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 its 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.
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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.
Before we get started in learning how to use the Oil Cleansing Method for skin, if you like what you’re seeing, subscribe to my email newsletter at the bottom of the page to keep up to date on the latest recipes, DIYs, gardening and health tips I share!
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
Ratios:
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.
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
Have you tried oil cleansing before? How did you find it? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
Vanessa
