Oil cleansers are the hottest skincare buys at the moment.  Hold on a second, I hear you cry! Use oil on my face when what I’m trying to do is clean it?  Yes, although it sounds counterintuitive to slap oil onto all that already existing dirt, grime and make-up, oil is the best thing to remove all of these, whilst cleansing, purifying and moisturising the skin.

Oil is the only ingredient that can bring the oxidised sebum and keratin to the skin’s surface and remove it.  It is also the only ingredient that can completely clean out the pores, so that the skin will be less prone to pimples and will heal faster. Oil cleansing is perfect for all skin types, including, surprisingly, oily skins – it will help to ‘balance’ the skin.

Oil cleansers are the hottest skincare buys at the moment...

Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil

The Big Daddy and probably the best known of all, Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil was launched in 1966, when Mr Uemura discovered that Hollywood actresses used oil to remove their heavy stage make-up.  As with all oil cleansers, the Shu Uemura Cleansing Beauty Oil is applied to dry skin, massaged a little and then emulsified with the addition of a little water, to form a milky white liquid which gently lifts impurities, pore-deep.  Rinse thoroughly with warm or lukewarm water, for skin that is glowing, radiant and ready for moisturising.  And there’s no need to double cleanse or to tone separately.

Bakel Pure Act Oil

The new kid on the block is Bakel’s Pure Act Oil.  Made with three natural organic oils, and two powerful anti-age vitamins thrown in for good measure, the oil works to remove impurities and make-up, but will keep the natural protection of the skin intact, with no effect on the skin’s pH, and can be used on all skin types.  It is gentle enough to use around the eye area and the added vitamins A and E help to nourish the skin.  Pump a small amount onto a damp cotton pad and gently pass over the eyes and face.  Key to this lovely oil is that it contains no perfumes, colourants, preservatives, oil derivatives (and that means NO mineral oil!), silicones, PEG or PPG.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

Japanese beauty brand DHC’s Deep Cleansing Oil has a cult following on a par with Shu Uemura’s.  An olive-oil based cleanser that is water soluble, it is so effective that just one pump of the oil will clean the whole face and stubborn eye make-up too.  Don’t be put off by the olive oil aspect – it actually smells fresh and clean and rinses surprisingly well.  Any residue that you may feel on your skin will be the result of not rinsing thoroughly enough. And don’t worry that over rinsing the skin will leave you feeling dry and tight and running for the moisturiser – it won’t!

Nip + Fab Clean Fix

Just the name alone makes this oil worth trying!  Fresh from Maria Hatzistefanis, the creator of cult-brand Rodial, comes the Nip + Fab range, of which the Facial Cleansing Oil is one of eleven hard-working products.  This multi-purpose 2-in-1 cleanser and make-up remover will even lift stubborn mascara without the need for damaging rubbing around the gentle eye area.  The list of ingredients is like a roll-call of some of the loveliest oils, including skincare favourite neroli to soften and rejuvenate and mandarin to calm, purify and decongest.  Like Shu Uemura’s oil, apply to dry skin and massage lightly, emulsify with warm water and rinse.

Nude Cleansing Facial Oil

This little baby is a luxuriously pure, detergent-free oil cleanser that is part of the renowned and award winning Nude skincare range. Omega 3 and vitamin E rich oils will gently remove make-up and pollution leaving you with skin that is soft and supple to the touch. Just warm a couple of pumps between the hands and massage onto the face – the massage in itself is fabulous for decongesting the skin. With a small amount of water, continue massaging – the oil will form a light milky solution – and then rinse clean off. Eye make-up, lipstick, foundation – you name it – the whole lot is whisked away. No minerals oils mean that even the purists are kept happy and it is also paraben, sulphate and silicone free.