How To Oil Cleanse—Even If You Have Oily Skin

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When I was younger, my skin was much oilier than it is now. By midday, my forehead would shine no matter what I used, so the idea of putting oil on my face felt completely wrong.

But at some point, I heard a simple truth: oil dissolves oil. Instead of trying to scrub everything away, the idea was to gently dissolve buildup with something that could actually break it down. That made enough sense that I decided to try it.

What surprised me wasn’t just how well it removed makeup and sunscreen. It was how clean my skin felt without that tight, over-cleansed feeling afterward.

Why Oil Cleansing Works

The logic behind oil cleansing is surprisingly straightforward. Makeup, sunscreen, and even the oil your skin produces are all oil-based. Using oil helps break down those layers without aggressively stripping the surface.

Instead of foaming and removing everything, oil works more gently. It loosens what doesn’t belong there, while leaving your skin barrier intact. That’s why it can feel clean without being tight.

How I Oil Cleanse (The Simple Way)

I keep it very low-effort. I start with dry skin and dry hands. I apply a small amount of oil and gently massage it into my face for about 30 seconds.

Next, I take a very warm (not scalding) damp washcloth and press it over my entire face for a few seconds. The warmth helps to loosen everything and makes it easier to remove the oil. Then I gently wipe it away, paying a little extra attention to areas that tend to get oilier, like my forehead and nose.

My skin feels clean afterward—not tight—with just a light softness left behind. If anything feels greasy, it’s usually because too much product was used or it wasn’t fully removed.

The Oil You Use Matters

When I first started oil cleansing, I used plain coconut oil. It was something I already had in the kitchen, and it made testing the idea very easy. Since coconut oil is solid at room temperature, I would warm a small amount between my palms until it melted, then follow the same steps described above. For me, it worked well. My skin felt clean, soft, and balanced.

One reason I tend to stick with basic oils is that I prefer minimal ingredient lists. I don’t gravitate toward heavily fragranced products or formulas packed with unnecessary extras. For my skin, simpler usually works better. Another benefit of starting easy is that if you try it and don’t love it, you can always use the rest for stir-frying. Not many skincare experiments come with that option.

Coconut oil isn’t for everyone though. Some skin types—especially very acne-prone skin—may find it too heavy.

If you prefer something lighter or more specifically formulated for the face, a cleansing oil like the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is another option. It’s designed to rinse cleanly and feel less heavy than straight kitchen oils, which can make it a good fit for oilier or combination skin.

The goal isn’t to use the richest oil available, but to use just enough to dissolve buildup gently—without leaving your skin feeling stripped.

When Oil Cleansing Might Not Be The Best Fit

Oil cleansing works well for many people, but it isn’t automatically right for everyone.

If your skin is severely acne-prone, actively inflamed, or under prescription treatment, it’s worth being cautious. Adding oil—even temporarily—may not be appropriate without professional guidance.

It’s also important to remove the oil thoroughly. Leaving heavy residue behind can lead to congestion, especially if your skin already struggles with clogged pores.

As with most skincare, the key is paying attention to how your skin responds. If it feels balanced and calm, you’re likely on the right track. If it feels heavy, irritated, or more congested, it may not be the best method for you.

Clean doesn’t have to mean tight. And balanced doesn’t have to mean complicated. Sometimes it’s just about using the right amount—and then letting your skin be.

Pantry optional.

Why Face Oil Isn’t Just For Dry Skin—It Might Help Oily Skin Too

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Face oil has often been treated like the enemy of oily skin.

If your skin already feels shiny by midday, the last thing you want is something that promises “more glow”. Most of us have been taught that oil leads to clogged pores, breakouts, and more shine—so we reach for stronger cleansers and lighter moisturizers instead.

But the relationship between oil and oily skin isn’t that simple. In many cases, stripping the skin can actually make oiliness worse. And in the right form, a lightweight face oil can help restore balance instead of disrupting it.

The Common Myth

The belief that “oil causes oily skin” sounds logical. On the surface, it makes sense—if oil is visible, removing it feels like the obvious solution. But this idea confuses two different things: surface oil and skin balance.

For years, skincare advice for oily skin focused almost entirely on removing oil. “Oil-free” became the gold standard, and matte skin was the goal. The more a product promised to control shine or dry things out, the more convincing it sounded. It’s only more recently that balance and barrier health have become part of the conversation.

What Actually Causes Oily Skin

Oily skin isn’t just about having “too much oil”. It’s usually about imbalance.

Your skin naturally produces sebum to protect and moisturize itself. That oil is part of a healthy skin barrier. But when the barrier is disrupted—from harsh cleansers, over-exfoliating, or skipping moisture—the skin often responds by producing even more oil to compensate.

In other words, sometimes oily skin isn’t oily because it has too much oil. It’s oily because it’s trying to protect itself.

Dehydration can also play a role. Skin can be both oily and dehydrated at the same time. When water levels are low but oil production is high, the surface can look shiny while still feeling tight underneath. That’s when stronger cleansers and “oil-free everything” can make things worse instead of better.

Hormones, stress, climate, and genetics all matter too. But one of the most common patterns is this cycle: Strip the skin → skin overproduces oil → strip it again → repeat.

A gentle, balanced routine works differently. Instead of fighting oil, it focuses on supporting the barrier so the skin doesn’t feel the need to overcorrect.

How a Lightweight Face Oil Can Help (Without Feeling Greasy)

When most people think of face oil, they picture something heavy and shiny that sits on top of the skin. But not all oils behave the same way.

Lightweight oils absorb quickly and are often rich in fatty acids that support the skin barrier. When used correctly, they don’t “add more oil” in the way people fear. Instead, they help seal in hydration—think of it as the final layer that keeps moisture from evaporating too quickly—while signaling to the skin that it doesn’t need to overproduce sebum to protect itself.

The key is using the right amount and applying it at the right time. For oily or combination skin, a few drops are enough. Pressed gently into damp skin as the final step of a routine, a lightweight oil can lock in moisture without leaving a heavy residue. It should feel soft and balanced—not slick.

If it feels greasy, it’s usually one of three things:

• Too much product

• Applied on completely dry skin

• Or an oil that’s too heavy for your skin type

Used thoughtfully, face oil isn’t about creating shine. It’s about restoring balance—especially for skin that’s been caught in the strip-and-overcorrect cycle.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use a Face Oil

Face oil can work well for many skin types, but it isn’t necessarily for everyone.

It’s often helpful for:

• Oily or combination skin that feels stripped or dehydrated

• Skin that looks shiny but still feels tight

• Anyone trying to support their skin barrier with a simple routine

• Those living in dry climates or using drying active ingredients

When used in small amounts and layered properly, a lightweight oil can help maintain balance without clogging pores. That said, it’s not always the right choice. If your skin is severely acne-prone, inflamed, or under prescription treatment, adding an oil may not be appropriate without professional guidance. And heavier oils can feel suffocating on already congested skin. Patch testing and starting slowly are always wise.

Face oil isn’t a requirement. It’s a tool. And like most skincare tools, it works best when used intentionally.

The Face Oils I Use And Why

Personally, I tend to reach for lightweight oils that absorb quickly and don’t leave a heavy finish. Most often, I use the Aspen Kay Naturals Glow Face Oil. It’s simple, layers well at the end of a routine, and contains ingredients like rosehip and chamomile that support calm skin. I press a few drops into damp skin, and it feels soft and hydrated—not greasy. If you want to see how I pair it with cleanser and toner in a simple daily routine, you can read that here.

If your skin is very oily or you prefer something even more minimal, a simple squalane oil can be a good starting point. I’ve had good results with The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane—it’s extremely lightweight, absorbs quickly, and feels less “oily” than many botanical blends.

Of course, these aren’t the only options, and not every oil will work for every skin type. But choosing something lightweight and starting slowly can make a noticeable difference. In my experience, balance almost always works better than extremes. Give your skin a couple of weeks to adjust, use a small amount, and let consistency do the work.

Oily skin doesn’t need to be stripped into submission. And skincare doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. Simple adjustments, done consistently, often work better than constant changes.

Keep it simple.

The 3 Skincare Products I Use Every Single Day

This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products I genuinely use and love.

Let’s improve the situation. 

These are three skincare products that make a visible difference without requiring a personality change or a 14-step routine.

For a long time, I thought good skin required a complicated and pricey routine.  Multiple steps involving serums and treatments that implied I had both the time and emotional stability to maintain them. But over time, I realized my skin looks and feels its best when I keep things simple and consistent.  Sure, there are extra treatments that can be added in as needed, but these three establish order. 

I’ve tried plenty of other options and always came back to these.  Simple, affordable care that keeps my skin calm, soft, and healthy with no added dyes or fragrances. 

Step 1: A gentle cleanser

Each morning I simply give my face a good rinse with warm water, but at night I use Cetaphil Gentle Foaming Cleanser.  It does exactly what I need it to do.  It removes excess oil and makeup without making my skin feel tight or dry.  The foam rinses right off, and my skin still feels soft and comfortable—not stripped.

Step 2: A hydrating toner

Next, I use Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner morning and night. It quietly removes anything left behind and restores a baseline level of hydration. Sometimes I use it as a traditional toner on a cotton pad, but often I just pour a small amount into my hands and press it directly into my skin.  With hydrating snow mushroom and soothing elderflower and aloe vera, this toner adds immediate softness and moisturizes without feeling heavy.

Step 3: A simple face oil

The last step is a quality face oil. It may seem counterintuitive to apply oil to your face, especially if your skin already feels oily or prone to breakouts. But your skin produces oil for a reason—it’s part of how it protects and maintains balance. When skin is repeatedly stripped with harsh or overly drying products, it can respond by producing even more oil in an effort to compensate. A well-chosen face oil helps support your skin’s natural barrier and seal in moisture, signaling that it’s safe and cared for. Over time, this can help even oily or acne-prone skin feel calmer, more balanced, and quietly healthy—never greasy, just comfortably nourished. I use Glow Face Oil from Aspen K Naturals.

One of the reasons I love the Aspen K Naturals Glow Face Oil is its thoughtful blend of calming, restorative ingredients. Turmeric helps support a brighter, more even-looking complexion, while chamomile is known for its soothing properties, making it especially helpful for skin that feels irritated or reactive. Rosehip oil is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins that help nourish the skin and support its natural barrier. Together, these ingredients help skin feel balance, comforted, and quietly radiant.

I gently press a few drops into my skin, especially on my cheeks and forehead. This seals in moisture and leaves my skin feeling soft and comfortable. It also gives a subtle glow that makes my skin look healthier overall.  Makeup or sunscreen glide effortlessly over it. 

Why This Simple Routine Works

Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective. When each step supports the skin rather than overwhelms it, the result is balance. Cleansing creates a fresh foundation, toner restores comfort and hydration, and face oil seals everything in, leaving the skin feeling calm, supported, and healthy.

Anyway, that’s better. 

Probably fine.