Anyone who’s ever worn makeup will understand that getting stubborn makeup off is the worst after a long night out. Waterproof mascara, layers of foundation, dramatic eyeliner – often you wake up with a residue of last night’s look still present.
In the world of Japanese skincare, you may find that there is more emphasis on the cleansing step than you’re used to. This is part and parcel with the society’s fixation on cleanliness in general, and it’s also the reason why there are so many cleansing products in the market.
Oil-based cleansers are the best products to use when trying to get rid of stubborn makeup. Cleansing oils are actually one of the most popular methods of cleansing in the Japanese skincare routine because of their ability to break down make-up whilst still moisturizing your skin.
If you’re avoiding this product because you have oily or acne prone skin, there’s no need to worry. There are various types of Japanese cleansing oils that have been formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients to even tackle oily skin. They’ll assist in removing excess sebum and prevent clogged pores – a major concern, we’re sure!
We’re now going to introduce you guys to the 10 best Japanese cleansing oils. Only quality products are mentioned here, so you can look forward to clean, smooth and hydrated skin.
1. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is likely the most popular deep cleansing oil product in Japan. Aside from its proven ability to get rid of even the stubbornest makeup and impurities, its simple packaging and affordable price makes it a no-brainer for those looking for a long-term cleansing oil product.
The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is formulated with a myriad of skin nourishing ingredients including the likes of precious olive oil extract from hand picked organic olives in Spain!
The product is known to immediately tackle and dissolve make up and impurities whilst still hydrating the skin and leaving it soft and supple.
It’s fragrance and paraben-free.
Summary
- Formulated with olive oil and vitamin E
- Removes stubborn makeup and impurity build up
- Protects skin moisture barrier
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Fragrance and paraben-free
- Suitable for oily skin types
2. Hada Labo Gokujyun
This popular drugstore brand of oil cleanser is part of a line of moisturizing skincare by Hada Labo, including the Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid infusion oil cleansing.
The consistency is relatively thicker than other oil cleansers. It’s known to quickly dissolve makeup (including waterproof mascara!), but does not leave a greasy to sticky feeling on the skin; rather, it leaves the skin feeling smooth and fresh.
This oil cleanser contains olive oil and Super Hyaluronic Acid to ensure the skin stays moist and hydrated.
It’s free of fragrance, alcohol and colorant.
Summary
- Slightly thicker consistency than most
- Gentle on the skin, yet tackles the impurities effectively
- Doesn’t clog pores
- Fragrance, alcohol, and colorant free
- Suitable for dry and sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin
3. Muji Mild Oil Cleansing
The Muji brand encapsulates the minimal aesthetics of Japan that people around the world have grown to love, and its Mild Oil Cleansing is a testament to their philosophy on how keeping things simple and basic is the way to go.
The Mild Oil Cleansing is a gentle formula that contains olive oil and jojoba oil. It’s proven to have an incredible cleansing ability whilst still remaining free of fragrance, colours, mineral oil, paraben, and alcohol.
It’s suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Summary
- Gentle formula for sensitive skin
- 100% plant-based oil
- Fragrance, colour, mineral oil, paraben, and alcohol free
- Contains olive oil and jojoba oil
4. Senka All Clear Cleansing Oil
The Senka All Clear Cleansing Oil had to be part of our list of the best Japanese cleansing oils! It contains rice bran oil, which results in a lightweight formula that leaves the skin feeling soft and supple whilst still tackling dirt, blackheads, and excess sebum. Its gentle and mild oil-to-milk consistency makes it a fan-favourite amongst its users.
For those who worry about oil cleansers drying out their skin, this particular product also boasts hyaluronic acid and silk essence to ensure the skin stays hydrated
Summary
- Contains hyaluronic acid and silk essence to keep skin hydrated
- Contains rice bran oil to tackle impurities
- Lightweight
- Suitable for most skin types
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5. FANCL Mild
FANCL is a popular Japanese brand that is distinctly known for their preservative-free skincare and cosmetic products that are made with safe ingredients – perfect for those with sensitive skin.
This cleansing oil is tough on stubborn makeup, and easily dissolves pore-clogging dirt and oil; it also retains the moisture in your skin to prevent dryness and wrinkles. It boasts a unique blend of meadow foam seed oil and soybean oil.
The FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil is a cult-favourite in Japan, having won multiple beauty awards over the last decade including the cosme Hall of Fame award – literally the most prestigious cosmetics award across Asia.
Summary
- Removes stubborn makeup and impurities without stripping the skin of natural oils
- Preservative-free, using only safe ingredients
- Fragrance free
- No artificial colours
- Suitable for sensitive skin
6. Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty
As one of the more high-end products on this list, you’d expect quite a bit from the Shu Uemura Ultim8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil – and it definitely delivers.
Shu Uemura is a legendary brand, and this cleansing oil is one of its top selling products. Its silky-smooth texture is formulated using 8 different types of botanical oils.
It immediately removes stubborn make-up whilst rejuvenating the skin. Many people have claimed that it not only cleansed their skin, but also improved it!
Summary
- Infused with 8 different botanical oils
- Silky-smooth texture
- Tackles makeup without drying out skin
7. KOSE SOFTYMO Speedy Cleansing Oil
The KOSE SOFTYMO Speedy Cleansing Oil is part of a line of cleansing oils which also include the Deep Cleansing Oil and Whilst Cleansing Oil.
The Speedy Cleansing Oil is one where you do not need to wet your hands first – simply apply the oily to your hand and start gently rubbing it on your face to get cleanse of the impurities.
The oil contains five different kinds of organic beauty ingredients and works to effectively remove even the stubbornest of make-up, dirt, grime, and excess sebum.
Summary
- Removes stubborn make-up, dirt, grime and sebum
- Prevents clogging of pores
- No need to follow-up with another cleanser
8. Minon Amino Moist Milky Cleansing Gel
For those who enjoy the milky cleansing texture, this Cleansing Gel is an oil-based cleanser that comes in a lightweight milky gel. It is formulated with high levels of amino acids to hydrate and nurture your skin, whilst the milky gel loosens the makeup, dirty and excess oil.
It’s certainly a strong enough cleansing gel to effectively get rid of impurities, but contains nourishing ingredients to keep the skin hydrated.
It is a gentle product that is suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Summary
- Oil-based cleanser combined with a milky gel
- Contains 8 amino acids
- Loosens stubborn makeup, dirt and grime
- Hydrates and protects skin moisture
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive
9. Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi + Pollutant & Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil
This luxurious cleansing oil is infused with ingredients that are rich in antioxidants, including green tea and moringa extract. Combined, they create a formula that effectively targets stubborn makeup and impurities sitting atop your skin.
This cleansing oil also contains botanical extracts that tone your skin, leading to a brighter, more radiant complexion when used regularly.
It removes make-up, sunscreen, dirty, and grime whilst still retaining the moisture levels on your skin.
Summary
- Infused with antioxidant rich ingredients like green tea and moringa extract
- Brightens skin tone for a more radiant complexion
- Removes make-up, sunscreen, and grime
- Suitable for all skin types
10. Attenir Skin Clear
The philosophy of Attenir is high quality products at an affordable price. Thus, when you look at the Attenir Skin Clear Cleanse Oil bottle, you’d be forgiven to think it was a premium-priced skin care product. However, the only thing premium about this cleansing oil is its quality.
This product boasts the Speedy Melting Formula which quickly and effectively removes make-up and dead skin cells.
Its oil-rich texture contains 5 luxurious beauty oils (including rockrose oil) that moisturize and hydrate the skin whilst also brightening it.
This formula is considered gentle and is free from paraben and alcohol, and is non-comedogenic.
Summary
- Boasts the Speedy Melting Formula
- Contains 5 luxurious beauty oils that moisturise the skin
- Gentle formula
- Free from paraben, alcohol, and is non-comedogenic
We hope you found our article about the 10 best Japanese cleansing oils informative and fun to read!
As with most beauty and skincare products, what works for some people might not work for others. What we’d suggest is understanding what type of skin you gave, and going from there to select the best product for your needs.
One of the things we’d recommend is avoiding any products that contain the following ingredients (as they’re known to be harsh on the skin and can cause more damage): preservatives (such as parabens and benzoic acid), ethanol, synthetic colours, or artificial fragrances.
There are a limitless number of Japanese oil cleansers out there, and if you’ve used one that you absolutely have to share, we’d love to hear about it in the comments section below!
For more Japanese beauty products to clean your skin, you can also check out our list of the best Japanese face washes and the best Japanese toners.