An oil based cleanser works like a magnet for sunscreen, sebum, and the day’s makeup, lifting it all before water ever touches skin. Used as the first step in a double cleanse, these balms and oils spare the barrier that foaming cleansers can strip. The right pick depends on texture preference, sensitivity, and whether waterproof makeup is part of the nightly routine.
The Main Contenders
pūrlisse Pumpkin Chai Latte Cleansing Balm (3.4 oz)
Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil with Tsubaki
BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser
BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser
Anua 3-Step Glass Skin Beginner Kit
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 6.76 fl.oz
BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser
Taking A Closer Look At The Options
The pūrlisse Pumpkin Chai Latte Cleansing Balm sits in a 3.4 oz jar and earns its place as a comfort-first first cleanse. The balm-to-oil melt feels like a warm drink on a cold night, though owners commonly describe the pumpkin-and-chai scent as a real selling point rather than a background note.
Where it differs from the foaming cleansers that follow on this list is the texture: there is no lather, no second-guessing whether residue got left behind. It works on light foundation and daily SPF, and most users will find a pea-sized amount covers the whole face. Compared with the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil later in this roundup, the pūrlisse is gentler and more aromatic, but trades some of that raw waterproof-mascara power.
Key Advantages
- Pumpkin enzymes and vitamins A, C, and E lend a brightness boost to dull, end-of-day skin
- Soy milk amino acids help skin hold on to elasticity and softness after rinsing
- Antioxidant chai extract adds a protective layer against early signs of aging
- Cleanses without stripping, leaving the face comfortable rather than tight
- Free from parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, and phthalates for cautious routines
Things To Consider
- The 3.4 oz tub requires clean, dry fingers each dip, which can feel less hygienic than a pump bottle over time
- Strong waterproof mascara may need a second pass or a follow-up micellar swipe
Who It Suits Best
Dry or mature skin types craving a sensorial nightly ritual will enjoy this balm most.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
Skin that runs oily or breakout-prone may prefer the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, which targets sebum more directly.
The Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil earns its premium placement by handling the hardest first task on the routine: dissolving waterproof eye and lip makeup without a battle. Tsubaki oil, a camellia-derived botanical, brings a lightweight slip that cuts through long-wear mascara, then rinses clean.
Daily SPF and foundation disappear in a single pass for most skin, and the non-greasy finish means the second cleanse in a double-cleanse routine does not feel like overkill. Compared with the pūrlisse balm, this oil is thinner, faster on waterproof formulas, and better suited to anyone who treats eye makeup as a daily commitment.
Useful Touches
- Meadowfoam seed, tamanu, and tsubaki oils deliver a high concentration of skin-conditioning plant lipids
- Water-light texture spreads easily and emulsifies thoroughly with plain water
- Lifts long-wear foundation and waterproof mascara in one routine step
- Non-comedogenic formula suits faces that typically react to heavier oils
Trade Offs
- The thinner pour can drip from pump bottles, so a steady hand helps at the sink
- Owners with very dry skin may want to follow with a richer second cleanse in winter
Quick Facts
Made For
Anyone layering waterproof mascara, long-wear foundation, or heavy stage-style makeup will find this the most capable first step on the list.
Skip It When
Balm lovers who prefer scooping a solid texture over a pour may find the BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser more intuitive in the shower.
The BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser is technically a water-based second step, but it earns its slot here because it pairs naturally with the oil cleansers in this lineup. Ceramides are lipid molecules naturally found in skin that act like mortar between skin cells, and the brand’s Tri-Ceramide Complex aims to replenish them during the wash itself.
The jelly texture feels cushiony rather than foamy, so faces that sting or flush after traditional gels will likely tolerate this one. Most users find it works best as a morning cleanse or as the second step after a heavier oil like the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. Compared with the BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser, this is the lighter, cooler-feeling sibling.
What Earns Its Place
- Tri-Ceramide Complex targets the skin barrier during cleansing, not just after
- Antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea support a brighter, calmer finish
- Low-foam texture reduces that stripped, tight sensation
Points To Note
- Heavier evening makeup still needs an oil or balm as the first step
- The jelly consistency takes a moment to spread, which can feel unusual for gel loyalists
Best Suited To
Reactive, sensitive, or barrier-compromised skin types will appreciate how little this cleanser asks of the face.
Look Elsewhere When
Those who want a true first-step oil with similar barrier benefits should reach for the BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser instead.
The BYOMA Milky Moisture Cleanser handles the second step of a double cleanse for faces that lose moisture mid-day. The milky formula is a hydrating surfactant blend, meaning it cleans with milder soap-like agents that rinse without the usual squeaky finish, and oat extract plus panthenol calm any residual redness.
For most mornings, it works as a single cleanse when no SPF or foundation went on the night before. Compared with the BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser, this is the creamier, more nourishing sibling, and the trade-off is a slightly heavier feel on hot summer days.
What Makes Sense
- Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramide NP, cholesterol, fatty acids) reinforces the lipid layer
- Oat extract eases inflammation and itch for easily-flushed skin
- Panthenol draws in hydration, leaving the face plump after rinsing
- Dissolves SPF, light foundation, and grime without disrupting the barrier
Honest Caveats
- It is a milky lotion texture, so the pump bottle can leave residue around the neck that needs a quick wipe
- Owners with oily T-zones in humid climates may prefer the lighter BYOMA Creamy Jelly Cleanser
Feature Snapshot
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Dehydrated, post-treatment, or winter-stressed skin will get the most from this gentle milky formula.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Combination skin hunting for a true oil texture should look at the BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser for a richer first step.
The Anua 3-Step Glass Skin Beginner Kit bundles a cleansing oil, a gentle foaming cleanser, and a TXA serum, so newcomers to K-beauty skip the research rabbit hole. Step 1 is a non-comedogenic cleansing oil that lifts makeup and sebum, and step 2 is a heartleaf-enriched foam that finishes the job without stripping.
The TXA serum in step 3 works on dark spots, and the order is pre-set so there is no guesswork. Compared with the standalone Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, the kit sacrifices a little customization for a ready-made routine that ships in a single box.
Well-Handled Touches
- First-step oil is non-comedogenic, so it suits acne-conscious routines
- Heartleaf extract in the foam cleanser soothes reactive skin during step 2
- TXA serum targets post-blemish marks for a more even-toned finish
- Beginner-friendly packaging removes the layering confusion of K-beauty
Where It May Fall Short
- Travel-sized components may run out faster for daily users on a single kit
- Anyone with a curated routine may not need the bundled serum
The Right Fit
First-time K-beauty shoppers who want a vetted, no-fuss routine will get the most from this set.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Shoppers who already own a favorite serum may prefer the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil on its own for a deeper first cleanse.
The Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a 6.76 fl.oz bottle aimed squarely at oily and combination skin. Heartleaf is a Korean botanical known for calming inflammation, and the lightweight oil dissolves sunscreen, sebum, and makeup without leaving a greasy film.
The texture stays fluid even in cooler bathrooms, and the bottle holds enough for several months of nightly use. Compared with the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil, this option is geared more toward sebum control and the glass-skin aesthetic, while the Bobbi Brown leans toward high-performance makeup removal on drier faces.
The Value In It
- Heartleaf extract calms post-cleanse redness in acne-prone skin
- Removes sebum, sunscreen, and makeup in a single step for a faster evening
- Lightweight texture rinses clean and supports a glass-skin finish
- Larger 6.76 fl.oz size stretches further for nightly users
Points To Keep In Mind
- Owners with very dry skin may want a richer follow-up moisturizer
- The pour spout can dispense more than needed for a single application
Feature Card
Who Should Grab It
Combination, oily, or pore-conscious shoppers will appreciate the sebum-targeting focus and the larger format.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
Anyone with drier skin or a focus on heavy waterproof makeup will find more mileage in the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil.
The BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser rounds out the list with an oil-to-milk transformation that feels closer to a treatment than a wash. The formula is built around ceramides and skin-identical lipids, which are fat-like compounds the body already makes, so the cleanser deposits them back as it lifts impurities.
SPF and light makeup disappear in the oil phase, then the milky emulsion rinses away without leaving a film. Compared with the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, this is the gentler, barrier-first option for skin that needs repair rather than sebum control.
Notable Gains
- Barrier lipid complex with ceramides reinforces the skin’s outer layer
- Oil-to-milk texture feels nourishing yet still rinses clean
- Melts makeup, SPF, and grime without stripping
- Suits normal-to-combination skin that wants softness after cleansing
Some Limits To Know
- Heavier stage makeup may need a follow-up cleanse to fully lift pigments
- Very oily skin in humid weather might find the milky residue a touch much
Built With In Mind
Normal-to-combination skin seeking a barrier-friendly first cleanse will find this milky oil a versatile everyday option.
Swap It Out When
Oily shoppers chasing stronger sebum control will do better with the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil.
What To Weigh Before Choosing An oil based cleanser
Texture sets the tone for the entire routine. Balms like the pūrlisse Pumpkin Chai Latte Cleansing Balm feel like a slow evening ritual, while liquid oils like the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil move quickly across the face and rinse in seconds. Picking the format that matches the time available matters more than chasing ingredient trends.
Skin profile drives the active list. Oily and combination skin usually wants sebum-targeting botanicals like heartleaf, while dry or mature skin often prefers lipid-rich oils such as tsubaki and meadowfoam seed. Sensitive or barrier-compromised faces benefit from ceramide complexes and oat extract, both of which support the skin’s natural repair process.
Makeup habits shape the strength needed. Waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation call for an oil with serious emulsification, while a light SPF-and-tint day suits a milder milky option. A double cleanse pairs a stronger first step with a gentler second, and most routines on this list are designed to slot into that pattern.
Scent and sensory load matter for nightly adherence. Aroma-heavy balms make the routine feel indulgent, but anyone sensitive to fragrance should look for unscented or lightly botanical options. The size of the bottle or jar also affects how often a repurchase is needed, so nightly users benefit from larger formats like the 6.76 fl.oz Anua bottle.
Smart Angles Before You Commit
Wrong Turns To Avoid
Picking a heavy, comedogenic oil for acne-prone skin is the most common slip in this category, and breakout-prone faces should default to non-comedogenic labels like the Anua Heartleaf option. Skipping the second cleanse after an oil-based first step is another frequent mistake, since residue can clog pores without a follow-up water-based wash.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Premium picks like the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil spend the budget on high-grade botanical oils and rigorous emulsification that lifts waterproof formulas in one pass. Mid-tier options like the BYOMA Milky Oil Cleanser focus on barrier lipids instead, while the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil trades luxury packaging for active ingredients and a larger bottle. Paying more usually buys thinner textures, faster rinsing, and stronger makeup removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an oil based cleanser actually do?
It binds to sebum, sunscreen, and makeup on the skin’s surface and lifts them away when water is added, sparing the natural moisture barrier. Used as the first step in a double cleanse, it preps the face for a water-based wash that finishes the job.
Should oil based cleansers be rinsed off with water?
Yes, after massaging the oil into dry skin, adding a small amount of warm water turns the formula into a milky emulsion that rinses clean. Skipping the emulsification step can leave a greasy residue behind.
Can oily skin use an oil based cleanser?
Oily skin benefits from lightweight, non-comedogenic oils like the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, which dissolve excess sebum without clogging pores. A second water-based cleanse keeps the finish balanced.
How often should an oil based cleanser be used?
Most routines use an oil based cleanser once daily in the evening to remove the day’s buildup. Morning skin usually only needs a gentle water-based cleanser or just water.
Do oil based cleansers remove waterproof sunscreen?
Most oil based cleansers on this list handle waterproof sunscreen effectively, and the Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil is especially capable with heavy eye makeup. A second cleanse ensures no residue remains.
