Hellobee Boards

I prefer cleansing balms to cleansing oils but I love both. For cleansing oil, I'd get Boscia makeup breakup as a basic starter. I just bought the Ren one but I haven't used it. For balms, I like Clinique and The Body Shop. I recently bought Sunday Riley Blue Moon Tranquility cleansing balm, it has soft sugar in it for light exfoliation. It was a splurge because it's nice to use, not actually worth that much more money than others. The others are more everyday use types.

I can recommend some! I have combination skin trending towards oily, which is also very sensitive. I LOVE oil cleansers. LOVE THEM. I have used some premade, made my own for a bit, but back to buying. Making your own oil cleaner is cheap (relatively) and super easy but the one I made after a while left a residue in the sink I didn't like and I couldn't get a scent I totally loved, so here we are. My top picks are:

#1: Biodroga. I freaking love this oil but it really is just better for dry skin. Too heavy but otherwise ideal. If my skin could swing it, I would.

#2 Tatcha pure camellia oil. Lovely light scent; light oil. Need to use more than they recommend on the bottle.

#3 Fresh seaberry cleansing oil. I really want to love this one, but I just don't love the smell....at all. It's a sweet sweet, almost candy-like scent. It's just too much for me and what I like. But, it is good oil.

#4 Derma-E rose cleansing oil. Doesn't really smell too rosy, unfortunately. Fine otherwise.

ETA: #2 and 3 can be purchased through Sephora, #4 through Pharmaca (great site too for natural skincare) and #1 needs to be bought through Biodroga.

My skin is also combination/sensitive! These are my recs:

Heimish Cleansing Balm - https://www.amazon.com/Heimish-Clean-Balm-Cleansing-120ml/dp/B01CJ639SM

The Face Shop Cleansing Oil -
https://www.amazon.com/Facial-Cleanser-Natural-Cleansing-Moisturizer/dp/B00809ERAM

Essences... I'm using a Whamisa Toner that I love. It's more thick and serum-like than a traditional toner, so I'd say it's more of an essence/serum than a toner - https://www.amazon.com/Whamisa-Organic-Flowers-Skin-Toner/dp/B01N7P9N8I - I only need to use a couple drops then dab it into my skin, so I expect it to last awhile. If you have a Costco membership, it's cheaper to buy it from the Costco website.

I am currently making my own cleansing oil, using grapeseed oil and a tiny bit of tea tree oil and my skin (dry, rosacea prone) loves it. I put a few pumps in my hand, massage it in and then use a microfiber cleansing cloth to remove it. I sometimes follow up with a toner, a plain non alcohol formula, sometimes not. I use Missha Essence, that I've decanted into a bottle and spray onto my skin. For serums, I am currently finishing up a bottle of Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement, but will probably change that when I am through the bottle.

I love the idea of a cleansing balm, but Bobbi Brown's version is too expensive for me. I am looking for the Palmers brand balm, but I haven't seen it in stores yet.

I’m currently using Jurlique cleansing oil
https://www.dermstore.com/product_Purely+AgeDefying+Nourishing+Cleansing+Oil_63173.htm

And I love Mario Badescu aloe, herb & rosewater toner. I either spritz on my face and pat in or spray in a cotton round and use more like a toner. I even spray a little on my beauty blender instead of water. Really really love it and it’s relatively affordable.

I have the caudalie cleansing oil on my list to try. I like caudalie products in general.

Also glossier cleansing jelly is nice. It’s not the same as an oil but it’s like a cousin. Definitely not the same as a traditional cleanser.

@catgirl: Agree! $7 is a great price and is worth trying. I hope it works out for you!

Also, came here to post on my favorite skincare youtuber - Gothamista... she offers a great explanation on essences in this video -