Cleansing oils are oil-based cleansers that are ideal for removing all traces of stubborn waterproof makeup. They’re super gentle on your skin and work by effectively dissolving all the dirt and impurities including oils from your skin, sunscreen, and makeup. At the same time, they can act as moisturizers that don’t leave your feeling or looking greasy.
You can use a cleansing oil to help remove excess oil from your face. Massage it gently on your face in circular motions until it forms a milky appearance then leave it for a few minutes to soak up all the grime. After rinsing your face with water and pat it dry with a soft towel and proceed to use a water-soluble cleanser or toner.
The Best Cleansing Oils in Malaysia
With the large range of cleansing oils in stores today, it is normal for one to get confused when narrowing down to just one option. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive list of the best cleansing oils that you can use to give your skin a boost and make your face look as radiant and healthy as can be. Below are our recommendations of the 10 best cleansing oils in Malaysia for different budgets and skin types:
1. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
The Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil is one of the most popular cleansing oils in Malaysia. It can gently remove all traces of makeup, residue oils, and other impurities from your face leaving it looking fresh and feeling velvety. Comprising of key ingredients like Coix Lacryma-Jobi seed, tangerine peel extract, and apricot kernel oil, Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil cleanses the skin leaving a brighter and healthier base. This cleansing oil has a delicate action so it quickly and gently dissolves makeup effortlessly without overstimulating the skin.
Pros
- Doesn’t contain harmful alcohols or added fragrances
- It may be used on sensitive skin
- Doesn’t leave a greasy after-feel
- Rinses off easily from the face
- One bottle can last long
Cons
- Quite expensive
- You need lots of it to remove stubborn mascara
2. HADA LABO SHA Moisturizing Cleansing Oil
Made especially for dry skin, HADA LABO SHA Moisturizing Cleansing Oil will cleanse your skin and leave it moisturized. It won’t leave your skin with a tight feeling after you’ve washed it off either. All the ingredients used in this cleansing oil are plant-based that purify the pores without clogging them. If you’re looking for a moisturizing oil cleanser that also strengthens the skin barrier to keep the skin elastic, we strongly recommend this cleansing oil by HADA LABO SHA.
Pros
- Affordable
- No irritation
- Moisturizing effect on the skin
- Doesn’t contain any artificial perfume or colors
Cons
- You may need to use a lot more than directed
- benefits for acne-prone skin
3. BIORE Cleansing Oil
The BIORE Cleansing Oil packs a punch and effectively dissolves and removes stubborn makeup, including stubborn mascara. Get the BIORE deep cleansing oil if you need a cleanser that rids the excess oil sebum. This BIORE cleansing oil is perfect in that it provides optimum cleaning performance on both dry and even wet skin. As you rub this cleansing oil into your face, it emulsifies to deeply cleanse your skin and removes all traces of makeup without clogging the pores.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Smells really nice -pleasant citrus smell
- The skin feels remarkably softer afterwards
- The container comes with a dispensing pump
- Removes sunscreen and makeup fairly easily
Cons
- Contains citric acid that may cause skin irritation to develop
- Added fragrance – so it’s not ideal for sensitive skin
4. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil
The Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleansing Oil is a refreshing oil that takes away makeup and dirt buildup on your skin in just one wash. This dermatologically tested Neutrogena deep clean cleansing oil transforms into a lotion that can easily be washed off by water. This Neutrogena cleansing oil helps lock in moisture leaving the face feeling soft and supple.
Pros
- Affordable
- Doesn’t sting the eyes
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Feels nourishing to the face
- Easily dissolves dirt and waterproof makeup in one step
Cons
- There may be a thin film leftover
- No additional benefits for sensitive skin
5. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover
Suitable for all skin types, the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Makeup Remover melts everything off from excess sebum, sunscreen, to makeup. This DHC cleansing oil binds to and breaks down stubborn waterproof mascara and eyeliner. This organic virgin olive oil is the best cleansing oil Malaysia offers for skin protection. The DHC deep cleanses and is gentle on your skin so you don’t even need to double cleanse.
Pros
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Softens skin without an oily feel
- Close to your skin’s natural pH
- Gently cleans and leaves zero residue
Cons
- Quite pricey
6. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil
Using rice water for face care is a popular beauty regimen. Rice water is even considered to be one of the many Korean skin care tips for getting clear skin. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil is enriched with vitamins E, A, B, minerals, and ceramide. These enable this cleansing oil to brighten and nourish dry skin while also removing impurities.
The result is fresh, soft, smooth, supple, clear, and evenly toned skin with a bright complexion. Get The Face Shop Rice Water Bright if you’re looking for a cleansing oil that thoroughly removes dead skin cells without causing irritation.
Pros
- Cheap
- Long-lasting product
- Suitable for all skin types
- Brightens and moisturizes
Cons
- Difficult to see how much is left
- Doesn’t come with a dispenser pump
- Tends to leak when you travel with it
- It foams a lot which can make it too drying for dry skin types
7. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
The Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is made with a blend of Centella oil from Madagascar, the untouched nature, and six different plant-based oils. This powerful oil cleanser immediately melts away impurities with a lightweight formula, leaving the skin purified and refreshed. It is very gentle on your face and free from harsh chemicals. This makes the Skin104 cleansing oil a perfect choice for all skin types.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Sweet floral scent
- Has a pump dispenser
- Easy to spread – has a milk consistency
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
8. Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil
The Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil leaves you feeling fresh and hydrated. This gentle but effective oil cleanser has skin-soothing properties and highlights its superior action of sebum control. The Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil is also rich in vitamin A, B, and C and has strong antioxidant properties to keep the skin healthy and hydrated.
Pros
- Fragrant-free
- Hydrating and moisturizing
- The bottle comes with a pump
- Easily melts to remove all traces of makeup
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Contains which is bad for oily skin
9. Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil
The Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil is one of the most popular cleansing oils in Malaysia. This gentle, emollient, and deep clean cleansing oil can effectively dissolve all impurities including makeup residues without damaging the skin. The cleansing oil is enriched with 16 different types of amino acids that open up the moisture path for dehydrated facial skin to restore a clear and dewy skin texture.
Pros
- Mild action
- No greasy after-feel
- Smells pleasant and subtle
- Green tea is an antioxidant and soothing ingredient
Cons
- Pricey
- No visible anti-aging improvements
10. Nutox Cleansing Oil
The Nutox Cleansing Oil takes away waterproof makeup, is a great solution for whiteheads and also unclogs your pores. It does all this while maintaining the adequate amount of moisture your skin needs. The Nutox cleansing oil is formulated with sweet almond oil to cleanse and refresh, thus protecting the skin from signs of aging. This hydrating cleansing oil is lightweight and does not irritate the skin but instead helps retain the skin’s natural moisture.
Pros
- Affordable
- Removes stubborn waterproof makeup and dirt
- Leaves your face feeling soft and supple
- The bottle lasts a long time
Cons
- Not hydrating enough for dry skin
Guide On How To Choose The Right Cleansing Oil
Cleansing oils have healing and nourishing properties. Now that we’ve discussed the best cleansing oils to add to your skincare routine, we’ll walk you through the process of choosing the right cleansing oil because you just can’t grab any soothing cleansing oil from the shelf. Here are some tips and guidelines to follow!
1. Your Skincare Goals
It’s almost everyone’s dream to have the smoothest skin ever! For some, this might come easily while for others, it takes lots of work.
The buildup of sebum, sunscreen, dirt, and other cosmetic residues that are left on the skin can cause the facial skin to look dull or have enlarged pores. It may also contribute to clogged pores which can cause acne. Cleansing the face using the right hydrating cleansing oil is a relaxing and remarkably rewarding experience that makes your skin look and feel much better. The whole cleansing process is designed to be gentle yet thorough to give you smooth, supple, blemish-free, and glowing skin.
2. Your Skin Type
Your skin type determines the type of cleansing oil that you should get. For the best results, it is best to choose a deep cleanse cleansing oil that suits the specific needs of your skin. Cleansing oils are recommended for those with different types of skin i.e. sensitive, dry, and oily skin.
i. Sensitive (Acne-prone) Skin
If you have sensitive skin, go for a fragrance-free cleansing oil or scented essential oils. You should also avoid cleaning oils with alcohol. To prevent acne breakouts or inflammatory skin conditions like rosacea, go for rosemary, castor, hazelnut, sunflower, and camellia seed oil-based cleansers. These oils have a calming effect on the skin and also hydrate it without causing irritation.
Any cleansing oil with salicylic acid is highly recommended for people with sensitive skin.
ii. Dry Skin
If you have dry skin you will benefit the most from using an oil-based cleansing oil. People with dry skin also need cleaning oils that moisturize. These include shea, camellia, and argan oil. Others like grapeseed oil which contains vitamin E create a moisture barrier and also tightens the pores. Lavender oil is also a useful cleansing agent for dry skin with antiseptic properties.
Avoid cleansing oils with citrus oils, castor, or tea tree oils as they can be overly drying on the skin.
iii. Oily Skin
If your face is super oily, you shouldn’t shy away from using cleansing oils. Generally speaking, people who have oily skin can benefit from cleansing oils with astringent or drying properties such as peppermint, lemon, rosehip, or tea tree oil. Sunflower seed oil is fine too.
The ideal cleansing oil for oily skin oils shouldn’t contain any avocado, olive, and coconut oils. These tend to block pores and cause clogging and ultimately breakouts.
3. Type of Cleansing Oil
Your skincare goals can only be achieved if you use the right cleansing oil. The type of cleansing oil that you choose greatly depends on your skin condition and needs:
i. Hydrating cleansing oils
Hydrating cleansing oils are gentle and soothing. They’re light in texture and are enriched with skin-loving vitamins that leave the skin hydrated, cleansed, and soft.
A hydrating cleansing oil provides an effective way of deeply cleansing the skin by removing makeup and dirt without irritating it.
ii. Moisturizing cleansing oils
These oils restore the skin’s moisture for a more radiant, youthful-looking complexion. This makes them perfect for people with dry skin. It also helps minimize the appearance of flakiness and fine lines.
iii. Brightening cleansing oils
Brightening cleansing oils are pretty light and extra gentle on the skin. This is so that they don’t cause irritation. These cleansing oils effectively brighten the face and boost radiance without weighing it down.
4. Ingredients
Cleansing oils are packed with active ingredients that give your face the intensive cleansing it needs. They also contain antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients that improve the texture and appearance of the skin. Avoid cleansing oils with sulfates and always examine the pH level of the products. If possible, look for cold-pressed, unrefined, virgin oils that are meant to be used on the skin as opposed to food-grade oils.
With the extensive number of cleansing oils in the market with different ingredients, you need to know which is best for your skin. The key ingredients used in cleansing oils are:
i. Coconut oil
This plant-based oil is a rich source of fatty acids and has humectant properties for the skin.
ii. Sunflower oil
This non-fragrant plant oil softens and soothes the skin. When added to cleansing oil, it’s also capable of replenishing the skin.
iii. Jojoba oil
Jojoba seed oil has restorative properties and can provide topical skin-soothing benefits
Conclusion
You definitely should incorporate cleansing oils into your beauty routine if you use lots of makeup or have exceptionally oily skin. Not only are they easy to use but they also soften the face. Using cleansers instead of harsh soaps when removing makeup helps protect your skin’s natural lipid layer. If you haven’t already been using any cleansing oil on your face, it is never too late to start.
We hope that this guide has helped you choose the best cleansing oil for your needs. If you’re still undecided, we hope that this helps further – if you have a bigger budget, you can opt for the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil. This cleansing oil effortlessly dissolves makeup without overstimulating your skin.
On the other hand, we recommend the BIORE Cleansing Oil if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option. This cleansing oil still provides optimum cleansing performance.
