Are you team cleansing balm or team cleansing oil? If I had to pick, I choose cleansing oils because I find them easier to use. Since most cleansing oils are packaged in pump bottles, I don’t have to scoop out product, unlike cleansing balms that are less convenient to use.

Double cleansing is the most important part of my everyday skin care routine. Since I’m always on the hunt for new cleansing oils to add to my collection, I decided to give Dear, Klairs’s Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil a go.

Dear, Klairs isn’t a new discovery for me. I’ve been a fan of this K-Beauty brand since I started using its Supple Preparation Facial Toner, now my holy grail toner. I also love how the brand embraces simplicity, which you can see from the minimalistic packaging of this cleansing oil.

Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil 

What is it:A lightweight cleansing oil that gets rid of makeup, excess oil and dirt while gently removing dead skin cells.

Key ingredients:Sunflower seed, grapeseed, jojoba seed and black currant oils.

Most suitable for: Oily and combination skin.

My experience (without makeup)

Do you need to double cleanse even on makeup-free days? Yes! I used to think first cleansers, such as cleansing oils, cleansing balms and micellar water, were only supposed to be incorporated into your routine when you wear makeup. I learned the hard way that double cleansing is important, even on days when I don’t apply makeup.

Double cleansing not only gets rid of makeup but also helps melt away excess sebum, sunscreen and other impurities that could potentially clog pores and cause breakouts.

The Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil has been the first step of my evening routine even on makeup-free days. One pump is enough to get every bit of sunscreen and grime off my skin. I also enjoy spending a few minutes to give myself a relaxing face massage with the lightweight oil.

If I’ve had a long day, I use a warm face towel to gently wipe everything away. Most of the time, I allow the cleansing oil to emulsify by rinsing my face with water. After rinsing, my skin feels clean and rebalanced, and ready for my main cleanser. 

My experience (with makeup)

I love that the Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil is made for those with oily or combination skin. I have combination skin, and this works beautifully to melt away my everyday makeup. I use two pumps to remove my makeup, sometimes three pumps if I’m wearing eye makeup. 

My skin often feels dry after wearing makeup all day, especially during the colder months. Luckily, this cleansing oil keeps my skin clean and nourished. It does take longer to completely get rid of my waterproof eyeliner when I use the oil, but on the bright side, no tugging is required in the process. As long as I gently massage the oil around my eyes, it gets the job done. It also doesn’t sting my eyes, which is a bonus! 

My favorite part about this cleansing oil is its simple formula containing only six ingredients. I didn’t experience any irritation while using it. In addition to its antioxidant properties, the cleansing oil is rich in Vitamins A, B and C. It’s also made without essential oils. If your skin is sensitive to essential oils, then this is a great cleansing oil to add to your double cleansing routine.