When I first heard of the Oil Cleansing Method I was skeptical. How could cleansing your skin with oil make it clearer?!
I did a ton of research and found claim after claim from people who cleansed their skin with oil saw a visible difference in hydration, healing of acne spots and fewer fine lines.
Hmmmm aren't all of us secretly looking for that fountain of youth product or treatment? I decided to give it a try.
The Oil Cleansing Method:
Let me start by saying if you have never heard of this it might sound like the strangest skin care tip to date...but keep reading :)
It seems like everything is labeled "oil free" and we have all been taught to believe that if you put oil on your skin you will break out into a pimply mess.
Experts are now saying that oil may be the missing link to clear, beautiful youthful skin.
Cleansing your skin with oil completely removes makeup, dirt and sweat. It will not strip your skin of its natural oil like most cleansers tend to do. When you strip your skin of its natural oil you can actually break out MORE because your skin is overcompensating for the dryness. So you wind up with dry skin and acne. NO fun at all.
Oil cleansers target sebum... so essentially you are attaching the oil of your skin to the oil you are cleansing with and this results in the ultimate deep cleanse.
It seems like everything is labeled "oil free" and we have all been taught to believe that if you put oil on your skin you will break out into a pimply mess.
Experts are now saying that oil may be the missing link to clear, beautiful youthful skin.
Cleansing your skin with oil completely removes makeup, dirt and sweat. It will not strip your skin of its natural oil like most cleansers tend to do. When you strip your skin of its natural oil you can actually break out MORE because your skin is overcompensating for the dryness. So you wind up with dry skin and acne. NO fun at all.
Oil cleansers target sebum... so essentially you are attaching the oil of your skin to the oil you are cleansing with and this results in the ultimate deep cleanse.
How to make your own oil cleanser:
Oily or acne prone skin- 75% castor oil and 25% jojoba oil (which mimics skins natural sebum) or grapeseed oil.
Dry skin- 75% olive oil and 25% castor oil or grapeseed oil.
Normal skin- Equal parts castor oil and grapeseed oil.
You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil if you prone to breakouts for added antibacterial benefits.
Dry skin- 75% olive oil and 25% castor oil or grapeseed oil.
Normal skin- Equal parts castor oil and grapeseed oil.
You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil if you prone to breakouts for added antibacterial benefits.
What to do and how to cleanse:
After a few weeks of using the OCM your skin will look brighter, more youthful and clear.
I use this method every other night and I love the way it has made my skin feel.
If you want to read a little more you can find some great information on Ance.org and Simple Mom.
If you are hesitant to make your own oil cleanser you can check out these three 5 star cleansers that have it already mixed up for you making it foolproof.
- When cleansing your skin with oil it is best to start with a damp face.
- Gently massage the oil into your skin. You can even remove your eye makeup with it.
- Lay a damp warm washcloth onto your skin and let it cool on your face. This will help open your pores.
- Use the washcloth to gently remove the oil. Rinse it out as needed and gently wipe as needed.
After a few weeks of using the OCM your skin will look brighter, more youthful and clear.
I use this method every other night and I love the way it has made my skin feel.
If you want to read a little more you can find some great information on Ance.org and Simple Mom.
If you are hesitant to make your own oil cleanser you can check out these three 5 star cleansers that have it already mixed up for you making it foolproof.
76 comments:
I've heard this but didn't know why it was supposed to be good! Thanks for sharing :)
Yay, I was looking forward to this post since last week! I am definitely trying this, this week! One question, where can I get the jojoba oil? or Grapeseed oil? I have acne prone skin and am hoping to find an oil I can get at Walmart or the grocery store this evening - since I can also get the caster oil there. Thanks for posting on this. I'm so glad it works and am antsy to try it!
I have tricky combination skin (dry on my cheeks but oily on the t-zone) so I am always looking for a better solution to cleansing. I am a little worried about break outs but I will try adding tea tree and let you know how it goes! Thanks for the tip!
I've been using oil to remove eye makeup but I was too scared to try it on my whole face. Now, I am intrigued. I used to do an EVOO-sugar scrub before. I didn't know jojoba and castor oils are better for oily skin. Thanks for sharing! :)
Thanks for sharing. I make sugar scrubs, body oils & body butter for my family. Well last week my sister asked me for more sugar scrub and mentioned that her face has cleared up considerably. In return, I said your face !!! noooo.... the sugar scrubs as noted on the bottle are for your body and the peppermint sugar scrub is for your feet. I asked her if she'd read the instruction on the bottle and she said yes, but needed to exfoliate her skin and used the Grapeseed/EVOO oil & sugar scrub I'd made on her face.
Very interesting! I've never heard of this but I can imagine that it would make your skin feel really smooth!
I HAVE to try this!! So awesome! I can't remember if I told you already or not, but I got my bracelets the other day and love them! I wore them to church and got a ton of compliments! :)
wow, this is so great!
I have heard this before and like you was skeptical. I imagined it making my combo/acne prone skin a slippery, oily disaster! However, you have now piqued my interest to give it a try. I've been following your tree tea oil tip and it's been working when I feel a pimple coming on so I'll trust you on this one too:)
I've tried this using just olive oil a few times, and while I really liked the results, I find myself a little too lazy to devote the time to follow all the steps regularly. I think I may give it another shot and at least do it on hair wash days with proper oils - I'm so tired of putting chemicals on my skin all the time!
We're starting to transition to more homemade/natural products at home lately. My boyfriend is skeptical, but even if lotions/soap/etc you use regularly only have a few toxins, all that can really add up over time! Thanks for the tips!
I would love a post on what, if any, moisturizers you use. I just turned 23, and I'm sure it's mostly in my head, but I feel like all of a sudden tiny fine lines are cropping up everywhere!
I love using Argan Oil before bed. I agree with you- only "Oil-Free" was beat into my brain since I was 13 so I was skeptical, but I love it!
Oh wow, really, oil?? I am going to take your word for it and give it a try! I bet your skin will feel really great after using it. My skin is super dry lately. Thanks for the tip, friend!
Ashley- you can get the oils at any health food store. Keep me posted!
Caroline- I have a giveaway going on Friday and I will be featuring my favorite skin care line, which has an AMAZING moisturizer! Stay tuned :)
Never heard of using oil on sking before but man do I need this stuff. I think my skin right now hates me and I need to try something that works.
Wow I am so terrified right now to try this but all of your skin tips haven't steered me wrong yet!
I am definitely going to try this. Right now, I break open a vitamin E capsule and put the oil all over my face before I go to sleep (especially my eyes because I'm getting so many wrinkles and darkness). When I wake up, my face is so soft and not at all greasy, never any pimples. So, I'm on board and will give your oil a try.
this makes sense to me! my skin is always happier when i don't wash it as much. also, coconut oil is supposed to be incredible for your skin!
Never heard of this and never would have guessed it. I used to mess with my skin and try and fix it all the time with different masks and cleansers...it wasn't till I just left it alone that is started looking good...lol.
Thanks so much for this! I will try out some of the mixes you mentioned. All I have ever done for the OCM, is with coconut oil. Rub it on my face and cover with a warm facecloth. Then wipe it off and rinse. I've also started to use coconut oil as my moisturizer :)
Wow this is crazy!! It's so funny, because I have dry/oily skin. Sounds crazy right?? (I blame it on moving to CO, before it was just oily) So I use a yogurt moisturizer, which is fantastic! I am curious to try this for sure, and need to put together an herbs and oil shopping list! (herbs from last week lol!)
xoxo
Lia
I haven't heard of this. I need to remember to pick up the oil & try it.
I really, really look forward to your skin care tips. I'm going to try this!
I read about this a few months ago (I don't remember where)... it seems odd to put oil ON your face, but the reviews I've read have led me to believe that this really works! Great stuff here, girl! I've gotta try it! :) xo
This is totally intriguing. I've started using more natural products that aren't specifically for acne and I feel like I am treating my skin how it wants to be treated -- but I haven't seen a huge decrease in my acne, which is still frustrating. I would love to try this!
So interesting to know why to go for an oil one, I would definitely like to try!
<3
I've been trying this for about a week now and it has been great! I felt like normal washing always left my skin a little irritated but this this leaves it soft and calm. Love it!
Wow, I bet that is amazing! I have heard of this method but never found a recipe, so thank you! You are so full of good advice!
I may have to give this a try. I'm 30 years old and I feel like my skin is at its worst. I don't understand it, I eat much better now than when I was younger and I drink plenty of water. HELP!
Wow, I've never heard of this before. Will have to try it!
C3- I would love to help you out if I can! I will send you an email with a few tips :)
I've been using an olive oil or coconut oil as a cleanser for a few years now. It has cleared all the dried flakiness that plagued my winters since I was a teenager. Of course the skin care companies don't want us to know this! I think I'll mix it with castor oil as you suggested for the warmer months.
Thanks for this. I get really dry skin around my nose in the cooler months and I can never find anything that helps so I am going to try the Dry Skin oils!
♥ Shia
Thanks for the tip Lindsay Darling! xoxo
ooooh my goodness you have peeked my interest w/this! My skin is the absolute WORST right now, just got told I have perioral dermatitis (awesome, I know) and started taking the meds and CAN'T wait for it to go away. I wonder if I should wait for it to fade away a bit before I attempt the oil thing. Not sure..
But loved this idea and concept.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!! :)
Emily w/Amazing Grapes
What a timely post since I am out of both cleanser AND moisturizer and have been using old samples for the past 2 weeks! You would think I could just buy something since I'm in a major retailer every day for work, but I can't decide what to use. I've been using Fresh Soy Cleanser, which I love, but recently switched to something organic I bought at a spa (now only available in France). I have no idea what kind of moisturizer to use since I tend to have combination and sensitive skin.
I did try a Shu Uemera oil based cleanser where you put the oil on a dry face and rub it in until it emulsifies. It was interesting, but don't remember why I didn't end up buying it years ago.
I also once tried jojoba oil as a moisturizer once. It was ok, but didn't feel like it really did anything. And now that I'm in my 30's, I need moisture and ANTI-AGING goodness!
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog!
I have never heard of this before, but it sounds very interesting :) I just may have to try it!
hmmm! very interesting, indeed! i definitely have slightly dehydrated skin from time to time that would probably love this :) thanks for sharing! xoxoxo brynn
I have been meaning to incorporate oil into my skincare routine for a while now. I recently came across the same information and was taken aback ("oil is good for your skin?!). Now that the colder weather is moving in, I think this would be the perfect time to start.
I've also been a bit wary of using oil on my slightly oil skin, thinking it would make it worse, but this has really got me thinking now. Thanks for sharing!
Have you ever used coconut oil on your skin? I recently have been using it everywhere- face, legs, arms..it's moisturizing HEAVEN and it doesnt make you break out or anything...
Ash- I used coconut oil on my belly when I was pregnant to prevent stretch marks..along with an entire oil concoction ha! It worked :) I have never used it on my face though.
which of the 3 cleansers you posted is best for acne prone skin? if you do this every other night what cleanser do you use on your off nights?
I have been using the oil cleansing method for about 3 months. (I use grapeseed & castor oil in a 3:1 ratio for my super dry skin.) It is the best thing ever. I am on HRT, and it has made my skin go completely insane. I tried so many things to mitigate the crazy acne, none of them worked. I figured that I had nothing to lose by doing this. Not only do I have about 75% less break-outs, but the ones that do pop up heal in record time. I recommend this to everyone. Give it a month, you wont be sorry!
CCB- I would suggest the Bobbi Brown cleanser. It has jojoba oil in it which it great for acne prone skin! I use a deep pore cleanser from a line called Skin Fitness.
Oh I want to try this Bobbi Brown cleanser. I would love to see how my skin reacts!
Thanks for the tip!
xx Grace
Dream-Boating
I'm hesitant but will give it a try. I've noticed the older I get the more that oil (mostly Vit E) is my friend.
Great tips my sweet! I really feel like having a baby has aged my face! I think it's the lack of sleep! I've tried Boscia before and liked it a lot. It has ridiculously positive reviews on the Sephora website. I like the idea of making my own though, thanks! OXO Nat
thank you so much for this tip. i bought some grapeseed oil a long time ago and tried using it at night as a moisturizer. i have very mild rosacea and am pretty much willing to try anything to help curb it. this method seems to be working the best. i love it...thanks again!
SEE! Look what happens, I have to work away and can't visit your blog in a few days and then come here to find THIS amazing post ... you never ever fail to disappoint Lindsay - I have thought for agessss about giving this a try (well not this exactly as I didnt know how to do it) BUT had read that olive oil gets make up off reallyyyyy well so wanted to try. I was so worried it would make me break out though due to all the oil but you've given me the confidence to try it. I'll so let you know how I go!
Anna xo
http://lifesshinyprettythings.blogspot.com/
I want to try this out, thanks for sharing.
I would love for you to come check out my blog and follow back! :)
bmaryandblessed.blogspot.com
Hi Lindsay! I really liked this idea (and your blog in general). So much so that I posted this idea over on my blog today. I’m a new blogger (so not much of a following yet) but wanted to share your great ideas. Very inspiring. Thanks!
visualmeringue.blogspot.com
I've always wanted to try this! Thank you for the tips! :)
Lindsay, I just wanted to drop by to let you know I've been trying this for about a couple of weeks now. I have an almost 17 month old, and I seriously feel like I've aged 10 years. My skin has gone bonkers, and I was desperate to figure out what was going on. I think part of the problem can be attributed to the BC I was taking, but using oil on my face has been awesome. I feel like I need to play around it more though. I still have to put a heavy night cream on my face after using a mixture of oils (about 80% sunflower seed oil and 20% castor oil) and that just doesn't make sense in my head. I have a lot of dryness around my cheeks and temples...so weird. I can't figure out why I have flaky skin there, so I'm going to try using olive oil to see what happens. Anyways, this is all a long-winded way to say thanks for this blog and all the advice. :)
I bought the Bobbi Brown cleansing oil last Sunday, so it's almost been a week. I use it daily for both morning and evening cleansings, just to try it out. I thought it would be too much considering I have combination (normal, oily) skin, but I'm so in love with it. My skin never ever feels oily, and the acne marks on my face are healing beautifully. I'm so in love with this!
Many thanks,
Heather
I love the OCM, I've been doing it for almost a year, and can't imagine any other way. Love your awesome section of Skin Care, nice job!!!
What's funny is that I have been using olive oil as a makeup remover for some time. I had no idea there was an actual OCM. So interesting! Thanks for sharing this and I love your blog! Your focus on beauty and health is awesome! :)
Even if you have an oily skin it is still important to moisturize. Moisturizers are also specially formulated for various skin type giving everyone a chance to get that supple and healthy looking skin. However, if you wanted to have right solution for skin care tip, you could visit best aesthetic clinic in the area, it pays to asked the right person for any skin problem.
i've been using organic or natural ways for my skin care regimes since my adolescent years. I would like to asked, however, if these natural regimes are complimentary to any anti wrinkle injections, if i decided to have one.
Josie Maran makes a cleansing oil too, Thats what I use, but Im going to try making my own now
I have oily acne-prone skin and have been using the OCM for many years now. I have tried many different brands as well as some DIY recipes. I find the DIY ones were harder to rinse and a bit heavy during summer months, however it is great during the drier winter. I think my favorite brand name one is the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil. I have tried using coconut oil recently and enjoy that one, too. Some people like to use a separate cleanser after using the oil, but I don't.
I've been using the OCM for about a month, and the results are amazing! I use pure olive oil, because I'm too lazy to make a mix, and I can really tell the difference in my skin between days I cleanse with oil and days I use other cleaning methods.
Before OCM, my face just kept getting dryer and more breakout-prone. I knew I had to do something! Glad "something" was as simple as "put oil on, take oil off. Go to bed."
I just started using the OCM a few days ago. I use 20% castor oil & 80% sunflower oil. I can't tolerate the castor oil smell though, my stomach turns when I see or smell it (I know it's a mental thing). So I've added some YL lavender oil & lemon oil. I think I might put a drop of tea tree oil in there too since I'm 2 months post partum and breaking out a bit. So far I like it... I love that I can feel it tingle on my skin, I like to think that is the oil cleaning out my pores, but I really have no clue what the sensation is from, I just know I like it! The website I got the recipe from says to use it ever 2-3 days and wash with warm water in between. You don't mention this though, so how often do you recommend using this? Also, do you know if there is a difference in the sunflower oil vs the grapes we'd oil that you recommend? Thanks!!! Btw, I LOVE your blog, I've been reading it all night and morning as I nurse.
The OCM for dry skin works so Well, i used 75% olive oil and 25% grapeseed oil and it's so good, removes the makeup really fast and easily, and it has a nice feeling on my face! I love it :)
Hi, is there a certain kind or brand of castor oil that is optimal? I know for some kinds of oil it is important to use specific types (cold pressed, I don't know). Thanks!
I tried this method and unfortunately I now have cystic acne all over my face for the first time. Went to the dermatologist and was encouraged to stop asap. Wish it worked for the few spots of acne I had but unfortunately it multiplied the problem ten fold. Ugh...
I've been using 25% castor oil and 75% olive oil with a few drops of tea tree oil for a few weeks now. I'm a 29 year old with sensitive (prone to redness) combination skin, blackheads that get worse if I don't take care of them and have always been prone to breakouts when using pretty much every store-bought moisturizer. I love this new technique. Haven't had a breakout since I started, no more dry skin and my blackheads have improved. I find my skin is still dry with this technique (it is winter after all) so I actually started using a few drops of organic Argan (Moroccan) oil to moisturize my face. I love this so called "liquid gold". Still no breakouts and no sign of dryness. The Argan oil is anti-aging too and your purchase helps collectives of Moroccan women earn legitimate wages independently.
By the way I love your blog. Special thank you for that. I've looked at many "health" blogs in the past few months and I always seem to be coming back to yours.
This is fantastic. After switching to the OCM I rarely have to use a moisturizer, but my skin in no way feels oily or greasy. Thank you!
Thank you for posting this! I discovered it a while back on Pinterest and finally gave it a go about a month ago. Coming from a gal who has fought acne for 10+ years and has tried everything, this is the best and most inexpensive way to go! My skin hasn't looked this good since I was feeding it topicals and retin-a cremes from the dermatologist. While it looked good, it was SO sensitive, I could barely touch it. Not to mention the cost. Now my skin glows, feels great and I haven't had a pimple in weeks. Your post has saved my face and wallet. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
I've been using this methods for about two months now and I am hooked!
I have always had testy skin. Some breakouts, some flaky dry areas, some oily areas, and some redness.
Since I have started using this cleansing method, my skin has cleared up, I've stopped using moisturizer and my skin has just seemed more radiant.
I love that its cost effective and easy! I also love the way it feels. I never liked rinsing my face with water, I hate the way it would run down my arms...now i look forward to washing my face.
It also removes all of my makeup!!!!
I started using the OCM about 6-8 months ago and the results were incredible! I have oily skin and struggle with blackheads and having dry skin on my nose. Another problem I was having was the fine lines around my eyes. I used every type of expensive eye cream you could imagine, but never saw a change.
When I started using the OCM not only did my skin feel AMAZING, but I my eyelashes started to grow back thicker, my blackheads diminished greatly, but the fine lines around my eyes were gone! My skin is brighter and healthier and my eyes have changed a lot and now I don't look so tired.
I was so impressed that I shared it with a few of my friends and now this is the only way they clean their faces and they have noticed the same results.
Also, unlike other products I have not seen my skin results fade over time. I use to find my skin adapting to whatever regimen I was on and I would have to change it, but not with the OCM. I love it!
This method saved my face! Despite using expensive products especially made for sensitive oily skin ("with thermal water", blah blah blah) not only wasn't the oiliness, acne and redness controlled, I also felt a constant discomfort because I couldn't moisturize enough. Now I rarely need to, plus my face is uniformly colored, it doesn't shine anymore and I got rid of the acne after 10+ years (ooh how I wish I knew about this when I was a teenager...)! My sister saw me after some time and thought I was wearing makeup! AAAND it is ridiculously cheap!
I can't believe my luck, coming across your blog Lindsay! THANKS - A LOT!
Greetings from Greece!
Hello!
I have tried this method for a month and my skin is worse than ever. I'm trying a new mix with less castor oil and a antibacterial oil (nigell). But is there any advice you could give me? Maybe I missed something
Hey, I just wanted to asked. I've tried the OCM everyday but it seems I've had more skin tags than normal due to this. Is it normal? Have I just made my skin worse?
I would be supportive on all of your articles and blogs because they are just upto the mark. oil challenge relaxed hair
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