Oil Cleansing Method 101: Everything You Need To Know

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

The skin-care industry is a multi-billion dollar industry which comes up with new products, methods, and ways to cleanse your skin all the time. However, if you’ve dealt with problematic skin your entire life, I’m sure you’ve experienced many of these unsuccessful methods that even made your skin worse at times. Isn’t that frustrating?! After all, being healthy shouldn’t be that hard, right? Yes, and let me reveal to you a secret.

Having glowing, healthy and well-balanced skin is just a few weeks away if you try the Oil Cleansing Method.

By now I’m sure you’re curious to know more, so let’s dive in.

What is the Oil Cleansing Method?

This method is also known as OCM – conveniently shortened – and it’s getting its well-deserved popularity in the world as we speak. There is an array of people who have tried it and got amazing results.

The entire concept of the OCM was created on the premise of “Like attracts like” or in this case “Oil dissolves oil.” It’s pretty logical, and for those with oily skin moving their cursors to the X, closing this page, wait! It’s entirely safe for you to cleanse your skin with oil too, and in the section of benefits in this post, you will see why.

Namely, by using a combo of oils to remove any dirt or makeup residue at the end of the day, you cleanse your skin on a much deeper level than all the other expensive products out there. This method is extremely useful in removing impurities that have accumulated in the pores of your skin. It effectively does away with build-ups which are severely stubborn!

How Does It Work?

As I mentioned before, OCM works on the most basic principle of chemistry which is “oil dissolves oil.”

So when your skin overproduces sebum/oil which is a non-polar solvent, you need to use another non-polar solvent similar in composition: plant-based oil.

Even for people with normal/ dry skin type, OCM is exceptionally useful and helpful because blemishes and blackheads are all caused by oil and dirt, hard to dissolve with cosmetic products.

By getting the right ratios and combinations of oils when cleansing your skin, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables, and fruits that heal, protect and nourish your skin.

When done correctly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads, and other problems, while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.

The Benefits of the Oil-Cleansing Method

Glowing, acne-free skin is not the only thing you will achieve by being consistent with oil-cleansing your skin. The internet is flooded with ecstatic people, grateful for this method, so I decided to mention some of the most common benefits everyone reached in their oil-cleansing journey:

• Safe & All Natural: Your skin absorbs anything you apply to it, so make sure whatever you use for cleansing is free of chemicals and harmful substances. Since oils are only one ingredient – the source they come from, a plant or a fruit – using them is highly recommended. It’s safe; you can practice it daily without compromising your overall health.
• Deep–layer Cleansing: The dirt on your skin has an oil-like consistency, so when you use oil, it binds with the dirt on your skin and lifts it away. Oil smoothens out the dead skin cells as well, no matter how dry they are, removing them away.
• Skin Regulator: Oil Cleansing helps regulate the skin and controls oil production which helps reduce and get rid of acne. By binding to the ‘bad oils’ on your skin, it gently lifts them away which overtime balances your skin without clogging your pores. This is especially effective when used on oily skin. Your skin doesn’t feel stripped of its natural oils anymore, so it stops over-producing oil altogether.
• Gentle to any skin: Whether you just need to cleanse your skin or you want to treat acne or more severe skin conditions like rosacea or psoriasis, oil will help you in any case.
• Affordable: The thing with cosmetic products is that they are overrated. The cheap ones will further damage your skin, and the expensive ones will (maybe) temporarily improve your skin, but will have you hooked on them, spending fortunes. The oils, on the other hand, can be used for a lot of things besides your skin so they are multifunctional and you won’t feel like you are wasting your money. Plus, one pump or few drops are enough to cleanse your skin entirely.
• Anti-aging: Besides their fantastic cleansing properties, oils that are of organic production, cold-pressed and well-preserved, contain all the vitamins, minerals and enzymes your skin needs to maintain its elasticity and reverse wrinkles.
• Hydrates the Skin: With their rich fatty acid content, plant-based oils help in hydration of the skin, making it fresh and soft.

How to do the Oil Cleansing Method

With that hope that I managed to get you to try this amazing skin cleansing method, here you can read some basic guidelines and what exactly you should use depending on your skin type.

First of all, this method includes cleansing with an oil blend, which means you will be mixing carrier oils with some other essential oils to improve the effect.

Before going to the recipes and combinations, first, you must discover your skin type. By doing so, you will be able to use the most suitable oil for your skin and not cause any trouble.

• OILY SKIN: 50% castor oil, 50% carrier oil  (Look for a high linoleic acid oil such as sunflower oil).
• DRY SKIN: 15% castor oil, 85% carrier oil (avocado oil is great)
• NORMAL SKIN: 30% castor oil, 70% carrier oil (sunflower oil works well).
• COMBINATION SKIN: 25% castor oil, 75% carrier oil (sweet almond oil and hazelnut oil).

If you want to avoid using castor oil, you can swap it for hazelnut oil as well. The most commonly used carrier oils that will nurture your skin are olive oil, sunflower seed oil, almond, jojoba, and grape seed oil.

PRO TIP

If you struggle with oilier skin, tea tree and peppermint oils have an astringent property that will be great for you.

Rosehip is recommended for oily skin because of its drying effect. However, you shouldn’t use too much because it might have reverse effects. Remember, little goes a long way.

Also, if you want to change things a bit after some time, you can use Argan or Shea oil for oily or combination skin along with another carrier oil.

Simple Steps to Oil Cleansing

It’s a new habit to form, but it’s also very rewarding and easy to do so. In the first few weeks, your skin might get even worse, but it’s just before it starts cleansing itself thoroughly. This is because oil gets everything out, from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. So hang on until this passes, be consistent and persistent.

1. Prepare the oil blend as per your skin requirement.
2. Pour some of the oil blend on your palms and rub it till it is warm.
3. Massage your face with the oil blend with gentle upward circular motions.
4. Repeat the procedure until your face feels flooded with oil.
5. Now, soak a washcloth in warm water.
6. Put the washcloth on your face and relax. Wait till it cools down.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 twice.
8. Now, wipe off the excess oil from the surface of your face with the help of the washcloth.
9. If you feel your skin dry after wiping, add a bit of oil without removing it (at least until your skin accustoms to this practice of not using harmful creams and moisturizers)

Omega Oils for Skin Health

The oils you will be using in your oil-cleansing are high in Omega fatty acids. These fatty acids are remarkable ingredients for skin. They serve as the essential building blocks of skin’s surface layers, creating a smoother, younger-looking, and healthier complexion, no matter your age or skin type.

Here are some of the things topical application of omega healthy fatty acids can do for your skin:

• Smoothens skin’s surface
• Increases hydration without feeling heavy, and help keep skin hydrated
• Calms signs of external stressors, including redness and sensitivity
• Eliminates signs of flaky, dehydrated-looking skin
• Visibly strengthens skin against signs of environmental damage
• Delivers antioxidants for anti-aging results

For more, check out our comprehensive guide on using Omega fatty acids towards improving the health of your skin.

Where to Source your Oils

You want to use fresh, high-quality oils for the best possible experience. Oils can go rancid fast, making them no longer nourishing to your skin.

The antioxidant (and therefore healing) content of many plant oils will stay intact within cold-pressed and organic oils. Look for oils that are stored in dark glass to ensure their freshness.

I really like the brand Leven Rose. You can get them conveniently on Amazon and they makes affordable, high-quality oils sold in dark glass dropper bottles.

Have you tried the Oil-Cleansing Method? Leave your story in the comments below, we love to hear them! And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to put them in the comments as well, we are here to help 🙂

To your beautiful skin,
Monika