🇬🇧United Kingdom

MAC Cleanse Off Oil for dry skin

High

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for dry skin; a few pre-cleansers fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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

  • Highly suitable for your dry skin as Squalane, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Wheat Germ Oil provide excellent moisturizing and emollient effects to combat dryness and flakiness.
  • The formula effectively removes makeup with Cetyl Ethylhexanoate and Olea Europaea Oil Fruit, ensuring a thorough cleanse without compromising your skin's hydration.
  • The product is safe for your skin, featuring soothing ingredients like Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower and Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, with no harsh or irritating components.

How to apply

  • Use this makeup remover in your PM routine every evening to gently clean your face. Always pair with a gentle cleanser afterward.
  • Apply this makeup remover as a pre-cleanser step before using your regular cleanser and moisturizer.
  • Gently wipe a small amount of makeup remover across your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid any harsh rubbing on dry or flaky skin.
  • Apply the makeup remover directly onto dry skin to easily dissolve makeup without stripping your natural moisture. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  • Avoid direct contact with your eyes and do a patch test before first use. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.3Overall rating based on 700+ reviews

This cleansing oil is highly effective at removing stubborn waterproof makeup, leaving skin feeling moisturized and balanced, which is particularly appreciated by those with sensitive and oily skin. A notable concern is that the product has reportedly been discontinued, and some users have experienced temporary blurry vision after use.

Highlights

  • Effective makeup removal Mostly Mentioned
    • “Removes every single trace of eye makeup”
    • “melts away makeup without harsh scrubbing”
    • “cuts through waterproof mascara”
  • Non-drying and gentle Often Mentioned
    • “Leaves skin soft and fresh”
    • “doesn't strip my face of moisture”
    • “gentle enough for sensitive skin”
  • Rinses clean Often Mentioned
    • “Rinses clean with no greasy feel”
    • “leaves no residue”
    • “emulsifies well with water”
  • Temporary blurry vision Often Mentioned
    • “Makes my eyes all foggy”
    • “clouded up my eyes”
    • “vision blurry for a couple of minutes”
  • Long-lasting value Sometimes Noted
    • “Bottle lasts forever”
    • “a little goes a long way”
    • “lasts me for 10-11 months”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “On the expensive side”
    • “price is a bit wicked”
    • “steep price for a cleanser”
  • Product discontinued Sometimes Noted
    • “Discontinued a while back”
    • “currently unavailable”
    • “Hyper Real replacement is awful”
  • Occasional breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “Made me breakout”
    • “caused whiteheads”
    • “ingredients are disappointing for my skin”

Sources: lovi.care, cozycot.com, macys.com, temptalia.com, nordstrom.com, hwahae.co.kr, and more

Questions and answers

What makes MAC Cleanse Off Oil a great fit for dry skin?

MAC Cleanse Off Oil is a great fit for dry skin because ingredients like squalane, jojoba seed oil, and wheat germ oil provide rich moisture to combat dryness and flakiness while washing away makeup. The formula also includes soothing chamomile and lavender oils to keep your skin calm and comfortable without irritation.

Pharmacognosy Research, 2010Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025

Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for dry skin?

Squalane, jojoba seed oil, and wheat germ oil make this cleanser a great fit by providing deep moisture to combat dryness and flakiness. These ingredients help keep your dry skin feeling soft and comfortable while you remove your makeup.

Pharmacognosy Research, 2010

What does Olive Oil do for dry skin?

Olive oil helps improve hydration and supports epidermal renewal for dry skin, though it may not strengthen the skin barrier as effectively as oils rich in linoleic acid. To truly repair very dry or damaged skin, products of this type need a higher ratio of linoleic acid and soothing ingredients that protect the skin barrier.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018

What does Squalane do for dry skin?

Squalane helps keep dry skin soft and smooth by acting as a hydrating agent that locks in moisture and prevents water loss. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may protect the skin from damage while improving overall hydration.

Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2012Molecules, 2009

Where does it go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

Use MAC Cleanse Off Oil as the first step in your evening routine to melt away makeup before cleansing, or as part of your weekly routine. It is a great fit for dry skin because ingredients like squalane, jojoba seed oil, and wheat germ oil help keep your face feeling soft and moisturized.

Pharmacognosy Research, 2010

Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this makeup remover in the evening before your cleanser when using retinol. Applying a gentle, moisturizing product first helps clear away makeup while keeping your skin hydrated and safe from irritation.

How often should I use it?

You can use this makeup remover in your PM and weekly routine for dry skin. Squalane, jojoba seed oil, and wheat germ oil help combat dryness and flakiness while you cleanse.

Pharmacognosy Research, 2010

Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This cleanser is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry skin as it features a safe and gentle formula, though occasional breakouts may rarely happen. Ingredients like squalane, jojoba oil, and wheat germ oil help combat dryness without clogging your pores.

Pharmacognosy Research, 2010Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (limonene).

What the research says

  • Herbal moisturizers containing wheat germ oil, Aloe vera extract, and turmeric extract showed the greatest increase in skin hydration up to 168.125% in healthy human volunteers compared to other formulations.

    Pharmacognosy Research, 2010
  • Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.

    Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024
  • Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract enhanced skin cell viability, reduced oxidative stress and melanin content, improved wound healing, and enhanced skin barrier function in human skin cells and clinical tests.

    Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2025
  • Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.

    Molecules, 2025
  • Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.

    Antioxidants, 2025
  • Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.

    Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012
  • Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.

    Biomolecules, 2025
  • Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Dermatological 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, 2021
  • Topical 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, 2024
  • Daily application of 3% German chamomile oil for 4 weeks significantly reduced serum IgE levels, serum histamine levels, and scratching frequency in DNCB-sensitized mice compared with control groups.

    Journal of Veterinary Science, 2010
  • The combination of allantoin, bisabolol, D-panthenol and dipotassium glycyrrhizinate reduces UVB-induced PGE2, inflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial superoxide in human epidermal keratinocytes.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

Ingredients

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Squalane, Jojoba Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Rice Germ Oil, Tocopherol, Chamomilla Recutita Oil Flower Matricaria Oil Flower, Citrus Aurantium Amara Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil Lavender Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Water, Rosa Canina Oil Fruit Rose Oil Fruit, Limonene

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.