The Oil Cleansing Method- Using Oils For Clear Skin

The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) is a great way to gain and maintain healthy radiant skin. The Oil Cleansing Method may be your first step to a simple skin care regimen and throwing out all those expensive face creams and acne treatment products. 

First, oil was not your enemy! We have been led to believe that oil is the nemesis of healthy skin, especially those who suffer from oily acne prone skin. We strip our skin of oils in an attempt to get rid of embarrassing and painful acne. 

Actually, stripping the skin makes it produce even more oil!

How Does Oil Cleansing Work?

There is a simple science behind the oil cleansing method. Oil dissolves oil. While doing so you are penetrating deep into the pores, drawing out toxins and impurities that cause black heads, pimples, and other skin blemishes. Oil cleansing works for dry, oily, acne prone, and even sensitive skin.

Getting Started:

First thing is to be patient. Use the oils that are right for your skin type, you may need to adjust the ratios to find the proportions that works best for you.

You need 2 types of oil (see the lists below for skin type), steaming hot water, a soft face towel and wash cloth.

1. (Optional) I like to begin by putting my face over the steaming water with a towel over my head to direct the steam towards my face to open up my pores.
2. Add a few drops of your oil combo in the palm of your hand (enough to cover your entire face). Warm the oils by rubbing your palms together.
3. Apply oils to your face and rub in with your fingertips, making sure you concentrate on the problem areas. This gets the oil to sink into your pores melting the pore blocking oils while pulling out toxins. Do this for at least 1 to 2 minutes.
4. Soak your clean wash cloth in the steaming water and squeeze out excess water, be careful not to burn your hands.
5. Lay the cloth on your face. Make sure it’s still hot but, comfortable enough not to scald or irritate your skin. This will soften the oils and open your pores. Keep the cloth on your face until it cools to room temperature.
6. Once the cloth cools,  remove it and gently wipe the oil off with the clean face towel.
7. Repeat these steps 2 more times and you are done! No need to wash your face or add any other products to your skin. You may rub a drop of oil on your face if needed.

Oil Recipes:

The most commonly used oil combo is Castor oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil or sunflower seed oil. Make sure your oils are 100% natural and cold pressed. Castor oil acts as the base oil and must be diluted with the other oil to meet your skin needs.

Suggested ratios

Dry Skin: 10% Castor Oil to 90% Olive Oil.

Normal Skin: 20% Castor Oil to 80% Olive Oil.

Oily Skin: 30% Castor Oil to 70% Olive Oil.

Here is another version of oil combos, without ratios.

Normal skin: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Jojoba Oil

Dry skin: Castor Oil and Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Sensitive skin: Apricot Kernel Oil and Jojoba Oil

Oily and acne prone skin: Grapeseed Oil and Jojoba Oil

Start with a 50/50 ratio and alter it as you see fit. There are so many wonderful skin loving oils out there and if you have a preferred oil that is not listed above don’t be afraid to try it out.

*I like to add in a drop of Tea Tree Oil for those extra astringent and skill healing properties.