The objective of this invention is to provide an oil-based cleansing composition which retains high performance capability for cleansing, is free from the occurrence of cloudiness in the appearance and does not cause the reduction of the performance capability for massaging, even when water is interfused therein, and further is reduced in the irritation to an eye and is of good safety. An oil-based cleansing composition of this invention is characterized in that comprising (A) a nonionic surfactant having a HLB of 6 to 14, and (B) an oil component, and said oil-based cleansing composition satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): (1) the amount of water in the composition is less than 5% by mass, and (2) a micellar aqueous solution phase or a bicontinuous microemulsion phase is formed when said oil-based cleansing composition and water are mixed in the ratio of 4:6.
