You likely already know how important it is to wear a sunscreen daily that works for acne-prone skin. But after applying your sunscreen and maybe adding a layer of foundation on top, how can you be sure that you’ve fully removed it all at the end of the day, particularly if they are water-resistant formulas? It might be time to try double cleansing.
What Are Oil Cleansers?
Oil cleansers are often overlooked as a skincare option for acne-prone skin, but they can be a gentle and effective way to thoroughly cleanse your skin without stripping it and damaging your skin barrier.
Oil cleansers are designed to melt away impurities like makeup, dirt, and sunscreen by targeting oil-based debris that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Unlike traditional water-based cleansers, oil cleansers work on the principle that “like dissolves like”—meaning the oils in the cleanser bind to the oils on your skin and in makeup, allowing them to be rinsed away.
Oil and balm cleansers are usually formulated with emulsifiers, which allows them to rinse off with water. You start by rubbing these products onto dry skin to break down your sunscreen, then add a little water to emulsify before rinsing it off. You then follow with a normal water-based face wash to make sure that the oils have been fully removed.
Best Oil Cleansers for Acne-Prone Skin
When choosing an oil cleanser for acne-prone skin, it’s important to look for a product that is non-comedogenic. It should emulsify and rinse off your skin easily, but you should still follow it with your normal face wash to ensure it is all removed.
The below oil and balm cleansers are perfect for gently removing the layers of sunscreen and makeup at the end of the day, without aggravating acne-prone skin:
The Ordinary Squalane Balm-to-Oil Cleanser and Makeup Remover
The Ordinary's Squalane Cleanser is a workhorse of an oil cleanser for acne-prone skin. This cleanser comes out of the tube with the consistency of a thick lotion, but as you rub it in it warms up on your skin and it turns into an oil that dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. Once you add water it emulsifies and rinses easily. It does take a minute or two to work it into an oil so skip this one if you want a very short cleansing routine. The squalane base is a great option for acne-prone skin that is sensitive to certain oils.
TULA Skin Care #Nomakeup Replenishing Cleansing Oil with Rice Bran Oil and Ceramides
The Replenishing Cleansing Oil by Tula is a lightweight oil cleanser that works quickly to dissolve makeup and debris when applied to dry skin before rinsing away. It contains the brand's signature probiotic extracts that calm the skin while you cleanse. Rice bran oil and ceramides nourish and help the skin retain moisture. It also uses arctic winged kelp to soothe, but you should avoid this product if you have a sensitivity to kelp.
HERO COSMETICS Dissolve Away Daily Cleansing Balm for Sensitive and Acne-Prone Skin
This cleansing balm by Hero Cosmetics is specifically formulated for acne-prone skin. This balm gently removes makeup, grime, and excess oil and leaves skin clean without feeling stripped. We like that it's fragrance-free and uses gentle ingredients without unnecessary extras. Use the small included spatula to take out a quarter size amount to work into your dry skin and watch everything dissolve away before emulsifying and following with your normal cleanser.
BANILA CO Clean it Zero Pore Clarifying Cleansing Balm with Tea Tree Oil
Clean It Zero is a popular balm cleansing line from the Korean brand Banila Co and this pore clarifying version is our favorite option for acne-prone skin. In addition to dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and excess oil without disrupting the moisture barrier, this cleanser with jojoba oil was designed to target clogged pores and balance breakout-prone skin. It uses a blend of AHA, BHA, LHA, and tea tree oil to exfoliate dead skin cells and deeply cleanse pores. It does contain fragrance, so this option might be best for less sensitive skin types.
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm with Rice Bran and Grain Extracts
The Radiance Cleansing Balm by popular Korean brand Beauty of Joseon has a soft texture that melts away sunscreen, excess oil, and makeup. Like most of the brand's products, this balm is enriched with rice bran known for its natural amino acids and minerals that benefit skin's health, along with other grain extracts to help soothe and deeply moisturize your skin. Fragrance-free, this balm cleanser is designed to be safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Dermatica Caring Squalane Cream Cleanser Daily Wash with Grapeseed and Rice Bran Oils
The Caring Squalane cleanser by British brand Dermatica is a cream-to-oil-to-milk formula that is designed to remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt without stripping skin or causing irritation. In addition to squalane it also uses grapeseed oil and rice bran oil to help reduce transepidermal water loss to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Its gentle and moisturizing ingredients make this cleanser a great choice for sensitive and dry skin types.
Farmacy Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
Clearly Clean by Farmacy is their fragrance-free version of their popular cleansing balm, especially designed for sensitive and reactive skin types. This balm uses sunflower seed oil to melt away even long-wear makeup while remaining gentle on your skin. Enzymes from papaya extract gently exfoliate and clean pores while moringa seed extract refreshes skin by helping to remove impurities.
What is Double Cleansing?
Popularized by Korean skin care, double cleansing is simply washing your face twice to fully remove any impurities. Double cleansing usually starts with an oil or balm cleanser to dissolve the initial layer of grime, makeup, and sunscreen. It then follows up with a water-based face wash to wash away any lingering residue. This method ensures your skin is thoroughly cleansed without stripping away its natural moisture.
If you’re trying to keep your skin care routine simple and don’t want to add an oil cleanser, you can get a similar effect by using your favorite water-based face wash twice.
