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Many beauty buffs believe that cleansing oils are the holy grail of hydrating cleansers. After hearing this, you immediately bought one for yourself. But for some reason, it seems to make your face feel greasy and you started experiencing breakouts. Well, don't throw it out just yet! Chances are, you're probably using it the wrong way. Ahead, we've listed down the six most common cleansing oil mistakes that you might be making.
5 Cleansing Oil Mistakes You Might Be Making
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Applying it to wet or damp skin
Most facial cleansers require you to wet your face for it to work, but that's not the case for cleansing oils! Cleansing oils break down dirt and makeup best when applied directly onto dry skin. Remember, water and oil repel, so if you dampen your face before applying the cleansing oil, it actually keeps it from doing its job effectively.
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Not massaging it thoroughly
Here's another common reason why people think their oil cleansers aren't working: They don't massage it thoroughly enough. Just like regular facial cleansers, oil cleansers take time to work. Massage it thoroughly onto your skin in a circular motion for at least 30 seconds up to a minute. If you wear waterproof eyeliner and mascara, you might want to focus on massaging more around your eye area to really get it out. The keyword is massage. There's no need for intense rubbing.
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Using cold or hot water to emulsify it
Before you rinse away the cleansing oil, you need to emulsify it first with warm water, not hot or cold. Emulsifying basically makes it easier for the cleansing oil (and the dirt and debris) to be washed away. Using cold water will cause the oils to solidify and will leave a film on your skin. That's why you could still feel greasy and break out even after rinsing. On the other hand, using hot water can strip your skin barrier, dehydrate it, or cause irritation. So stick to lukewarm!
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Not removing it completely
If you're experiencing breakouts from cleansing oils, it could also be because you aren't rinsing away the product completely. After rinsing normally with warm water, grab a clean washcloth soaked in—you guessed it—warm water as well, and use this to wipe off any excess oil that might not have been washed off completely during the first rinse.
Another option is to double-cleanse. Double cleansing is great for people who wear makeup. After rinsing off the oil cleanser, cleanse again with a regular facial cleanser to remove excess oils. Make sure to use a gentle cleanser to retain hydration.
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Not using the right one for your skin type
Like most skincare, not all products work for every skin type. If your particular cleansing oil isn't working for you, it might not be suitable for your skin needs. To make things easier for you, we've listed down the best oil cleansers for every skin type!
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How to Choose the Right Cleansing Oil For Every Skin Type
For Dry Skin
As we all know, the key to addressing dry skin is hydration. The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil contains tons of nurturing ingredients such as Vitamin E, olive oil, and rosemary oil that can quench dehydrated skin. It removes all makeup, dirt, and debris without stripping the skin but it also doesn't leave any residue.

Deep Cleansing Oil, P1,768 (200ml), DHC, Lazada
For Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, you'll want an oil cleanser that is both lightweight yet works hard to remove makeup, such as the Shu Uemura Sakura Refreshing Cleansing Oil. This water-like cleanser is perfect for oily, acne-prone skin. It effectively washes away excess sebum and exfoliates blackheads without that tight, drying feeling after.

POREfinist2 Sakura Refreshing Cleansing Oil For Blackheads, P4,900 (450ml), SHU UEMURA, Lazada and sephora.ph
For Combination Skin
The Clarins Total Cleansing Oil, as its name suggests, can easily dissolve anything from everyday pollutants and excess oils to the most long-wearing, waterproof makeup all while keeping the skin hydrated and comfortable. It has a plant-infused formula that preserves the skin's healthy bacteria resulting in clean, radiant complexion.

Total Cleansing Oil, P2,400, CLARINS, Rustan's and Clarins
For Sensitive Skin
The Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil is a non-toxic cleanser that is free from fragrances, alcohol, and soap, making it safe for those with sensitive skin. It also has a lightweight, hydrating formula that will leave you feeling refreshed after every wash.

Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, P2,520 (200ml), BIOSSANCE, sephora.ph
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