🧼 Top 5 Affordable Vegan Cleansing Oils for Clean & Conscious Skin
Skincare shouldn't cost the earth — literally and financially. If you're looking for a cleansing oil that's effective, gentle, vegan, and budget-friendly, you're in the right place.
Cleansing oils are one of the best ways to remove makeup, sunscreen, and dirt without stripping your skin. But many formulas still use animal-derived ingredients or aren’t transparent about their cruelty-free status.
Luckily, there's a growing list of vegan cleansing oils that are both affordable and effective. In this blog, we’ll dive into the best budget-friendly vegan cleansing oils that keep your skin — and your values — squeaky clean.
🌿 What is a Vegan Cleansing Oil?
A vegan cleansing oil is a product that:
- ✔️ Contains no animal-derived ingredients (no beeswax, lanolin, animal fats, etc.)
- ✔️ Is not tested on animals (cruelty-free)
- ✔️ Often made with plant-based oils like jojoba, olive, sunflower, grapeseed
Vegan cleansing oils are perfect for:
- Sensitive skin (due to fewer synthetic chemicals)
- Eco-conscious beauty routines
- First step in double cleansing
💡 Tip: Always look for "vegan" and "cruelty-free" labels from certified organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA.
💸 1. The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane
💰 Price: Around $10
🧴 Texture: Lightweight oil
🫧 Best for: Dry, sensitive, or irritated skin
This minimalist product contains just one ingredient — squalane — derived from sugarcane. It's not marketed as a cleansing oil, but it works beautifully to melt off makeup and sunscreen without irritation. The bonus? It doubles as a moisturizer!
✅ Fragrance-free and essential oil-free
✅ Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
✅ Multipurpose: cleanse or hydrate
🔍 Verdict: Perfect for beginners and sensitive skin types.
🌼 2. iUNIK Calendula Complete Cleansing Oil
💰 Price: Around $14–15
🌿 Origin: Korea
🫧 Best for: Combo to oily skin
One of the most underrated K-beauty cleansing oils, iUNIK’s Calendula Oil is packed with natural plant oils like sunflower, jojoba, and canola, as well as calendula flower extract — known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
✅ Vegan, cruelty-free, and gentle
✅ Removes waterproof makeup easily
✅ Mild herbal scent
💡 Bonus: The formula emulsifies quickly with water, making it ideal for those new to oil cleansers.
🍃 3. Pacifica Vegan Collagen Cleansing Oil
💰 Price: Around $18
💧 Texture: Silky and rich
🫧 Best for: Dry or aging skin
Formulated with Pacifica’s signature vegan collagen (a blend of fermented yeast extract and amino acids), this cleanser removes debris while hydrating skin. It’s gentle, smells amazing, and is ideal for mature skin or harsh climates.
✅ Recyclable packaging
✅ No parabens, sulfates, or silicones
✅ Fully plant-based and ethical
🔍 Verdict: A glow-boosting treat for aging or dull skin.
🌾 4. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil (Vegan-friendly version)
💰 Price: Around $12
🇰🇷 Origin: Korea
🫧 Best for: Dull or uneven skin tone
This K-beauty staple uses rice bran oil, moringa oil, and other botanicals to brighten, hydrate, and gently cleanse. While not all versions of this product are vegan, some variants contain no animal ingredients. Always check the label!
✅ Lightweight texture — doesn’t leave residue
✅ Adds radiance to tired skin
✅ Great value for daily use
💡 Tip: Do a patch test if you have fragrance sensitivity, as it has a light floral scent.
🧴 5. Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser (Balm-to-Oil Formula)
💰 Price: Around $13
🔬 Texture: Solid balm that melts into oil
🫧 Best for: Sensitive, dry, or reactive skin
Though technically a cleansing balm, Byoma’s Melting Cleanser acts just like a cleansing oil once applied. It’s vegan, fragrance-free, and packed with ceramides, niacinamide, and grapeseed oil. No tight skin feeling afterward — only soft, happy skin.
✅ Dermatologist-approved
✅ No essential oils or artificial dyes
✅ Perfect first step for double cleansing
🔍 Verdict: Great for minimalists or those with easily irritated skin.
📋 Comparison Table
| Product | Main Ingredient | Skin Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ordinary Squalane | Squalane | Dry, Sensitive | ~$10 |
| iUNIK Calendula | Calendula & Jojoba Oils | Combination, Oily | ~$15 |
| Pacifica Vegan Collagen | Vegan Collagen Blend | Dry, Mature | ~$18 |
| The Face Shop Rice Water | Rice Bran Oil | Dull, Uneven | ~$12 |
| Byoma Melting Balm | Grapeseed Oil, Ceramides | Sensitive, Dry | ~$13 |
🧼 How to Use a Vegan Cleansing Oil Properly
- 👐 Start with dry hands and a dry face
- 💆♀️ Massage 1–2 pumps of oil gently into your skin (30–60 seconds)
- 💧 Add a bit of water to emulsify into a milky texture
- 🚿 Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
- 🧽 (Optional) Follow with a water-based cleanser for double cleansing
⏱️ Use once daily in the evening, especially to remove SPF and makeup.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Clean Skin, Clean Conscience
You don’t have to break the bank to commit to vegan, cruelty-free skincare. These affordable cleansing oils offer effective cleansing, gentle formulas, and eco-conscious values — all under $20.
Whether you're a skincare minimalist or a double-cleansing devotee, there’s a budget-friendly vegan option out there that fits your needs and ethics.
🌿 Try one, and your skin (and the planet) will thank you!