Oil Cleansing: How to Do It and What to Check First

Oil cleansing means massaging a small amount of oil into dry skin, then lifting it off with a warm, damp washcloth. It is a routine, not a medical treatment, so do not expect it to clear acne or fix a complexion. The basics dermatologists agree on still apply: wash gently, use warm water, pat dry and read the label.

Updated October 29, 2026.

What is oil cleansing?

It sounds backwards to wash your face with oil, especially if your skin is already oily or you get breakouts. Most people think that at first. Anyone who has washed their face for decades notices that the label matters less than two things: how hard you scrub and how hot the water is. Oil cleansing is built around the first one. You rub oil on dry skin with your fingertips, so there is no friction from a scrubby cleanser, and the warm cloth does the lifting.

How to do oil cleansing step by step

Start with dry skin. Pour about a quarter-sized amount of oil into your palm and massage it over your face in small circles for around two minutes. If you like, leave it on for up to 10 minutes. Soak a washcloth in warm water, wring it out and rest it on your face for about a minute. Wipe the oil away gently. Do not use hot water.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises warm water for bathing and patting skin dry instead of rubbing, because rubbing can irritate very dry skin. Its face-washing advice also warns that a washcloth or anything other than your fingertips can irritate skin. So rest the cloth on your face instead of scrubbing with it. MedlinePlus gives the same direction for acne: clean your skin gently and try not to touch it.

Which oil works for oil cleansing?

There is no proven best cleansing oil. What the AAD does publish is a list of ingredients to look for in moisturizers for dry skin, including jojoba oil, mineral oil, dimethicone, glycerin and shea butter. It also says to choose products labeled fragrance-free. Avoid ones labeled only unscented, which may contain masking chemicals that irritate dry skin. Most of us have stood in the skincare aisle staring at dozens of bottles that all promise the same thing. Many cleansing oils are blends of plant oils such as olive, sunflower, sesame, safflower and almond, so the label is a good place to start.

The shortlist by skin type is simple. Sensitive skin gets a formula built on olive oil. Average or combination skin gets safflower oil. Dry skin gets along with most blends, and for oily skin, look for a formula with botanical amino acids in it.

Oil cleansing for oily, dry or acne-prone skin

Dry skin is where the AAD advice applies most directly. It recommends a gentle cleanser in an amount that removes dirt and oil without a thick lather, and a moisturizer applied while skin is still damp.

For acne-prone skin, MedlinePlus advises cleaning gently with a mild, nondrying soap, not touching your face and avoiding greasy cosmetics or creams. It lists greasy or oily cosmetic products among acne triggers and recommends water-based or noncomedogenic formulas, which it says have been tested not to clog pores in most people. If you try an oil anyway, choose one labeled noncomedogenic and ask a dermatologist first if you use acne medicine.

Who should be careful with oil cleansing

The FDA says most cosmetics do not need FDA approval before they are sold, with color additives as the exception. It also says the companies that make them are legally responsible for their safety. That puts the ingredient list in your hands. Skip any product containing something that has irritated your skin before.

Stop if the oil stings or burns. The AAD tells people to report burning, stinging or irritation from a moisturizer to their dermatologist, and the same sensible rule applies to a cleansing oil.

Give any new oil a week or two before deciding whether it suits your skin. More breakouts than usual in that time is a reason to stop rather than push through, since MedlinePlus counts oily cosmetic products among acne triggers. Most people have a drawer of half-used products that did not work out, so there is no shame in stopping. And if you have ever tried a new product the night before something important, you know it is smarter to test it during an ordinary week.

Oil Cleansing FAQ

Is oil cleansing safe for acne-prone skin?

MedlinePlus advises cleaning acne-prone skin gently and avoiding greasy cosmetics or creams, and it lists oily cosmetic products as an acne trigger. If you try an oil, pick one labeled noncomedogenic. Ask a dermatologist first, especially if you use prescription acne treatments.

What oil should I use for oil cleansing?

The American Academy of Dermatology lists jojoba oil and mineral oil among ingredients to look for in moisturizers for dry skin, and recommends fragrance-free over unscented products. That is moisturizer advice, not a ranking of cleansing oils, so read the label and choose fragrance-free.

Do cleansing oils need FDA approval?

Most cosmetics do not need FDA approval before they are sold, according to the FDA. Color additives are the exception. Companies are legally responsible for the safety of their products, so check the ingredient list for anything that has irritated your skin before.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed clinician about your own situation.