Wash Your Face With Oil

If you told my high school self that I could wash my face with oil and have my best skin ever, I would have said you were crazy. Everyone knows oil on your face makes you break out! And young Kayla avoided it like the plague. Now, older and wiser me knows better.

I recently started practicing the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM), which entails combining certain oils according to your skin’s needs. The type of oil you use and the ratios in the mixture can vary, but I use 6 parts castor oil to 2 parts grapeseed oil and 2 parts jojoba oil, plus a drop or two of lavender essential oil.

DIY Face Scrubs for Every Skin Type

First, I wet my face with warm/hot water. Not all OCM descriptions include this step, but I like to smudge the mascara off my eyes before I apply the oil, plus it’s easier to spread the oil on if your face is already wet.

Next, using my fingers, I apply the oil mixture to my face, taking time to massage the oil into my skin in outward circular motions.

Then, I take a washcloth (you might even want to use a softer baby’s washcloth) soaked in hot — but not scalding — water and hold this over my face. Or I lean over the washcloth with it very close to my face. This step helps open the pores so that the oil can draw out the dirt. It also feels amazing and is very relaxing. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and let the heat envelope your face.

Finally, I gently use the washcloth to wipe the oil (and my makeup) away and pat my skin dry.

This leaves my skin incredibly soft, and there’s no need to use moisturizer after the process. I also love it because it takes my makeup off, especially my mascara and eyeliner, so easily! It is above-and-beyond better than any store-bought makeup remover I have used.

And of course, I love it because my skin is so much clearer! I admit I did not have wild acne before trying OCM, but I did have the occasional blemish, those pesky blackheads around my nose and a bit of dry skin around my jawline. No more!

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Barbara M.

7:53PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

As I mentioned before, I just cut to the chase and use nothing but the extra virgin olive oil to "wash" my face with at night. Warm wet washcloth over my face for a few seconds before I wipe it off....breathing in....goodness it feels so good. I am one of those tho, that have to use a light exfoliator and that I do each morning in the shower. My absolute favorite is pure baking soda.....I press my wet fingertips into a small jar and smooth over my face. Just enough to get rid of the dead skin cells and start the day with fresh skin! After toweling off and patting my face dry, I spritz on a hydrating mist of aloe vera, rosewater, and food grade glycerin. Re-hydrates beautifully....like a breath of fresh clean air. Should I require any additional moisturizing I use palm oil, jojoba, or olive. No nasty fragrances and I skirt the possible interactions with the essential oils by not using any. Fresh, clean, and totally natural. It doesn't get any better. I laugh sometimes when I think of how simple it really is, and how much money I DON'T have to spend! If only I had known this years ago!!! I could have had beautiful skin all my life.

send a green star

Morgan C.

5:02PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

My mom got me started on this and I was wondering how long this took to work. More like how long untill your face is clear and blemish free?

Ksusha J.

2:11PM PST on Dec 8, 2011

Thanks!

Blueberry M.

7:22AM PST on Dec 4, 2011

thanks! can't wait to try it

Claudia W.

2:44AM PST on Dec 4, 2011

i have been using this OCM for about 10 days now, for the winter, and it's fantastic! i do moisturize afterwards, though, as the rinse with water does leave my skin a bit dry. definitely recommend it!

Joyce S.

10:01AM PST on Nov 24, 2011

Maybe I should try this...

Sherri M.

4:32PM PST on Nov 9, 2011

Fantastic info ! Thanks for sharing.

Treii W.

10:44AM PST on Nov 9, 2011

thanks

Shanna C.

9:06AM PST on Nov 9, 2011

Susan Stebbins - actually, if you have very sensitive skin, you should definitely add the lavender essential oil. Be careful nit to use the word "fragrance" or purchase anything that even says natural fragrance, as it is not a pure essential oil. The standard ratio of base oil (olive, almond, hazelnut, etc) to EO (essential oil) is 20 drops EO to 2 ounces base oil. Dropping the EO by half for children, pregnant women, and/or extremely sensitive skin. But rest assured, even 2 drops in your formula will add to it tremendously. Lavender is extremely calming and soothing, and unless you are allergic to the actual lavender plant and it's buds, you should very much be okay with it, especially that you are sensitive.
With that said, I love lavender, but have a very hard time with it's scent. I use it often, but blend it into synergies (more than one EO). There is a scripture that two are better than one, if one falls down, the other is there to lift him up. Essential oils work like that! One oil is great, two or more, in most cases, are better. I urge you to try lavender and you will find it's benefits are amazing and healing.
I use a lot of Oshahdi Aromatherapy. And although they are pricey, their oils stand out among many other brands I've used.

Blessings!

Susan S.

8:44AM PST on Nov 9, 2011

This is a great way to cleanse. I would, however, suggest that those of us with very sensitive skin skip the fragrance oil. Just because it is natural does not mean it won't irritate our skin. The oil cleansing will still work fine.