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At the end of a long day, the last thing I want to do is perform a long skincare routine. On days when I’m exhausted beyond words, I simplify it down to two steps: cleansing and moisturizing. But no matter how tired I am, I always double-cleanse with one of my favorite Korean oil cleansers and a standard cleanser. Whether I’m wearing makeup or not, I’d rather get every bit of sunscreen and mascara off before I go to bed than get 30 more seconds of sleep.
If you’re not familiar with double cleansing, it’s a two-step process popularized by South Korean skin care routines. “It starts with an oil cleanser to effectively dissolve and remove oil-based impurities like makeup, SPF, and excess sebum, followed by a water-based cleanser to gently remove water-based impurities like dirt, sweat and grime,” says Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach & Lily. Stubborn waterproof makeup stands no chance against a proper oil cleanser. And because, as Yoon explains, “like attracts like,” oil cleansers facilitate a deeper cleanse. When using oil cleansers, I’ve noticed it’s easier to dislodge blackheads and sebaceous filaments from my pores. For example, my nose used to feel rough and bumpy, but ever since I started double cleansing, it feels as smooth as silk. Plus, because you get such a thorough cleanse, your skin is less prone to irritation and breakouts.
Our top picks for the best Korean oil cleansers of 2024
Oil cleansers abound on the market today, but I still find myself attracted to Korean formulas. “Because of its widespread popularity and demand among Korean consumers, it's a very competitive market and drives incredible innovation in the category,” Yoon says. Korean oil cleanser are more likely to be highly effective while staying gentle and leave your skin feeling soft and clean, not greasy.
I can’t emphasize enough how oil cleansing has changed my skin for the better, and I recommend it to anyone who will listen. After speaking with Yoon, one of the foremost experts on Korean skin care, testing products myself, and carefully reading customer evaluations, I’ve landed on the below as the six best Korean oil cleansers you can try.
Pros
Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
Man:yo has sold millions of this oil cleanser, and it’s not hard to see why. The formula, bursting with 14 different plant-derived oils, melts makeup, sunscreen, and sebum with ease. When it comes in contact with water, it emulsifies and washes away without a fight.
Key ingredients: Argan oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, camellia oil, evening primrose oil
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I’ve tried and liked many oil cleansers, but I truly have a love affair with this one. Even if I test a different one and think it’s doing the job well, when I come back to this one, I’m astonished by how quickly and easily it takes my makeup off. It gets rid of blackheads and sebaceous filaments that other oil cleansers simply cannot dislodge, and because it feels more like a dry oil, my skin never feels greasy after using it. I have sensitive skin, and it’s never irritated my skin or caused a reaction.” —Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
2
Best Classic
Banila Co Clean it Zero Original Cleansing Balm
Pros
- Breaks down waterproof mascara
Cons
- Some may dislike jar packaging
This bestselling cleansing balm is a superstar in South Korea—it’d be hard to come across a skin care enthusiast who hasn’t heard of it. “This Korean cleansing balm has enjoyed icon status for over a decade now because of how it glides elegantly onto skin and effectively removes waterproof makeup, leaving skin feeling deeply clean and refreshed,” says Yoon.
Key ingredients: Acerola berry, vitamin C
Size: 3.38 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “This may have been my first oil cleanser ever. Because it was the first oil cleanser I saw go viral, I couldn’t help but pick it up during one of my trips to South Korea as a teen. It feels like Vaseline at first, but it quickly transforms into a thin, oily texture that easily washes down the drain—along with all of your makeup and any pollutants that may have accumulated on your skin throughout the day.” —Carol Lee
3
Best for Sensitive Skin
Peach & Lily Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser
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Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Balances skin
Cons
- Some customers noted that it may not be as effective on certain mascaras
Peach & Lily developed this cleanser for six years before landing on this perfected formula. The product “dissolves stubborn makeup and SPF with ease without causing foggy eyes, breakouts, irritation, or drying out the skin. And the best part is the feeling it provides once it's rinsed off—there’s no residue, and skin is left supple, clear, and deeply cleansed,” Yoon shares.
Key ingredients: Ginger root extract, grapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil
Size: 5.07 fl. oz.
Peach & Lily rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “I like the thickness of the oil and I think one pump is enough. All my makeup comes off, and it washes easily, too. I definitely recommend this product as a starter for the skincare routine.”
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Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Avoids stripping skin
Cons
- Some may dislike jar packaging
Reviewers rave about this balm cleanser’s elegant texture and cleansing powers. Within seconds, it dissolves everything sitting on top of your skin and infuses hydration as you massage it, thanks to ingredients like persimmon extract and vitamin E.
Key ingredients: Grape seed oil, olive oil, seaberry oil
Size: 3.17 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It removes difficult makeup and sunscreen in 60 seconds (that is how long I like to massage my cleansers in), and it feels so silky on the skin. It has a nice slip to it, so I never feel that I am tugging at my face. It melts into my hands as soon as I rub them together. My biggest pet peeve with cleansing balms is that they never fully melt into my hands, and I am left with big cleanser chunks between my fingers. That is not the case with this balm. It is perfect. It does not leave a residue either, if that is something you look for. Personally, I never mind either way, because I’m going to follow with a regular cleanser right after. But this rinses off clean and leaves my face feeling soft. There is a very pleasant scent to this balm as well. I don’t find it too strong, and it doesn’t irritate my skin, either.”
Pros
- Effective at reducing blackheads
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
According to Yoon, this “is a classic Korean cleansing oil that has had a cult following for well over a decade. It is especially loved by those with sensitive skin, as it removes everything effortlessly while olive oil and glycerin hydrate and ginger root delivers antioxidative benefits,” she says. The formula does feel a bit warm as you apply it, but it’s totally normal and feels quite pleasant.
Key ingredients: Olive oil, glycerin, lilac extract, ginger root extract
Size: 6.7 fl. oz.
Peach & Lily rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Peach & Lily reviewer says: “My skin feels very nourished after using this cleansing oil. It is very effective at removing the built-up excess residue that is trapped in your pores! The texture is silky, and a little drop goes a long way, so be careful, ladies!”
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some reviewers found it to be a bit watery
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen may be getting all the attention on TikTok, but this oil cleanser is just as effective and hardworking. One of the star ingredients, ginseng oil, fights environmental stressors, and the formula’s soybean oil cleanses and moisturizes at the same time.
Key ingredients: Soybean oil, ginseng seed oil
Size: 7.1 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This left my skin better than it found it. It truly gets into every crevice and pore and detoxes my face—I can feel the oil and dirt being pulled every time I massage it in. I usually wash it off with a gentle cleanser after, and my skin is left incredibly soft and plump. It also didn’t break me out. I have sensitive skin, but this is not irritating at all. The cherry on top is how affordable it is.”
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Why is it important to cleanse your face at the end of the day?
Sometimes, it’s all too tempting to skip your evening self-care routine and go right to bed, but it’s a bad idea—even if you didn’t wear makeup that day. “Makeup, SPF, excess sebum can all settle deeper into pores and also be a trap for impurities. This build-up can cause irritation, breakouts, dullness, or decreased skincare product absorption. Cleansing skin thoroughly and gently at the end of the day helps keep skin healthy,” Yoon says.
Do you have to use another cleanser with an oil cleanser?
According to Yoon, it depends on what product you’re using. Some rinse right off without leaving behind greasy residue, so it may not be necessary to go in with another cleanser. “For other cleansing oils, you may find that without a second cleanser, it’s harder to remove the oily feeling. Everyone is different, so see what your skin loves, but for the most part, you can’t go wrong with a two-step cleanse.”
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee consulted a Korean skin care expert to learn more about oil cleansers. She and combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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Carol Lee
Carol is the Associate Beauty E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty. Before joining ELLE.com, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine. She’s always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.
