Best Cleansing Oils and Balms for Double Cleansing

Our pick: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil — the gold-standard oil cleanser for double cleansing that dissolves sunscreen and makeup without stripping skin.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil ($15) is the best oil cleanser because it dissolves waterproof sunscreen, full-coverage makeup, and sebum in under 60 seconds, emulsifies cleanly with water, and rinses without leaving residue -- solving the single problem that keeps most water-based cleansers from truly cleaning skin. It has been the benchmark first-step cleanser in double-cleansing routines for over a decade.

What's the result? Cleaner skin, better absorption of evening treatments, fewer clogged pores, and fewer breakouts in readers who were previously "doing everything right" but still experiencing congestion.

This guide covers both oil cleansers (liquid format) and cleansing balms (solid-to-oil format). They accomplish the same job — choice comes down to texture preference.

Every product in this guide was evaluated using our testing methodology — ingredients, formulation, and real-skin performance.

Companion guides: Korean Skincare Routine: A Practical Guide for Western Skin, How to Build a Nighttime Skincare Routine, and The Complete Skincare Routine Guide for Every Skin Type.

At a Glance

Oil Cleansers vs. Cleansing Balms

Oil cleansers are liquid oils dispensed from a pump. They're fast, mess-free, and easy to use. Best for: speed, convenience, oily skin types.

Cleansing balms are dependable at room temperature and melt into oil on contact with skin. They feel more luxurious and often provide a deeper massage experience. Best for: dry skin, sensitive skin, anyone who wants the ritual.

Both should emulsify — turn milky white when you add water — and rinse clean without leaving a greasy residue.

Best Oil Cleansers and Balms

1. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil — Best Overall Oil Cleanser

Gold standard territory. Its olive oil base dissolves everything — waterproof mascara, mineral sunscreen, the works — and emulsifies perfectly with water. No fragrance, no residue, no fuss. There's a reason this has been Japan's bestselling cleanser for over a decade.

Who this is for: Anyone wearing makeup or sunscreen daily. Particularly excellent for those who've struggled with incomplete makeup removal or congestion around the hairline and jawline — common problem areas where traditional cleansers fail.

Built around olive oil, it provides enough slip for a thorough massage without dragging skin. I've tested this on everything from drugstore foundation to waterproof mascara to zinc oxide sunscreen, and it dissolves all of it. Emulsification happens instantly — you'll see the exact moment it transforms from clear oil to milky cleanser.