What do you think? If you are like me, you should already hear yourself saying something similar to: wow, how simple; hmm, it’s so strange; ah, so cheep! We just can’t imagine that the ever-lasting goal to get rid of the excess oil on our face (aka sebum, which is naturally produced by the skin) and the impurities can be achieved just with simple vegetable oil. A widely unknown fact, unfortunately!
Instead, we splurge on commercial cleansers containing aggressive chemicals, which dry our skin so much that it restores the needed moisture (aka oil) with even more production of sebum, which creates a vicious circle!
On the other hand, the vegetable oils are mild solvents that remove dirt without drying the skin. Rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants, they moisturize, soften, nourish and strengthen the skin.
How to Wash your Face with Oil? The Oil Cleansing Method in Action
Step 1 – Don’t be afraid!
Don’t be afraid to apply oil on your skin! It will not cause any blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, zits…. and will not make your skin more oily. The oil cleansing method brings you only benefits and the two major ones are moisturized and clear skin.
Step 2 -Choose oil
We need two oils to wash our face with and the primary one is Castor oil – healing, cleansing with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Castor oil, however, is so thick that we need to dilute it with another oil. You can choose any oil, but bare in mind it should be a natural and cold-pressed vegetable oil (the refined oils have less nutrients, vitamins and essential fatty acids). So far I have cleansed my face with Castor oil in combination with Sunflower oil.
Step 3 – The Best Oil Blend for Your Skin
The more Castor oil you use the more your skin goes dry. Here are some suggestions about the oil proportions:
- Oily Skin: 30% Castor oil to 70% Sunflower oil;
- Combination Skin: 20% Castor oil to 80% Sunflower oil;
- Dry Skin: 10% Castor oil to 90% Sunflower oil.
Step 4 – Application
Apply your oil blend on a dry face and spread it delicately.
Step 5 – Massage
Massage your face gently for about 1 minute to stimulate circulation. Your movements should be upwards to prevent small facial muscles from sagging.
Step 6 – Wash
Soak a washcloth or small towel in hot water (not burning). Squeeze the excess water and cover your face till it cools down. Then wash the cloth and repeat this 4 – 5 times. The hot water will open the pores of your skin helping the oil to penetrate deeply and clean it.
Don’t be tempted to wash further or to scrub your face with the washcloth in fear that it will stay oily. Your skin will actually look brightened and refreshed.
I use the oil cleansing method about 2 times per week and love the results. Moreover, I also apply a homemade facial moisturizer with vegetable oil every morning and evening. With so much oil, my skin doesn’t have even a trace of oily shine!