There’s something incredibly soothing about a skincare ritual that feels like it was designed with both luxury and sensory comfort in mind. For me, Babor’s Hy-Öl Cleanser and Hy-Öl Phyto Booster Set has become one of those products I actually look forward to using, not just for the results, but for the whole experience.
My Introduction to Babor
There are so many professional skin care brands, and I’ll be honest, I had never even heard of Babor until around 2017 when I worked for a spa and salon in New York City. I’d received word that our spa was about to be nearly rebranded, our in-house products swapped out for better-known, high-performing lines (thank goodness). The brand they brought in was Babor (thank goodness again).
I. Fell. In. Love.
The products. The protocols. The efficacy. My skin!
See, one of the major perks of being trained to use a new skincare line is giving and receiving practice facials. The first time Babor touched my skin, I knew immediately: this was something different. It felt refined, intentional, and effective all at once.
That early experience left such an impression that years later, when I use their products, it still feels like a treat and not a chore. Believe me, I’ve tried other, similar oil-based cleansers since (shoutout to Dermalogica Precleanse, and La Roche Posay Lipikar AP Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil) but the addition of the Phyto Booster really makes Babor stand out as my personal favorite, especially for the price.
A Little About Babor
Babor is a German, family-owned skincare company, founded in 1956 by chemist Dr. Michael Babor, originally as a biomedical cosmetics brand, one of the first to fuse scientific formulas with skincare rituals.
Babor also blends luxury skincare with genuine environmental care. Their products are created with sustainability in mind, using recyclable packaging and working to reduce their carbon footprint, so it feels good to know the company is thoughtful about its environmental impact. In 2024, 80% of all Babor brand packaging was already recyclable, with a goal of 95% recyclability by 2030.
What I really appreciate is that Babor doesn’t just focus on results, but also on the experience of using their skincare, which is why their products stand out to me.
The Birth of Hy-Öl
One of Babor’s very first innovations was Hy-Öl, a cleansing oil that redefined how skincare could begin. At a time when most cleansers were either harsh soaps or basic creams, Babor introduced something entirely new: a lightweight oil designed to attract impurities while protecting the skin’s natural barrier. It became their signature product and laid the foundation for what would evolve into the two-step bi-phase cleansing ritual.
This invention wasn’t just a product; it was a philosophy. Babor believed cleansing shouldn’t strip the skin but rather prepare it, as if setting the stage, for everything that comes after. Hy-Öl is still at the core of their line today, paired with their Phyto Boosters, creating a cleansing system that’s stood the test of time while staying fresh and modern.
The Ritual of Bi-Phase Cleansing
This cleansing duo works in two steps. First comes Hy-Öl, a botanical oil blend that feels silky and nourishing as it glides over the skin. Then comes the Phyto Booster, which activates when layered on top of the oil. Together, they create a gentle yet powerful cleansing system that removes impurities without leaving the skin feeling stripped or tight.
Because the Hy-Öl is oil-based, I don’t feel the need to pre-cleanse makeup from my face before using it. What I do is this: I apply two pumps of the water-loving Hy-Öl to my entire face, neck, and décolleté, concentrating around my eyes to melt away mascara and eye makeup. Then, I apply one pump of the Phyto Booster right on top. The two emulsify together into a milky second cleanser that I smooth all over my skin before rinsing.
Décolleté (dā-ˈkȯl-tā) refers to the upper part of the body that spans between the shoulders, and from the base of the neck to the cleavage.
If I’m showering, I’ll step right in and rinse it all off there. If I’m at the sink, I’ll splash it away with warm water. Either way, I’m left with deeply hydrated (but not greasy) skin. In fact, if I complete this step at the sink, very rarely do I even need to apply a moisturizer afterwards (I mean, I always do, but I don’t always feel like I need to).
Step-by-Step: How I Use It
1. I dispense 2 pumps of Hy-Öl into my hands (Babor recommends 4)
2. I apply it over my entire face, neck, and décolleté, concentrating on heavy makeup areas like around the eyes. This product has never stung my eyes, so it’s great as just an eye makeup remover as well. (My lash extension-loving girlies will want to stick to their lash tech’s recommendations).
3. Add 1 pump of the Phyto Booster directly on top of the oil (Babor recommends 2). My 41 year old skin prefers the Reactivating Phyto Booster.
4. I massage gently until the oil and booster emulsify into a milky texture.
5. I rinse thoroughly with warm water (Babor recommends cool) either at the sink or in the shower.
6. I continue with the rest of my skin care routine: exfoliator, serum, moisturizer, and definitely my SPF!
Boosters for Every Skin Type
What makes this duo even more special is that the Phyto Booster isn’t “one size fits all.” It comes in different formulations designed to address specific skin care needs:
Hydrating – For dehydrated skin; contains oat, glycerin, polysaccharides, and extracts of rosemary and organic birch.
Calming – For sensitive or easily irritated skin; contains chamomile, arnica, and calendula.
Reactivating – For the first signs of aging, and stressed skin in need of regeneration; contains extracts of white tea, ginseng, and ginkgo biloba.
Balancing – For oily/combination skin types; contains sage, witch hazel, and organic elderflower.
This means no matter what your skin is going through, there’s a version that will meet you where you’re at.
Texture & Sensory Comfort
What stands out most for me is the sensory experience. The Hy-Öl has an oily, yet almost velvety texture that’s not greasy but deeply comforting. Adding the Phyto Booster transforms it into a light, milky emulsion as you massage it in with water. There’s something about the transition from oil to milk that feels almost like a little bit of spa magic happening right before your eyes.
For neurodivergent skin-care lovers who may be sensitive to textures, this duo offers balance: lush but not heavy, hydrating but not sticky.
Scent & Grounding Presence
The Hy-Öl has a clean, light scent that doesn’t overwhelm but instead feels clarifying, not clinical. It reminds me of a spa’s quiet aromatherapy moment that’s not perfumey, but fresh and grounding. For me, this makes cleansing less of a “task” and more of a pause, a chance to reset my nervous system while caring for my skin.
Results That Feel Like Self-Respect
Beyond the sensory appeal, the results are wonderful. My skin feels balanced, refreshed, and smooth, never squeaky, tight or irritated. But more than that, it feels like I’m treating my body with respect; the skin is the body’s largest organ, after all. There’s something about investing those two or three minutes into a product that feels good and works well that tells my nervous system: You’re worth slowing down for.
Things to Consider
While I absolutely adore this cleansing system from Babor, it may not suit everyone else out there. Here are a few things to consider:
Lash Extensions – This cleansing duo would definitely not be recommended for use on lash extensions, as it is oil-based. Oil-based cleansers are generally considered a huge no-no for extensions as they will cause them to detach prematurely. It’s best to (ahem) adhere to your lash technician’s home care recommendations.
Oil-Based – While this cleansing system does have a Phyto Booster for oily/combination skin types, acneic skin types and those who simply have an aversion to oil-based skin products might prefer Babor’s Refining Enzyme and Vitamin C Cleanser instead. It is a 2-in-1 enzyme-based cleansing and peeling powder that removes dead skin particles, dirt, and sebum when mixed with water, massaged on the skin, and rinsed (similar to Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant, if you’re familiar).
Common Allergens – These products may not be the right fit for you if you are sensitive to soy, peanut, or sesame seed oils, as they are the main ingredients in Hy-Öl. In this case, the Dermalogica Precleanse might indeed be a better option. It is free from soy, peanut, and sesame seed oils, but does contain kukui nut and apricot kernel oils, which still might not be a good option for those with peanut allergies specifically. Please consult with your doctor prior to trying any new products.
Cost – While Babor certainly offers products whose price points rival those of La Mer, the Hy-Öl and Phyto Hy-Öl Booster Set is priced more within reach for the rest of us huddled masses. That being said, it’s still a bit pricey at $70 USD for the duo. Don’t let the price fool you, though, because a little goes a long way. The recommended ratio of Hy-Öl to Phyto Booster is 2:1, so I adjust it accordingly as per my routine above.
I also don’t wear makeup every day, so I will skip it in favor of the more cost-conscious Green Clean Cleansing Balm from Farmacy on days where I’ve gone makeup-free. While this cleanser can definitely power through and melt away a full face of makeup, leaving my skin feeling just as dewey, I prefer to put my Babor to work.
The Hy-Öl and Hydrating Phyto Hy-Öl Booster are also available as a smaller travel set for $23 USD as a great way to test it out before committing to the full size.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a skincare product that doubles as a grounding ritual, I can’t recommend Hy-Öl Cleanser and Hy-Öl Phyto Booster Set enough. It’s one of those rare finds that checks every box: effective, customizable, sensory-friendly, and spa-like at home. For me, it’s not just cleansing, it’s care, inside and out: for the soul and for the skin.
Let me know your thoughts