, and sebum.

2. Massage the Oil Gently Over Your Skin

Using your fingertips, distribute the oil over your face with gentle circular motions.

Pay particular attention to areas with makeup or sunscreen, but there is no need to scrub or massage for an extended period. The purpose is to loosen what you want to remove—not to repeatedly rub the skin.

Use care around the eyes and keep the product out of the eyes themselves.

3. Apply a Warm, Damp Cloth

Wet a clean, soft washcloth with comfortably warm—not hot—water and wring it out.

Hold it against your face briefly. The warmth feels lovely and helps loosen the oil and residue so they are easier to remove.

4. Wipe the Oil Away Gently

Use the damp cloth to remove the cleansing oil without harsh scrubbing.

Rinse and wring out the cloth, then repeat as needed until your skin feels clean and comfortable.

5. Follow with Moisturizer if Your Skin Needs It

Some people find that the light residue left after oil cleansing is enough. Drier skin may prefer a facial oil, balm, or moisturizer afterward. We love pairing oil cleansing with our Look at You Glow Simple Skincare Routine — a simple, natural way to nourish your skin.

But let your skin—not an arbitrary number of steps—tell you what comes next.

Do You Need to Double Cleanse After Oil Cleansing?

Not necessarily.

Double cleansing typically means using an oil-based cleanser first and following it with a water-based cleanser. This can be useful for someone wearing heavy makeup, layers of water-resistant sunscreen, or products that are difficult to remove.

But it isn’t required for everyone.

If your cleansing oil and damp washcloth remove the day’s residue and leave your skin feeling clean and comfortable, a second cleanser may not serve a purpose.

If your skin still feels coated or you notice product remaining along your hairline, you may want to wipe again with a freshly rinsed cloth or follow with a gentle cleanser.

The goal is effective cleansing—not completing a prescribed number of steps.

How Often Should You Oil Cleanse?

You can oil cleanse daily if your skin responds well to it, but you don’t have to.

I’m still a minimalist when it comes to washing my own face. I reach for cleansing oil when I’ve worn makeup or sunscreen, gotten particularly dirty, or feel that my skin actually needs more than water.

• Your ideal frequency may depend on:
• Your skin type
• Whether you wear makeup
• How frequently you use sunscreen
• Your climate and activity level
• How your skin feels after cleansing
• Any skin conditions or sensitivities you have

Someone who wears makeup and sunscreen every day may oil cleanse every evening. Someone with dry skin and a very simple routine may need it less frequently.

Consistency can be helpful, but unnecessary cleansing is still unnecessary.

Is Oil Cleansing Good for Dry or Mature Skin?

Oil cleansing can be particularly appealing when skin becomes drier, more delicate, or less tolerant of aggressive cleansing.

Our skin naturally changes with age, and a cleanser that worked beautifully at 25 may leave the same person feeling tight and uncomfortable at 45 or 55.

A cleansing oil removes makeup and sunscreen while leaving some emollience behind. That can make the process feel more comfortable for dry or mature skin than cleansing methods that remove nearly all surface oils.

However, every complexion is different. The right cleanser should leave your skin feeling clean without persistent tightness, burning, or irritation.

Can You Oil Clean Oily or Blemish-Prone Skin?

Applying oil to oily skin may sound completely backward, but oily skin still needs gentle care.

Oil cleansing can help loosen excess sebum, sunscreen, and makeup without requiring harsh scrubbing. The specific oils, the finished formulation, how thoroughly it is removed, and the individual person’s skin all matter.

No oil or oil blend is guaranteed to suit everyone. If your skin is prone to clogged pores or breakouts, introduce a new cleansing oil gradually and pay attention to how your complexion responds.

A cleansing oil should not cause a prolonged “purge.” If you consistently develop new congestion, irritation, or breakouts after introducing one, discontinue use rather than assuming your skin must push through it.

People managing persistent or severe acne should seek individualized guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Why Coconut Oil Isn’t Always the Best Facial Cleansing Oil

Coconut oil worked well for removing my makeup that night in Asheville, but it wasn’t specifically formulated for facial skin.

Some people tolerate it perfectly well. For others, it feels too heavy, contributes to congestion, or causes irritation.

That doesn’t make coconut oil a bad ingredient. It simply illustrates why skincare cannot be reduced to one universally “good” or “bad” oil.

A thoughtfully formulated cleansing oil combines ingredients selected for how they work together, how the blend feels on the skin, how effectively it removes residue, and how easily it can be wiped away.

Why I Formulated Vital Acre Cleansing Oil

 

Vital Acre Cleansing Oil grew from that accidental experiment with coconut oil—but the finished formula is considerably more intentional.

It combines:

• Calendula-infused jojoba, prepared with calendula grown at Vital Acre Farm
• Castor oil, which gives the blend cleansing body and slip
• Hemp seed oil, selected for its lightweight skin feel
• Black cumin seed oil, included with blemish-prone complexions in mind
• Camellia seed oil, a silky botanical oil that helps the blend spread easily

Together, these oils dissolve makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum, and everyday dirt while leaving the skin feeling soft and comfortable—not tight or squeaky clean.

→ [Explore Vital Acre Cleansing Oil]

The Secret Second Use: Leave It On

Vital Acre Cleansing Oil can also serve a second purpose.

Instead of applying enough to cleanse and removing it with a washcloth, apply just two or three drops to clean, slightly damp skin and gently press them in.

Used this way, it becomes a lightweight facial oil.

This can be especially useful for combination, oily, or blemish-prone complexions that may find richer facial oils or tallow-based moisturizers too heavy. Dry skin can use it this way as well, although it may prefer something more substantial as an everyday moisturizer.

Begin with a very small amount and adjust according to how your skin feels.

One bottle. Two different jobs.

Oil Cleansing Frequently Asked Questions

Will oil cleansing clog my pores?

Any skincare product can disagree with an individual complexion. Whether an oil cleanser contributes to congestion depends on the ingredients, the complete formula, how it is used and removed, and your skin.

Introduce it gradually and discontinue use if you notice persistent congestion or irritation.

Can I use cleansing oil every day?

Yes, provided your skin responds well to it. Daily use isn’t mandatory, however. Cleanse according to what is on your face and what your skin needs.

Can oil cleansing remove waterproof makeup?

Oil can loosen many waterproof and long-wearing products. Particularly stubborn eye makeup may require additional gentle massage or a second pass with the damp cloth.

Should I use hot water?

No. Use comfortably warm water. Very hot water can leave skin feeling dry or irritated.

Do I need a special washcloth?

No white Airbnb washcloths are required.

Choose a clean, soft cloth that feels gentle against your skin. Use a fresh one regularly and wash it thoroughly between uses.

Should my skin feel squeaky clean afterward?

No. Your skin should feel clean and comfortable, not tight or aggressively degreased.

A Simpler Approach to Cleansing

Oil cleansing doesn’t need to become another elaborate skincare ritual.

It is simply one way to remove what needs to come off your face while respecting what doesn’t.

Some evenings, your skin may need a thorough cleanse. On others, water may be enough. Your makeup, sunscreen, activity, climate, and individual complexion all get a vote.

The goal isn’t to cleanse more.

It’s to cleanse with purpose—and leave your skin feeling comfortable when you’re finished.

[Explore Vital Acre Cleansing Oil]

Written by Brooke McNeal, N.D., founder, farmer, and skincare formulator.

Updated August 2026