What Is The Oil Cleansing Method

the oil cleansing methodThe oil cleansing method, also referred to as OCM, is a natural way to clean your face using only oils, hot water, and a soft wash cloth. Many people, especially those with oily skin, think that using oils to wash their face is crazy since they are trying to get rid of oily skin. The truth is, oil attracts and removes oil. When you use the oil cleansing method, the clean oil removes and replaces the dirty oil, resulting in clear and smooth skin.

You may also believe that using oil on your face will cause acne, which is completely untrue. Acne can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, clogged pores, bacteria and inflammation, but not from cleansing your skin with oils. Using the oil cleansing method for acne prone skin can actually be very beneficial in your effort to control and treat your acne.

Benefits of The Oil Cleansing Method

A very important factor to consider when cleansing your face is to remember that oil attracts, dissolves and removes oil. Contrary to what the skin care industry touts – that you must remove all oils from your face to have a beautiful skin tone – washing with the cleansers they promote often upsets the balance of your skin. Your skin produces its own natural oils that create a protective barrier, and harsh cleansers such as face soap or those used to treat acne, can actually remove the barrier the skin produces to heal, moisturize and protect itself.

The benefit of using the oil cleansing method is that you are not stripping your skin of its natural oils with harsh cleansers. You are using oils to remove impurities and replace the dirty oil with clean oil that helps to protect and promote the natural balance of your skin. So rather than working against your skin, you are working with it. The result is soft, smooth and radiant skin.

Moisturizing Oils For Different Skin Types

Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin or normal skin, you can benefit from using the oil cleansing method as a daily face cleanser. Depending on your skin type, you will need to determine the right combination of oils. Castor oil, used for healing and cleaning the skin as well as drawing out impurities, is used as a primary oil with OCM. Since castor oil can dry out the skin, it needs to be balanced with a moisturizing oil, such as extra virgin oil oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower seed oil.

One of the most important parts of using the oil cleansing method is to choose the correct combination of oils for your skin type. And, because everyone’s skin is different, you may need to experiment a bit with the proportions so we advise you to start out with small batches and work from there. Travel-sized bottles are excellent to use for mixing up small batches.

The following are some moisturizing oils suitable for different skin types that can be mixed with castor oil:

  • Normal Skin: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, and Jojoba Oil
  • Dry Skin: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Sunflower Seed Oil
  • Oily & Acne-prone Skin: Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Watermelon Seed Oil, Hazelnut Oil, and Rice Bran Oil
  • Sensitive Skin: Apricot Kernel Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Rice Bran Oil
  • Mature Skin: Rosehip Seed Oil, Borage Oil, Avocado Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Sweet Almond Oil

You can start with a 50/50 ratio of Castor Oil to one of the oils mentioned above for your skin type and then, if need be, change it to a ratio that best suits your skin. Some other blend suggestions are:

  • Oily Skin: A blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% oil mentioned above for oily skin
  • Normal Skin: A blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% oil mentioned above for normal skin
  • Dry Skin: A blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% oil mentioned above for dry skin

How to Use the Oil Cleansing Method

The oil cleansing method should be done at night, before you go to bed. In the morning all that you will need to do is wash your face with a warm washcloth, since you are doing your deep cleansing the night before. The objective is to balance your skin and not irritate it or cause it to produce more oil by over-cleansing.

  • You will need your oil blend, a soft washcloth, and hot running water.
  • It is not necessary to clean your face or remove any makeup beforehand. Your oils will remove any dirt, makeup, or other impurities.
  • Shake your oil well and pour a generous portion of it into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to warm the oil slightly.
  • Smooth the oil all over your face and begin massaging it deeply into your pores using a slow but firm motion. Take your time and focus on any problem areas you may have, allowing the oil to work itself into your pores. Do this for at least five minutes.
  • After you have saturated your skin with the oil, take your washcloth and wet it hot, steamy water. What you want is for the water to be warm enough so that it can open up your pores and remove the oil. Note: If you have very sensitive skin, don’t make the washcloth too hot.
  • Place the washcloth on your face and keep it there until it is cool. Gently blot the oil from your face and then rinse your washcloth in hot, steamy water and place it on your face again until it cools. Repeat this process two or three more times taking care not to scrub your face, but to simply allow the hot washcloth to clean the oil away.
  • If you have any tight spots on your face afterward, you can take a small drop of your oil and pat it onto your damp skin. Be sure to massage it in gently and completely. Blot away any excess so you do not have a film of oil left on your face.

Many of the oils mentioned in this article can be found in your grocery store or at a natural foods store. An excellent online source for high quality oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. Look for Carrier Oils on their website under Products and then Bulk Ingredients.

Although using the oil cleansing method may seem a bit more involved than simply washing your face with soap and water, the results are well worth the effort.

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