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Cleansing oil is all the rage for a reason. Double-cleansing your skin with oil is an age-old Korean beauty ritual that many credit for crystal-clear, glowy skin. An oil-based formula melts your makeup right off while nourishing and hydrating your skin. "Remember oil likes oil and can mingle with your own sebum to help remove it from the surface of your skin," facialist Julia Hart told Byrdie. These oil-, grime-, and dirt-zapping formulas also feel lovely to the touch—it's like an instant face massage.
Not all cleansing oils are created equal, but that doesn't mean they have to cost an arm and a leg. There are certain ingredients to look for that guarantee a good blend. We asked celebrity dermatologist, Dendy Engelman, MD, to share the best drugstore cleansing oils. "I am a huge proponent of double-cleansing, and an oil-based cleanser is an important part," says Engelman. We also included a few cult favorites to guide you the next time you're perusing your drugstore aisle in search of top-notch cleansing oils.
Read on for a comprehensive list of the best drugstore cleansing oils.
"DHC Cleansing Oil is one of the original cleansing oils on the market," says Engelman. "It is very popular in Japan and is infused with olive oil and vitamin E, so it is both nourishing and hydrating. It's completely residue-free and doesn't leave a greasy feeling on the skin." It's so popular, in fact, that one bottle allegedly sells every 10 seconds. Now that's impressive.
With harsher cleansers, it's instructed to keep them far away from your eyes to avoid irritation. This gentle formula uses pure cleansing oils, cocoa butter, and vitamin C, so it's ideal for cleansing sensitive areas on your skin like your eye area. Just massage this onto your skin and emulsify the formula with water.
Using argan and coconut oil, this nourishing cleanser leaves your skin silky smooth and replenished with antioxidants. It thoroughly removes any signs of makeup without greasy residue.