This might seem like a scary or ridiculous concept, clean your face with oil? Am I crazy? You are trying to reduce oil and breakouts not add oil. Right? It might sound odd and counterproductive and well, risky but it’s not. Let me explain.
Oil cleansing is the method of using oils to cleanse the skin rather than face wash or soap. This method of cleansing the face is actually more effective because like dissolves like which means oil absorbs oil. Because of this, makeup, skin, debris, and dirt are efficiently removed from the skin with oil cleansing.
Many traditional face washes contain foaming agents and other chemicals that can strip the skin of its moisture and alter the PH balance. Oil cleansing leaves the natural oils on the skin so you will feel soft, smooth and hydrated. By allowing natural oils to remain on the skin it helps to regulate oil production.
If you are stripping your skin of its natural oils every night then it will overproduce oils to try to compensate for the loss. This creates a vicious cycle of you trying to reduce oily skin and the skin trying to maintain its natural oil balance. You are fighting against oil but also creating a need for more oil.
Luckily, oil cleansing isn’t just for acne-prone or oily skin. Anyone with normal skin will notice softer more hydrated skin. People with dry skin will notice less flaking and roughness.
Benefits
It might seem odd to slather oil on your skin but once you get used to it you will actually begin to enjoy the benefits.
-Thoroughly cleanses skin
-Removes makeup and dirt
-Great for all skin types
-Hydrating
-Balances PH
-Reduces acne
-Regulates natural oil production
How to Oil Cleanse
There are two ways to oil cleanse. One is on dry skin and the other is on wet skin. It is a personal preference but a lot of people tend to cleanse with moistened skin.
If you are wetting the skin then gently apply a splash of warm water to the face. Next, take a small amount of oil cleanser in your hands and apply it to the face and neck. Gently rub the oil for at least 2-4 minutes. This should be a relaxing process so just enjoy and visualize clearer, healthier skin. Once you have finished massaging it in, rinse the face with warm water and pat or air dry.
If you prefer the dry method then everything is exactly the same except do not splash water on the face at the start. You still need to either rinse the face at the end or remove the oil with cotton pads or a clean towel.
Types of Oils
The type of oils used in oil cleansing actually does matter. Anyone with acne-prone skin or combination skin should stay away from comedogenic oils. These are oils like coconut oil, cocoa, carrot seed, algae extract, corn oil, wheat germ oil.
The best oils that are great for just about anyone include sunflower, hemp seed, rice bran, rosehip, shea, grapeseed, and tamanu.
Transitioning
Oil cleansing is safe to do every day. You can also alternate between traditional washing and oil cleansing. One thing to note here though is to be careful not to use overly harsh face washes. This will create confusion for the skin and irritation. It’s best to choose something more natural and targeted toward sensitive skin types.
Allow 1-2 weeks for the skin to adjust and properly balance oil production. Once the skin trusts that the natural oils will not be stripped away the skin will produce less oil. This will result in fewer breakouts, clogged pores, and blackheads.
