If your current cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight, or dry.. it’s time for a change.

Oil cleansing might sound like something only hippies and skincare junkies do—but hear me out. It’s actually one of the most effective (and gentle!) ways to cleanse acne-prone skin. In fact, it’s one of my favorite natural acne remedies because it works with your skin, not against it.

And if you’re worried about putting oil on your already-oily face—girl, I get it. But you’re about to unlearn everything you thought you knew about oils.

Please note: if you have fungal acne oil cleansing is not the way to go. If you’re not sure if you have fungal acne, check out this blog post.

What Is Oil Cleansing (and Why It Works)

Oil cleansing is a gentle, effective method that uses oil to attract oil. Instead of foaming your face into oblivion, you use nourishing oils to break down makeup, sunscreen, dirt, and excess sebum—without stripping your skin’s natural moisture.

This skincare secret has been a total game-changer for acne-prone skin.

Why? Because when your skin gets stripped, it freaks out and produces more oil, which leads to more breakouts. We don’t want that.

Oil cleansing keeps your skin balanced, supported, and super soft—all while helping rebuild your skin barrier.

Why It Works (Especially for Acne-Prone Skin)

• Keeps your skin barrier hydrated and intact
• Reduces the urge for your skin to overproduce oil
• Helps loosen up hardened sebum and blackheads
• Gently removes SPF, makeup, and daily grime
• Leaves skin soft, nourished, and happy—not stripped

Oil Isn’t the Problem (Bad Oils Are)

Not all oils are created equal. You’ll want to avoid comedogenic oils like coconut, avocado, almond, and marula. These are known to clog pores and aggravate acne. Instead, stick to acne-safe, cold-pressed oils like jojoba, squalane, MCT, abyssinian, and hempseed.

Oh—and skip the essential oils. They might smell nice, but they’re way too harsh for inflamed or barrier-damaged skin. Your skin needs calm, not chaos.

When to Oil Cleanse

Let’s keep it simple:

Makeup or SPF days: Double cleanse. Start with oil cleansing, then follow with honey cleansing or a gentle cleanser.

No makeup days: One oil cleanse or a gentle cleanser is perfect. No need to double up unless your skin feels extra congested or dirty. If you’re oil cleansing be sure to remove all the oil on your face.

Dry or sensitive skin days: Oil cleanse only. Skip the second step and go straight to hydration.

Best Oils for Cleansing (And Why I Love Them)

Here’s your go-to oil breakdown by category

Hydrating Oils

• Jojoba oil – balances all skin types
• Squalane oil – ideal for dry, sensitive skin
• Abyssinian oil – lightweight, great for oily skin types
  

Cleansing Oils

• MCT oil – all skin types, long shelf life
• Castor oil – deep-cleansing, great for acne
• Hempseed oil – reduces inflammation, best for oily skin
  

Potent Antioxidant Oils

• Sea buckthorn fruit oil – promotes healing, fades scars
• Calendula oil – soothing and anti-inflammatory

Build Your Own Oil Cleanser Recipe

Use a 2:1 + a few drops formula to customize a blend that works for your skin:

• 2 droppers of hydrating oil
• 1 dropper cleansing oil
• 1–2 drops antioxidant oil

Oily Skin Recipe

• 2 droppers abyssinian or jojoba oil
• 1 dropper castor or hempseed oil
• 1–2 drops sea buckthorn or calendula oil

Dry Skin Recipe

• 2 droppers squalane or jojoba oil
• 1 dropper MCT oil
• 1–2 drops sea buckthorn fruit oil
  

Want to make a full bottle? Use the same ratio and add 10–30 drops of antioxidant oil depending on your bottle size. Store in a dark glass bottle somewhere cool and dry. 

How to Oil Cleanse (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how to oil cleanse like a pro—no confusion, no mess, just glow:

Step 1: Apply the Oil

Start with dry hands and a dry face. Pump about a quarter-size amount of oil into your palm and massage it gently into your skin for 30–60 seconds. This breaks down makeup, sunscreen, and grime.

Step 2: Gently Remove

Dampen a soft washcloth with warm (not hot!) water and gently wipe away the oil. No harsh scrubbing needed.

Step 3: Optional Second Cleanse

If you’re wearing a lot of makeup or sunscreen, you can follow with a gentle cleanser or honey cleanse. Otherwise, oil cleansing alone is enough.

Pro tip: On no-makeup days, oil cleansing by itself is perfect. For makeup or sunscreen-heavy days, pair it with a second cleanse.

Not sure which oils are best for your skin type or worried about comedogenic ingredients? That’s exactly why I created The Acne Ultimate Skincare Guide—so you can skip the guesswork and build a barrier-friendly routine with confidence. It includes skin type breakdowns, a full 3-phase routine, product recs, and a pore-clogging ingredient list that’s worth its weight in gold.

Oils to Avoid (Don’t Let These Sneak In)

Not all oils are skin-friendly—especially if your barrier is compromised or you’re acne-prone. Here are the ones to skip:

Essential oils (lavender, tea tree, citrus, etc.)

These can be super irritating and sensitizing, especially for inflamed or broken-out skin. LIke I said before your barrier needs calm, not chaos.

Coconut oil

Highly comedogenic. It’s rich in fatty acids—but unfortunately, the kind that loves to clog pores.

Avocado oil

Great in a salad, not so much on acne-prone skin. It tends to be too heavy and can trap bacteria.

Almond oil

Another pore-clogging culprit that can aggravate breakouts (especially cystic acne).

Olive oil

Can cause a greasy film on the skin and disrupt your microbiome—not ideal when your skin’s trying to heal.

Fragrance (in any form)

Whether synthetic or “natural,” fragrance is one of the top triggers for skin irritation and inflammation. Hard pass.

You’ll find a full pore-clogging ingredient list inside The Acne Ultimate Skincare Guide—definitely keep it handy when checking product labels or building your routine.

Final Thoughts

Oil cleansing is more than just a trend—it’s a legit healing step that supports your skin barrier, helps clear breakouts, and makes your skin feel like actual skin again (not dry, tight, or ticked off).

It’s simple, nourishing, and once you get the hang of it—you’ll never want to go back to harsh, foamy cleansers.

Not sure where to start or how to mix the perfect blend for your skin type?

I break it all down inside The Acne Ultimate Skincare Guide. You’ll get my exact oil cleansing formulas, a full 3-phase routine, product recs, and a full list of pore-clogging ingredients to avoid—so you’re not left guessing.

Let’s ditch the overwhelm and build a skincare routine that actually works for you.

Rooting for you always,

Ally