The oil cleansing method is a gentle, natural way to clean your face and remove makeup!
By Elsie, Contributing Writer
Simplicity is attractive, but it can be ironically expensive and difficult to attain. When we spend a ridiculous amount of time, money, and stress on our physical appearance, our “unstudied elegance” loses its authenticity.
Advertisements would have us believe that we can have a streamlined beauty routine that delivers impressive results with minimal effort. I’m inclined to agree with them; although for me the answer isn’t a brand-name facial scrub or multi-tasking night cream.
I’ve minimized my makeup routine and now I’ve adopted a simple skincare routine, free of harmful ingredients, using the oil cleansing method.
I love it! This method is natural, simple, and time-tested (by all the centuries since the ancient Romans). It’s a make up remover, cleanser, moisturizer, and skin healer all-in-one.
Basically, I wash my face with oil. And it really works! I’ve learned a little more about my skin in the past few years. I’ve learned that your skin NEEDS oil to stay clear and healthy. Most commercial face washes dry out your skin, so your body over-produces oil to compensate.
In the oil cleansing method, you massage whole, natural oils into your skin. These clean oils dissolve the dirty, day-old oil on your face, along with your make up. Then you use steam to open your pores, loosening the dirt and allowing the clean oil to penetrate. Lastly, you wipe all the oil off your face. Ready for the details?
Preparation
Your goal is a synergy of cleansing and moisturizing oils. For cleansing, you’ll need to use an astringent oil like castor, grape seed or hazelnut. For moisturizing, you can use olive oil, sweet almond, apricot, sunflower, jojoba, etc. or any combination of those.
If you have naturally oily skin, you’ll want to have a higher cleanser-to-moisturizer ratio, and vice versa if you have dry skin. Start by mixing small amounts of your oils and you can adjust as you get to know your skin better. I tend to have drier skin, so I use 1 part castor oil and 2 parts olive oil. I keep my oil blend in a pretty 3-oz glass bottle on my bathroom counter and just refill it as necessary.
Method
1. Tap a penny-sized amount of oil into your palm and massage it into your face. Run the faucet while you’re massaging to allow the water to heat up. You’ll want the water hot, but not burning to the touch.
2. Saturate a washcloth with hot water, wring out, and lay the washcloth over your face. Keep it there until the washcloth cools; the steam will open your pores and allow the oil to do its work. Repeat one or two times.
3. Wet the washcloth again, wring out, and gently wipe the oil off of your face.
I have been using the oil cleansing method for about two years now and I’m hooked. In combination with a real food diet, it’s done a lot for my skin: cleared up acne, erased lines, and added moisture.
Further reading on the oil cleansing method:
Nitty Gritty on the Oil Cleansing Method @ Crunchy Betty
Video: How to Wash Your Face Using the Oil Cleansing Method @ Keeper of the Home
The Oil Cleansing Method Website with basic overview and links to discussion forums
Other natural skincare posts:
2 Best Ways To Exfoliate Naturally
3 Frugal Skincare Products That Work
A Frugal, Non-Toxic, One Ingredients Skincare Routine
DIY Natural Beauty Routine
Naturally Reversing Adult Acne
Why Using Natural Skincare and Toiletry Products is Important
Sheri
Can you add a few drops of an essential oil (ex. Lemon) for some fragrance?
Erin
I am not Elsie, but I believe you can! Great idea!
Elsie
Sheri, yes you can! I just came across this post from Crunchy Betty that suggests some blends you can try: http://www.crunchybetty.com/trying-and-troubleshooting-the-oil-cleansing-method-tips-for-flawless-oil-cleansed-skin
Michelle
I started oil washing a few months ago and have to say the results are wonderful. My oils of choice are coconut and olive and my face seems to love it. Skin feels soft not oily. We are experiencing record heat and I am enjoying less oily skin, which has never been the case. I am a true believer. Even working on getting my teens in the habit. Wish I had know of this when I was their age.
Elsie
Seriously! As a teen I was always trying new face washes, trying to find one I “really liked” or that “really worked” on my skin. Those chemicals did not work for me like these natural oils do!
Anne @Authentic Simplicity
I tried this once, but I didn’t try using different oils in succession; that is probably the element I was missing. I will have to try again!
Elsie
Did you use olive oil or castor oil? They work great for me, but a lot of people have problems using one or the other.
Mandy
What about those with allergy prone skin? Do you know which oils are the most neutral in that area?
Erin
I am not really sure personally, but I know coconut oil seems to be really nourishing.
More
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
Margarita
I am following you for a while, and I love your site… I actually live in Quito Ecuador, and I really want to follow this but I may have trouble finding some of the astrigent oils for cleansing. However today at the gocery store I found a avocado oil that looks awsome!. Do you think that falls into cleansing or moisturizing??? what are other alternatives for cleansing???
THANKS SO MUCH! keep up the good work!
Su
Where do you buy castor oil and jojoba? I looked in the grocery store, CVS, and the health food store…not luck. thx
Angela
What kind of health food stores don’t carry those oils. That’s crazy. I’m sorry you’re having trouble finding them. You can order them from Amazon.
Ally
Have you tried Norwex products? I recently discovered them. They have special microfiber cloths that clean most things with just water. I am using the makeup removing cloths and body cloths. Takes off all makeup including mascara with just the cloth and water. It really exfoliates, so a moisturizer is needed.
Angela
I always wanted to try the oil cleansing method, but I didn’t know how. Sounds so easy! And simple. Right up my alley!
Forrest
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Melissa
Is this an effective method to cleanse & remove my makeup every night? Do you use a moisturizer in the morning?
Debbie J Lutenbaker
I’m 53 and 3 years ago moved to a very arid and windy region of Texas. My skin is horrible. Black heads, white heads, and adult acne. Plus my skin has gotten very dryed out. Do you think this would help my skin? Im pretty desperate. I’m about to go to a dermatologist.