Oil Based Makeup Removers: Why I’m Obsessed and Steps on How to Use it Successfully
Yesterday, I received a text from one of my best friends regarding a subject that ironically, I had all intentions on writing about. It is a subject matter that I feel everyone could truly benefit from and I am happy to share it with not only my best friend, but my beloved blog readers!
“So you use oil to remove eye makeup right, not eye makeup remover? What kind?”
The answer is, ABSOLUTELY (100%, without a doubt!) I have been using oil based makeup removers just as long as I have been doing makeup professionally. They are the very best and I feel that everyone should own one. Especially for people who wear lots of eye makeup including waterproof products.
Reasons Why I Find Them to Be the Best:
1- For starters, I want to clarify that oil based makeup removers will NOT cause breakouts. There is a huge misconception that being that it is an oil, it is going to clog pores and cause the skin to produce more oil. Quite the contrary. Applying oil to the face directly will actually allow for the skin to produce less oils over time.
[It’s kind of like how people have the misconception that eating fat makes you fat. There are many healthy fats out there (such as olive oil) that are essential in your daily diet and actually won’t make you put on weight. FYI, my diet consists a lot of fats (the healthy ones obviously) and I’m smart enough to know they won’t make me fat!]
[Also think for a minute, if this was truly the case, oil based makeup removers would not be on the market if they caused people’s skin to break out. There is a reason why the beauty obsessed love oils for their skin and this is no exception].
2- I’m telling you right now, NOTHING will break down waterproof products the way an oil does. Oils really penetrate the skin and remove all traces of makeup with little effort. By that I mean you are not going to have to use a lot of the product to get it to work or rub the makeup off incessantly.
3- Makeup remover oils are ideal for people with sensitive skin. I believe oils nourish the skin and really keep it calm and supple.
4- Ever notice that people with naturally oily skin seem to look great as they age? Their skin is usually smooth and free of wrinkles. I believe that any oil product applied to the face is going to over time, make a HUGE impact on the aging process. It’s going to keep the skin much smoother and prevent wrinkling.
5- If you have dry skin, this product will definitely give your skin more moisture, more so than a moisturizer ever could. I just feel that the texture of an oil is much more penetrating than a lotion texture. It really sinks into the skin and keeps it fresh!
[I don’t know about you, but personally, I want to age like a fine wine. By that I mean, I want to only look better with age ;)...who ever said things have to go downhill?! Look at Jennifer Lopez, one cannot deny how amazing she looks today (even more so than in her youth in my opinion). Personally, when I look at myself 5 years ago and what I look like now, I find I have only become more beautiful with age. I may not say that 5 years from now, but I do know that letting myself go is NOT an option so I’m not worried].
- Apply a small amount of the oil on a tissue.

- When removing eye makeup, I will place the tissue with the oil over eye (closed) and press for about 5 seconds and then wipe. I will then gently wipe any remainders of the eye makeup. The makeup will literally melt off instantly. You may need to rub a little harder to get mascara or eyeliner off but you’ll find that it won’t take nearly as much effort. When removing face makeup, I pretty much do the same thing. Quick and easy!
- You can then maybe take a clean wet towel to rinse off the excess oil left on the face or eye area. Personally, I love leaving the oil residue on the face. In the morning, my skin is radiant!
- Continue with the rest of your skincare regime. After I remove my makeup, I follow-up with a toner and either a night cream OR skin oil (such as Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil).
[Does anyone else use an oil for makeup removing purposes? If so, do you love it?]
November 29, 2011 at 1:46 AM
thank you melissa!
also, i heard vaseline is good for age prevention too. tyra banks told me :)
November 29, 2011 at 8:20 AM
WOW really? I have to look into vaseline, did not know about that.
November 29, 2011 at 3:14 AM
I don’t use make up but I use cleansing oil to remove sunscreen :D
November 29, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Great! Which cleansing oil do you use??
December 5, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Very informative and to point. I love reading your posts :)
December 11, 2011 at 9:18 AM
Thanks so much Joanna! :)