Current cleanser too drying? Try the best cleansing oils in Malaysia 2021!
Even if you have oily skin, you can find an oil based cleanser that is suitable! And if you want to try the Korean beauty ritual of double cleansing, cleansing oil is the first step!
With that said, you can’t just grab any cleansing oil from the drugstore! Here are some guidelines and recommendations!
How To Choose An Oil-Based Cleanser
1. Sensitive Skin
Go for natural formulas without fragrances (including any scented with essential oils)! Or simply make your own cleansing oil with organic cold-pressed coconut oil!
2. Oily Skin
There are certain oils to avoid if you have this skin type:
Such as avocado, olive or coconut oil. Which may block your pores (i.e. comedogenic).
Stick to oils with astringent or drying properties. Like peppermint, lemon, rosehip or tea tree oil! Sunflower seed oil is fine too.
3. Dry Skin
You need oils that moisturize! Like shea, camellia or argan oil! Don’t use oil cleansers with citrus oils. Or castor oil, which is drying.
4. Combination Skin
A safe bet for this skin type is sunflower seed oil or olive oil. If the formula has vitamin E too, that’s even better!
5. Acne-Prone Skin
To prevent acne breakouts, stay away from mineral oils and fragrances! And ingredients like salicylic acid are always good to have!
15 Best Cleansing Oils In Malaysia 2021
1. Hada Labo Makeup Remover Hydrating Cleansing Oil
Perhaps the best cleansing oil you can get in most drugstores in Malaysia:
Hada Labo Makeup Remover Hydrating Cleansing Oil has a cocktail of beneficial oils. And hyaluronic acid to help you lock in the moisture!
You can use it every day to remove your makeup, dirt, sunscreen and even blackheads!
Need more moisture? You may want to invest in the best serum for glowing skin!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
- Price: ~RM50
Pros:
- Free of harmful alcohols, mineral oil, allergens, gluten, sulfates, parabens, silicones and synthetic fragrances
- Pump dispenser
- Ok for sensitive skin
- No greasy after feel
- One bottle lasts for months
Cons:
- Contains Ethylhexyl Palmitate (bad for oily skin)
2. Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil
Simple’s oil-based cleanser utilizes 100% pure grapeseed oil. Which is also really great at taking off make up (even waterproof make up) regardless!
You may need to use more than what the directions suggest.
- Size: 125ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Grape Seed Oil, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
- Price: ~RM44.5
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- No artificial perfume or colors
- Affordable
- No greasy after feel
- Not drying
Cons:
- Has isopropyl palmitate which is bad for oily skin
- No pump (messy)
- Some find the smell weird
3. Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil
Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is a Korean product that is cruelty free and vegan! The name comes from the 3 of its oils – black bean, black current and black sesame oil!
2-3 pumps will suffice to remove make up and sunscreen from your face! Leaving your skin clean without drying it out!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types (Not For Oily Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil, Soybean Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Black Currant Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Shea Butter, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Cranberry Seed Oil
- Price: ~RM90
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Smells nice
- Pump dispenser
Cons:
- Contains fragrance (not for sensitive skin)
- Not suitable for oily skin (comedogenic ingredients like shea butter)
- Expensive
4. Innisfree Olive Real Cleansing Oil
Best used with a surfactant cleanser afterwards, the Innisfree Olive Real Cleansing Oil will remove most of your make up! And the ingredients are favorable to oily (and acne prone) skin!
You’ll be surprised how long the bottle lasts too!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Olive Fruit Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
- Price: ~RM76
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Pleasant smell
- Not drying
Cons:
- Has fragrance
- Expensive
5. Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil
Combination skin types can give the Innisfree Green Tea Cleansing Oil a go!
Sunscreen and waterproof make up will melt away with one pump! Plus, it smells like green tea! Wait for a sale and you can snatch it up at a more appealing price point!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types (Not For Oily Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Fresh Green Tea Water, Bergamot Fruit Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Tangerine Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
- Price: ~RM83
Pros:
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Alcohol-free
- Silicone-free
Cons:
- Contains isopropyl palmitate (bad for oily skin)
- Contains fragrance
- Expensive
6. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is another cleansing oil product from Korea. Besides the citrus bergamot fruit oil (may irritate sensitive skin):
Its main oils are fine for most skin types! If you’re unsure, you can pick up the smaller version first!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Bergamot Fruit Oil
- Price: ~RM72
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Just need 1 pump
- Can remove waterproof make up
- Pump dispenser
Cons:
- Expensive
7. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
If you can get past the price tag:
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil from Japan may become your new go-to oil based cleanser made with quality olive oil.
As this cleanser dissolves make up quickly and completely. And is particularly good for dry skin types!
- Size: 100ml, 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types (Not For Sensitive Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Rosemary Leaf Oil, Olive Fruit Oil
- Price: ~RM77 – 125
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- 1 bottle lasts long
- Easy to spread
- Skin feels softer
- Has a pump
Cons:
- Contains fragrance
8. NUTOX Cleansing Oil
NUTOX Cleansing Oil can also be found in a Malaysian drugstore:
It does the job of melting away your make up at the end of the day. But its claimed anti-aging properties are doubtful.
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Alpha-Bisabolol, Sweet Almond Oil, Glycerin, Grapefruit Peel Extract, Hydrolyzed Swiftlet Nest Extract
- Price: ~RM30-35
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Bottle with a pump
- Affordable
- Hydrating
Cons:
- Contains ethylhexyl palmitate and sweet almond oil (bad for oily skin)
- Chemical smell
9. Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil
It’s unfortunate that this next product has a steep price tag:
Other than that, the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil is dependable as a daily oil cleanser!
- Size: 30ml, 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Alpha-Bisabolol, Olive Fruit Oil, Jasmine Flower Wax, Glycerin, Aleurites Moluccana Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Lavender
- Price: RM60, RM185
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Smells good
- Removes make up
- No greasy after feel
Cons:
- Contains isopropyl palmitate (bad for oily skin)
- Contains fragrance (Linalool)
- Expensive
10. Neutrogena Deep Clean Hydrating Cleansing Oil To Foam
Neutrogena Deep Clean Hydrating Cleansing Oil To Foam has a cost-effective price. And since it doesn’t completely dissolve waterproof eyeliners, this is more suitable in a double cleansing routine.
Or for someone who doesn’t wear heavy make up every day!
- Size: 142ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Citric Acid, Cucumber Oil, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol
- Price: ~RM45
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Not drying
- Fresh apple like scent
Cons:
- Contains fragrance and citric acid (not suitable for sensitive skin)
11. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil has a strange herbal smell to it. 2 pumps will get your face clean in no time!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil
- Price: ~RM160
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Softens skin
- Removes most of your make up
- Keeps blackheads under control
Cons:
- Contains Isopropyl Palmitate (bad for oily skin)
- Contains fragrance
- Expensive
12. Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser
Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser runs quite watery.
And if you wear heavy make up or sunscreen daily, this cleanser may seem too mild to take off anything!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citric Acid, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
- Price: ~RM130
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Close to your skin’s natural pH
- Makes your skin soft
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains citric acid (bad for sensitive skin)
13. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil acts as a gentle make up remover. Your skin will feel soft and moisturized after too!
2 pumps are necessary for a fully made up face. While 1 pump will do on most days!
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glycerin
- Price: ~RM142
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- No fragrance
- Lasts a long time
- Suits sensitive skin
- Dissolves make up fast
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t seem to have any oil as the main ingredient
14. Mamonde Petal Spa Cleansing Oil
Watch your make up melt away with the Mamonde Petal Spa Cleansing Oil!
With coconut oil as one of the main ingredients however, it is not recommended for oily skin types.
- Size: 200ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types
- Key Ingredients: Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Butylene Glycol, Coconut Oil
- Price: ~RM84
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free
- Pump dispenser
- Smells like roses
- Does not dry out the skin
Cons:
- Contains silicone
- Contains fragrance
15. THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil
Not as effective as a make up remover as other contenders on this list:
THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil functions satisfactorily if you use it for double cleansing! One pump should be all you need! Worth a shot if you have combination, oily or dry skin!
- Size: 150ml
- Suitable For: All Skin Types (Not For Oily Skin)
- Key Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Jojoba Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Rice Extract
- Price: ~RM35
Pros:
- Paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free
- Affordable
- Bottle lasts a long time
- Smells good
Cons:
- Contains isopropyl myristate, linalool, limonene (bad for oily skin)
- Contains fragrance
- Tendency to leak if you travel with it
What Is A Cleansing Oil?
An alternative to your regular facial cleanser:
Where in place of surfactants (that lift dirt, make up or oil from your skin so you can rinse them off), there is a mixture of oil and an emulsifying ingredient.
These cleansers work because oil can dissolve other oils (i.e. lipophilic)! That includes excess oil from your skin and make up or sunscreen! At the same time, the oil can moisturize your skin.
While the emulsifier keeps the cleansing oil together with the gunk from your face, so that they can be rinsed off!
Benefits Of Cleansing Oil
- Suitable for all skin types
- Effective at removing dirt, make up or sunscreen
- Softens skin
- Doesn’t leave your face greasy
- Easy to use
- Does not affect your skin’s oil balance
- Can be more gentle than surfactant cleansers
How To Use Cleansing Oil
It’s the same way you would use a normal cleanser!
Although some work better on dry skin rather than wet skin!
Also, don’t rinse off immediately:
Move the cleansing oil around your face until it gets a milky look to it. Then, you rinse!
After you pat your skin dry, you may apply your toner.
Followed by other products in your beauty regime:
Double Cleansing
If you wear a lot of make-up or have exceptionally oily skin:
Using a water-soluble cleanser after an oil cleanser ensures that you did not miss anything!
Have dry skin?
Double cleansing may not be for you!
Conclusion
The best cleansing oil in Malaysia 2021 can be categorized according to skin types.
- Best for Oily/ acne prone skin: Innisfree Olive Real Cleansing Oil
- Best for dry skin: Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Mamonde Petal Spa Cleansing Oil
- Best for sensitive skin: Hada Labo Makeup Remover Hydrating Cleansing Oil or Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil
And to make the most of your cleansing oil, massage it on your face in circles to give it time. To soak up all the grime before you splash your face with water!
