When we talk about the best Korean cleansing oils, we’re talking about the products that basically redefined what a good first cleanse should feel like. These formulas are lightweight, silky, and ridiculously good at melting off makeup, sunscreen, and grime—without leaving skin tight or greasy.
What makes these cleansing oils distinctly Korean? K-beauty cleansing oils usually rely on plant-derived oils and streamlined ingredient lists, so they feel gentle even if you’re wearing waterproof mascara or have sensitive or acne-prone skin. “They tend to have a lighter consistency and fewer ingredients,” which makes them easier on the skin than some heavier Western formulas, says Justine H. Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westlake Village, CA. And when you follow them with a water-based cleanser (the classic double-cleanse), your pores get a deeper, more satisfying clean.
Our Top Korean Cleansing Oils
Whether you like fragrance-free options, formulas that target blackheads, or oils that leave your skin feeling extra nourished, Korean cleansing oils are one of those rare categories where almost everyone finds a favorite—and beauty editors, derms, and even TikTok, all agree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: In Korean culture, rice is deeply tied to comfort, health, prosperity, and home, so when a brand puts it front and center in your skin care, you know it’s intentional. The fermented black rice in Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil delivers a surge of antioxidants, minerals, and proteins that help keep skin elastic and resilient from step one. Alongside rice bran extract, the formula blends olive oil (to whisk away makeup and excess sebum), sunflower seed oil (to soothe and moisturize), macadamia seed oil (to strengthen your barrier), jojoba seed oil (to balance and refine), and tocopherol for an extra antioxidant boost. There’s not much else in the formula, and that’s exactly why TikTok is obsessed with its short, sweet, no-fluff ingredient list.
Tester feedback from Allure commerce editor Sarah Han
“The key characteristic of a good cleansing oil? A super silky formula that breaks down your toughest makeup with tugging—especially around the eyes—and washes away without an ounce of residue. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt when they’re fragrance-free for my sensitive girlies. The Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil is one of my top recs for cleansing oils for these reasons, and because it just… delivers. There’s nothing complicated about it, which is exactly what I need as I’m beginning my loaded nighttime skin-care routine. It melts away shimmer eye shadow, long-lasting gel liners, and every type of mascara in 10 seconds. It’s a must even on my no-makeup, sunscreen-only days, too. A mainstay, as they say.” —Sarah Han, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: rice bran extract, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, macadamia seed oil, jojoba seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: If the makeup-melting, calming ability of Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil feels almost heaven-sent, it tracks—“1004” is pronounced cheon-sa, meaning “angel,” in Korean. The entire brand centers its formulas around Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica) sourced specifically from Madagascar, where the plant grows with exceptional purity and potency thanks to the island’s untouched environment. This cleansing oil’s featherlight texture works beautifully for all skin types, including our tester with oily, acne-prone skin and Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Washington, who calls it “a new favorite for my sensitive, rosacea-prone skin. The cica is extremely soothing, and the formula has a super-lightweight texture.” Staying true to Skin1004’s pared-back formulas, it keeps things streamlined with just four key oils: bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba seed.
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I don’t want to be dramatic, but this has capital-T transformed by cleansing routine. I got it in a set paired with the brand’s Cleansing Ampoule Foam, but this is a non-negotiable first step for melting all of my makeup off before I go in with the lather. It has a generous slip, little to no scent, and a lightweight texture that’s easy to emulsify and rinse. My only complaint is that I will need a jumbo size made.” —Deanna Pai, Allure contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: Centella asiatica, bergamot, sunflower seed, olive fruit, and jojoba seed oils
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: You may know Sulwhasoo for its 500-hour ginseng creams and tech-packed serums, but don’t sleep on this quieter overachiever. The Gentle Cleansing Oil, a 2024 Best of Beauty winner, happens to be waterproof makeup’s worst enemy, melting through long-wear formulas without drying out skin. Its secret isn’t ginseng this time, but a cushiony blend powered by the brand’s Hydra Capture Complex, which uses four proprietary herbal extracts to help skin stay hydrated as you cleanse. Mulberry leaf and mountain yam extracts soften and nourish, while the silky oil-to-milk texture leaves skin feeling clean but not tight. While it’s on the pricier side for a cleanser, one pump does more heavy lifting than most double-cleanse duos combined.
“I’m pretty heavy-handed with waterproof eye products (my go-to liner is basically budgeproof), so finding a makeup remover that melts down every last bit of mascara and liquid liner in seconds is wildly satisfying. Even better, it rinses off feeling completely hydrating—and while it doesn’t claim any brightening benefits, my skin somehow always looks a little glowier afterward.” —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: Hydra Capture Complex, mulberry leaf extract, mountain yam extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Oily Skin: Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: Don’t just take our word for it—we’re pretty sure you know one of the 20 million (and more) people worldwide who’ve grabbed a bottle of Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil. This best seller uses 14 plant-derived oils to cleanse without clogging pores, transforming into a milky wash that dissolves makeup and restores your skin’s natural moisture and pH balance. It’s suitable for all skin types (yes, even acne-prone). “Its tea tree and melaleuca oils help combat oily skin and bacterial overgrowth, making it great for people with blackheads and whiteheads,” says Dr. Justine Park. With nourishing argan, moisture-replenishing jojoba, and vitamin E–rich olive oil, it’s no wonder this cleanser has a global fan base.
“By the time I’m ready to take off my makeup, I’ve usually had it on all day—so the moment I walk through the door, it needs to come off fast and easily. This cleansing oil melts off my makeup in just a few swipes without irritating my acne-prone skin, and although it’s fragrance-free, the natural scent from the oils gives off a subtle, spa-like vibe that makes for the perfect way to unwind after a long day out and about.” —Lily Wohlner, Allure commerce writer
- Key ingredients: argan kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, tea tree oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
More Korean cleansing oils we love
Best for Sensitive Skin: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
Round Lab
1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: The 1025 Dokdo line gets its name from the waters around the Ulleungdo and Dokdo islets in the East Sea—an area known for mineral-rich deep-sea water, which Round Lab uses to create some of its calmest, most balancing formulas. Their Dokdo Cleansing Oil pairs that soothing water with plant-derived oils like meadowfoam, grape seed, avocado, evening primrose, and macadamia to melt makeup without leaving skin tight or greasy. It’s especially great for sensitive or dry skin thanks to barrier-loving ingredients like allantoin, and panthenol. “The addition of hyaluronic acid and ceramides helps soothe dry, sensitive skin while adding hydration as it cleanses,” says Dr. Justine Park.
- Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Beauty of Joseon
Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Why it’s worth it: Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Cleansing Oil takes the brand’s hanbang roots (traditional Korean herbal medicine) and turns them into a cleansing step that feels practically therapeutic for mature skin. The stars are “glycine soja (soybean) oil, which melts makeup while giving mature skin nourishing omegas, as well as ginseng seed oil for natural antioxidant power,” says Dr. Justine Park. With olive, camellia, coconut, and black cumin oils in the blend, this silky formula transforms from an oil into a soft foam cleanser, keeping skin supple and hydrated rather than tight. It’s the kind of gentle face wash that leaves mature, often-dry skin feeling soft, calm, and cared for.
- Key ingredients: soybean oil, ginseng seed oil, olive oil, coconut oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use cleansing oils?
First, skip the water. “Apply cleansing oil to dry skin and massage into the skin to dissolve dirt, grime, oil, sunscreen, makeup, etc.,” says Dr. Justine Park. Working it in dry allows the oils to properly break everything down. Once it’s had a moment to do its job, “rinse with warm water or use a warm wet washcloth to wipe away and then rinse with warm water,” she says. Only after that step should your skin be wet.
What makes Korean cleansing oils different?
What makes these cleansing oils distinctly Korean comes down to texture, simplicity, and the types of oils used. In general, Korean beauty products, especially cleansing products, skew lighter and more streamlined, favoring plant-based oils over the denser, synthetic formulas to nourish your skin barrier.
Why is double cleansing important in Korean skincare?
“Double cleansing ensures thorough and effective cleansing as a two-step process to allow the removal of impurities followed by the actual cleansing of the skin,” says Dr. Justine Park. The first step—an oil-based cleanser or cleansing balm—breaks down sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum, while the second step—a water-based cleanser—removes leftover residue, sweat, and impurities. Together, these K-beauty skin-care products leave your complexion clearer, smoother, and better prepped for the rest of your routine.
Meet the experts
- Joyce Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Refinery based in Washington
- Justine H. Park, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of the Skin & Beauty Center based in Westlake Village, CA
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean cleansing oils, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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