Elyssia Wilson-Heti is a performance artist, activist, producer, member of the Pacific LGBTQI arts collective FAFSWAG, a 2020 Arts Foundation Laureate - and skincare fan. She trialled some oil cleansers for us.

I’m a sucker for good skincare, and have had my own regular daily skincare routine since I was a young teenager - and I’m well into my thirties now. I cleanse twice daily, morning and night, tone and moisturise; and exfoliate twice weekly.

I’ve always used a cream cleanser, and this was the first time I had tried an oil cleansing option. To be honest, I was a little sceptical about the idea of an oil at first but was pleasantly surprised after giving these four options a go - and now I’m a cleansing oil convert!‍

Trilogy Rosehip Transformation Cleansing Oil, $35‍

My first impression was how good it smelt. I love rosehip, and use other rosehip products in my usual routine. The texture was really lovely and it emulsified easily onto my skin which felt much softer and clear after a few days of use. I wear a full face of makeup daily and found that this effectively removed even my mascara; I was impressed.

I like to know what I’m consuming and was impressed that Trilogy is all about ethical, sustainable and organic ingredients - I’m planning on buying other Trilogy products to try.‍‍

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, $65‍

This cleanser was quite lightweight in texture compared to the Trilogy. It smelt really aromatic with a strong scent of lavender; very pleasant and soothing. I loved how gentle this felt on my skin and how it didn't leave any oily residue after I washed it off - with water, it turns into a sort of milky cleanser. It also has evening primrose in it which is awesome for hydration and elasticity - something I’m looking for as my skin ages. It also has squalane which derives from olives and is great for helping replenish the skin’s barrier.

After using this product for a week, my skin felt really lush and soft. I would definitely use this again; the only barrier for me would be the price point. It's a bit more expensive than what I would usually spend on a cleanser, but I’m going to contradict myself and say it is definitely worth the splurge if you can afford it.‍

Bare Minerals Oil Obsessed Total Cleansing Oil, $53‍

This smelt absolutely divine with a very light and refreshing floral citrus scent. It felt quite lightweight, with a silky consistency. It has borage oil in it which encourages skin renewal; and bilberry oil which is nourishing and helps hydrate the skin. I noticed there is also cucumber seed oil in it, which has soothing properties for the skin. I definitely noticed a difference in my skin while using this - my favourite of the all of the cleansers I tried.‍

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil, $85‍

This felt super luxurious in texture. I think this is due to the fact it has olive oil in its ingredients - it’s full of antioxidants as well as having antibacterial and moisturising effects. It also has apricot oil and safflower oil, both of which are super rich in omegas 6 and 9; great for strengthening the barrier of your skin. Compared to the other cleansers it had a much more subtle aroma; very lightly floral. For someone who has sensitive skin and likes a more subtle smelling cleanser, this would be perfect.