The Cleansing Oil I Keep Rebuying for Dry Skin (and the Popular One I Quit)

I buy most products myself. This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure

Looking for a cleansing oil that takes everything off without leaving your dry skin tight?

Mine is The Face Shop Rice Water Bright cleansing oil. I’m on my second bottle. I also use a lip and eye remover first. And there’s one popular oil I stopped using.

This post is for you if:

Your skin feels tight after cleansing
Some cleansing oils break you out
You want to see how I double cleanse

Taking off sunscreen and makeup properly is a big deal for me.

Here’s what I learned the hard way. Cleansing oils can break me out if I don’t use them right. If any oil stays on my skin, I get pimples.

And my skin is already dry from the AC at work all day. So I don’t want a cleanser that makes it feel even tighter.

So here’s what I use, in order.

My Cleansing Routine in 3 Steps

Lip and eye remover on my eyes and lips first
Cleansing oil for the rest of my face
A gentle cleanser to wash off every bit of the oil

Step 1: Banila Co Clean It Zero Lip & Eye Remover

My Banila Co Clean It Zero Lip and Eye Remover held in hand — My Banila Co Lip & Eye Remover · Check price on Amazon

Banila Co is famous for its makeup removers in Korea.

I needed one in a hurry on a trip to Korea. So I trusted the brand and grabbed this one.

It’s not an oil. I use it before my cleansing oil, just on my eyes and lips.

It takes everything off well, and it never felt harsh on my skin. I recommend it.

Step 2: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil (My Favorite)

Two bottles of The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Facial Cleansing Oil, one used and one new — One open, one still sealed

In Korea, this one is called “Migamsu.” The English name on the bottle is Rice Water Bright.

I’ve used it for a long time. I’m on my second bottle now.

It melts makeup and sunscreen really well. After I rinse, nothing is left on my skin.

My face doesn’t feel tight after washing, either. And it doesn’t really have a scent, which I like.

My The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Facial Cleansing Oil held in hand — My Rice Water Bright cleansing oil

Like I said, some oils break me out. This one never has. I can’t think of a real downside. That’s why I keep buying it.

Where I buy it: a Korean grocery store near my house. I couldn’t find it on Amazon. If you have a Korean market nearby, check their skincare shelf.

Step 3: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser tube with white cleanser texture on the back of the hand — My Round Lab cleanser and its texture

After the oil, I always wash with my Round Lab cleanser.

I take my time and wash really well. Oil left on my skin is bad news for me, so I never skip this step.

I wrote more about it in my Korean skincare routine post.
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser — Check price on Amazon

The Oil I Stopped Using: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil

My Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil held in hand — My Anua Heartleaf cleansing oil

Anua got really popular in the U.S. as a Korean skincare brand. The Amazon reviews were great.

So after I finished my first bottle of the rice water oil, I bought this one to try.

But honestly, I started breaking out.

I can’t say for sure it was the Anua oil. But it was the only thing I added. Everything else in my routine stayed the same.

So I stopped using it. And the breakouts went away.

The texture felt pretty similar to the rice water oil. But for my skin, it’s a no. If it works for you, that’s great, but my skin did not seem to like it.

The Balm I Miss: Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

I really love this one.

I first found it at TJ Maxx, and I wrote about it in Part 1 of my rebuy list.

Every time I go to TJ Maxx, I look for it. I haven’t seen it there since.

For now, my rice water oil is doing the job. But when it runs out, I’ll probably just get this one on Amazon.
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm — Check price on Amazon

Cleansing Oil FAQ

Can a cleansing oil cause breakouts?

For me, yes, if any oil stays on my skin. That’s why I always follow it with a second cleanser and wash really well.

Is The Face Shop Rice Water Bright cleansing oil on Amazon?

I couldn’t find it there. I buy mine at a Korean grocery store near my house.

Do I need a separate eye makeup remover?

I like using one for my eyes and lips first. Then I use the cleansing oil for the rest of my face.

Want to Read More?

💧 My Korean Skincare Routine for Dry Skin
💧 How I Treat Pimples Without Scarring
💧 5 More Products I Keep Rebuying (Part 2)

Final Thoughts

For me, a good cleansing oil does two things. It takes everything off, and it leaves nothing behind.

Right now, that’s my rice water oil. Remover first, oil second, cleanser last.

Do you have a cleansing oil you love? Tell me. I’m always curious.

Thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Hazel 🙂

Disclosure: I buy most products myself. Some were gifts from friends or family, and I’ll always tell you when. No brand has ever paid me or sent me anything to review. Some links in this post are affiliate links, so if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.