Howdy, gorgeous Readers!
It got so cold here before Thanksgiving that it almost snowed! Naturally, I panicked. Fortunately for me, the threat of snow morphed into a lot of very real rain. But my skin has gotten so dry, I needed to change up my regimen and I switched to a different oil. Hold up, I’ll explain!
I’ve suffered from acne and dry skin since high school, and during a particularly bad break out, I was doing frantic research when I happened upon a post that has changed my life, and my skin. I was so confused by the idea that I read the entire thing, as well as all the links. By the end of it, I was determined to try… the Oil Cleansing Method.
What? you say. You have acne! you say. Stay away from oil! you say. Well, I say phooey.
As it turns out, there is a constant layer of oil on a healthy face at all times, called sebum. A lack of oil on your face will actually cause the sebaceous glands on your face to produce even more oil to compensate, which (when combined with dirt) can lead to blocked pores, also known as comedones.
The oil cleansing method is an alternative to astringent or oil-stripping cleansers, and can help regulate the proper oil level on your face by removing dirty oil and replacing it with clean oil (since like dissolves like). The oil cleansing method (or OCM) can also help with skin aging, adjusting moisture levels, fading acne scars, and be used with sugar scrubs.
Ingredients:
The first one you’ll want is Castor Oil. It is a powerful cleanser. You don’t need a lot. In fact, a small bottle lasts me close to a year.
The other oil(s) are known as “carrier oils,” and there is a wide variety depending on your skin type and the benefits you’re looking for.
Jojoba: great for acneic skin, because it’s so similar to the oil skin excretes naturally.
Avocado: lovely for dry and aging skin. Rich moisturizer.
Sweet almond: all skin types, especially oily
Grapeseed: all skin types, especially oily
Sunflower: all skin types
Apricot kernel: dry, aging, and normal skin
A note on olive oil: Throughout history, olive oil was used as a beauty treatment, but modern olive oil is NOT the same product, due to deceitful business practices (typically cutting olive oil with canola oil or mislabelling lower quality products as extra virgin). You are unlikely to get the best results using olive oil, so you should avoid using it on your face.
Special oils to add to your blend include
Argan: all skin types, especially aging skin. More expensive.
Tamanu: all skin types. Expensive. Smells a little like nut oils (in a good way). Excellent for fading acne scars.
Neem: very powerful, and less expensive due to it’s strong smell. Excellent for reducing acne scars and wrinkles.
Essential oils like tea tree and lavender (for acne),or myrrh and rose oil (aging skin).
My heroes!
Don’t use coconut oil. It’s too thick, and a known comedogenic (it will make you break out). I love coconut oil for so many things, but if you are even slightly acne-prone, your face will explode.
You’ll also want a clean washcloth and hot running water. Okay! Hard part’s over.
Mix the oil together in your hand. For my dry skin, I use a pea-size amount of castor oil and a half dollar-size amount of avocado oil. For more normal skin, you can use a ratio of 2:1 jojoba oil and castor, or the combo of your choice (experimentation will be necessary). For more oily skin, try a ratio of 2:1 castor oil to jojoba (or sweet almond, grapeseed, etc).
Just a little bit.
A whole bunch.
Mix the oil blend in your hands, and apply it evenly to your (dry) face. Take your time, and give your face a massage! You can even swipe oil over your eyelids and lashes, removing any make-up quickly and without damaging your skin or burning your eyes.
While you wash your hands, get the water warmed up. Soak the washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and then place it on your face. Let the steam open your pores and soften the oil for 10-20 seconds. Then wipe the oil off your face carefully, paying special attention to eyebrows and hairline. Any oil left behind could cause a break out. Rinse the washcloth and keep wiping until all the oil is removed.
This was unbelievably difficult to photograph.
Some experts recommend changing your washcloth every time, but I have found that as long as I rinse and wring out my cloth carefully, I can use it 2-4 times (fewer when I wear a lot of make-up).
After I clean my face, I rub a few drops of neem or tamanu over my face to supercharge the healing process!
The first time I tried OCM, the oil felt so strange on my face! But after two years, I’ve come to love it! My dry skin gets so thirsty, and with OCM, I never feel as though my skin is being stripped like I did with store-bought facial cleansers.
It might take a couple of weeks for your skin to adjust, but it’s so worth it!
Here are a few links to learn more about OCM.
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
Watch a video here:
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/05/video-blog-how-to-wash-your-face-using-the-oil-cleansing-method.html
Crunchy Betty taught me everything I know:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
In a completely unrelated note, Wild Roma is having a Facebook contest in December. I’ll be giving away two complete sets of Home Remedy Shop products in sample size,
and one lucky Reader will get a complete full size set!
All you need to do is go to Facebook.com/WildRomacaravan, and 1. Like the page, 2. Share the post about the contest, and 3. Comment on the post! I’ll announce the winners on Monday, December 15! Good luck!
Love,
Talia