Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil for oily skin
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Triethylhexanoin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Glycerin
Caprylyl Glycol
Average
- AverageOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for oily skin; other pre-cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate makeup removal for your oily skin, as Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Triethylhexanoin effectively dissolve impurities, while Bht provides antioxidant activity to support skin health.
- The formula includes Tocopheryl Acetate and Glycerin, which offer soothing and hydrating benefits, though it lacks specific ingredients to fully address excess oil production.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine. Start 3×/week and increase to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before your regular cleanser and toner. It prepares your skin by melting away excess oil and makeup.
- Gently press a small amount onto your dry skin using your fingertips. Massage softly and avoid harsh rubbing to protect your pores.
- Apply this product on dry skin to effectively break down heavy makeup and surface oil. Massage it gently before washing it off with water.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to ensure your skin feels comfortable.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with oily and acne-prone skin frequently praise this lightweight oil for dissolving stubborn waterproof makeup without clogging pores or leaving a greasy residue. While most find it non-stripping and gentle on sensitive skin, a small subset of users experienced blurred vision when removing eye makeup or minor breakouts after use.
Highlights
Dissolves stubborn makeup Mostly Mentioned
- “Immediately dissolves even tenacious face makeup, oil and impurities.”
- “Melts away waterproof mascara and long-wearing foundation effortlessly.”
- “Removes all traces of lipstick, blush, and eye shadow with ease.”
- “Takes off layers of sunscreen and baking powder without scrubbing.”
Rinses completely clean Often Mentioned
- “Rinses off easily with water, leaving no residue behind.”
- “Turns into a milky emulsion and washes away completely.”
- “Leaves skin feeling super clean and not greasy at all.”
- “No oily film left on the skin after rinsing.”
Gentle & non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves my skin feeling soft, never tight or dry.”
- “Super gentle on the skin, doesn't strip moisture.”
- “Great for sensitive skin, causes no irritation or redness.”
- “Feels hydrating compared to other harsh cleansers.”
Ideal for acne-prone skin Sometimes Noted
- “Works very well with my oily acne-prone skin.”
- “Does not clog pores or cause breakouts.”
- “Non-comedogenic and lightweight, perfect for congestion-prone skin.”
- “Helps clear up my skin by removing all impurities.”
Causes blurry vision Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a cloudy film over my eyes for a few minutes.”
- “Makes my vision blurry if it gets into my eyes.”
- “Stings slightly and causes temporary cloudiness.”
- “Hard to keep out of eyes when removing mascara.”
Chemical/plastic scent Rarely Noted
- “Has a faint chemical smell despite being fragrance-free.”
- “Smells a bit like plastic or old oil.”
- “Not a pleasant scent, though it fades quickly.”
- “Smells synthetic compared to other oils.”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “Pump dispenses too much product at once.”
- “Bottle leaks if not kept perfectly upright during travel.”
- “The lock on the pump is finicky and hard to use.”
- “Wish it came in a larger size for the price.”
Thin/watery consistency Rarely Noted
- “Texture is very thin and runny compared to the balm.”
- “Runs through fingers easily, leading to product waste.”
- “Wish it was slightly thicker so it didn't drip as much.”
- “Feels a bit too watery for a deep massage.”
Sources: lovi.care, clinique.com, sephora.sg, ulta.com, makeupalley.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Clinique Take The Day Off work for oily skin?
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil works moderately well for oily skin by dissolving impurities effectively without causing irritation, though it lacks oil-controlling ingredients. An ideal makeup remover for oily skin needs lightweight, oil-balancing ingredients that clear away excess shine without adding extra richness.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for oily skin?
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Triethylhexanoin help dissolve impurities, while Tocopheryl Acetate and Glycerin offer soothing and hydrating benefits for your oily skin. Makeup removers for oily skin need lightweight, oil-controlling ingredients that cleanse thoroughly without adding extra shine or heavy oils.
What does Cetyl Ethylhexanoate do for oily skin?
Cetyl ethylhexanoate is unlikely to clog pores and helps keep oily skin soft and smooth without feeling heavy. Because it spreads easily and absorbs quickly, it leaves a light finish that does not add extra shine to oily skin.
What does Triethylhexanoin do for oily skin?
Triethylhexanoin helps soften oily skin and lock in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy. It makes the skin feel smooth while keeping the surface light throughout the day.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This product goes as the first step in your evening routine to remove makeup, and is also used at the start of your weekly routine before cleansing. A product of this type for oily skin needs ingredients that help balance excess oil production.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover with retinol by applying it in the evening before your cleanser and treatment. It is unlikely to cause irritation due to its gentle ingredients, though oily skin of this type needs added ingredients that specifically target excess oil production.
How often should I use it?
You can use this makeup remover in the evening to take off makeup or whenever you wear it, as it is safe and unlikely to cause irritation for your oily skin. To properly care for oily skin, a product of this type needs added ingredients that balance and clear excess oil production.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts on oily skin due to its gentle and safe formula. However, because it lacks ingredients that target excess oil, an oily skin routine needs ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help keep pores clear and manage shine.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Vitamin E in O/W and W/O emulsions significantly increased stratum corneum hydration and enhanced water-binding capacity, with an optimum concentration of 5%.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 1998Co-encapsulation of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocopheryl acetate in nanostructured lipid carrier gel formulations significantly enhanced moisture retention up to 68% and improved skin elasticity in human volunteers compared to a solution gel.
Scientific Reports, 2025A preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol showed no delayed Type IV dermal sensitivity reactions in 200 subjects when tested as a 15% mixture in carbomer gel and in a cosmetic formulation.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2009Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.
Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Ingredients
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Polybutene, Peg-8 Diisostearate, Peg-12 Diisostearate, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Laurate, Bht
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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