For years people were told that oil and skin don’t mix, even though anyone who has ever oiled a piece of leather, or taken care of a baseball mitt, can attest that oiled leather is much nicer than dry, crackly leather.
The misinformed idea was that oil would clog pores, cause breakouts, or leave a film that soap was meant to remove. However, research is now catching up with traditional techniques. And the findings are clear. Skin loves oils. Our skin barrier is built on lipids. Sebum itself is a protective blend of fats. And much of the congestion and irritation people deal with comes from cleansers that are too harsh.
Modern dermatology now confirms what traditional skincare practitioners understood long ago. Oils don’t harm the skin. They support it. Plant oils help rebuild the lipid barrier, reduce water loss, calm inflammation, and even remove sunscreen and sebum more effectively than foaming cleansers. Research consistently shows that harsh surfactants strip essential lipids, while botanical oils help restore them. This makes them an ideal choice for anyone focused on true skin barrier repair.
This is why cleansing oils have quietly become one of the biggest shifts in skincare. More specifically, people are seeking a natural cleansing oil that cleans without stripping and supports a resilient barrier.
This guide walks through how they work, why they’re so popular, and how to choose one that improves your skin without leaving it heavy or greasy, including how to use a cleansing oil properly so you get the full benefit.
Why cleansing oils exploded in popularity
People are finally paying attention to the skin barrier. A damaged barrier shows up as redness, breakouts, dullness, or a tight feeling after cleansing, which traditional foaming cleansers often make worse.
Cleansing oils fix the problem at the root. They use lipids (fats) to clean instead of detergents. A true botanical cleansing oil dissolves sunscreen, sebum, and makeup instantly, all while supporting the barrier rather than disrupting it.
People began to wake up to the fact that the tight, dry feeling after washing isn’t normal at all, but a sign that their cleansers are stripping away too much. With the rise of mineral sunscreen and long-wear makeup, the need for something gentler but more effective arose, and cleansing oils fill that gap beautifully — especially for anyone looking for the best cleansing oil for dry skin or sensitized skin. For many, it is also the most reliable gentle cleanser for sensitive skin because it cleans without friction or surfactants.
Cleansing oils vs foaming cleansers
Foaming cleansers rely on surfactants. Some are gentle, others are harsh, but even the best can remove too many lipids when used daily. That stripping effect is the beginning of the “clean → tight → need more products” cycle.
Cleansing oils don’t do that. They clean without disturbing pH. They break down sunscreen more effectively. And they leave the skin comfortable and calm before anything else touches it. In most cases, just a touch more oil is all you will want to add after your oil cleanse. You will be moisturized, cleansed, refreshed, and glowing.
Oil cleansing vs double cleansing
A common question is whether you need to “double cleanse,” meaning an oil cleanse followed by a second wash. In most cases, the answer is no. Double cleansing became popular mainly to remove heavy, long-wear makeup when the first step used synthetic ester–based cleansers that didn’t fully nourish or replenish the skin.
Some people call this the “double cleanse or oil cleanse” debate, but we find a true botanical oil cleanse usually eliminates the need for multiple steps.
A true botanical oil cleanse works differently. When you massage a plant-based oil into the skin, it dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and buildup without stripping the barrier. Once you add water and rinse or wipe with a warm cloth, the skin is already clean, balanced, and calm.
If you are wearing very heavy or water-resistant makeup, the second cleanse should simply be another oil cleanse — not a foaming cleanser. A second pass with oil lifts the last traces of makeup without disrupting the barrier, while a foaming cleanser would undo the entire point of using oils in the first place.
For most people, a single thorough oil cleanse, followed by a drop or two of a whole-plant serum or our new Daily Ritual Oil, leaves the skin more nourished than multiple cleansing steps ever could.
How cleansing oils work
Oil binds to oil. When you massage a cleansing oil into dry skin, it connects with sunscreen, makeup, pollution buildup, and oxidized sebum. Add a little water, and the whole mixture emulsifies so it can rinse away cleanly.
Products with zero additives, including essential oils (which can be harsh as well), such as our Daily Ritual Oil, are perfect for this method. Without such products, a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil can even suffice from your pantry.
The key is choosing oils that are stable, soothing, and supportive of skin’s natural lipid structure. If you are using our collection, you can also consider utilizing one of our Hydrating Essences in place of water for an elevated, aromatherapeutic experience as you cleanse. This turns the cleanse into more than a wash — it becomes a moment built around calming botanical oils that nourish while they purify.
Botanical vs synthetic cleansing oils
Most cleansing oils on the market rely on synthetic esters. A synthetic ester is a lab-made version of an oil-like molecule that is designed to feel silky, lightweight, absorb quickly, and rinse easily, but provides none of the nutritional value of a whole botanical oil.
Botanical cleansing oils use real plant oils. These contain fatty acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and plant compounds that interact with the skin’s barrier in a positive way. They don’t just cleanse. They feed the barrier while you cleanse. Which is far more than cleansing. It is setting you up for ongoing success.
Not all botanical oils are equal though. Stability matters. Freshness matters. And the way the plants are grown, harvested, and infused matters.
This is where whole-plant infusions stand out, and why our signature solar and lunar infused botanical oils are the heart of our collection. We feature biodynamic olive oil infused with plants like wild St. John’s Wort, Calendula, Chamomile, Tulsi, Nettle, Rosemary, and other long-revered botanicals that deliver cleansing with built-in anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair support. These are found in our Summer Solstice Serum, Ryokan Serum, Restorative Body Serum, and our brand new Daily Ritual Oil, which was designed in part with this specific practice in mind.
How to choose the right cleansing oil
A good cleansing oil should:
Clean fully
Break down sunscreen, dissolve oxidized sebum and makeup without effort, working beautifully as a natural makeup remover oil for most skin types.
Rinse cleanly
Loosen easily with water so it doesn’t leave a heavy film.
Support the barrier
Botanical oils like Calendula, Roman Chamomile, and Tulsi help calm irritation and replenish lipids. These are classic plant oils for skincare, relied upon for centuries to support healthy skin.
Avoid blends dominated by synthetic esters if you want the nutritional benefit of true plant oils.
Also avoid cleansing oils that:
• use heavy waxes or butters that can leave a film instead of rinsing clean.
• contain strong added fragrance, which can be irritating for many skin types.
• rely on highly refined oils that have lost their natural antioxidants and nutrients.
How to use a cleansing oil
• Apply 1 to 2 pumps of Daily Ritual Oil (or similar) to dry skin.
• Massage for at least 20 to 30 seconds, or up to several minutes.
• Wet your hands and keep massaging as it softens.
• Rinse or wipe with a warm cloth.
• Follow with a nutrient-rich botanical oil.
If someone is searching specifically for how to use cleansing oil, the method above is the simplest and most barrier-supportive way to do it.
After cleansing, applying a whole-plant serum like the Summer Solstice Serum, Ryokan Serum, or Restorative Body Serum helps lock in moisture, calm the complexion, and restore the lipids that keep skin healthy. A final touch of the Daily Ritual Oil would also be a perfectly fine choice. Formulas rich in chamomile and calendula for skin are especially helpful after cleansing because they calm redness and replenish moisture naturally.
The bottom line
Cleansing oils respect the skin. They cleanse without stripping. They support the barrier instead of disturbing it. And when you follow with a high-quality botanical oil or serum, the skin stays calm, hydrated, and naturally radiant.
A well-crafted botanical cleansing oil is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your routine if you want healthier skin with less effort. If you want that to come from a truly regenerative, natural oil with whole plant infusions and zero additives, then review our suggestions below.
Explore Our Whole-Plant Oils
If you want to bring this approach into your daily ritual, here are the four infusions we recommend most for cleansing and replenishing the skin barrier:
Summer Solstice Serum
Our signature whole-plant infusion of wild St. John’s Wort, Roman and German Chamomile, Tulsi, Calendula, Yellow Dock, and Gotu Kola, all in Biodynamic olive oil. Ingreidents which calm visible inflammation, restore balance, and support regeneration.
Ryokan Serum
A grounding, purifying blend of wild St. John’s Wort, Calendula, and German Chamomile in Biodynamic Olive oil and Sweet Almond oil, finished with Clary Sage, Rosemary, and Lemongrass essential oils. Ideal for cleansing, softening, and supporting clear, vibrant skin while uplifting the Spirit.
Restorative Body Serum
A deeply calming infusion of wild St. John’s Wort, Stinging Nettle, and German Chamomile in biodynamic Olive oil and Sweet Almond oil, with a gentle touch of Lavender essential oil. Perfect after bathing or as a daily all-over moisturizer.
Daily Ritual Oil
A balanced blend of Roman Chamomile, Tulsi, Calendula, Nettle, Rosemary, and biodynamic olive oil designed to support a clean, calm, nourished complexion.
Choose one, or layer them to build a complete whole-plant routine rooted in freshness, simplicity, and real nourishment.
