Best Japanese Cleansing Oil: The Double Cleansing Guide
Oil cleansing is one of those Japanese skincare concepts that sounds counterintuitive until you try it. Put oil on your face to clean it? But it works, and once you understand why, it makes perfect sense.
Japanese cleansing oils dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and oil based impurities in a way that water based cleansers can’t. They’re the first step in double cleansing, the technique that the Japanese skincare community considers essential for properly clean skin.
This guide covers the best Japanese cleansing oils from drugstore to luxury, how to use them, and whether you actually need one.
How Oil Cleansing Works
Oil dissolves oil. Sunscreen, makeup, sebum, and environmental pollutants are oil based, so a water based cleanser alone can’t fully remove them. An oil cleanser breaks all of that down on contact.
How to use one:
- Apply to dry skin and dry hands (water prevents the oil from bonding with impurities)
- Massage gently for 30 to 60 seconds. Focus on areas with sunscreen and makeup
- Add a small amount of water and massage again. The oil will turn milky (this is called emulsification)
- Rinse with lukewarm water
- Follow with a water based cleanser (the second cleanse)
The whole process takes about a minute. Once it’s part of your routine, skipping it feels wrong.
The Best Japanese Cleansing Oils
Attenir Skin Clear Cleanse Oil
The #1 selling cleansing oil in Japan and the @cosme 2025 Grand Prize Winner. That’s out of all skincare categories, not just cleansing oils. This product has over 1.49 million reviews on @cosme. See our full breakdown of the @cosme 2025 award winners you can buy outside Japan.
The formula is designed to dissolve impurities without friction, which means less tugging on the skin. Users say it leaves skin feeling softer and more transparent over time, not just clean. Citrus scented. Attenir claims you don’t need a second water based cleanse after this, though most people in the community still double cleanse out of habit. Read our full Attenir Skin Clear Cleanse Oil review for a detailed ingredient breakdown and comparison.
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
The luxury gold standard. Shu Uemura essentially created the modern cleansing oil category, and the Ultime8 is their flagship. Eight botanical oils including camellia and jojoba. Removes waterproof makeup effortlessly while nourishing skin. For the full brand story and product lineup, see our Shu Uemura guide.
This is the one makeup artists and skincare enthusiasts refer to when someone asks “what’s the best cleansing oil, price aside?” It’s expensive but the formula and experience justify it. A bottle lasts a long time because the oil is concentrated.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
The classic. DHC’s cleansing oil is probably the most recognizable Japanese cleansing oil worldwide. Olive oil based, simple formula, dissolves everything, rinses clean. It’s been a bestseller in Japan for decades and is many people’s introduction to oil cleansing.
If you’ve never tried a cleansing oil before, DHC is a solid starting point. The formula is straightforward and reliable. See our full DHC Deep Cleansing Oil review for an ingredient breakdown and who should (and shouldn’t) use it.
FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil
FANCL’s entire philosophy is no preservatives, no fragrance, no additives. The Mild Cleansing Oil follows that approach. It uses meadowfoam seed oil as its base and includes green tea extract for antioxidant benefits. Consistently ranked as the #1 cleansing oil on Amazon Japan.
This is the pick for people who want the gentlest possible formula. The preservative free approach means smaller bottles with shorter shelf lives, but the formula is exceptionally mild.
Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil
The budget workhorse. Kose Softymo is what you grab at a Japanese drugstore when you need a reliable cleansing oil for a reasonable price. The “Speedy” version is lightweight and works fast. Good for everyday makeup and sunscreen removal. Kose also makes a “Deep” version with rice bran oil for heavier makeup and drier skin types. See our Speedy vs Deep comparison for the full breakdown, or the Kose brand guide for the complete Softymo lineup.
There’s also a “Deep” version with a thicker formula (rice bran and sesame oil base) better suited for heavy or waterproof makeup. Both are excellent for the price.
Hada Labo Gokujyun Cleansing Oil
Hyaluronic acid enriched oil cleanser from the Gokujyun line. Follows the Hada Labo formula philosophy: simple, effective, focused on hydration. Removes waterproof makeup while adding moisture rather than stripping it. Emulsifies cleanly.
MUJI Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil
Minimalist formula from MUJI’s sensitive skin line. Olive squalane and jojoba base. No fragrance, no colorants. Travelers often discover this at MUJI stores in Japan and it becomes a staple. Available at US MUJI locations.
Matsumoto Kiyoshi Original Cleansing Oil
A private label product from Japan’s biggest drugstore chain. Members of the skincare community have compared it favorably to the Shu Uemura cleansing oil at a fraction of the price. A hidden gem that doesn’t get much attention outside of J beauty circles.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Price Tier | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attenir Skin Clear Cleanse | All around best | Mid | @cosme Grand Prize, friction free |
| Shu Uemura Ultime8 | Luxury experience | High | 8 botanical oils, makeup artist favorite |
| DHC Deep Cleansing Oil | Beginners | Low to Mid | Simple olive oil formula, reliable |
| FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil | Sensitive skin | Mid | Preservative free, ultra gentle |
| Kose Softymo Speedy | Budget | Low | Fast, lightweight, great value |
| Hada Labo Gokujyun | Hydration focused | Low to Mid | HA enriched, doesn’t strip |
| MUJI Sensitive Skin | Minimalists | Low | No fragrance, available at US MUJI |
Oil Cleanser vs Micellar Water vs Cleansing Balm
Oil cleansers are the most thorough option for removing sunscreen and makeup. They require rinsing and work best as the first step before a water based cleanser.
Micellar water is convenient (no rinsing needed) but less effective at removing heavy sunscreen and waterproof makeup. Fine for light makeup days or mornings.
Cleansing balms are solid oils that melt on contact with skin. They work similarly to oil cleansers but in a different format. Some people prefer the texture. Cleansing balms are less common in J beauty than oil cleansers, but the format is growing.
For removing Japanese PA++++ sunscreens (which are designed to be resistant), an oil cleanser is the most reliable first step.
Do You Actually Need to Double Cleanse?
Honest answer: not always.
You should double cleanse if:
- You wore sunscreen (especially water resistant formulas like Anessa)
- You wore makeup
- You used a heavy primer or SPF/makeup combination
You can skip the oil cleanser if:
- You didn’t wear sunscreen or makeup that day
- It’s the morning (just a water based cleanser or even just water is fine)
- You wore a very light, easily removable sunscreen
The J beauty community generally double cleanses every evening, but it’s not a rigid rule. The point is thorough cleansing, and if your skin is clean after one step, one step is enough. For a full walkthrough of the technique (including the 4 2 4 method), see the How to Double Cleanse guide.
FAQ
Will oil cleansing break me out?
Modern Japanese cleansing oils are formulated to emulsify and rinse completely clean. They shouldn’t leave residue if you’re rinsing properly. That said, if you’re acne prone, start with a lighter formula (Kose Softymo Speedy, FANCL Mild) rather than a heavier olive oil based one. Some people’s skin responds differently to different oil bases.
Can you use coconut oil or olive oil from the kitchen?
Kitchen oils don’t have emulsifiers, so they won’t rinse clean with water. You’d need to wipe them off, which means rubbing and tugging on your skin. Formulated cleansing oils emulsify (turn milky) when you add water, allowing them to rinse away completely. They’re genuinely different products.
How long should you massage the oil cleanser?
30 to 60 seconds is enough. Some people massage for longer to “grits” (small plugs of sebum and dead skin that come out of pores), but this isn’t necessary for everyone and shouldn’t be forced. Gentle, brief massage is all you need for effective cleansing.
Which cleansing oil is best for beginners?
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil or Kose Softymo Speedy. Both are affordable, easy to find, and have simple formulas that work well for most skin types. They’re low risk starting points for oil cleansing.
Where does cleansing oil fit in a full routine?
It’s the first step of an evening double cleanse. See where cleansing oil fits in a full routine with our routine builder, or read the beginner routine guide for the complete breakdown.
Do you need to double cleanse in the morning?
No. Morning cleansing is just about removing overnight sebum and product residue. A gentle water based cleanser or even just rinsing with water is enough. Oil cleansing in the morning is unnecessary for most people.