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The best Korean cleansing oil for most skin types is Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, a light oil that emulsifies into a milk and rinses off with water. Dry skin may prefer Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil, and balm fans should look at Banila Co Clean It Zero. Pick by your skin type, how you feel about fragrance, and whether you remove waterproof makeup.
Editorial correction, 2 November 2026: In line with our editorial standards, we removed claims of hands-on testing; this guide is now based on published product information and cited research.
Top pick: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, 200 ml. Check price and stock at Mirai
Browse all oil cleansers at Mirai
How we chose: we compared each product’s ingredient list (oil base, emulsifiers, fragrance), the retailer’s listing, price per ml and Mirai stock. We did not run a wear or removal trial. Prices are Mirai’s at our last check and can change.
Quick picks by skin type
| Skin type | Pick | Format | Oil base (top of the ingredient list) | Fragrance or essential oils listed | Size / price at Mirai | Price per ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most skin types, oily | Anua Heartleaf Pore Control | Oil | Ethylhexyl palmitate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, plant oils | Fragrance | 200 ml / $21.95 | $0.11 |
| Dry | Beauty of Joseon Ginseng | Oil | Soybean oil, cetyl ethylhexanoate, olive and camellia oils | Essential oils (sage, basil, mugwort) | 210 ml / $24.95 | $0.12 |
| Balm lovers | Banila Co Clean It Zero Original | Balm | Ethylhexyl palmitate, cetyl ethylhexanoate, wax | Fragrance | 100 ml / $34.04 | $0.34 |
| Sensitive, fragrance-averse | PURITO From Green | Oil | Olive oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sunflower oil | None | 200 ml / $35.36 | $0.18 |
| Pore care | COSRX Pure Fit Cica Clear | Oil | Ethylhexyl palmitate, triethylhexanoin, soybean oil | Citrus oils (lime, lemon, bergamot) | 200 ml / $27.84 | $0.14 |
| Luxury | Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil | Oil | Isopropyl palmitate, esters, apricot kernel oil | Fragrance | 200 ml / $43.95 | $0.22 |
Ingredient details come from INCIDecoder. Prices are Mirai’s at our last check.
The best Korean cleansing oils and balms
Best overall: Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
What’s in it. The ingredient list starts with ethylhexyl palmitate, a light emollient ester. Next come two ingredients INCIDecoder lists as emulsifiers, sorbeth-30 tetraoleate and sorbitan sesquioleate. These are what let the oil turn milky and rinse off. Sunflower, macadamia, olive, jojoba and grape seed oils follow, plus houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract. Fragrance is listed sixth.
Who it suits. Most skin types, including oily skin that wants a light oil. Anua markets it for pore care. It is also the cheapest per ml here.
What to watch for. INCIDecoder’s list includes fragrance, although the Mirai listing says the formula is free of artificial fragrance. Check the box, and choose PURITO if you avoid fragrance.
Check Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil at Mirai
Best for dry skin: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil
What’s in it. The ingredient list is built on soybean oil, with olive and camellia seed oils, ginseng seed oil and ginseng extracts. It uses sorbeth-30 tetraoleate as its emulsifier. It lists sage, basil and mugwort oils, which are essential oils.
Who it suits. Dry or normal skin that likes a richer oil. Its 210 ml bottle is the largest here.
What to watch for. The essential oils, if your skin reacts to them.
Check Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil at Mirai
Best balm: Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original
What’s in it. The ingredient list uses light esters and synthetic wax for the solid texture, with PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and PEG-10 isostearate as emulsifiers. INCIDecoder also lists acerola fruit extract and fragrance. The ingredient list on Mirai’s listing differs: it includes mineral oil, polysorbate 85 and shea butter, and no acerola. Both lists include fragrance.
Who it suits. Anyone who prefers a balm that travels without leaking. For more balms, see our best Korean cleansing balms guide.
Check Banila Co Clean It Zero Original at Mirai
Best for sensitive skin: PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil
What’s in it. The ingredient list has ten ingredients: olive, sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond and grape seed oils, caprylic/capric triglyceride, sorbeth-30 tetraoleate as the emulsifier, glyceryl caprylate, ethylhexylglycerin and tocopherol. No fragrance or essential oils are listed.
Who it suits. Reactive skin, or anyone who wants the shortest list here. Patch-test any new cleanser.
Check PURITO From Green Cleansing Oil at Mirai
Best for pore care: COSRX Pure Fit Cica Clear Cleansing Oil
What’s in it. The ingredient list pairs ethylhexyl palmitate and triethylhexanoin with soybean, jojoba and other plant oils. It adds centella asiatica extracts and madecassoside. Lime, lemon peel and bergamot oils appear high in the list.
Who it suits. Oily or combination skin that likes a centella formula. COSRX markets the line for clear-looking skin.
What to watch for. The citrus oils, if your skin is reactive.
Check COSRX Pure Fit Cica Clear Cleansing Oil at Mirai
Best luxury: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil
What’s in it. The ingredient list, which INCIDecoder files as Gentle Cleansing Oil EX, uses isopropyl palmitate and other esters with PEG-20 glyceryl triisostearate and PEG-8 isostearate as emulsifiers. It adds apricot kernel, pine seed, sesame and camellia oils, several plant extracts and fragrance.
Who it suits. Anyone who wants a premium bottle. The cleaning mechanism is the same as the cheaper oils.
Check Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Oil at Mirai
Best budget
Anua is the cheapest per ml here at $0.11, with Beauty of Joseon close behind at $0.12. Both cost under $25 at Mirai.
Cleansing oil vs cleansing balm
Cleansing oils are liquid. Pump them onto dry skin, massage, add water to emulsify, and rinse. Cleansing balms are solid in the jar. Scoop a little, warm it between your hands, and it melts into an oil on your skin. Both work the same way. The choice comes down to texture and travel.
Do cleansing oils clog pores?
A cleansing oil is built to leave your face. Oil dissolves oil-based products such as sunscreen and makeup. Emulsifiers in the formula then turn the mix into a milky liquid when you add water, so it rinses away. Every oil in this guide lists at least one emulsifier.
Residue is more likely when the emulsifying step is skipped or the rinse is rushed. Rinse with lukewarm water until the milkiness is gone, then follow with a gentle second cleanser. Mineral oil appears in the ingredient list on Mirai’s Banila Co listing. If that worries you, a 2019 review in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology describes cosmetic-grade mineral oils as having a long history of safe use and good cleansing performance. The review’s first author works for L’Oréal.
If you’re dealing with clogged pores, our textured skin and clogged pores routine covers the rest of the routine.
How to use a cleansing oil (and double cleanse)
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Start dry. Use dry hands on a dry face.
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Massage for 30 to 60 seconds. Spend longer on waterproof mascara and sunscreen.
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Emulsify. Add a little lukewarm water and keep massaging until the oil turns milky.
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Rinse well. Use lukewarm water and your fingertips, not a washcloth. The American Academy of Dermatology advises against scrubbing and recommends patting dry with a soft towel (AAD).
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Second cleanse. Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser.
Not sure you need two steps? Read double cleansing vs single cleansing. For the second cleanser, see the best Korean cleansers by skin type. For oily skin, see our oily-skin routine, and for where this step fits overall, the complete Korean skincare routine guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Korean cleansing oil?
For most skin types, Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. It has a light ester base, two emulsifiers so it rinses off with water, and the lowest price per ml in this guide. Dry skin may prefer Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil. If you want a balm, try Banila Co Clean It Zero Original.
Do cleansing oils clog pores?
A cleansing oil contains emulsifiers that turn it into a milky liquid when you add water, so it rinses away instead of sitting on the skin. Leftover residue is more likely if you skip the emulsifying step or rinse too briefly. Follow with a gentle water-based cleanser.
Can I use a cleansing oil on oily or acne-prone skin?
Yes, many people do. Choose a light formula, check for fragrance if your skin is reactive, and follow with a water-based cleanser. A dermatologist can advise on acne.
Cleansing oil or balm: which is better?
They clean the same way. Balms are solid in the jar, melt on warm skin and travel without leaking. Oils spread faster and are quicker to use.
Do I need a cleansing oil if I don’t wear makeup?
It helps if you wear sunscreen every day, especially water-resistant formulas, because oil dissolves oil-based products. A gentle cleanser alone may be enough on days you wear neither.
How do I use a Korean cleansing oil?
Apply it to a dry face with dry hands and massage for 30 to 60 seconds. Add a little lukewarm water until it turns milky, rinse well, then use your second cleanser.
Sources
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American Academy of Dermatology, Face washing 101: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/face-washing-101
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American Academy of Dermatology, Sunscreen FAQs: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs
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Chuberre B, et al. Mineral oils and waxes in cosmetics. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019;33 Suppl 7:5-14: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31588613/
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Ingredient lists and ingredient functions: INCIDecoder pages linked above.
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Product details and prices: the Mirai Skin listings linked above.
