Squalane Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated October 30, 2026
Squalane balm-to-oil cleanser removes makeup and sunscreen without stripping; residue divides users.
What the community says
A squalane-rich balm-to-oil cleanser for makeup, sunscreen, and tret-dried skin, especially when foaming washes leave you tight. It feels soothing and non-stripping, though residue, slow emulsification, and occasional breakouts make a second cleanse necessary for some.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
How to use it
From Reddit routinesHow Reddit uses it
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 213 mentions across 30 threads
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser on Reddit, in one place — 30 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/tretinoin and 6 more, summarized.
“The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser - 5/10”
Cautionary
“Pros: Unscented, affordable.”
Cautionary
“Cons: Made my skin itch and left a residue.”
Cautionary
“The Ordinary Squalene Cleanser (if I wore makeup)”
Positive
“Evening:”
Positive
“mostly used the Ordinary and Cerave products”
Positive
“PM - The Ordinary squalene oil cleanser, Aveeno oat cleanser, Trenton 0.025%, Purito oat moisturizer”
Positive
“I only oil cleanse because I wear makeup so it helps get concealer/foundation off”
Positive
“I like the squalene oil cleanser bcs the ingredients list is super simple!”
Positive
“My routine - on a night time I use the ordinary squalane cleanser, and then apply tret.”
Positive
“The only thing I would repurchase is the squalane cleanser.”
Positive
“I just never found anything I really liked.”
Positive
“would repurchase”
Positive
“Cetaphil gentle cleanser or TO squalane cleanser”
Positive
“TO squalane cleanser”
Positive
“PM- remove any makeup with micellar water -Cetaphil gentle cleanser or TO squalane cleanser”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
Aveeno
Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer
Mentioned together in 6 threads
“You need a very gentle cleanser, something like TO squalane cleanser or Prequel gleanser and a barrier repairing moisturiser like LRP cicaplast/avene cicalfate/Aveeno calm+restore oat gel.”
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Mentioned together in 6 threads
“Squalane cleanser, glycolic acid toner to shrink pores and smooth skin, natural moisturizing factors and that's it.”
The Ordinary
Mentioned together in 6 threads
“Products: 100% Plant Derived Squalane, Squalane Cleanser, Rice Lipids + Ectoin Emulsion”
The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Mentioned together in 5 threads
“and The Ordinary squalane cleanser. Then Alcohol Free Witch Hazel to make sure I'm clean. Occasionally I will use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution.”
— r/acne