Is Cleansing Oil Better Than Face Wash for Your Skin Type?

Why Your Face Wash Is Making You Break Out

If you're doing everything right-drinking water, eating clean, sticking to your skincare routine-but still breaking out, your face wash might be the problem. Not all cleansers are created equal, especially in a climate like the UAE where heat, dust, and air-conditioning put your skin under daily stress. This isn’t just about dryness or sensitivity-it’s about what’s happening to your skin barrier every time you cleanse the wrong way.

Let’s break down why your current face cleanser may be working against you-and what to use instead.

The Problem with Most Face Washes

Conventional face cleansers especially the foaming or gel types often rely on harsh surfactants like sulfates. These ingredients strip your skin of its natural oils. That might sound good if you’re oily, but it usually leads to two things: over-drying, which causes irritation and flakiness, and rebound oil production, which makes your skin even oilier, clogging pores and worsening breakouts.

And if your cleanser for oily skin includes alcohol or synthetic fragrances? Even worse. These inflame your skin’s barrier and can lead to more acne, not less. Many products labeled as "oil control" are actually just moisture-stripping formulas that backfire over time.

In dry climates like the UAE, foaming face washes are often the worst offenders. They strip too much, offer no barrier protection, and leave the skin vulnerable to pollutants and humidity swings. Men’s face washes in particular are often loaded with menthols or drying agents that worsen irritation, making them a poor choice for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin.

What You Actually Need: A Gentle, Oil-Based Approach

Using a cleansing oil might feel counterintuitive-but hear us out. Oil attracts oil. That means an oil-based formula can dissolve sunscreen, makeup, and excess sebum without stripping the skin. It’s not about feeling squeaky clean it’s about maintaining balance.

Our Organic Cleansing Oil is made for this exact purpose. With lightweight, non-comedogenic oils, it clears away gunk while keeping your barrier intact. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or combination skin, this is the oil based cleanser that does the job without triggering breakouts or causing that dreaded tight-skin feeling.

Pair it with the Cleansing Bar-made with goat milk, natural clay, and tea tree-for a two-step routine that deeply purifies without causing breakouts. This duo forms the basis of the Cleanse Bundle, which has become a go-to choice for those struggling to find a face cleanser for men or women that doesn’t cause irritation and dryness.

Why Foaming Cleansers Fail in This Climate

In hot, dry regions like the UAE, the skin is already dehydrated. Using a foaming face cleanser with synthetic lathering agents only makes that worse. These types of face washes often disrupt your skin’s pH, destroy healthy bacteria, and leave behind a squeaky-clean feeling that’s actually a warning sign your skin has been stripped of its natural defenses.

This stripping leads to inflammation, breakouts, and uneven texture. And over time, it trains your skin to overproduce oil just to compensate. It’s a cycle that keeps feeding itself until you change the way you cleanse.

The Double Cleanse Method (Done Right)

Double cleansing means using an oil based cleanser first to melt away oils and debris, followed by a gentle second cleanse.

Start with our Cleansing Oil. Massage it onto dry skin to dissolve SPF, dirt, and excess oil. Wipe away with a damp cloth.

Then follow with the Cleansing Bar, which balances and purifies without disrupting your skin’s natural state. No artificial foam. No residue.

This method works especially well for those using a cleanser for dry skin that still breaks out, oily skin with clogged pores, and skin exposed to sunscreen, sweat, and pollution daily. It’s a gentle but thorough system your skin will actually tolerate long term.

The full Cleanse Bundle includes both products and is the most convenient way to reset your cleansing ritual.

Key Ingredients That Help (Not Hurt)

Goat’s Milk offers gentle exfoliation with lactic acid. It helps smooth texture and calm redness. This is perfect for sensitive skin types, especially those who struggle with redness, irritation, or post-acne healing.

Natural Clay detoxifies the pores and pulls out buildup without damaging the surface. It’s the ideal partner to the cleansing oil step, as it ensures deep purification without irritation. Skin feels fresh, never tight.

Tea Tree Oil is antibacterial and soothing-perfect for reducing active acne and preventing new ones. It's a powerful natural alternative to synthetic acne treatments and plays a huge role in keeping skin balanced.

Olive + Jojoba Oil (in the Cleansing Oil) moisturize without clogging. They help balance oily zones and dry patches alike. They restore comfort and hydration without blocking pores.

These ingredients combine to form a system that actually addresses breakouts without causing new ones. The Cleanse Bundle gives your skin everything it needs to detox, rebalance, and thrive in harsh conditions.

Still Think You’re Just Breaking Out “Naturally”?

Think again. If your face cleanser is leaving you tight, red, or shiny within an hour of use-it’s not working. If your skin feels better only after applying moisturizer, your wash step is causing stress. And if you’re still waking up with new pimples despite a healthy lifestyle, it’s time to look at your cleansing method.

The right face wash shouldn’t just clean. It should leave your skin feeling balanced, soft, and calm.

The Cleanse Bundle fixes this entire issue in two simple steps. No overthinking. No overdrying. Just a reliable cleanse that protects and restores your skin from day one.

How to Get the Most Out of It

Use the oil based cleanser at night, every night-even if you didn’t wear makeup. Your skin collects dust, oil, and sweat every day in this climate.

Follow with the cleansing bar immediately after. Pat dry and apply a moisturizer or serum of your choice. This combo helps seal in hydration and reduce post-wash inflammation.

Repeat every evening, and after workouts. Within a week, most people notice less congestion, fewer flare-ups, and overall smoother skin. It’s a minimal effort for maximum results.

You can also use the cleansing oil as a standalone step in the morning, especially if your skin feels sensitive or dry upon waking. It cleanses gently without removing the moisture your skin needs to face the day.

If you're unsure where to start, go for the full Cleanse Bundle - you’ll get everything you need to rebalance your skin.

Final Thoughts

Ditch the foamy wash that’s making things worse. Embrace a cleansing routine that respects your skin and supports healing.

Switch to the Cleansing Oil + Cleansing Bar, or just go all in with the Cleanse Bundle.

It’s time to stop blaming your skin and start questioning your cleanser. The path to clear, balanced skin starts with the right cleanse-and we’ve already built the system for you.