I freaking love an oil. As I approach my mid-40s, I realise that I’m turning to them more and more, as if my natural intuition is to self-soothe my skin back from years of sun damage, late nights and a brief, ill-conceived bout as a smoker.
Body, face, cleansers, essential, flaxseed, coconut and lots of yummy nuts and avocados - however you look at it, oils form an integral part of my beauty routine.
I started off with a face oil addiction, but the cleansers came later; almost as if I expected a double oil scenario to be similar to a double denim one (in a Justin and Britney era, too much). But now I’ve realised that my skin can’t soak up enough of the goodness and a skincare routine heavy on the good oil means less need for a makeup routine incorporating illuminating balms, glow sticks and highlighters.
Here, my thoughts on four cleansing oils from an array of brands - from local to cult.
Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil, $86
This was one of my first experiences with an oil cleanser and it was enough to make me switch for life. I feel like I moved from a foaming cleanser in my 20s to a balm cleanser in my 30s, and into an oil cleanser in my 40s.
I do still have a soft spot for a balm but there is something so luxurious about massaging this oil all over your face and watching it work like a magnet, collecting all your makeup before rinsing it all off.
This contains goji berry extract and white water lily and is at once both powerful enough to remove a full face of make-up (including heavy eye makeup) and gentle enough to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished.
Disclaimer: I used to work for Bobbi Brown so can’t hand on heart be completely certain I hold no bias. But I did pop into the staff store on my last day and buy two full-size bottles of this before I left the building.
Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil, $35
Local oil pioneers Trilogy have found a way to infuse their signature rosehip oil with papaya and almond to make a cleanser that turns milky when water is added. But it’s not just a gimmick. As an oil you massage it on, it picks up your makeup, and then once you add water it turns into a milk emulsion that will eventually run clean. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t like this product, and a friend of mine who is a makeup artist won’t use anything else.
F Miller Skincare Cleansing Oil, $118
I’m a huge fan of the face oil from this brand so it pains me to say I don’t love this cleanser. It’s thick and lush but honestly it seems like it doesn’t want to wash off.
I’m a very lazy, old school beauty routiner and don’t buy into philosophies such as double cleansing. I’m a one and done kind of gal.
This cleanser does have its fans out there but I’m wondering if they are people who have the energy and inclination to perform a second cleanse. While I do love how oil cleansers don’t leave your skin feeling ‘stripped’ and dry, the residue this one leaves behind is just a step too far for me.
Mara Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, $98
A truly beautiful product. It feels luxurious on the skin, effectively removes a full face of makeup and leaves my skin feeling incredibly hydrated and lush.
I’m also a sucker for any product that contains the same superfood ingredients I use at home - chia, moringa and algae are all things I like to consume internally so it makes sense my skin would like them as well (of course, by the same logic I’m not about to wipe French fries and ice cream across my face but you get the drift).
This is a gold standard cleansing oil that I recommend purchasing after trialling one of the other brands to check oils are your thing. I’d have loved to have my 20-year-old skin to try these products. My 44-year-old skin adores them.
The majority of product in our beauty reviews is gifted to our reviewers with the requirement it be trialled over a period of time. Editorial opinions are the writer's own. Is there a product you’d like to see reviewed? Let us know.
