Waterproof and long-wear makeup are a godsend in a hot, sticky tropical climate. However, they are harder to completely wash off. Don’t scrub vigorously (which irritates skin!) or sleep with makeup residue (which clogs pores and causes acne). Instead, take it all off with one swipe with the best oil cleanser for waterproof makeup. Here are some of our picks!

25 Best Oil Cleansers

1.FrankSkincare Magic Wipe Cleansing Oil (Discontinued)

oil cleanser singapore
Photo from www.franksincare.com

This proudly Singaporean-born skincare brand has a cult following. All their products are 100% organic, formulated for Asian weather, and were made after years of research! It has no parabens and GMO, and uses only the top quality oils!

Their Magic Wipe Cleansing Oil is really popular, and it comes with a bamboo wash cloth! “Removing makeup with [this] feels like being in a spa without leaving your bathroom!” says Anne, a loyal customer.

This cleansing oil has skin-nourishing apricot, castor, tamanu and kiwi extract. Massage into your face and neck, then wipe it off with the wet bamboo wash cloth.

You can visit their flagship store (6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815) or order online. Check their website for more updates!

Why we love it:

  • Contains nourishing and high-quality oils
  • Suitable for hot weather
  • Free from parabens and GMO

Price: S$56

Where to buy: FrankSkincare

2.Chai LEMON QUARTZ Ultra Soft Facial Cleansing Oil

If your skin is sensitive, this one is a great cleansing oil from Chai that cleanses and strips off waterproof makeup completely. It contains Japanese Camellia oil that’s rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E and nourishing Omegas 3, 6, and 9. As you cleanse your skin, it gets thoroughly nourished without stripping it of its natural moisture. It leaves the skin with a silky finish. It’s also free from mineral oil, sulfates, and fragrances.

Why do we love it:

  • Rich in nourishing vitamins and Omegas
  • Retains the skin’s natural moisture
  • Free from mineral oil, sulfates, and fragrances

Price: S$64.20

  Shop Now

3. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil

This is one of the best cleansing oils for waterproof makeup and heavy-duty sunscreen! It breaks down all the day’s dirt and grime, and then infuses your skin with hydrating squalene and soothing lavender oil.

Like all the other products in Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery range, this cleansing oil rejuvenates the skin and helps fight ageing. It’s a winner!

Find the Kiehl’s store nearest you with their online store locator.

Why we love it:

  • Relaxing scent
  • Helps to combat dryness and ageing
  • Thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping

Price: S$58

Where to buy: Kiehl’s Singapore

4. Chanel L’Huile Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil

If you prefer the lathery you get from regular cleansers, but want the hydration you get from an oil cleaner, this is for you. The oil turns into lather once you wet your face. It feels very light and fresh, and the smell is amazing! It removes makeup, dirt and pollution and then strengthens your skin with marine extracts. While expensive, it’s worth the price — it got 4.7 stars on Makeup Alley!

Why do we love it:

  • Lifts away dirt and pollutions
  • Transform into soft lather
  • Moisturized the skin

Price: S$66.50

Where to buy: StrawberryNet

5. Three Balancing Cleansing Oil

This oil cleanser doesn’t just wipe off makeup. It contains plant extracts like laurel leaf and frankincense that strengthen your skin from the effects of pollution (and the dreaded Singapore Haze!) and stress. It has a fresh scent and is easy to rinse off, too! Suitable for sensitive skin.

“I’ve been using this cleansing oil for a month, and I love it! My skin feels much softer and looks very glowy especially when I spend time massaging it into my skin,” says Sasha, 38.

Why do we love it:

  • Helps to purify the skin
  • Reveal a brighter, smoother, and softer complexion
  • Contains anti-oxidants

Price: S$70

Where to buy: Sephora

6. Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil

Shu Uemura’s cleansing oils have been around long before cleansing oils (and double cleansing) became a skincare trend. For years, it was the best kept secret of beauty insiders — that marvelous double-purpose product that took of your makeup but left tons of anti-ageing benefits.

While the Japanese skincare brand has several cleansing oils for different skin types and concerns, the Ultime8 is one of our faves for anti-ageing. It has 8 powerful ingredients that improve skin quality and radiance — loooong before your first wrinkle appears!

It’s pricey, but for many, it’s investing in your skin. Besides, you only need a little to wipe off your makeup so a bottle lasts for months!

Why do we love it:

  • Formulated with 75% skincare ingredients
  • Effectively removes makeup
  • Nourishes and replenishes the skin

Price: S$175

Where to buy: Shu Uemura

7. Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

If you want a Japanese cleansing oil but aren’t quite ready to spend $165 on Shu Uemura, try this. It has rice bran oil to fight ageing and brighten your skin, Vitamin E and camellia oil to fight environmental damage. It got 4.6 stars on Influenster and 4.0 stars on Makeup Alley

Why do we love it:

  • Brightens the skin
  • Helps to fight and protect the skin against environmental damage
  • Silky finish

Price: $69

Where to buy: Sephora

8. Skin Inc Pure Trinity Serum-Infused Cleansing Oil (Discontinued)

This all-in-one oil cleanser has a special tri-phase formula that combines cleansing water, oil and serum. It breaks down dirt, hydrates your skin, and evens out your skin texture. While it’s not the most powerful anti-ageing cleansing oil, it’s perfect for the busy woman who wants a shorter, simpler beauty routine.

Why do we love it:

  • Free from paraben, sulfate, alcohol, and silicone
  • Contains anti-aging ingredients
  • Breaks and lifts away dirts, makeup, oils, and grimes

Price: $78,

Where to buy: SkinCarisma

9. Huxley Cleansing Oil

This natural oil cleanser protects your skin from free radical damage with its powerful blend of plant extracts. These include prickly pear seed oil, cactus extract, annatto oil complex, seabuckthorn pulp oil and calendula flower. It’s very hydrating, but won’t clog your pores or feel sticky.

Why do we love it:

  • Hydrating
  • Effectively cleanse the skin from impurities
  • Contains nourishing oils

Price: S$145

Where to buy: Shopee

10. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

It’s one of the best cleansing oils for waterproof makeup — and wow, you can’t beat the price!

This is one of DHC’s most popular products worldwide. It gets rid of long-wear foundation and even waterproof eye makeup and matte lipstick. It rinses off really easily, thanks to its water-soluble formula.

It also has olive oil and vitamin E, to so it’s great for dry or sensitive skin. “A little goes a long way, so this tiny bottle lasts forever! Be careful when using it around the eye, because it can sting when it gets in your eye,” says one beauty review.

Why do we love it:

  • Water-soluble formula
  • Effectively removes traces of makeup and dirt
  • Suitable for sensitive skin

Price: S$43.90

Where to buy: Watsons

11. Caudalie Make-up Removing Cleansing Oil

Looking for an affordable AND natural oil cleanser? Try this! It has 100% natural ingredients which break down makeup while soaking your skin in healing ingredients. This includes sweet almond oil and grape seed oil to repair your skin, and Vitamin E to strengthen your skin barrier. It’s ideal for sensitive or irritated skin!

Why do we love it?

  • Contains anti-oxidants
  • Does not clogs the pores
  • Does not leaves behind a greasy film

Price: S$38

Where to buy: Sephora

12. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Micro-Dissolve Cleansing Oil

Influenster reviews say that this is one of the best oil cleansers for facial massages. Work it into your skin with your fingers, starting from the center of your face to your jawline and temples. While it lifts the dirt and makeup, the natural oils penetrate into the skin and help decongest pores and lighten dark spots, and brighten your complexion.

Why do we love it:

  • Brightens the skin
  • Suitable for all skin type
  • Effectively removes oil dan dirt from the skin

Price: $55

Where to buy: Ipsy

13. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil

This is another great oil-based cleanser for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. It’s been clinically tested and dermatologist-tested to be free of any ingredients that can cause allergies, redness, skin reactions and breakouts. You don’t even need to rub your face to get rid of waterproof eyeliner and lipstick — it melts everything away! Influenster reviews say it’s their Holy Grail cleanser. “This is my go to when I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to full on wash my face!”

Why do we love it:

  • Suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin
  • Tested and approved by dermatologists
  • Cleanse without stripping the skin

Price: $52

Where to buy: Clinique counters

14. ZA Deep Cleansing Oil (Discontinued)

Za is one of the most trusted yet affordable Japanese skincare brands. It’s actually owned by the Shisheido group, so its products are also based on research and testing — but are a much more pocket-friendly price!

This is a gentle yet effective cleansing oil for waterproof makeup. It’s made of plant extracts and washes off so easily. “I first started using this when I was a student and didn’t have a lot of money for skincare. But even after I started working and had more money for splurging on beauty, I still kept using Za! In my opinion, it’s just as good as the more expensive brands!” says Lei.

Why do we love it:

  • Removes waterproof makeup
  • Affordable
  • Gentle and doesn’t clogs the pores

Price: $24.90,

Where to buy it: Watsons

15. Kose Cosmeport Softymo Lachesca Oil

This is another affordable Japanese cleansing oil for waterproof makeup! Aside from the incredibly cute bottle, it’s also free of fragrance, dyes, parabens, alcohol, and silicons.  It also contains fruit acids that can help deep clean your pores. If you don’t have acne problems but tend to get blackheads and whiteheads (especially during that time of the month) this may help!

Why do we love it:

  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Free from fragrances, dyes, parabens, alcohol
  • Effectively clean the pores without clogging

Price: $16.34

Where to buy: Shopee

16. The Face Shop Bright Cleansing Oil

This Korean cleansing oil is very affordable yet packed with skin-brightening ingredients. Moringa oil and rice water fight dullness and discoloration, while ceramide and vitamins B and E treat roughness and dryness. If you have dry or dull skin, try this budget-friendly oil-based cleanser.

Why do we love it:

  • Brightens the skin
  • Affordable
  • Gently removes makeup without irritation

Price: $14.20,

Where to buy: Althea

17. Boscia Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil

Do you hate the sticky, hot feeling of oil on your face? Try this Korean cleansing oil. It uses special nanotechnology that uses micro-sized oil particles to break down dirt and makeup. You won’t feel the oil, but you’ll still enjoy its hydration and deep-cleansing.

Why do we love it:

  • Doesn’t leaves behind any greasy residue
  • Hydrates and detoxifies the skin
  • Suitable for all skin types

Price: $59,

Where to buy it: Sephora

18. Biore Cleansing Oil 

With its fresh citrus scent, Biore Cleansing Oil is known to be one of the best oil cleansers.

If you’re looking for a great drugstore option, look no further than Biore’s Cleansing Oil. This oil cleanser has gained a cult following due to how easily it removes and dissolves any traces of makeup and dirt from your skin. Another plus is that you can use it on dry and wet skin, making it a fuss-free cleanser!

Why do we love it? 

  • Fresh citrus scent
  • Formulated specifically in Japan
  • Does not leave behind a greasy film on the skin after cleansing

Price: S$19.10

Where to buy: Watsons

19. Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser

Laneige is a K-Beauty staple for many! Their Cream Skin line has taken the world by storm but did you know that they have another star product in the line? Yes, it’s the Laneige Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser! It’s a beautiful hybrid of cleansing milk and oil which not only does a  great job at removing all of your waterproof makeup but also keeps your skin hydrated as it contains the same ingredients as their Cream Skin Refiner which is trending for how well it hydrates and softens the skin.

Why we love it:

  • Low pH 5.5 cleanser
  • Gently melts the makeup and dirt from the skin
  • Contains antioxidants, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulphate-free

Price: S$45.00

Where to buy: Sephora

20. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil

Unwind and pamper yourself with a luxurious experience with SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil. This cleanser not only works great as a makeup remover but also works well as a cleanser, which means you can skip the double cleansing method to save up more time. Not only that, it’s packed with antioxidants such as Apple Seed and Moringa Pterygosperma Seed extracts to protect your skin from free-radical damage and keep your skin youthful!

Why we love it:

  • Fragrance and sulphate-free
  • Runny and lightweight texture
  • Gentle and does not clog the pores

Price: S$102.00

Where to buy: Sephora

21. Hada Labo Hydrating Cleansing Oil 

Free from fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol, and colourant, Hada Labo Hydrating Cleansing Oil is one of the best oil cleansers out there.

If you lean more towards the dryer side, then it’s time to incorporate Hada Labo Hydrating Cleansing Oil into your evening cleansing routine. Instead of using mineral oil, this cleanser is formulated with olive oil and Super Hyaluronic Acid to give your skin much-needed moisture and nourishment, leaving your skin soft, hydrated, and plump after cleansing! 

Why we love it:

  • Free from fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol, and colourant
  • PH balanced and suitable for sensitive skin
  • Water-soluble and does not leave the skin with a greasy residue

Price: S$23.00

Where to buy it: Watsons

22. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil

This luxurious oil cleanser by Sulwhasoo can help to lift the dirt and grimes, giving you a fresher complexion.

Does your skin always look dull and feel extremely dry after cleansing? That won’t be an issue with the Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil. Formulated with Coix Lacryma-Jobi seed, tangerine peel extract, and apricot kernel oil, this oil cleanser helps to brighten your skin while removing any traces of makeup on your skin. Might we add that the scent is also a plus? It’s not overpowering at all and gives your skin a pleasant experience during cleansing, the perfect way to kick off your skincare routine!

Why we love it:

  • Silky, lightweight texture and gently breaks down the makeup
  • Light herbal scent
  • Contains antioxidants and is paraben and sulfate-free

Price: S$58

Where to buy: Sephora

23. Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm AD Cleansing Oil

Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm AD Cleansing Oil is a gentle oil cleanser that can help cleanse your face without causing any reactions.

An oil cleanser so gentle that even babies can use it? Say hello to Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm AD Cleansing Oil! If you’re someone who suffers from very sensitive skin or atopic eczema and regular cleansers just seem to break you out, this is the cleanser for you. Being soap-free, this oil cleanser gently breaks down your makeup without causing any further irritation to your skin, leaving you soft and hydrated.

Why we love it:

  • Suitable for very dry and sensitive skin
  • Formulated in France and minimize the risk of allergic reactions
  • Fragrance-free and leaves skin cool

Price: S$80.65

Where to buy: Watsons

24. Dermalogica Precleanse

The Dermalogica Precleanse is an oil cleanser meant to be used as the first step of your cleansing routine.

Before going straight in with your cleanser, it’s always a good idea to wash off your waterproof makeup, sunscreen, oils, and dirt on the skin with the Dermalogica Precleanse. As the name suggests, this oil cleanser is formulated to be used as the first step of your cleansing routine. Though it is powerful in melting away all of the impurities, it does not dry out or leave your skin with any uncomfortable sticky residue. All you’re left with is a cleansed and soft skin, ready for the next steps! 

Why we love it:

  • Contains skin-fortifying ingredients such as; Borage Seed, Kukui, and Apricot oils
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Fragrance and sulphate-free

Price: S$83.00

Where to buy: Sephora

25. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil

Do you hate the heavy feeling that most cleansing oil tends to have? This lightweight oil cleanser is a great option for you! The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is formulated to make your cleansing experience enjoyable and gentle. With Centella Asiatica Extract to help and replenish your skin’s hydration level, your skin will leave feeling clean, soft, and supple with each wash!

Why we love it:

  • Contains six kinds of botanical oil to melt away makeup and reduce irritation
  • Gentle and does not sting the eyes
  • Fragrance-free

Price: S$45.00

Where to buy: Watsons