CLEANSER - OIL
All new winners, here – and we’re really not surprised, as so many players have entered the cleansing oil arena in the past few years.
Used on their own or as part of a double cleanse, cleansing oils are an increasingly popular option for sweeping away the day: the grime that’s built up, and the make-up that’s left. Another advantage: the massage action required to smooth an oil into the skin is also a great radiance-boosting gesture.
Our belief is that double-cleansing shouldn’t really be necessary, with a good oil-based cleanser – so long as you remove it correctly. Where cleansing oils aren’t sold with a muslin cloth as part of the ‘package’, we still recommend that’s the best way to finish off the cleansing process and get skin optimally clean. A flannel also works (but remember to wash cloths in the machine, almost as often as you wash your face).
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Erborian Centella Cleansing Oil
We’re not surprised Erborian’s contender did so well; we’re fond of this product ourselves. This French brand, inspired by Korean beauty, sits as a sister to L’Occitane; this cleanser is based around Centella Asiatica, or tiger grass, a cornerstone of Korean medicine (not least for its soothing powers). Sunflower oil is the No.1 ingredient, along with sweet almond oil. Unlike some cleansing oils, meanwhile, it lathers slightly on contact with water, making it easy to swish away.
£26 for 180ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘10/10. A very impressive cleanser that performs exceptionally well on mature skin; it left my skin hydrated and super-soft with no irritation or sensitivity, even on the delicate eye area. Fantastic’ • ‘I am super-impressed. Very gentle on the eyes – I wear contact lenses, but had no issues – but very effective at melting away all make-up, leaving my face feeling clean, refreshed and baby-soft’ • ‘Softness of my skin was commented on, and the fact I wasn’t waking up with little bits of mascara under my eye was also noticed’ • ‘I own a lot of cleansers and they are my favourite step in my routine. This has now been elevated above all others, to become my favourite! Perfectly fragranced with a light, fresh scent and such a pleasure to use’ • ‘Would I buy this? Yes, yes, yes! I’ve fallen hard for this cleanser; it’s one of the best I’ve used (and believe me, I’ve used a lot). So gentle on the skin and my face felt so soothed after using; it’s like a cashmere blanket. I like the clear bottle, too, so you can see how much is left’ • ‘A super-effective cleansing oil which removes make-up with ease, leaving skin smooth and clean’ • ‘Like an oily micellar water, easy to remove with a washcloth – it doesn’t just “float off”, I found’, but leaves skin feeling nice and clean and soft’ • ‘Skin felt moisturised and soft; no dryness or tightness at all, and lovely to use in the morning, too’ • ‘I’d say to a friend: “This is a light oil that removes all make-up and leaves skin feeling soft and fresh – BUY NOW!”’
£26 for 180ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser
Everyone knows Cleanse & Polish. (Well, you must, unless you’ve been living up a mountain in Nepal for the past couple of decades.) But there’s a new Liz Earle cleanser on the block, earning its very first Gold Award in 2023’s Beauty Bible Awards, a slot previously held on many occasions by the original, much-loved creamy cleanser. Here, botanicals include potently antioxidant acerola cherry, soothing organic black bee honey and wild-harvested elderberry oil, to nourish. Suitable for all skintypes, this bergamot-scented cleanser is one of several winners here which morphs from a gel into an oil. And FYI, the tube’s made with 55% recycled materials.
£28 for 150ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Absolutely exquisite. I loved the fragrance; it smells natural and reminiscent of being in a luxury spa!’ • ‘My favourite product by far from this year’s tester package; I'm a total fan now. I love how versatile it is; using it as a balm, face wash, make-up remover – a great product that smells gorgeous, I felt special using it’ • ‘My skin felt wonderful afterwards; really soft and glowing – very clean but not over-scrubbed. My partner has said my skin looks clearer and brighter since I’ve been using this daily’ • ‘Amazing texture – really thick at first – almost too thick to massage on, and I was worried I would give myself more lines! But then it turns quickly into a lovely warm oil which allows you to really concentrate on massaging in thoroughly for some time. Then with a bit of water, it turns milky and extra soft and starts to dissolve’ • ‘I actually had a lot more comments about my skin, when I wasn't wearing as much make-up during the day. My Mum told me my skin looked lovely and fresh; husband said my skin looked fresh and nice. Both friends and clients used words like glowing and plump since I started using it, and the words they used described how my skin felt to me’ • ‘After using it in a morning I could get away with a lighter moisturiser during the day’ • ‘The sensation of rubbing this into the skin was amazing. That sounds OTT, but it truly was. I spent ages just massaging the thick oil into my face, releasing the fragrance – it felt so good.’
£28 for 150ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD and BEAUTY STEAL Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil
Super Facialist was originally developed by – yes – a superfacialist, and nobody understands skin better than someone who’s hands on, all day. This is a top-seller within the very reasonably-priced-for-the-quality, PETA-certified brand, which they suggest might become part of a double cleanse but was trialled by our tester panel of 10 as a standalone product. Lightweight in texture, it infuses vitamin C into a combination of nourishing oils (including olive oil), to melt make-up and remove impurities. On contact with water, it transforms into a light, milky texture which can easily be swooshed away or removed with a cloth/flannel.
£14 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I love this. The scent is amazing; I love to smell this in the morning before massaging into my face – a new favourite’ • ‘Took up eye make-up with no stinging, no need for any other eye make-up remover, left my face feeling clean and hydrated’ • ‘I’ve never used an oil cleanser before but I have to say I was impressed; I didn’t think an oil would suit my skin at all, but I was happy to be proven wrong. This is possibly my new favourite skincare product and has a place in my routine for the foreseeable future’ • ‘My skin felt super-fresh, clean and like it had been given a big, fresh hug’ • ‘I would replace my micellar water and use this instead; skin was brighter over time and I had comments on how fresh it looked’ • ‘Didn’t mention that it takes off eye make-up remover, but it does – everything except magnetic eyeliner, but that thing is honestly like glue’ • ‘It's very economical and at the moment aren't we all looking at ways to save a few pennies...I'm pretty sure these bottles somehow refill themselves over night, it lasts for sooooooo long!’ • ‘There is nothing I don't like about this oil, I've used it for years, so to find one in my Beauty Bible parcel was just an absolute bonus, even though I always have one in my stash!’ • ‘Leaves the skin feeling fresh, clean, soft and "bouncy". I use moisturiser afterwards but there is no real need to, my skin is fine without it’ • ‘When I started using this oil, I got comments on the “glow” – and for me, that’s skin goals right there!’
£14 for 200ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD ekó Botanicals Amina Ritual Cleansing Oil
An entirely new brand to us, and one we’re delighted to have on our radar: founder Apinke worked in finance before switching careers, opening a flower shop in Lagos and completing a Diploma in Organic and Natural Skincare formulation. (Inspired in part by her great-grandfather, a botanist at Kew over 100 years ago.) ekó Botanicals uses botanical ingredients selected because they’ve been time-tested in African and British ancient beauty rituals – in this case, a luscious blend of camellia seed, peach kernel, castor and sunflower oils, powered by essential oils of lemongrass, rose geranium and petitgrain, dispensed from the glass bottle via a pump and designed to leave skin nourished and revitalised.
£48 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘A wonderful product. To describe this as a cleanser seems to sell it short, somehow – it’s so much more: a cleanser and skin enhancer rolled into one. I was surprised how easy it was to remove, as it doesn’t emulsify when in contact with water; I was worried an oily residue would remain on my skin, but it was easy to remove with a warm, damp face cloth and it left my skin clean, with a noticeable glow’ • ‘Absolutely no need to use a toner; I was really surprised how fresh my face felt, after using the oil – it felt like I’d just had a facial’ • ‘The power of the oil to remove make-up, including waterproof mascara, is amazing’ • ‘Very effective make-up remover for lazy people! I loved the fact I didn’t need a separate remover’ • ‘Gorgeous rosewater smell, very natural and not harsh or synthetic’ • ‘Such a lovely way to take off your make-up – I would never normally have considered an oil like this but am now a complete convert. My husband noticed that my face was glowing after using it for a week or two; I would definitely buy this’ • ‘My skin felt revitalised! This is a great way to give yourself a facial, leaving skin feeling moisturised and soft’ • ‘Lovely product – a real spa experience; using it was a real pleasure and my skin looked great after just a week.’
£48 for 100ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil
We tend to think of Medik8 as a really high-tech name, but this silky-textured cleansing oil is powered by many different natural and cold-pressed oils including safflower, olive, moringa, safflower, carrot and more, plus geranium essential oil; moringa seeds have been used since Egyptian times, we’re told, to purify water, and work to draw particles of dirt and pollution from the skin. Again, Medik8 talk in their marketing about using this as part of a double cleanse – but our testers based their scores and comments on using this on its own.
£29 for 140ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Left my skin feeling pure and clean without feeling tight – as if I’d already used my moisturiser. If I applied my moisturiser afterwards and went to bed my skin felt very relaxed and rested the next day. Who doesn’t want that?!’ • ‘Lovely essential oil type fragrance, but not overpowering – hints of orange with a sweet fragrance which is delicate and luxurious’ • ‘No need for additional remover; the oil was able to break up my make-up and mascara easily when water was added to make an emulsion’ • ‘I fell in love with this product from the first whiff. It really does everything is says on the box. Would I buy it again? That’s definitely a big fat “yes” from me and takes the faff out of using several make up pads every night for my usual cleanser, toner and eye make-up remover’ • ‘A great, luxurious alternative after a night out, when you can't be bothered but know that you really should take your face off!’ • ‘Luxury in a bottle! The smell and texture really make you feel like you are pampering yourself every time you use it' • ‘Fantastic all-rounder that not only cleanses face and neck but also gives you a pampering experience. I really love this; the scent is beautiful, and it feels more like a treat at the end of the day. Easy to use and takes off all make-up, SPF and skincare products in one go. But it is SO lovely to massage into my skin that I want to do a double cleanse!’ • ‘Pleasant floral fragrance, slightly jasmine. Turns to a lovely creamy texture & leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturised. I’d definitely consider swapping to this.’
£29 for 140ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel
Here’s another gel-to-oil cleanser, which was also a Silver winner in 2021 and has gone on to become something of a cult. It features vitamins A, C and E, starflower oil and pumpkin enzymes, which help to brighten and illuminate skin, while also leaving it fresh, with chamomile and rose essential oils – and of course, MSM, British skincare phenomenon OSKIA’s signature sulphur ingredient, to soothe, calm and detox. (The scent was very positively commented on.) Suitable for dry, dull, combination and blemished skins (basically, everyone), it also works gently on pigmentation and acne scars, we’re told – but you do need a separate eye make-up remover, our testers said.
£39.50 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My skin felt quite moisturised afterwards; in fact, I started putting it on my face as a relaxing mask before going to bed, massaging it into my face, and leaving it 10 minutes or so before washing off. It felt very relaxing, soothing and moisturising and was an enjoyable and relaxing part of a bedtime routine’ • ‘A faint fragrance which is pleasant – reminds me of Asian holidays (citronella, I think), uplifting and stimulating’ • ‘It’s really handy being in a pump, so I was able to pump out what I needed. The texture was amazing; I made the mistake when I first used it of pumping directly onto a make-up pad, but it works better just pumped onto the hand or fingers and then worked into the skin; you can see the product changes from a gel like consistency into an oil like substance which just melts into the skin’ • ‘A little of this product goes a very long way. I love the way it performs; my skin looks and feels squeaky clean. Did I mention I loveeeee the smell – not overpowering, just amazing’ • ‘A great luxurious cleanser that leaves your skin feeling great. I got compliments, using this – actually someone said I did not need to wear make-up, and that my skin looked fresh and clear’ • ‘A lovely gentle, non-foaming oil-based cleanser that makes skin healthy and glowing, leaving it soft and supple and is suitable for all skin types’ • ‘This product left my skin feeling great, hydrated and with a healthy glow. Did not cause any allergies or irritation, which is fantastic for me.’
£39.50 for 100ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Bathing Beauty Universal Cleansing Oil
We welcome this Welsh natural skincare brand to the Beauty Bible Awards, with their first wins – three, in all, including this suits-everyone (as the name suggests) cleansing oil. As they tell us, all products ‘are handmade at The Source, a collection of ancient agricultural buildings which nestle in the foothills of the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’ (We really want to visit!) All packaging is reusable or recyclable, too. Founder George Jones – a former model, turned osteopath – formulated this winner to be ideal for even eczema sufferers and the touchiest of skins, with its super-simple blend of jojoba and grapeseed oils. Definitely at the affordable end of our spectrum of winners, in this category.
£20 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Really liked the packaging of this product, and its sustainability credentials. It was also really good as a make-up remover, although I would say it’s quite runny – so need to watch out for that. Great for dry skin like mine!’ • ‘Very much a “does what it says on the tin” product that is really good at cleansing and removing make-up. If I use oil cleaners, they usually go milky when water is added – this didn’t do that, but when used with a muslin or hot cloth it left skin soft and moisturised and very clean’ • ‘Great product. I normally use a toner, but it wasn’t necessary; it was a bonus that it was great at eye make-up removal and became very popular with teenaged daughters for that!’ • ‘Very easy to remove; I used a hot muslin. A good all round make-up remover and cleanser, I’d say’ • ‘Took all my make-up off including my eye make-up and did not sting at all. What a lovely consistency!’ • ‘Using a lovely soft muslin oil and warm water oil, make-up removed very well. There’s no need for toner, either’ • ‘A beautiful gentle oil and cloth, perfect for sensitive skin. Mine glowed and became really supple’ • ‘Compliments? Well, a customer in my shop did say I was looking amazing, and I’m definitely not going to knock that’ • Left my skin soft and smooth, not greasy as I’d thought it would. I also like the fact you can get exactly the amount you want out of the bottle, drop by drop.’
£20 for 100ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Evolve Kalahari Dream Cleansing Oil
Many women tend to think of oils as something for normal-to-dry skins, but we’ve always known that they’re great for oilier and combination complexions, too – which is the case here; the right blend of oils can actually rebalance skin very effectively, while helping to maintain the all-important barrier function. From Evolve, a multi-Beauty Bible Award-winner over the years, this is 100% natural, 80.9% organic cleansing oil can even be used on eye make-up, they counsel. With plant-derived squalene – a super-hydrating anti-inflammatory – these transforms from a pink oil to a milk, in contact with water. The scent? Naturally fruity, which appealed to the testers, too.
£22 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘A rich oil that lifts any trace of dirt of makeup, then vanishes with water, leaving fresh toned and soft skin. Aa little goes a long way, and the bottle will go a long way, too’ • ‘Really liked the simple glass bottle, and would happily give it as a gift too’ • ‘I tested with mascara and foundation/bronzer, and also after work when my skin is covered in difficult-to-remove building site dust; everything melted away really quickly and easily without leaving any oily residue, despite its entirely oily consistency to begin with’ • ‘My skin felt squeaky clean and tight, but in a good way – not dry’ • ‘A lovely oil cleanser to be used as part of your skincare routine; feels lovely when applied to the skin and leaves skin feeling soft and moisturised’ • ‘Very easy to dispense and I liked the pump bottle, so you didn't end up with too much wastage. I loved the fragrance, too – it almost has an almond-sweet scent’ • ‘A great little product with the most heavenly smell and, for a cleansing oil, works very well’ • ‘I am a contact lens wearer and this worked brilliantly in that I did not notice any irritation and my lenses did not acquire the cloudy outlook that can happen with some oily products’ • ‘I loved the light feel of this cleansing oil and the smell was one of the most delightful smells I've ever come across in beauty products. The fact that this is vegan, cruelty free and virtually organic is a bonus’ • ‘Similar to many other oils I have used but the scent really gives this one the edge.’
£22 for 100ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD ARK Skincare Pre-Cleanse and Make-up Remover
Many women do use cleansing oils as the first step in a double-cleanse – and that’s definitely how this product positions itself: a ‘multi-fruit lipid blend that is perfect for thoroughly removing your make-up and clearing away everyday grime build-up’. The oils in the formula – from a British brand which we congratulate on having several winners, this year – are from avocado, grapeseed and kiwi, enriched with Zi Cao, an Ayurvedic herb which works to soothe sensitivity, together with Margosa leaf (better known to us as neem), an anti-inflammatory antioxidant.
£100 for 500ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘This is GREAT. Great if you love an oil for make-up removal; it removed everything very easily, even mascara. I don't use very heavy make-up or waterproof formulas, but the light make-up I do use was removed just so easily’ • ‘My skin felt normal after use, not too tight and definitely not greasy. A brilliant cleanser, really cleans all the gunk from your skin – just buy it! I already have a new bottle at the ready and don’t want to be without this’ • ‘My skin was clearer, no breakouts just the odd spot’ • ‘Skin felt great afterwards, soft and refreshed and it worked well to remove my make-up. I liked using it in the evenings as a first step cleanse’ • ‘I like the fact that this is made in Britain; I have other make-up removers that I swear by but the fact that it is British would persuade me to buy it again’ • ‘It was very easy to take off; you emulsify it with water and then rinse it off. And I know it was effective because there was no make-up on my pillow’ • ‘I think this was my favourite product, nothing fancy or special, but it did the job it was meant to do quickly and easily’ • ‘I doubled cleansed as usual, but that’s honestly habit; I didn’t feel as if I needed to, with this’ • ‘Left my skin feeling soft and moisturised. When I first poured this out, I didn’t think I would like the product; I usually prefer oils that are a little thicker, more luxurious. But after use, I feel like it is a lovely product, does what it says and leaves skin feeling clean but in no way dry.’
£100 for 500ml - click to buy