The Oil Cleansing Method

I will begin by admitting that I am one of these women that are on the constant look out for new beauty products. A trip into town will usually always result in returning home with something that I didn't set out to purchase down the cosmetic/skin care aisle.  I consistently fall for nice packaging and good marketing.  It's all a trick! Stripes, dots and aztec prints don't make a product... they do however seem to sell them. One really must never underestimate the power of excellent packaging...

I came across something new recently, the oil cleansing method (or OCM for short).  It's a back to basics skin care routine that promises big things if you can manage to swap all of your usual skin care  products for two types of oil. 

The skin care industry likes you to believe that you need cleansers, toners, moisturisers and primers to achieve clear, glowing and dewy looking skin. They market, "grease cutting", "antibacterial" products which strip the skin of all its natural oils leaving it dry and tight.  To compensate for these natural oils being removed your skin produces more oil to try and moisterise itself again. 

For years i've fallen into the cycle of purchasing products which are antibacterial or supposed to have a drying affect on skin. I would buy oil free moisterisers to avoid the greasy feeling.  I'd figured a long time ago that my skin didn't respond well to lots of chemicals in products so always tried to pick up things that were most natural with the least number of unknown ingredients.  I use Johnsons baby wipes as make up remover wipes, they seem to be friendlier on both my face and purse than all others that I have tried.

Johnsons baby skin care wipes 56 pack - £1.62 - Boots

Simple kind to skin cleansing facial wipes 25 pack - £3.25 - Boots

Neutrogena Norwegian formula hydrating cleansing wipes 25 pack - £4.99 - Boots

I've tried countless cleansers and moisterisers. The Body Shop has some great ranges designed for individual skin needs.  My favourite had always been the tea tree range, the tea tree oil toner always left my face feeling clean and fresh at the time of cleansing.  I'd noticed that many of the products i'd been using were very astringent and would have a drying affect on my skin.  I would have to compensate for this by using good moisterisers...  

This is where the oil cleansing method came in to break the viscous cycle...  by switching all of your regular skin care products for two oils you can avoid all of the fragranced and chemical filled products that can irritate, dry and inflame your skin.  

The first oil you need is, Castor Oil.  It has great anti-inflammatory, healing and cleansing properties. Since Castor Oil is so thick and its cleansing properties so strong it must be diluted with another oil of thinner consistency.  Many choose Sunflower Seed Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is best to choose from natural, cold-pressed vegetable oils as these have nutrients, vitamins and fatty acids that mineral oil and other refined oils don't.

Depending on your skin type you will need to create your own personalised blend of oils:

• Oily skin: Try a blend of 30% Castor Oil to 70% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Balanced skin: Try a blend of 20% Castor Oil to 80% Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Dry skin: Try a blend of 10% Castor Oil to 90% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

You can vary the percentages to match your own skin needs.  If your skin feels too dry, you'll need to use less Castor Oil and replace it with more Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The Routine:

1. Pour about a teaspoon of oil into your palm, rub your hands together and massage all over dry face. (No need to remove makeup first)
2. Run a clean wash cloth under hot water, ring it out and place over face and let it steam for a short while. 
3. Rinse cloth and wipe off all of the oil and makeup.
4. Repeat if necessary, your skin will be left feeling clean and moisterised 

I dare you to give up your skin care routine for a week and give this a go!