Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil Review: Oil Cleanser
The Verdict
Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil is a well-judged first-step cleanser: a genuinely high Omega-6 safflower oil base does real work dissolving makeup and SPF, moringa seed oil adds an anti-pollution angle, and the oil-to-milk emulsion rinses cleanly without the tight, stripped feeling some cleansing oils leave behind. It suits most skin types, but is at its best on dry, dehydrated or mature skin, and on anyone wearing heavy makeup or sunscreen daily. As always, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or unsure how it fits your existing routine, our team is here to help — just get in touch.
Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil | Oil Cleanser | 140ml
£35.00
Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil is a first-step cleansing oil built around cold-pressed safflower oil, formulated to dissolve makeup, SPF and daily grime while helping support the skin's natural lipid barrier. It's designed as the opening step of a double cleanse, working on the principle that oil dissolves oil-based residue more effectively than a water-based cleanser can manage alone, and it turns into a milky emulsion once water is added.
Quick facts
| Detail | What it is |
|---|---|
| Product type | First-step oil cleanser, emulsifies to a milk with water |
| Format | 140ml pump-dispenser bottle |
| Key actives | Cold-Pressed Safflower Seed Oil (high in Omega-6 / Linoleic Acid), Moringa Seed Oil, Vitamin E (Tocopherol) |
| Also contains | Olive Fruit Oil, Beta-Carotene, Carrot Root Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Geranium & Orange Peel Oil (natural scent) |
| Suits | All skin types; particularly suited to dry, dehydrated and mature skin, and to daily makeup or SPF wearers |
| When to use | First step of a double cleanse, morning and evening |
| Price band | Mid-range — see the product page for current pricing |
What's actually in the formula
The base is cold-pressed Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, which Medik8 formulates at over 70% Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid) — an essential fatty acid the skin can't make itself. Linoleic acid is a normal component of the skin's own lipid barrier, and formulas that lean into it are generally chosen for skin that runs dry or is prone to feeling stripped after cleansing. Ethyl Linoleate is included alongside it to reinforce the same fatty-acid profile, which is also what gives the product its glide and its cashmere-soft feel on application.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil is the formula's anti-pollution ingredient, included for its ability to bind to dirt and airborne particulate so they lift away more easily during cleansing rather than sitting on the skin. Vitamin E (Tocopherol) works alongside Beta-Carotene and Ascorbyl Palmitate (a fat-soluble form of Vitamin C) as the formula's antioxidant network, included to help protect the oil itself from oxidation and to support the skin against everyday environmental exposure. Olive Fruit Oil rounds out the emollient blend, adding conditioning without changing the overall lightweight, non-greasy finish.
Texture and how it feels
Dispensed onto dry hands, it's a silky, fairly fluid oil rather than a thick balm — it spreads easily over a dry face and doesn't tug at the skin, which matters most around the eye area when removing eye makeup. Add warm water gradually and massage: the oil turns milky and opaque as it emulsifies, then rinses away completely without the greasy residue some cleansing oils leave behind. Medik8 specifically flags that cold water can cause the oil to solidify rather than emulsify, so warm water is worth sticking to.
Who it's formulated for
- Dry, dehydrated or mature skin looking for a cleanse that doesn't leave skin feeling tight afterwards
- Anyone wearing heavy, waterproof makeup or SPF daily and wanting a genuine first-step dissolve rather than a quick wipe
- Sensitive skin that reacts to foaming or sulphate-based first cleansers
- Oily and combination skin using it specifically as a balancing first step, followed by a second, water-based cleanse to manage shine
If you're avoiding fragrance altogether, note that the formula includes natural Geranium and Orange Peel oils for scent, which bring along the naturally occurring allergens Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool and Citral — worth a patch test first if you know you're sensitive to floral or citrus essential oils.
How to use
Dispense 2–3 pumps into dry hands and massage into dry skin using circular motions, including around the eyes if removing eye makeup — for stubborn eye makeup, hold oil-coated fingers gently over closed eyes for a few moments first. Add warm water gradually to emulsify the oil into a milk, continuing to massage for 30–60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly. Use once or twice daily, morning and evening, as the first step of your cleanse. Medik8 recommends patch testing before first use.
Double cleanse: where this fits
This is designed purely as step one. Medik8 pairs it with a water-based second cleanser — options like Pore Cleanse Gel Intense for oily or congested skin — to actually clean the skin surface once makeup and SPF are broken down. If your evening routine also includes a retinoid such as Crystal Retinal, starting with a thorough oil cleanse to fully remove SPF and makeup residue helps the retinoid make contact with clean skin rather than working through leftover product. If you're not sure how to sequence a double cleanse alongside other actives in your routine, our team can talk it through — get in touch any time.
Frequently asked questions
Will it remove waterproof makeup and SPF?
That's what it's formulated to do. The high Omega-6 safflower oil base is designed to dissolve oil-based makeup, sunscreen and daily grime that a water-based cleanser alone tends to struggle with, which is the whole rationale for using an oil cleanser as the first step.
Can I use this if I have oily skin?
Yes — oil cleansing isn't only for dry skin. Used as a first step and followed by a water-based second cleanse, it can help balance oilier skin rather than strip it, since stripping the skin barrier can sometimes prompt more oil production in response. If your skin runs very oily, keep an eye on how it responds and adjust frequency if needed.
Can I use Medik8 Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
The Skintique Academy view
Lipid-Balance Cleansing Oil does what a good first-step cleanser should: it dissolves makeup and SPF thoroughly, emulsifies cleanly, and leans on a genuinely high-Omega-6 formula to help improve the appearance of a comfortable, non-stripped finish rather than a tight one. It's best suited to dry, dehydrated or mature skin, and to anyone cleansing off a full face of makeup or sunscreen daily, paired with a water-based second cleanser to complete the double cleanse. As always, if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or unsure how it fits your existing routine, our team is here to help — just get in touch.