You wash your face at night, and there's still mascara on the towel and a film of sunscreen on your skin. That's the problem a Korean cleansing oil solves. It melts makeup, sunscreen and oil first, so your regular face wash can do the rest.
This guide is for anyone starting a double cleanse or looking for a gentle makeup remover. Here are the 5 best Korean cleansing oils in 2026, ranked by rating and review count. We didn't test them ourselves. We read the listings and what reviewers say, and we point out the catch with each one. Skin reacts differently, so patch test anything new.
What to Look For in a Korean Cleansing Oil
Oil, balm or foam. Oils are the quickest at breaking down makeup, balms are less messy, and a foam is the second step of a double cleanse. Know which one you're buying.
Your skin type. Oily and acne-prone skin does well with lighter oils that rinse clean. Dry skin likes richer ones. Our face wash for dark spots picks work as the second step.
Fragrance and irritants. If your skin is sensitive, look for fragrance-free or short ingredient lists.
Emulsifying. A good cleansing oil turns milky when you add water, then rinses off without a greasy film. If it doesn't, you'll need a second wash.
Eye makeup. If you wear waterproof mascara, check that the oil is safe for the eye area. Some are, and some say to keep them away.
The 5 Best Korean Cleansing Oils in 2026
1. THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil (5 oz)
Best for: a light oil for everyday makeup and sunscreen removal.
A pump-bottle cleansing oil from a Korean brand, with rice water, rice bran oil and jojoba oil, according to the listing images.
What makes it stand out: It has the top score here, 4.3 stars from nearly 12,600 reviews, and it's the most-reviewed oil on this list.
Good to know: It's a light oil, so it may need a second pass for heavy waterproof makeup. Check the ingredients if your skin is sensitive.
2. HEIMISH All Clean Balm (4 oz)
Best for: waterproof eye makeup and a spoon-scoop balm.
A vegan cleansing balm that melts into an oil when you massage it into dry skin. It comes with a small spatula.
What makes it stand out: It has the best rating here, 4.6 stars from over 6,000 reviews, and it's good for waterproof eye makeup.
Good to know: It's a balm in a tub, so you're scooping with a spatula. Some people find the scent noticeable.
3. MANYO Pure Cleansing Oil (6.76 oz)
Best for: blackheads and pore care with a plant oil blend.
A pump-bottle oil from Manyo Factory, made to remove makeup, sunscreen and blackhead build-up. The listing's images show it's mostly soybean-based.
What makes it stand out: It has 4.5 stars from over 7,000 reviews, and the 6.76 oz bottle is a generous size.
Good to know: The listing says the packaging may vary. Some skin types don't love oil-based cleansers, so patch test.
4. PYUNKANG YUL Cleansing Foam (5.1 oz)
Best for: the second step of a double cleanse, for sensitive skin.
A gentle foam cleanser with a coconut-derived surfactant. The listing says it's for all skin types and supports the moisture barrier after cleansing.
What makes it stand out: It has a 4.4 rating from nearly 1,400 reviews. It's a good partner for any of the oils here.
Good to know: It's a foam, not an oil, so it doesn't remove heavy makeup on its own. Use it after an oil.
5. PYUNKANG YUL Deep Cleansing Oil
Best for: sensitive skin and a short ingredient list.
A pump-bottle cleansing oil from the same brand, which the listing images say includes jojoba, avocado and almond oils and soothing plant extracts.
What makes it stand out: It has a 4.4 rating, and it's the gentlest-looking formula on the list.
Good to know: It has only about 740 reviews, fewer than the others, so there's less to go on.
How to Use a Korean Cleansing Oil
- Start with dry hands and a dry face. Water too early stops the oil from melting makeup.
- Massage 1 to 4 pumps (or a scoop of balm) over your face for about a minute.
- Add a little warm water and keep massaging until it turns milky.
- Rinse well with warm water.
- Follow with a gentle foam or gel cleanser, then moisturize. Looking for that last step? See our Korean moisturizer picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Korean cleansing oil?
What is the best Korean cleansing oil for sensitive skin?
What is the best Korean cleansing oil for acne-prone skin?
Do I need a second cleanser after a cleansing oil?
Keep Reading
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is THE FACE SHOP Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil. It has the best score of the oils, and the light texture is easy to live with. If waterproof eye makeup is your main problem, HEIMISH All Clean Balm is the better choice.
Choose MANYO for blackheads and a big bottle, and PYUNKANG YUL if your skin is sensitive. Buy the Pyunkang Yul foam as your second cleanse if you want a gentle follow-up.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Here's how we pick products.
