Good Housekeeping’s June 6, 2026 guide names Curél Makeup Cleansing Oil its best overall pick. The other category winners include options for dry, oily and sensitive skin, waterproof makeup removal, and different budgets. The picks below reflect that guide’s reported testing and product notes; they are not a universal ranking for every skin type.
How Good Housekeeping evaluated facial cleansers
Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab’s 2026 face-cleanser evaluation covered 408 products, with 376 consumer testers and 4,512 survey responses. The lab assessed texture, scent, lather, application, irritation, makeup and impurity removal, and how skin looked and felt afterward. Those figures describe the broader cleanser evaluation, not a separate test panel of 408 cleansing oils.
Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann describes cleansing oils as facial cleansers that use oil to remove dirt, makeup and impurities from skin. Oil helps dissolve makeup, sunscreen and sebum; emulsifiers help the cleanser mix with water and rinse away.
The 11 best cleansing oils of 2026
| Pick | Best for | Formula notes | What the guide reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curél Makeup Cleansing Oil | Best overall | Fragrance-free; mineral oil and castor oil | All testers in the reported test said it did not irritate their skin. Testers also praised its dispensing, smooth feel, lack of stickiness and makeup removal. |
| Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Cleansing Facial Oil | Best value | Soybean oil, sweet almond oil and cocoa butter | Testers with dry skin reported complete makeup removal and skin that felt smooth and moisturized. |
| Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Oil | Best for dry skin | Abyssinian seed, argan and coconut oils | Editors described it as nourishing and comfortable, without lingering oily residue. |
| EltaMD Oil-In-Gel Facial Cleanser | Best for oily skin | Glycerin, meadowfoam seed oil and vitamin E | The oil-based gel emulsifies into a light milk. In Beauty Lab evaluation, it removed sunscreen and heavy makeup without greasy residue. |
| CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Cleanser | Best drugstore | Glycerin, squalane oil and ceramides | Good Housekeeping staff found the foaming oil cleanser gentle, smoothing and non-drying. |
| Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil | Best for eyes | Sunflower, castor, sweet almond and grapeseed oils | Designed for use around the eye area. |
| DHC Deep Cleansing Oil | Best for removing makeup | Olive oil, rosemary oil and vitamin E | The guide reports strong makeup removal and a soft, supple after-feel. |
| Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Oil Cleanser | Best luxury | Rice bran and camellia oils | Emulsifies and leaves a dewy, smooth feel. |
| Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm | Best for sensitive skin | Sweet almond oil, glycerin and shea butter | A rich, oil-based balm and Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner for reactive skin. |
| Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil | Best scented | Corn germ oil, evening primrose oil and squalane | Lavender scent and evening use are central to its positioning. |
| Isdin Essential Cleansing Oil | Best dermatologist-recommended | Sunflower seed and olive oils | Beauty Lab reported thorough cleansing and a soft, silky, luminous finish without an oily feel. |
Choose by skin type and cleansing needs
For dry skin
Palmer’s is the value pick for dry skin: testers reported makeup removal alongside a moisturized, smooth feel. Burt’s Bees is another option if you want the guide’s dry-skin pick and a formula editors found comfortable without oily residue. These are reported user and editor impressions, not a guarantee that either formula will suit every dry-skin routine.
#1 Best Overall
- [Deep cleansing] Effectively removes makeup. This lightweight cleansing oil dissolves sebum, impurities*, sunscreen, and makeup in one step, helping create a clean base for a smooth glass skin look without a greasy residue.
- [Pore Care] Clinical testing shows a 22.8%* change in sebum amount, supporting a clearer-looking complexion and improved skin texture over time. Formulated with Heartleaf extract to help soothe the skin and maintain comfort after cleansing.
- [All Skin friendly] Hypoallergenic and non-irritation tests completed, making it suitable for all skin types. Especially gentle for sensitive* and breakout-prone skin, and mild enough for those who prefer a simple, low-irritation cleanser—even for external use especially for nose and cheek when used gently and rinsed thoroughly.
- [Eye Comfort] Designed for safe use around the eye area with no stinging sensation experienced. Eye Irritation Test completed, along with non-comedogenic testing to support overall skin comfort and safety.
- [Double Cleanse Routine] Emulsifies quickly with water for a clean, lightweight finish without slippery residue. ① Apply the cleansing oil to dry skin and gently massage for 1–2 minutes to dissolve makeup and impurities. ② Add a small amount of water to emulsify, allowing the formula to lift away sebum and buildup. ③ Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. ④ Follow with a water-based cleanser to complete your double cleanse and leave skin feeling fresh and balanced.
For oily or acne-prone skin
EltaMD is the guide’s oily-skin choice; its gel texture emulsifies to a light milk, and the evaluation found no greasy residue after removing sunscreen and heavy makeup. If you are acne-prone, look for noncomedogenic labeling and patch-test a new product. Some oils can feel heavy, and a product’s skin-type label cannot predict an individual’s response.
For sensitive skin or fragrance concerns
Curél is the fragrance-free overall pick, and all testers in its reported test said it did not irritate them. Naturopathica is the guide’s sensitive-skin balm selection. For reactive skin, fragrance-free formulas are generally the more cautious starting point; be alert to essential oils and botanical extracts, which can be irritating for some people.
Rank #2
- [Korea’s No.1 Cleansing Oil] 20M+ bottles sold worldwide, trusted for makeup removal and pore care
- [14 Plant-Based Oils] A nutrient-rich blend that deeply cleanses while nourishing and hydrating skin
- [Effective Deep Cleanse] Removes waterproof makeup, sunscreen, blackheads, and excess oil without stripping
- [Safe for All Skin Types] Dermatologist-tested, non-irritating formula safe for sensitive, dry, and acne-prone skin
- [Double Cleansing Essential] Perfect first step in double cleansing routine to prep skin for toner, serum, and moisturizer
For waterproof makeup and eye-area cleansing
DHC is the guide’s top makeup-removal pick. Caudalie’s Vinoclean is specifically designed for the eye area. Shiseido’s 2026 product page reports that, in its official consumer test of 101 women, 90% felt waterproof eye makeup was removed and 92% felt dirt and makeup were removed. Those are participants’ reported perceptions in a brand-run test, not independent lab measurements or a head-to-head comparison with the 11 picks.
For a light rinse or an evening ritual
For a milky, light-rinsing texture, EltaMD’s oil-in-gel formula is described as emulsifying into a light milk; Dermalogica’s PreCleanse fact sheet likewise describes a lightweight oil that turns milky when emulsified and is intended as the first step in double cleansing. Kiehl’s is the scented choice, with lavender and evening use central to its positioning. Choose based on whether you value a light rinse, a fragrance-free formula or a scented routine rather than assuming one feature predicts cleansing performance.
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- Ingredients and Distributor Labeling in English on the package
How to use a cleansing oil
- Start with dry skin and dry hands. Apply a small amount of cleansing oil.
- Massage gently in circles over the face to loosen makeup, sunscreen and other residue.
- Add warm water to emulsify the oil; it should mix with the water and become easier to rinse away.
- Rinse thoroughly. If your routine calls for double cleansing, use the oil as the first cleanser and follow with a water-based cleanser.
Does cleansing oil clog pores?
Not every cleansing oil will affect every person’s skin the same way, and the available product notes do not establish that any one of these products is guaranteed not to clog pores. If you are acne-prone, prioritize a noncomedogenic label where available, patch-test before regular use, and stop if you notice irritation or worsening breakouts. A formula that emulsifies and rinses cleanly may also be preferable if you dislike residue.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the testing can—and cannot—tell you
The guide combines laboratory evaluation, consumer feedback and editor observations; its category awards are useful starting points, not proof that each pick will work equally well for every person. For example, Curél’s reported 100% no-irritation response is a tester result, not a promise of zero irritation for all users.
Rank #4
- Facial Cleanser: Gently deep cleanse skin with the power of Pure Cleansing Oils, Cocoa Butter and Vitamin C. This face wash dissolves dirt, oil and make-up and rinses clean without stripping skin
- Won't Clog Pores: This non-stripping, non-comedogenic cleanser purifies your complexion for clear, soft and brighter looking skin. Great for removing make-up, eye make-up and impurities. Ideal for all skin types
- Finest Ingredients: We use only the finest natural, raw ingredients for soft, hydrated and beautiful hair & skin. We support sustainable production of Shea & Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil. You can feel good about what you put on your hair and skin
- Choose What's Real: Our nourishing skin care and hair care products feature real, high-quality, plant-based ingredients. Our product line for whole body care includes body butter, creams, balms, lotions, oils, soaps, pregnancy and stretch mark care
- Why Palmers? For over 180 years, Palmer's has crafted treatment-oriented beauty products using Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil & Vitamin E to soothe, hydrate, soften, replenish and revitalize skin and hair.
Brand-run consumer assessments should be read separately from comparative lab results. La Roche-Posay describes Lipikar Cleansing Oil as fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, allergy-tested and dermatologist-tested for dry, extra-dry and sensitive face and body skin. Its page reports 98% of consumers said it gently cleanses, 90% said it soothes and 87% said it hydrates. The brand also reports a 90% reduction in the overall appearance of dry skin and roughness after 10 weeks when the oil was used with Lipikar AP+M Cream. These claims concern Lipikar and its stated assessment conditions, not the 11 products above.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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