How to Use Oil Cleanser in Your Everyday Skincare Routine
Cleansing our skin is the first step of any skincare routine and one of the most important. While most of us are familiar with washing away the day from our faces, finding a product that gets the job done properly but still leaves the skin supple can be challenging. But this is where oil cleansers come in.
Oil cleansers straddle the fine line of clearing away unwanted makeup, sebum, and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils and hydration.
Adding oil to our faces may seem counterintuitive when we’ve been told to look for oil-free products. However, it turns out it may be one of the best-kept secrets for a healthier and more hydrated complexion.
Unlike many products that may seem unnecessary, adding this step to your skincare routine may be exactly what your skin needs to maintain its pH balance and gently remove the daily grime. The end result won’t be a greasy surface like you may think but instead, you’ll be left with soft, clean, and glowing skin.
What is an Oil Cleanser?
What started as part of a Korean beauty skincare routine has entered the Western world due to its profound benefits. Oil Cleanser formulas, as the name suggests, are oil-based face washes that contain a combination of oil and surfactants. These work on the basic principle that like attracts like, hence oil attracts oil, and are formulated to break down the makeup, sunscreen, oil, and other oil-soluble products on the surface of your skin. The Oil Cleanser binds to these unwanted impurities to help eliminate and dissolve them.
Benefits of Using Cleaning Oil Regularly
Incorporating an oil-based cleanser into your daily routine can bring many benefits.
The Good Oils Stick to the Unwanted Oils
As mentioned, a good oil-based cleansing formula can make a significant difference in obtaining a glowing complexion. The beneficial oils in these products penetrate deep into pores without clogging them, dissolving grime and build-up from the day.
Added Hydration & Antioxidants
Nutritive oils sink into the skin and can provide antioxidant benefits. These also provide hydration which can help with tightness and damage to the skin.
Highly Nourishing for Sensitive & Dry Skin Types
An oil-based cleanser is one of the most gentle products that won’t strip or weigh down your skin and instead, nourishes the skin for a soft, glowing complexion. This is why it’s especially beneficial for people with dry or sensitive skin types.
Non-Comedogenic & Suitable for All Skin Types (yes, even oily skin types!)
Regardless of oil being the hero ingredient, a high-quality cleanser won’t clog your pores. These products are usually designed to suit all skin types as they rinse away with water and leave the skin feeling soft and replenished. If you have an oily skin type you can highly benefit from the oil-loves-oil characteristic of the product. Cleaning oil melts away excess sebum without leaving impurities behind or over-drying your skin.
Using Oil Cleanser In Your Everyday Skincare Routine
How Oil Cleanser is incorporated into your routine will depend on your skin type. If you have dry to combination skin, you may choose to cleanse your face once using an Oil Cleanser. However, if you have oilier skin, you may choose to follow a double-cleansing method. We’ve put together a step-by-step guide for when you start adding Oil Cleanser into your daily routine.
Step 1: Apply Oil Cleanser
Every skincare routine starts with cleaning the skin and removing impurities that build up throughout the day. Start your evening skincare routine by applying a quarter-size dollop of Oil Cleanser to your dry hands, and gently massage it into your skin using your fingertips. Do this for about 1-2 minutes and allow the cleanser to work its magic, dissolving makeup (if any) and build-up from the day. Don’t rush and enjoy your mini facial massage!
Step 2: Rinse with Lukewarm Water
For best practices, gently rinse the skin with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean soft face towel or paper towel. Be mindful of not using hot water as it can strip and harm your skin.
Step 3: Optional Double-Cleanse With Your Regular Cleanser
Double cleansing is an optional step. It is mostly recommended for acne-prone, oily, and combination skin types, but everyone can benefit from it. Use your Oil Cleanser first to remove the product and oil buildup throughout the day. Always rinse off using lukewarm water and use a clean towel (best if it’s not the same one you use for your hands) to pat dry your complexion.
Step 4: Complete Your Regular Routine
Don’t skip the rest of your skincare routine! Continue with your usual toner, serum, eye cream, moisturiser, or any essentials to obtain soft and ready-for-bed skin.
Finding The Right Oil Cleanser
Experience the Full Benefits of Oil Cleanser
Although Oil Cleansers won’t stay on your face for long, to experience the full benefits, make sure you’re choosing the right product. Here are some ingredients you may want to look out for to achieve optimal results:
- Camellia oil: found in our Oil Cleanser, it’s great at removing heavy makeup and provides calming benefits to your complexion.
- Jojoba seed oil: contributes to nourishing, hydrating and preparing the skin for the next steps of your routine.
- Centella asiatica extract: the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds can improve the skin’s hydration and have anti-aging benefits.
- Clary sage extract: contributes to reducing skin inflammation, healing the epidermis, and soothing the skin.
Ingredients To Stay Away From
While you may find some of the beneficial ingredients in Oil Cleanser formulas, make sure they don’t contain any of the following as you may lose some of the benefits we’ve just mentioned:
- Sulphates: these usually give you that super clean feeling, but in doing so, they can end up stripping the skin of its natural oils and create irritation for some. This can result in the overproduction of sebum as the skin will try to compensate for the excessive dryness.
- Fragrances: often act as a synonym for many chemicals used to create a synthetic smell. These can irritate and dry the skin and are especially a no-no for people with sensitive, acne-prone, dry, or other skin concerns.
- Alcohol: labelled as SD alcohol, isopropyl, or even denatured alcohol, give an appealing quick-drying finish and weightless sensation, but can end up harming your complexion. These may contribute to dryness, strain replenishment, and weaken your skin’s barrier.
The Secret Skincare’s Oil Cleanser
Also known as the 2-in-1 cleanser and makeup removal, this nourishing and refreshing skincare product effectively removes makeup, sunscreen, and impurities. Formulated with Camellia Oil, The Secret’s Oil Cleanser nourishes and supports the skin's lipid barrier while minimising tightness. This versatile cleanser, to use morning and night, transforms into a milky emulsion and melts into the skin, leaving behind a smooth, radiant, and residue-free complexion. It deeply removes impurities without stripping natural oils and moisture and without leaving the skin oily.
Whether you’re looking to add the perfect products to your skincare routine, treat a specific concern, or are interested in finding out if medical grade and prescription skincare is the right option for you, The Secret is here to guide you on your journey to clear, glowing skin.
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, please contact us online.
