If your skin is naturally oily (like mine), don’t be put off by the word “oil” in this cleansing routine. This cleansing method works on all skin types.
Oil Cleansing uses a specific combination of oils to cleanse the skin and balance the skin’s natural oils.
According to The Oil Cleansing Method, ‘oil, alone, will not produce blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads…These are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the build-up of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it… Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, but it also heals, protects, and moisturises your skin so that it may do it’s job.’
This cleansing method works by massaging oil into your skin to help dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and built-up in your pores. Steam is then used to open up your pores, allowing the oil to be washed away.
When first starting out with the Oil Cleansing Method, it’s normal to go through an adjustment period, where skin may get worse before it gets better.
This is the skin detoxing.
You’ll start to notice gradual improvements in skin health; less excess oil, less dry, flaky skin, less blackheads, once the detox period has subsided. It can take anywhere between 3-4 weeks of oil cleansing before you really start to see the full benefits.
How to Oil Cleanse
Castor oil and olive oil are the most common oils used, though you can use any natural oil. Make sure to dilute the castor oil before using it, as it should never be used undiluted on skin. It’s recommended to add twice the amount of secondary oil as castor oil when making an oil blend.
If you choose to avoid castor oil due to its unsustainable growing practices, a great alternative is hazelnut oil.
Other great oils to use for oil cleansing include:
- Sweet almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Apricot kernel oil
- Argon oil
- Jojoba oil
The recommended ratios for each oil are as follows:
- Dry skin: Mostly olive oil, with a tiny amount of castor oil.
- Combination skin: 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 olive oil.
- Oily skin: 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 olive oil.
Adjust the ratios overtime as needed to best suit your skin type.
To use:
- Pour approximately one teaspoon of the oil blend onto your hands and massage it all around your face (I massage some of the oil onto my neck as well as I can get pimples there, too). Make sure your skin is dry beforehand, do not wet it.
- Massage the oil into your skin for one to two minutes or until the oil has completely saturated your skin. Leave the oil on for ten minutes to really clean your pores.
- Saturate a clean washcloth with hot tap water, then wring it out, open it up, and place the cloth over your face. This will create a steam layer over your skin to remove the oils and any impurities.
- Leave the washcloth on for one minute, then use the corners of the cloth to gently remove any remaining oil on your skin. You’ll find a thin layer of oil will remain behind on your skin after cleansing, and this is perfectly normal and beneficial as it will keep skin hydrated and protect it against the natural elements.
- No moisturiser is generally needed after cleansing.
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Have you tried oil cleansing before? How did you find it? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
Sources:
Wells, Katie. (January 9, 2019). Oil Cleansing Method for Naturally Perfect Skin. Wellness Mama. Retrieved from https://wellnessmama.com/7569/oil-cleansing-method/
Why Cleanse with Oil?. The Oil Cleansing Method. Retrieved from https://theoilcleansingmethod.com/why-cleanse-with-oil/
Ferreira, Mandy. (Updated: September 7, 2019). Everything You Need to Know About the Oil Cleansing Method. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/oil-cleansing-method#how-to-oil-cleanse
Tarallo, Marta. (August 13, 2020). Simplify Your Skincare Routine By Making Your Own Oil Cleanser – Here’s How. Pebble. Retrieved from https://pebblemag.com/magazine/living/simplify-your-skincare-routine-by-making-your-own-oil-cleanser-heres-how
Everything You Need to Know About Oil Cleansing. Mysa. Retrieved from https://www.foreo.com/mysa/oil-cleansing-method/
How to Ace the Oil Cleansing Method. Simple. Retrieved from https://www.simpleskincare.com/au/skincare-tips/how-to-ace-the-oil-cleansing-method.html