The secret to the best Korean cleansing oils is their gentle yet effective way of removing impurities like blackheads, excess oil, and makeup from your pores. “Cleansing oils are the first step in a double-cleansing routine,” explains Dr. Christine Hall, a medical aesthetics practitioner, to Vogue. “You apply them to dry skin to dissolve oil-based impurities like makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime. After massaging it in, add water to emulsify the oil so it rinses clean. Follow with a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining residue.”
Dr. Anetta Reszko, a New York-based dermatologist, previously told Vogue that double cleansing (using an oil cleanser followed by a water-based one) is especially helpful for oily or acne-prone skin to ensure deep cleansing. “For dry or sensitive skin, a single oil cleanse may be enough—it removes dirt and makeup without over-drying.”
Vogue’s Top Korean Cleansing Oils
– Best for Sebum Removal: S.Nature Aqua Rice Cleansing Oil ($23)
– Best Heavy Duty: Heimish All Clean Balm ($18)
– Best Hydration: Real Barrier Extreme Deep Cleansing Blue Oil ($24)
– Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil ($27)
– Best Overall: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil ($30)
– Best Lightweight: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil ($20)
– Best for Sensitive Skin: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil ($20)
Pro Tips for Using Cleansing Oil
– Always apply to dry hands and face—water will emulsify the oil too soon.
– For deeper cleansing, try warming your nose with a towel for 10 minutes before applying oil. The heat opens pores, making it easier to remove sebum.
– Another trick: Massage oil onto dry skin before a steamy shower (avoiding water on your face), then emulsify and rinse after.
In This Article
– What makes Korean cleansing oils special?
– Common ingredients in Korean cleansing oils
– What to look for in a Korean cleansing oil
– Best skin types for oil cleansing
– How to use a cleansing oil
– Expert recommendations
Best Overall: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
Price: $30
Why We Love It: This cult-favorite olive oil-based formula leaves skin soft and glowing. Packed with antioxidant-rich organic olive oil, vitamin E, and rosemary leaf oil, it cleanses thoroughly without irritating eyes.
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, vitamin E, rosemary leaf oil
Best For: Dry or acne-prone skin
Size: 6.7 oz
Best Lightweight: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Price: $20
Why We Love It: The lightweight, watery texture glides smoothly for a relaxing massage that clears blackheads and sebum. Ginseng oil brightens and soothes, while the subtle herbal scent enhances the experience.
Key Ingredients: Soybean oil, ginseng oil
Best For: Mature or dry skin
Size: 7.1 oz
Best Vegan: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
Price: $16
Why We Love It: This gentle, fragrance-free formula has just nine ingredients, ideal for daily use. Black rice bran oil nourishes and brightens, while the lightweight texture hydrates without greasiness—perfect for repairing the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Black rice bran oil
Best For: All skin types, especially sensitive
Size: 5.07 ozHere’s the rewritten text in clear and natural English:
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Best for Sensitive Skin & Brightening:
CK Rice Bran Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil
Size: 5.1 oz
Best for Acne-Prone Skin:
Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
Price: $29 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: This bestselling non-comedogenic formula removes every trace of the day with just one rich lather. Designed for sensitive and acne-prone skin, it works for everyone.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil, rice bran oil
Best For: Acne-prone skin, sensitive skin
Size: 6.76 oz
Best Heavy-Duty Cleanser:
Heimish All Clean Balm
Price: $18 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: The thickest of the oil cleansers, this balm removes everything—makeup, sunscreen, blackheads, and dead skin—without stripping your skin’s natural barrier. It melts into an oil with your skin’s warmth and turns milky when mixed with water. The mild formula has a light herbal scent from ten plant-based essential oils.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut extract
Best For: Dry skin
Size: 4.05 oz
Best Soothing Cleanser:
Iunik Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
Price: $19 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: A lightweight oil that removes sebum and grime while soothing the skin. It contains 10% calendula flower extract to calm sensitivity and is packed with antioxidants that protect against free radicals.
Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, sunflower oil
Best For: Dry skin, soothing
Size: 6.76 oz
Best for Sebum Removal:
S.Nature Aqua Rice Cleansing Oil
Price: $23 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Rice bran oil dissolves sebum and makeup, while LHA (a salicylic acid derivative) gently exfoliates dead skin.
Key Ingredients: Rice bran oil, sunflower seed oil, LHA
Best For: Slow exfoliation, brightening
Size: 6.76 oz
Best Exfoliating Cleanser:
Abib Pore Cleansing Oil Heartleaf Oil Wash
Price: $21 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: A blend of six plant-based oils and PHA gently exfoliates pores and removes blackheads. Heartleaf extract soothes, moisturizes, and controls sebum.
Key Ingredients: Heartleaf extract, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, PHA
Best For: Sensitive skin, dry skin
Size: 6.76 oz
Best Hydrating Cleanser:
Real Barrier Extreme Deep Cleansing Blue Oil
Price: $24 (Amazon)
Why We Love It: Packed with skincare tech—omega ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids strengthen the skin barrier, while eight types of hyaluronic acid keep skin hydrated. Lightweight and water-like, it emulsifies quickly to remove makeup, sunscreen, sebum, and blackheads.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid
Best For: Dry skin, sensitive skin
Size: 6.76 oz
Best for Sensitive Skin:
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Price: $20 ($17 on Amazon)
Why We Love It: Formulated with calming centella asiatica, this oil removes all traces of the day without leaving skin greasy. It soothes irritation and redness, making it ideal for a compromised skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower oil, centella asiatica
Best For: Sensitive skin, acne-prone skin
Size: 6.76 oz
Everything You Need to Know:
What makes Korean cleansing oil special?
“Korean cleansing oils emphasize skin barrier support and a sensory experience, using lightweight, non-comedogenic oils that thoroughly cleanse without disrupting hydration,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jenny Liu. “They often double as skincare treatments, infused with nourishing ingredients.”
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What ingredients are common in Korean cleansing oils?
Common ingredients include rice bran oil, ginseng oil, sunflower seed oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and soothing centella asiatica. Many also contain a variety of herbal oils to refresh the skin.
What should people look for in a Korean cleansing oil?
For acne-prone skin, choose non-comedogenic oils and avoid heavy occlusives like coconut oil or shea butter. Dr. Liu recommends opting for emulsifying formulas with plant-based oils, preferably fragrance-free or lightly scented.
What skin type benefits most from Korean cleansing oils?
Dr. Carmen Castilla, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, notes that cleansing oils work for all skin types but are especially helpful for sensitive, dry, eczema-prone, or mature skin due to their hydrating properties. Dr. Hall adds that those with oily or acne-prone skin should follow up with a water-based cleanser to remove any excess oil.
How to Use a Cleansing Oil
Apply one to two pumps of oil to dry skin with dry hands, massaging for 30–60 seconds to dissolve makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil. Add water to emulsify, then rinse. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, follow with a water-based cleanser.
Meet the Experts
Dr. Jenny Liu is a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and host of The Skin Deep & Unfiltered podcast.
Dr. Christine Hall is a general practitioner specializing in medical aesthetics.
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