As a beauty editor, the best cleansing oils have become a staple in my skincare routines over the past few years. These formulas are gentle yet effective, removing make-up, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Compared to traditional cleansers, which can sometimes leave skin feeling tight or dry, cleansing oils work by dissolving oils on the skin and rinsing away debris while ensuring the skin remains balanced and hydrated.
A great first step in a double cleansing routine, they can remove even the most stubborn of waterproof mascara and sunscreen, but they’re also gentle enough to be used alone. Formulated to bind with the skin’s excess oils and other impurities, they promise a deep clean without clogging pores, which is just one reason why experts recommend them for people with acne-prone skin.
But most other skin types can benefit, too. While oily or combination skin might seem like the last to benefit from an oil-based product, the right product can actually help regulate oil production. Those with sensitive or dry skin may find a cleansing oil soothing because they don’t tend to be formulated with ingredients that could be potentially irritating, and they can provide additional nourishment
So, whether you’re battling dryness, looking to gently remove stubborn make-up, or simply searching for a gentler alternative to your current cleanser, cleansing oils offer a hydrating, thorough clean that can elevate any skincare routine.
How I tested
I’m a beauty editor with a decade of experience in the industry. I’ve been using oil cleansers, among many other Korean beauty favourites, for years. All the formulas below are tried and tested over a number of months, with each being incorporated into my evening skincare routine.
- Removing make-up: I used each one as a first cleanse to see how well they were able to dissolve and remove the day’s skincare and make-up (including SPF and mascara). I assessed how easily the formula melted away impurities.
- Texture: I considered how the cleansing oils made my skin feel after use (did my face feel soft or dry and irritated?) I also took into account the texture of each oil and how well it lathered up with water.
- Scent: If fragrance is an important factor when you buy a cleansing oil, I’ve noted the scent of each formula and whether it contributed to a more pleasant experience.
- Value for money: I also considered the value for money each cleansing oil offers, from the size of the bottle to whether a little goes a long way. From budget buys to luxury formulas, these are the top-tier cleansing oils to buy in 2025.
Why trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Partington is an established beauty editor who has worked in the skincare space for more than a decade. She keeps one eye on the latest skincare launches and innovations, and has reviewed the good, the great, and the overpriced, from retinol creams and aftersun lotions to face sunscreens. She’s garnered experience speaking to dermatologists and knows the ingredients to seek out (and avoid) to keep your skin safe year-round. When it comes to cleansing oils, she’s only included brands you can really trust.
The best cleansing oils for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Medik8 lipid balance cleansing oil: £29, medik8.com
- Best budget buy – Bubble first class oil cleanser: £17, Boots.com
- Best for dry skin – CeraVe hydrating foaming oil cleanser: £10.50, Boots.com
- Best for sensitive skin – Bioderma sensibio micellar cleansing oil: £19.50, Lookfantastic.com
Medik8 lipid balance cleansing oil
Best: Cleansing oil overall
Size : 140ml
Fragrance-free : Yes
Why we love it
- Gentle
- Doesn’t leave any residue
A true hero cleansing oil for so many different reasons. Not only is the texture incredibly satisfying, but I found it was able to melt away make-up, dirt, and sunscreen with minimal effort. But what really stood out was how balanced my skin felt after each use – it was neither greasy nor dry. I love that it’s packed with essential lipids that nourish and restore the skin’s barrier, which means that over time, the skin will feel healthier and more resilient. Plus, unlike some oils that can leave a residue, this one rinses off cleanly, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and hydrated. It’s ideal for those who want a deep clean without stripping their skin.
Buy now £29.00, Medik8
Bubble first class oil cleanser
Best: Budget cleansing oil
Size : 120ml
Fragrance-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Fun packaging
- Suitable for younger skin
This is my first foray into using Bubble, and I’m pleased to say that it really did live up to expectations. Not only was I pleasantly surprised by how effective this cleansing oil is – it’s lightweight and dissolves makeup and daily grime with ease – but it also makes for a perfect quick, no-fuss cleanse. Even stubborn mascara was removed effortlessly, and what’s great is that it doesn’t leave behind any heavy residue, and it doesn’t make skin feel uncomfortable or tight. It’s a great option for daily use, especially at such an affordable price point, and it really is an excellent high street find.
Buy now £17.00, Boots.com
Erborian centella cleansing oil
Best: Nourishing cleansing oil
Size : 180ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Contains centella asiatica
- Known for its calming and nourishing properties
This cleansing oil delivers on its promise of both nourishment and comfort. The formula is infused with centella asiatica, a herb that helps to calm sensitive or irritated skin. I loved how soft and supple my skin felt after each use, noting that it effectively removed make-up and sunscreen while leaving the skin soothed and hydrated. The subtle scent adds a nice touch without being overpowering, but be aware of it if you’re sensitive to fragrance. It’s a fantastic choice for those with dry skin looking for a cleanser that does more than just clean because over time it actively repairs and protects skin as well.
Buy now £22.00, Boots.com
CeraVe hydrating foaming oil cleanser
Best: Cleansing oil for dry skin
Size : 236ml
Fragrance-free : Yes
Why we love it
- Formulated with ceramides
- Supports the skin barrier
This oil will be a game-changer for anybody with dry or combination skin who wants to benefit from an oil and a foam in one product. The formula starts as a nourishing oil that breaks down make-up and impurities and then turns into a light foam that rinses clean without stripping the skin. Formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates while cleansing, leaving skin feeling plump and moisturised. I also loved that it’s fragrance-free, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
Buy now £10.50, Boots.com
Naturium fermented camellia creamy cleansing oil
Best: Cleansing oil for improving skin texture
Size : 103.5ml
Fragrance-free : Yes
Why we love it
- Transforms into a milky oil
- Gentle
- Suitable for sensitive skin
This hybrid cleanser combines everything I love about cleansing oil with the comfort of a creamy texture. I found it to be deeply hydrating and perfect for removing make-up, dirt, and excess oils without leaving the skin feeling greasy. The addition of fermented camellia oil adds a nourishing boost, making it a good option for anyone looking to improve their skin’s texture and hydration levels. It’s creamy enough to feel luxurious, but light enough not to clog pores. This is for you if you’re looking for an indulgent yet effective cleansing routine without having to spend a fortune.
Buy now £22.00, Spacenk.com
Bioderma sensibio micellar cleansing oil
Best: Cleansing oil for sensitive skin
Size : 150ml
Fragrance-free : Yes
Why we love it
- Oil to milk texture
- Great for sensitive skin
I loved how gentle and soothing this formula is, and despite its delicate nature, it removed all traces of makeup and dirt with ease, leaving the skin feeling clean without any irritation or redness. It uses micellar technology, so it feels incredibly lightweight on the skin and doesn’t leave any greasy residue in its wake. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, which is always a bonus for those prone to irritation.
Buy now £15.60, Boots.com
Dermalogica precleanse
Best: Cleansing oil for oily skin
Size : 150ml
Fragrance-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Melts away makeup easily
An icon for a reason, I’ve been a big fan of this for quite some time. Powerful and lightweight, it dissolves make-up, sunscreen, and excess oil like magic. What makes it stand out is how easily it emulsifies when water is added, rinsing away cleanly without any residue. It’s great for oily skin, as it helps remove sebum without leaving the skin feeling greasy or over-cleansed. After using it, I found my skin felt smooth, refreshed, and perfectly prepped for a second cleanse.
Buy now £49.00, Johnlewis.com
Votary cleansing oil rose geranium and apricot
Best: Luxury cleansing oil
Size : 100ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Feels luxe
- Smells incredible
- Nourishing on skin
A real luxury, I immediately loved the rose geranium scent, which creates a spa-like experience every time it’s used. The apricot oil leaves the skin feeling incredibly soft, and it’s perfect for removing make-up, but also feels like a treat for the skin.
While it’s more expensive than the other options I tried, the luxurious feel and the high-quality ingredients used make it worth the splurge. After each use, my skin was balanced, hydrated, and pampered. I was a big fan, despite the price point.
Buy now £55.00, Johnlewis.com
Nuxe very rose delicate cleansing oil
Best: Gentle cleansing oil
Size: 150ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Dissolves heavy makeup
- Smells great
I loved how light this cleansing oil felt, making it ideal for everyday use. It’s worth noting that the light rose scent is calming without being overwhelming, and the oil works quickly and easily. After rinsing, my skin felt smooth and clean, not greasy or tight. A firm favourite for when I need a gentle formula.
Buy now £21.00, Boots.com
Avene XeraCalm lipid-replenishing cleansing oil
Best: Cleansing oil for eczema-prone skin
Size : 400ml
Fragrance-free: Yes
Why we love it
- Suitable for the whole family
- Can be used all over the body
- Soothing
A true standout for anyone with dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, this cleansing oil is both soothing and effective. Suitable for use on both face and body, it’s a great option for the whole family and offers immediate relief from dry patches or itchiness. It’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for irritated skin, and it leaves the skin feeling soft and protected. What’s also great is that it doesn’t just cleanse; it also replenishes the skin’s natural lipids, helping to lock in moisture and improve skin texture over time.
Buy now £14.81, Boots.com
Tatcha the camellia cleansing oil
Best: Thick cleansing oil
Size: 150ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Silky texture
- Removes makeup easily
- Nourishing
- A little goes a long way
Take note
- Expensive
Tatcha has stolen the hearts of British beauty editors, myself included. This cleansing oil came with high hopes thanks to the serious hype that’s been built up around it, and let me tell you that it doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it only took one use for me to fall madly in love with it.
Thicker in texture than expected, it’s silky smooth and melts into skin like a dream. It doesn’t irritate eyes, and instead, it easily gets rid of every last trace of make-up, leaving skin feeling seriously supple. It’s on the more expensive side, but one or two pumps go a long way, so this bottle should last a while.
Buy now £48.00, Spacenk.com
Pai light work rosehip cleansing oil
Best: Hydrating and gentle cleansing oil
Size: 100ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Great for sensitive skin
- Emulsifies well with water
- Hydrating
Take note
- Expensive
Known and loved for being a real sensitive skin saviour, Pai’s cleansing oil is super efficient at shifting every last trace of the day quickly and easily. Extremely gentle in both name and nature, it doesn’t sting eyes, and I found it even got rid of hardy waterproof mascara with minimal effort required. It emulsified with water really well, and when rinsed off, it left my skin looking and feeling hydrated, refreshed and glowing. What more could you ask for?
Buy now £34.00, Paiskincare.com
Caudalie vinoclean makeup removing cleansing oil
Best: Gentle cleansing oil for oily skin
Size: 150ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Isn’t drying
- Leaves skin looking radiant
- Gentle around the eyes
Take note
- weet scent
If you’re somebody with oily skin, it’s totally understandable why you might be hesitant about incorporating a cleansing oil into your routine, but Caudalie’s offering will make you realise it’s not a product to sleep on. Using a hardworking blend of plant oils, including sunflower, grape seed and castor, this formula won’t strip skin of essential moisture. Instead, it’ll leave it feeling cleansed and looking radiant. I also found it to be very gentle around the eyes, and while this won’t be for everyone, I really liked the (subtle) sweet almond scent it left behind.
Buy now £22.00, Boots.com
Clarins total cleansing oil
Best: Lightweight cleansing oil
Size: 150ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Transforms to a milky formula
- A little goes a long way
- Distributes easily over the skin
- Moisturising
- Softening
Take note
- Best removed with a flannel
The most lightweight of the lot, Clarins’ take on cleansing oil is as luxurious as you’d expect from the French brand. It turns into an incredibly pleasing, silky milky formula when in contact with water that gets rid of heavy waterproof make-up in just a few seconds. All it takes is a few pumps, and it doesn’t ever drag or irritate. Instead, it glides over the skin to leave it feeling soft and moisturised without any oily residue. I found this one was best removed with a flannel, instead of rinsing with just water, and the skin felt refreshed after every use.
Buy now £23.00, Amazon.co.uk
Bobbi Brown soothing cleansing oil
Best: Glow-giving cleansing oil
Size : 100ml
Fragrance-free: No
Why we love it
- Radiance-boosting
- Moisturising
- Softening
- A little goes a long way
Alongside its powerful face cleansing abilities, I found that this oil – somewhat surprisingly – was responsible for leaving skin with a beautifully radiant glow that lasts; a side effect that comes thanks to the inclusion of a botanical oil complex in the formula. It easily melted away even the hardiest of long-wear make-up and waterproof mascara and left skin feeling soft and moisturised. A little goes a long way, so this 200ml bottle will last a decent amount of time. This cleansing oil is just another reason for us to love Bobbi Brown as a brand, and like Mac’s offering, it’s unsurprising that this brand would create such a great product.
Buy now £32.00, Boots.com
What is the best cleansing oil?
Truth be told, I’ve never really met a cleansing oil that I’ve not liked, and while I loved Medik8’s offering for its texture and how it made skin feel, there is also a real luxury vibe that comes with Votary’s oil. However, if you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful that’ll get the job done while being suitable for the whole family (and your whole body), then opt for the 400ml bottle of Avene – the cost per use will be minimal, trust us.
If it’s not just your skin that needs some TLC, check out the best hair oils that lock in moisture, prevent damage and add shine
