Skin Sleuth: How do oil-foaming cleansers work?

Sometimes we come across skin care products that we think are just magical. Either they have the ability to absorb into the skin in seconds, change color, or - our favorite - able to transform textures on the eyes. One such example is facial and body cleansers containing oil in foam. that start out as silky oils and turn into thick, foamy detergents after mixing with water. To fully understand how these products work (and make sure they're as magical as they sound), we turned to L'Oréal USA Research & Innovation Senior Scientist Stephanie Morris. Here's what you need to know about oil-foaming cleansers. 

How do oil-foaming cleansers work?

According to Morris, the ingredients in foaming cleansers are oils, surfactants and water. The combination of these three substances dissolves dirt, impurities, make-up and other oils on the surface of the skin. “Oils dissolve sebum, makeup, and excess oil on the skin, while surfactants and water make it easier to remove these oily materials from the surface of the skin and help flush them down the drain,” she says. The oily mixture turns into foam chemically by phase change in solution (for example, when water is added) or mechanically when the formula is exposed to air. The result is a feeling of deep cleansing.

Why Use Foam Cleansing Oil? 

Choosing a foaming cleanser over other options (including oil-based cleansers) in your skincare collection is purely a matter of choice. “While just oil cleans gently and effectively, a mixture of oil and foam has all the same benefits, only with the experience of foaming,” says Morris. Oil-based foam cleansers are also gentler on the skin than a water-based cleanser or bar of soap, making them a great option for dry, sensitive, or oil-prone skin.

How to include an oil-to-foam cleanser in your daily routine

Incorporating oil-foaming cleansers into your routine is easy. There are options for both body and face. “While the basic formula of both products may be the same, facial cleansers are often formulated to be gentler on the skin and may include ingredients designed to fight acne or anti-aging agents,” she says. If you have dry skin on your body, we recommend CeraVe Eczema Shower Gel from the L'Oreal brand portfolio. This oil-based shower gel helps cleanse and soothe very dry and itchy skin. If you have oily skin and would like to try a foam facial cleanser, Peach oil and lily oil for facial wash contains aloe, chamomile oil and geranium oil and, according to the brand, helps to deep clean pores and remove makeup. 

“Facial cleansing shouldn't be a chore,” says Morris. "Try the oil-to-foam cleanser format to mix it up!"