Oil cleansing is a simple way to remove makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities while leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable.

Unlike a conventional foaming cleanser, an oil-to-milk cleanser uses oils to dissolve oil-soluble substances such as makeup, sunscreen and sebum. When combined with water, an emulsifying cleansing oil transforms into a light milk that rinses away easily.

For skin that often feels tight or uncomfortable after cleansing, it can be a particularly appealing approach.

Here are five reasons to consider oil cleansing.

1. It removes makeup and sunscreen effectively

Oil cleansing is particularly good at removing the things that water alone can't.

Makeup, sunscreen and sebum are largely oil-soluble, so an oil-based cleanser can help loosen and dissolve them from the surface of the skin.

This makes an oil cleanser an especially useful first step in an evening routine.

Massage it gently over dry skin, add water to emulsify, then rinse.

2. It cleanses without leaving skin feeling stripped

Cleansing should leave skin clean — not tight, dry or uncomfortable.

Some cleansing products can remove too much of the skin's surface lipids, which may leave skin feeling stripped or uncomfortable.

A well-formulated cleansing oil takes a different approach. Rather than relying solely on surfactants to remove everything from the skin, the oils help dissolve oil-soluble impurities before the emulsified cleanser is rinsed away.

The result can be a much more comfortable cleanse, particularly for skin that tends to feel dry after washing.

3. It leaves skin feeling soft and supple

A good cleanser shouldn't just remove things from your skin. It should leave your skin feeling good afterwards.

Oil-based cleansers can provide a soft, conditioned feel during and immediately after cleansing.

This can be particularly welcome if your skin is dry, mature or prone to feeling tight after washing.

You shouldn't need to follow cleansing with layers of products simply to make your skin feel comfortable again.

4. It can work well for combination and oily skin too

It might seem counterintuitive to use an oil cleanser if your skin is oily.

But cleansing with oil doesn't mean adding a layer of oil to your skin and leaving it there.

An emulsifying cleansing oil is designed to bind with water and rinse away, taking makeup, sunscreen, excess sebum and daily impurities with it.

The important distinction is the formulation.

A properly formulated cleansing oil should rinse clean rather than leave a heavy film behind.

This makes oil cleansing an option for combination and oily skin as well as dry skin.

5. It's a simple way to cleanse

Good skincare doesn't need to be complicated.

A well-formulated oil-to-milk cleanser can remove makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities in one step, without necessarily needing a separate makeup remover or second cleanser.

That's particularly useful in the evening, when your skin has accumulated everything from the day.

Massage, emulsify, rinse. That's it.

What is an oil-to-milk cleanser?

Not all facial oils are designed to cleanse. An oil-to-milk cleanser contains emulsifying ingredients that allow the oil to mix with water.

When you massage the cleanser onto dry skin, it dissolves oil-soluble impurities. Add water and the formula transforms into a light, milky emulsion that can be rinsed away.

This is what makes an oil-to-milk cleanser different from simply washing your face with a facial oil.

Do you need to double cleanse?

Not necessarily. Double cleansing can be useful if you wear heavy makeup or simply prefer a two-step routine, but an effective emulsifying cleansing oil can often do the job on its own.

Our preference is to keep things simple.

If Unveil leaves your skin clean and comfortable, there's no need to automatically follow it with another cleanser.

Is oil cleansing good for dry skin?

It can be particularly useful for dry skin.

Dry skin often benefits from a cleansing routine that removes daily impurities without leaving the skin feeling excessively tight or uncomfortable.

An oil-to-milk cleanser can provide a gentler-feeling alternative to harsher cleansing routines while still effectively removing sunscreen and makeup.

Follow with your usual serum and moisturiser while the skin is still comfortable and slightly hydrated.

Is oil cleansing good for oily or blemish-prone skin?

Yes, although choosing the right formulation matters.

Having oily or blemish-prone skin doesn't mean you need to avoid all oils.

A cleansing oil is rinsed away after use, so it isn't intended to sit on the skin as a leave-on facial oil.

If your skin is prone to congestion, introduce any new cleanser gradually and see how your skin responds.

Oil cleansing isn't a treatment for acne, but it can be a comfortable and effective way to remove sunscreen, makeup and daily impurities from blemish-prone skin.

How to oil cleanse

Use Unveil in the evening as the first step of your routine.

1. Apply a small amount to dry hands and massage gently over dry skin.
2. Work over the face, including around the eyes if removing makeup.
3. Add warm water and continue massaging as the oil transforms into a milky emulsion.
4. Rinse thoroughly.
5. Follow with your usual serum and moisturiser.

There's no need to scrub or massage aggressively. The cleanser should do the work for you.

Why we love oil cleansing

We think cleansing should be one of the simplest parts of your routine.

Unveil Oil-to-Milk Cleansing Oil is designed to remove makeup, sunscreen and daily impurities while leaving skin feeling clean, soft and comfortable.

It transforms from oil to milk when water is added, so it rinses away easily without requiring a second cleanser.

A straightforward cleanse that does exactly what you need it to do.