Best cleansing oil: we test them all in Beauty on Trial

As Spring rolls around, we’re looking to revamp our skincare routine. Where better to start than with cleanser? This Beauty on Trial, we’re testing all the brands to help you find the best cleansing oil for you.

We’ll be testing the different cleansing oils based on Instagrammable packaging, ability to remove makeup, residue and hydration. Want to know more? Keep scrolling…

Best Cleansing Oil 2019

1. Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil

Caudalie Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Caudalie say: “Suitable for all skin types, the Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil from Caudalie effortlessly removes make-up, including waterproof. Its 100% natural formula is infused with a blend of oils, including sunflower seed, sweet almond and grape seed to deeply cleanse the skin, without stripping moisture or leaving a greasy film on the surface.”

Why we picked it: “These guys know a thing (or fifty) about utilising natural ingredients to make gentle yet effective skincare products. Will this be the best cleansing oil of the bunch?”

Price: £18

Caudalie Cleansing Oil Review

Caudalie Make-Up Removing Cleansing Oil review | HQhair Blog

Instagrammable Packaging:

Like the rest of the Caudalie range, the packaging features illustrations of vines. Although this is cute, it doesn’t really fit in with the rest of my skincare collection.

3/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

I couldn’t remove my makeup with just the cleansing oil and water, however once I wiped with a muslin cloth the makeup just melted off.

3/5

Residue:

Absolutely nothing left at all, my face felt really clean afterwards.

5/5

Hydration:

This was really gentle, and it (almost) felt like I didn’t need to use moisturiser afterwards.

5/5

Total: 16/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best hair dryer

2. Time Bomb Peace and Quiet Coconut Cleansing Oil

Time Bomb Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Time Bomb say: “Refresh and rejuvenate your complexion with Time Bomb’s Peace and Quiet Coconut Cleansing Oil; a lightweight, oil-based formula that expertly dissolves impurities without over-drying or uncomfortable tightness.”

Why we picked it: “Ideal for all skin types, Time Bomb had us as the word Coconut.”

Price: £25

Time Bomb Cleansing Oil Review

Time Bomb Peace and Quiet Coconut Cleansing Oil Review

Instagrammable Packaging:

Really easy to use, but won’t quite fit in with my #skincareshelfies!

3/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

This is the best cleansing oil to get rid of makeup for sure – it even got rid of my mascara!

5/5

Residue:

I didn’t feel like I needed to double cleanse, so definitely great from that point of view. I love the coconut scent of it too and that hung around after washing off, so might not be ideal if you’re not that into coconut.

4/5

Hydration:

When combined with water, this lathered up into a really milk consistency which was really hydrating – this was great, as I have dry skin.

5/5

Total: 17/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best moisturiser for face

3. RMK Smooth Cleansing Oil

RMK Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What RMK say: “Refine and sofen the appearance of your skin with RMK Smooth Cleansing Oil, a light-as-air oil cleanser formulated with 100% plant-derived oils.”

Why we picked it: “Using plant-derived oils, this cleansing oil by RMK piqued our interest thanks to its zesty smell, and its gentle exfoliating properties.”

Price: £31

RMK Cleansing Oil Review

RMK Smooth Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

Instagrammable Packaging:

I am so into the beautiful frosted packaging – it looks and feels really luxe, and is now taking pride of place in my bathroom cabinet.

5/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

Literally everything came off, I’m genuinely so surprised at how easy it was with this cleansing oil.

5/5

Residue:

It took a few rinses to get absolutely everything off, but I loved how when I added water to it, the texture became more of a foam – unexpected, but really liked it.

4/5

Hydration:

My skin was left glowing after using this, and I would 100% recommend.

4/5

Total: 18/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best moisturiser for dry skin

4. Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil

Antonia Burrell Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Antonia Burrell say: “The Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil works to deeply cleanse your skin leaving it feeling soft and luxurious. The oil is the world’s first 100% pure plant, 100% natural, water soluble cleansing oil.”

Why we picked it: “Let’s be honest, the Antonia Burrell packaging is beautiful, and it more than does it for the ‘gram. When it comes to the actual formula, we’re interested in the natural ingredients’ anti-inflammatory and healing properties.”

Price: £46

Antonia Burrell Cleansing Oil Review

Antonia Burrell Natural Glow Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

Instagrammable Packaging:

Love the dark colour of the glass packaging it came in. It’s different from the rest of my skincare collection – but in a really good way.

5/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

I definitely had to double cleanse with this one, so would use this as a morning refresh instead.

2/5

Residue:

This is a really thick cleansing oil, so it takes a fair bit of product to cover your whole face, but it was easy to wash it off afterwards.

4/5

Hydration:

This would be the best cleansing oil for dry skin as it’s a really thick consistency.

5/5

Total: 16/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best organic beauty products

5. Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil

Elemis Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Elemis say: “Transforming into a milky solution upon contact with water, the luxurious cleanser purifies the complexion, whilst increasing suppleness to leave skin soft, smooth and youthful. Rose of Winter and Chia Seed Oils are blended with Pomegranate Extract to soothe, nourish and detoxify skin.”

Why we picked it: “If there’s a queen of skincare, the crown would probably be handed to Elemis in under a second. The word nourishing speaks to us on so many levels, so we want to try this for ourselves.”

Price: £32.50

Elemis Cleansing Oil Review

Elemis Nourishing Omega-Rich Cleansing Oil review | HQhair Blog

Instagrammable Packaging:

This isn’t particularly exciting packaging, but it’s really luxe – definitely earns points for that.

4/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

Easily broke down my makeup without any problems.

5/5

Residue:

Although my waterproof makeup was removed, I still felt like I needed to double cleanse to properly remove all traces.

2/5

Hydration:

I have combination skin, and found that even though it was oil-based it didn’t leave me looking great, and it didn’t strip my skin either.

5/5

Total: 16/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best Elemis products

6. Skin Authority Oil Nutrient for Face, Hair & Nails

Skin Authority Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Skin Authority say: “Enriched with a blend of natural oils, including Avocado, Rosehip, Grapeseed, Sunflower and Jasmine, the fast-absorbing, non-greasy treatment conditions dry, brittle nails, whilst softening and moisturising skin to leave the face and body with a radiant, healthy-looking appearance. Ideal for flaky scalps.”

Why we picked it: “The guys from Skin Authority reassured us that this could definitely be used as a cleansing oil, in spite of its name. We’re intrigued to see whether this multi-purpose product really can do it all.”

Price: £26.50

Skin Authority Cleansing Oil Review

Skin Authority Oil Nutrient Review | HQhair Blog

Instagrammable Packaging:

I love the silver and how it looks almost medicinal.

4/5

Ability to Remove Makeup:

A second cleanse was definitely necessary, but it broke down my eyeliner with no problems at all.

3/5

Residue:

Like I said, second cleanse was important, as there was definitely an oily residue.

2/5

Hydration:

I almost (almost!) skipped on moisturiser.

5/5

Total: 14/20

Continue Reading: our guide to the best hair oil

7. Jurlique Nourishing Cleansing Oil

Jurlique Cleansing Oil Review | HQhair Blog

What Jurlique say: “Transforming into a rich cleansing milk on contact with water, the cleansing oil effectively lifts away pollution, impurities and makeup, including stubborn waterproof formulas to leave the complexion feeling clean, soft and radiant.”

Why we picked it: “Did someone say anti-pollution? As we’re based in a city, pollution is really an issue for us, and we’re keen to see if this Jurlique skincare product can help to benefit our skin long term.”

Price: £20