Best Korean Cleansing Oils: 6 Standout First Cleansers Compared
A good Korean cleansing oil has one job before everything else: dissolve the layer you want off your face without making cleansing feel like punishment. That means sunscreen, makeup, excess sebum and the day’s oil-soluble buildup should rinse away cleanly after emulsification.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Acubi earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Product availability, formulas and prices can change. Our selections are based on ingredient analysis, manufacturer information, published research and the practical qualities that matter in a first cleanser. We do not claim to have personally tested a product unless explicitly stated.
The best Korean cleansing oils at a glance
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
A fluid, beginner-friendly oil built around Centella asiatica plus a blend of plant-derived oils.
$18.00 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil Unscented
A nine-ingredient, fragrance-free formula that makes sense for shoppers who prefer shorter ingredient lists.
$17.50 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Soybean oil anchors the formula, joined by ginseng seed oil and several additional botanical oils.
$18.00 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →
Anua Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil Mild
The Mild version of Anua’s popular cleansing oil is the one to investigate if you want the brand with a sensitive-skin positioning.
$18.00 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
A blend featuring evening primrose, meadowfoam, avocado and grape-seed oils, alongside panthenol and ceramide NP.
$22.00 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →
ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean
A plant-oil-heavy formula designed for makeup, sunscreen and sebum removal, with a silky oil texture that emulsifies with water.
$22.99 Price as of 24 Sep 2026, 12:15 PM EDT
Check on Amazon →Do cleansing oils actually remove sunscreen better?
This is where cleansing oil becomes more interesting than another K-beauty trend.
What the research found
A small clinical study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology compared water, a foaming cleanser and a cleansing oil for sunscreen removal in 20 participants.
For the water-resistant sunscreen used in the study, average residue after cleansing was 59.3% with water, 36.8% with the cleanser and 5.8% with cleansing oil.
That does not prove every cleansing oil beats every cleanser. It does provide useful evidence for why an oil-based first cleanse can be particularly useful when you wear water-resistant sunscreen.
Water-resistant sunscreen residue after cleansing
Source: Chen W, He M, Xie L, Li L. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Values shown are mean residue rates for the water-resistant sunscreen condition in this specific study. The study included 20 participants and should not be treated as a universal performance test of every cleanser.Why oil cleansers work differently
Makeup, facial sebum and many water-resistant cosmetic films contain oil-soluble components. A cleansing oil combines an oily phase with emulsifying ingredients. You massage it over dry skin first, then introduce water. The emulsifiers allow the oily mixture and the material it has picked up to disperse into the rinse water.
That final emulsification step is crucial. A good cleansing oil should change from transparent oil into a cloudy or milky emulsion when water is added.
This is also why you should not scrub aggressively. The American Academy of Dermatology’s face-washing guidance recommends gentle cleansing with fingertips, lukewarm water and no scrubbing.
For a broader explanation of where oil cleansing sits within the Korean routine, read our complete guide to K-beauty and our Korean glass skin guide.
Korean cleansing oil comparison
| Product | Formula character | Notable ingredients | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light | Light, fluid | Centella, sunflower, jojoba, olive oils | Beginners, normal to combination skin |
| Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Unscented | Minimalist, fragrance-free | Rice bran, sunflower, olive, jojoba, macadamia oils | People avoiding added fragrance |
| Beauty of Joseon Ginseng | More substantial botanical-oil blend | Soybean oil, ginseng seed oil, olive, camellia | Normal to dry skin, richer-oil fans |
| Anua Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil Mild | Light, sensitive-skin positioned | Heartleaf extract, sunflower oil | Anua fans seeking the Mild formula |
| Round Lab 1025 Dokdo | Nourishing | Evening primrose, meadowfoam, avocado, grape-seed oil | Normal to dry skin |
| ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean | Silky, plant-oil-rich | Grape-seed, sunflower, hazelnut, black-seed oils | Heavy sunscreen and makeup routines |
Important: “Best for” here describes our editorial match based on texture, formula and brand information. Skin is individual. An ingredient that works beautifully for one person can irritate another.
Our 6 Korean cleansing oil picks
1. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil
SKIN1004 gets the top spot because its formula matches what many people actually want from a first oil cleanser: a lightweight slip, straightforward emulsification and enough cleansing power to tackle the day’s sunscreen and makeup without making the first step feel excessively rich.
According to SKIN1004, the formula combines Centella asiatica with six plant-derived oils, including sunflower, olive and jojoba oils. The brand describes the texture as watery and specifically positions it as suitable for people new to cleansing oils.
That last detail matters. The biggest barrier to oil cleansing is often sensory. If the first product you try feels thick and difficult to rinse, you may decide oil cleansing is not for you. A fluid formula lowers that barrier.
What we like
- Lightweight texture
- Designed to emulsify and rinse cleanly
- Centella-containing formula
- Useful entry point for cleansing-oil beginners
Consider before buying
The ingredient list includes aromatic botanical oils and fragrance components such as limonene and linalool. Anyone with known sensitivities to fragrant plant oils should read the current ingredient list carefully.
2. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil Unscented
If ingredient simplicity is high on your list, this is arguably the most interesting formula here.
Haruharu Wonder lists only nine ingredients in the current unscented formula. Its oil blend includes rice bran, sunflower, olive, jojoba and macadamia seed oils, with tocopherol and an emulsifier completing the formula.
It is also fragrance-free, which separates it from several cleansing oils built around aromatic plant oils.
The manufacturer reports non-comedogenic and eye-irritation testing and markets the formula for sensitive skin. Those are manufacturer claims rather than independent head-to-head evidence, but they are useful when comparing formula positioning.
What we like
- Short ingredient list
- No added fragrance
- Low-viscosity texture
- Designed for makeup and SPF removal
Consider before buying
“Fragrance-free” does not mean a cosmetic is guaranteed to be irritation-free for every person. Patch testing remains sensible if your skin is highly reactive.
3. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
Beauty of Joseon’s Ginseng Cleansing Oil takes a different approach. Soybean oil appears first on the ingredient list, and the formula also contains olive fruit oil, camellia seed oil and ginseng seed oil.
Beauty of Joseon describes the formula as using micellar cleansing technology to lift impurities while helping the skin retain a comfortable feel after cleansing.
This is the option we would investigate first if you enjoy a more substantial botanical-oil cleanser rather than the almost-water-light sensation of some modern cleansing oils.
What we like
- Soybean-oil-based formula
- Includes ginseng seed oil
- Good fit for the traditional K-beauty double-cleanse experience
- Interesting choice for normal and drier-feeling skin
Consider before buying
It contains a fairly extensive mixture of botanical oils. More ingredients are not automatically better, particularly for highly reactive skin.
4. Anua Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil Mild
Anua’s cleansing oils have become highly visible within K-beauty, but the important word here is Mild.
This version contains heartleaf extract alongside sunflower seed oil and a relatively streamlined cleansing base. Anua states that the formula has undergone non-comedogenic and eye-irritation testing and positions it specifically toward sensitive skin.
We prefer highlighting the Mild version rather than treating every Anua cleansing oil as interchangeable. When shopping on Amazon, check the product title and packaging carefully so you know which formula you are purchasing.
What we like
- Relatively concise ingredient list
- Heartleaf extract
- Manufacturer non-comedogenic testing
- Sensitive-skin positioning
Consider before buying
The formula still contains rosemary leaf oil. If you know that aromatic botanical ingredients bother your skin, the Haruharu Wonder option above has the simpler fragrance-free profile.
5. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil
Round Lab’s 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil is the ingredient-rich option in this lineup.
The current formula lists evening primrose, meadowfoam, avocado, grape-seed, canola and macadamia oils. It also includes panthenol, hyaluronic acid and ceramide NP.
For someone whose skin tends to feel dry after cleansing, that makes it an interesting formula to compare with lighter ester-dominant cleansing oils.
What we like
- Diverse plant-oil blend
- Contains panthenol and ceramide NP
- Designed to emulsify into a milky rinse
- Strong fit for people who prefer a nourishing cleanse
Consider before buying
The formula includes bergamot fruit oil, sage oil, limonene and linalool. Highly fragrance-sensitive users may prefer a simpler unscented formula.
6. ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean
ma:nyo has built much of its cleanser reputation around oil cleansing, and the Pure Cleansing Oil Deep Clean is formulated specifically around removing makeup, dirt and oily buildup.
Its ingredient list starts with grape-seed oil and also includes hazelnut, black-seed and sunflower oils. The formula contains Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate as an emulsifying ingredient, helping the oil disperse once water is introduced.
If your evening routine regularly begins with layers of sunscreen or makeup, this is the type of first cleanser worth comparing against the lighter SKIN1004 and Haruharu options.
What we like
- Plant-oil-heavy formula
- Designed for thorough makeup and sunscreen removal
- Emulsifying rinse-off format
- Good option for a more substantial first cleanse
Consider before buying
The current formula includes bergamot and lavender oils plus limonene and linalool. Fragrance-sensitive shoppers should factor that into their decision.
Which Korean cleansing oil should you choose?
If your skin is oily
Do not automatically reject cleansing oil because your skin produces oil. What matters more is how well the product emulsifies and rinses. Start with a lighter formula and follow with a gentle water-based cleanser if double cleansing suits your routine.
Start with: SKIN1004.If your skin is dry
Look toward formulas with a richer oil phase and avoid turning the second cleanse into an aggressive degreasing step.
Start with: Beauty of Joseon or Round Lab.If your skin is sensitive
A shorter, fragrance-free ingredient list can make product selection easier when you already know fragrance bothers your skin. No cosmetic can guarantee zero irritation.
Start with: Haruharu Wonder Unscented.If you wear heavy sunscreen
Oil cleansing is especially logical here because published research has shown strong removal of the water-resistant sunscreen tested with cleansing oil.
Start with: SKIN1004 or ma:nyo.If you wear waterproof makeup
Give the oil enough contact time to dissolve the cosmetic film before adding water. Avoid compensating with aggressive rubbing around the eyes.
Start with: ma:nyo or Haruharu Wonder.If you are new to K-beauty
Do not build a ten-step routine overnight. Start with cleansing, moisturizer and daytime sunscreen, then add products only when you understand what your skin needs.
Start with: SKIN1004.What happens when cleansing oil meets water?
The visual cue: milky emulsification
The most crucial transition happens in stage three. Once you introduce a small splash of lukewarm water to your fingertips and resume massaging, a properly formulated cleansing oil undergoes rapid emulsification.
The formula turns cloudy, then completely white and milky. This transformation indicates that surfactant micelle structures have surrounded the dissolved oils, sunscreens, and trapped cosmetics, neutralizing oil adherence so they rinse away cleanly with zero film or pore-clogging residue.
If an oil fails to turn milky and remains stubbornly greasy upon adding water, it either lacks adequate emulsifiers or was rinsed with water that is too cold.
How to use a Korean cleansing oil correctly
The evening ritual: setting up for success
The Korean double-cleansing method is an intentional, restorative evening ritual rather than a hurried wash. Timing and tactile feedback matter just as much as formula quality.
By beginning at your vanity or sink with completely dry hands and a dry face, you give lipophilic plant oils the uninterrupted contact time needed to break down waterproof film formers, long-wear foundation, and oxidized sebum before water enters the equation.
Follow these five core steps to master the first cleanse:
Start with dry hands and a dry face
Oil and water are deliberately kept apart at the beginning. Dispense the amount directed on your product and spread it over dry skin.
Massage gently
Move your fingertips over the face without scrubbing. Give extra attention to areas carrying sunscreen or makeup.
Add a small amount of lukewarm water
Wet your fingertips and massage again. The cleanser should turn cloudy or milky as it emulsifies.
Rinse thoroughly
Use lukewarm rather than very hot water. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends lukewarm water and gentle fingertip cleansing rather than abrasive scrubbing.
Follow with a gentle cleanser when appropriate
This is the classic Korean double-cleanse method. If you have been wearing substantial makeup or water-resistant sunscreen, a second gentle water-based cleanse can finish the routine.
A cleansing oil is a cosmetic, not an acne treatment
This distinction is worth making because cleansing oils are frequently marketed online with sensational claims about “clearing pores,” “curing acne,” or making blackheads vanish overnight.
In the United States, intended use matters. The FDA explains that products intended simply to cleanse or beautify are generally cosmetics, while products intended to treat or prevent disease can fall under drug regulation.
Botanical ingredients like Centella asiatica, ginseng seed oil, and black rice provide soothing cosmetic conditioning, but they do not replace evidence-based dermatological treatments. Buy a cleansing oil primarily for thorough, non-stripping cleansing.
The FDA’s general cosmetic safety guidance also recommends reading labels, following directions and paying attention to product changes such as unusual color or smell.
Where cleansing oil fits into a Korean skincare routine
Cleansing oil is not the entire routine. It is the opening move.
At night, a practical sequence looks like this:
If you are building the entire routine from scratch, our What Is K-Beauty guide explains the philosophy and product order.
For the hydration-focused version, continue to our Korean Glass Skin routine. Cleansing oil is step one there because removing sunscreen and makeup gives the hydrating layers that follow a clean starting point.
And because Korean beauty extends beyond facial skincare, our Korean Lip Care Routine covers lip masks, oils and tints separately.
So, which Korean cleansing oil should you buy?
For most people trying oil cleansing for the first time, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil is the easiest place to begin because the formula is deliberately light and designed to rinse without a heavy oily sensation.
If your priority is a short, fragrance-free ingredient list, move Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil Unscented to the top of your shortlist.
If you prefer a richer botanical-oil cleanser, compare Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil and Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Oil.
And if you are specifically shopping Anua because of the brand’s Heartleaf line, make sure you distinguish the Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil Mild from other Anua cleansing-oil versions.
The larger lesson is simpler: the best cleansing oil is the one that removes what you wear, emulsifies completely, rinses comfortably and does not leave your skin irritated. Ingredient hype matters much less than getting those fundamentals right.
Korean cleansing oil FAQ
What is the best Korean cleansing oil?
Our most versatile starting pick is SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil because of its lightweight texture and straightforward oil-to-milk cleansing format. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil Unscented is the stronger choice if your priority is a short, fragrance-free ingredient list.
Can oily skin use cleansing oil?
Yes. Having oily skin does not automatically rule out an oil cleanser. Cleansing oils are rinse-off products formulated with emulsifiers so the oil can disperse when water is added. Choose a formula that emulsifies cleanly and stop using any product that consistently causes irritation or breakouts.
Does cleansing oil remove sunscreen?
Yes, cleansing oils are designed to remove oily and water-resistant cosmetic films. In a 20-person clinical study, cleansing oil left substantially less residue from the water-resistant sunscreen tested than water or a foaming cleanser. That result applies to the products tested in that study and should not be interpreted as proof that every cleansing oil will outperform every facial cleanser.
Do I need a second cleanser after cleansing oil?
Not necessarily every time. Double cleansing is useful when removing substantial makeup, sunscreen and buildup. If your skin becomes tight or irritated after two cleanses, reassess the frequency and the cleansers you are using.
Can cleansing oil remove blackheads?
Oil cleansing can help remove oily surface buildup and some material around pores, but a cosmetic cleansing oil should not be treated as a medical acne or blackhead treatment. Persistent acne or clogged pores may require evidence-based treatment from a dermatologist.
How long should you massage cleansing oil?
Follow the directions on the specific product. In general, use enough time to distribute the cleanser and dissolve makeup or sunscreen without prolonged rubbing. More massage is not automatically better, especially for sensitive skin.
Should cleansing oil be used on wet or dry skin?
Most Korean cleansing oils are designed to be applied with dry hands to a dry face. After the initial massage, add a small amount of water to emulsify the oil, massage briefly again and rinse thoroughly. Always follow the directions for your specific product.
Research and sources
This guide was built using product ingredient information from the manufacturers plus independent medical and regulatory sources. Useful further reading: