Squalane Cleanser — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated November 10, 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
What TikTok says
From 15 TikTok videos9 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers
Sponsored creators say the cleanser melts away makeup and sunscreen while leaving skin soft and hydrated 12345678. Unsponsored creators are mixed: 9 calls it good for acne-prone skin and 10 says it can replace a cleansing balm, while 11 finds it too weak for full makeup removal. 1112 suggest following it with a water-based cleanser, and 13 warns it can irritate near the eyes and dislikes its texture and scent. Sponsored creators call it suitable for sensitive and every skin type 45.
Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
How to use it
From Reddit routinesHow Reddit uses it
Where to buy
Full ingredient list · 18
The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser ingredients
Squalane, Aqua (Water), Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin, Sucrose Stearate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sucrose Laurate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Isoceteth-20, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Malic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
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 5 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
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
Mentioned together in 7 threads
“I do a simple routine of The Ordinary products. Squalane cleanser, glycolic acid toner to shrink pores and smooth skin, natural moisturizing factors and that's it.”
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
Mentioned together in 6 threads
“Products: 100% Plant Derived Squalane, Squalane Cleanser, Rice Lipids + Ectoin Emulsion”
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Mentioned together in 5 threads
“The squalane cleanser is gentle but postpartum hormones change everything, and your skin might just need something different right now. Also worth trying, drop the glycolic acid”