Best Cleansing Oils UK

What is a Cleansing Oil

A cleansing oil is a liquid oil format used as a first cleanse step in an evening skincare routine. Unlike a balm, which is solid at room temperature, a cleansing oil pours directly from the bottle onto dry hands and skin. The oil binds to oils on the skin surface, including makeup, sebum and SPF residue, and is then emulsified with water before rinsing.

Cleansing oils are one of several first-cleanse formats available to UK shoppers. Comparing how they differ from cleansing balms, micellar waters and cream cleansers can help you decide which format to check before buying.

Cleansing Oil Compared to Balm, Micellar and Cream Formats

Cleansing oil vs cleansing balm

Both cleansing oils and cleansing balms are oil-based first cleanse formats. The main difference is texture at room temperature. Balms are solid and turn into an oil-like consistency on contact with skin. Cleansing oils pour immediately from the bottle. Some people find oils easier to spread across the face, while others prefer the more controlled application of a balm.

For a full comparison of the two formats, see our Cleansing Oil vs Cleansing Balm UK guide.

Cleansing oil vs micellar water

Micellar water uses tiny oil molecules suspended in soft water and is typically applied with a cotton pad. It may or may not require rinsing, depending on the product label. Cleansing oil always requires rinsing and is applied with hands rather than a pad. Micellar water may be worth comparing for a no-rinse option, while cleansing oil is designed as a rinse-off first cleanse step.

Cleansing oil vs cream cleanser

A cream cleanser is a thicker, more emollient water-based format. It does not require the same two-step emulsification process as a cleansing oil. Some people use a cream cleanser as a single cleanser in the evening, while others use it as a second cleanse after an oil or balm. Comparing both formats in the context of your routine can help you decide which to prioritise.

Products Compared

Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 125ml | grapeseed oil base | face use

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a familiar straightforward brand with a pourable cleansing oil format. Skip if: you prefer a balm format or a fragrance-free option.

Simple is a well established UK skincare brand. This cleansing oil uses a grapeseed oil base and is marketed for face use. Check the current listing for fragrance details and full product directions before buying, as listing details can vary between sellers.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 200ml | olive oil base | face use

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a pourable olive oil base in a 200ml bottle for evening first cleanse routines. Skip if: you prefer a balm format or a smaller bottle size.

DHC is a Japanese skincare brand. This cleansing oil uses an olive oil base and is marketed for face use. The pourable format applies directly to dry skin and emulsifies with water before rinsing. Check the current listing for fragrance details and full directions before buying.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 210ml | ginseng and soybean oil base | face use

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a K-beauty cleansing oil with a ginseng and soybean oil base in a 210ml bottle. Skip if: you prefer a straightforward brand or a smaller bottle.

Beauty of Joseon is a K-beauty brand. This cleansing oil uses a ginseng and glycine soja (soybean) oil base in a pourable format. The larger 210ml bottle size is worth noting when comparing bottle formats across the options in this guide. Check the current listing for full fragrance and ingredient details before buying.

PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 200ml | fragrance free | face use | cruelty-free and vegan

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a fragrance-free K-beauty cleansing oil in a 200ml bottle. Skip if: you prefer a straightforward brand or a balm format.

PURITO is a K-beauty brand. This cleansing oil is marketed as fragrance free, cruelty-free and vegan, with nature-derived oils in the formulation. The 200ml bottle size is consistent with the larger options in this guide. Check the current listing for full ingredient details and directions before buying.

MANYO Factory Pure Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 200ml | 14-plant-oil formulation | face use

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a K-beauty cleansing oil with a 14-plant-oil formulation in a 200ml bottle. Skip if: you prefer a simpler oil base or a smaller bottle.

MANYO (ma:nyo) is a K-beauty brand. This cleansing oil uses an argan oil and 14-plant-oil formulation in a pourable format. The richer plant oil formulation is worth noting when comparing texture across the options in this guide. Check the current listing for fragrance details and full directions before buying.

Sukin Super Greens Facial Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil format | 125ml | sunflower and grapeseed oil base | face use | cruelty-free and vegan

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Worth comparing if: you prefer a botanical oil base cleansing oil in a smaller 125ml bottle. Skip if: you prefer a larger bottle size or a fragrance-free option.

Sukin is an Australian skincare brand. This cleansing oil uses a sunflower and grapeseed oil base in a pourable format and is marketed as cruelty-free and vegan. Note that botanical ingredient listings may carry a light natural scent. Check the current listing for fragrance details and full directions before buying.

Comparison at a Glance

Where Cleansing Oil Fits in a Routine

A cleansing oil is typically used as a first cleanse step in the evening, before a water-based second cleanser. It is applied to dry skin, massaged across the face and then emulsified with water before rinsing.

When a cleansing oil may suit a routine

You may prefer a cleansing oil format if you wear makeup, SPF or both during the day, and want a pourable first cleanse step. The pourable texture spreads easily across the face without the initial warming required for a balm.

When another format may suit a routine better

If you prefer a solid-to-oil format or want to apply the product more precisely, a cleansing balm may be worth comparing. If you prefer a no-rinse style cleanser, a micellar water may be more relevant. If you prefer a single cleanser without a two-step approach, a cream or gel cleanser may be a more suitable comparison.

Checking the product label

Always check the product label and brand guidance before using a new cleansing oil. This is particularly important for fragrance details, directions for use and whether the product is suitable for eye area use.

Patch testing

As with any new skincare product, patch testing on a small area of skin before applying across your full face is a practical step to take.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a cleansing oil do?

A cleansing oil is an oil-based liquid format designed to bind to oils on the skin surface, including sebum, makeup and SPF residue. It is applied to dry skin, massaged in and then emulsified with water before rinsing. It is typically used as a first cleanse step in an evening routine.

Do I need a cleansing oil if I already use a cleansing balm?

No. Both cleansing oils and cleansing balms serve the same first-cleanse purpose. The difference is texture at room temperature. If a balm already works well for your routine, adding an oil cleanser is not necessary. Comparing both formats can help you decide which texture you prefer, but having both is not required.

Can I use a cleansing oil if I do not wear makeup?

Yes. Cleansing oils can be used to cleanse the skin surface even without makeup, particularly in the evening after wearing SPF. The oil binds to sebum and SPF residue as well as makeup. If your skin feels comfortable after a single gentle cleanse, a cleansing oil is not required.

Should I use a second cleanser after a cleansing oil?

Most cleansing oil routines include a second water-based cleanser after the oil cleanse. This helps ensure any remaining emulsified oil is rinsed from the skin. If you prefer a single cleanser approach, comparing a cream or gel cleanser may be more relevant to your routine.

Can cleansing oils remove waterproof SPF?

Cleansing oils are designed to bind to oils and residues on the skin surface. How effectively any specific product performs on waterproof SPF will depend on the SPF formulation and how long it has been on the skin. Checking the product label and customer reviews for specific guidance on SPF removal is a practical step before relying on any single cleanser for this purpose.

Before you choose

Cleansing oils are pourable oil-based first cleanse formats designed for evening use. Comparing their texture, base oil, bottle size and fragrance profile can help you decide which option is worth checking before buying.

Simple Kind to Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a familiar UK straightforward pourable cleansing oil in a 125ml bottle. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a pourable olive oil base in a 200ml bottle. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a K-beauty option with a ginseng and soybean oil base in a 210ml bottle. PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a fragrance-free K-beauty option in a 200ml bottle. MANYO Factory Pure Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a K-beauty option with a richer plant-oil formulation in a 200ml bottle. Sukin Super Greens Facial Cleansing Oil may suit shoppers comparing a botanical sunflower and grapeseed oil base in a smaller 125ml bottle.

Check the current Amazon UK listing for all products before buying, particularly fragrance notes and directions, as listing details can vary between sellers.

For a full comparison between cleansing oils and cleansing balms, see the Cleansing Oil vs Cleansing Balm UK guide. For evening SPF removal routines specifically, the Best Cleansers After Sunscreen UK guide covers all first cleanse formats in that context. You can also use the Cleanser Basket Builder to compare formats by routine step and texture preference.