“Oil dissolves oil” has become a mantra to fans of the oil cleansing method or “OCM.” For many people, the simplest way to clear up acne, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, blemishes, rashes or outbreaks on your face is simple: Stop using soap and other caustic synthetic cleansers, scrubs and moisturizers, and turn instead to the most natural, time-honored facial trick of all: cleaning your skin with oils.
Almost every facial soap sold in drug stores contains synthetic chemicals and artificial ingredients, despite the number of brands that claim to be “organic” or “natural.” These soaps can be toxic to your liver and other organs with long-term use - and, even in the short term, they can do real damage to your skin.
Harsh cleansers contribute to acne and outbreaks by adding potentially dangerous chemicals to your face and by cleaning away not only dirt and bacteria, but the oils that your skin needs. When skin’s natural oils have been removed, the body’s reaction is to compensate by producing more oil - causing oily patches and outbreaks and creating a vicious cycle of purchasing yet more products that work against your body’s actual needs.
Escape the Vicious Cycle - and save money and your face by doing so
First, stop washing your face with soap. For some people, the switch to washing their face with water alone is enough to dramatically alter the appearance and health of their skin. We’ve been fed a beauty myth that we need to do dramatic upkeep on our face with expensive skin care products in order to keep skin healthy, and it simply isn’t so.
For some, washing with only water is enough. For most people, however, the effects of years of stress and exposure make a natural skin treatment like oil cleansing indispensable.
What is the Oil Cleansing Method?
All that’s required to try the oil cleansing method is the right oils, a soft washcloth, and hot running water.
- Mix up a blend of extra virgin olive oil and castor oil - or any other natural, unprocessed oils that you prefer - see a partial list here.
- Massage a small amount of the oils gently into your face. Spend a few minutes rubbing the oils into your cheeks, nose, forehead, neck, and chin, allowing the oils to penetrate into the skin and pull out wastes, bacteria, dead cells and other dirt.
- Wring out a facecloth or washcloth in hot water, and drape it over your face to steam - it's just like giving yourself a mini facial!
- After a minute or so, wipe away the oil, along with any dirt, using the washcloth. Your skin should feel clean, soft, and moist with just a little of the OCM oil remaining on your face. If skin feels dry and tight, you can moisturize it using just a touch of the olive oil/castor oil blend.
Personalizing the Oil Cleanse for your skin type
You may want to try combining olive oil and castor in a different ratio, or trying the oil cleanse with only one of the two, or different oils altogether, depending on your skin’s need. Some people substitute jojoba for olive oil, or add essential oils to the oil mixture for the aroma and their skin-healing properties.
Castor oil is known to be an excellent skin cleansing agent, but it is too drying for some skin. Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants and is an excellent moisturizer. Olive oil renews the skin, but it can be too fatty for oily skin types. You can experiment by altering the ratios to suit your needs, based on these properties.
How does the oil cleanse work for YOU? Tips and feedback are welcome in discussion here.
For more tips on improving the health and appearance of your skin naturally, read Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out and Beautiful Skin from the Outside In.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
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