Have you heard about the oil cleansing method or washing your face with oil? Wondering if or how it works!?

Let’s take a look at:

• How the right face oils keep skin clean and clear
• Which carrier oils and essential oils are best for the oil cleansing method
• The exact steps to follow to wash your face with oil

I know, I know — washing your face with oil sounds downright nutty.

After all, we’ve been led to believe that oil should be kept far, far away from our faces.

For years, we’ve scoured skincare product labels for the words “oil-free” before giving them the green-light to make contact with our skin.

Yet oil has been used in natural skincare for ages, and is certainly making a comeback.

Many natural beauty aficionados swear by the Oil Cleansing Method as a way of keeping skin clean, clear, healthy, and vibrant.

I myself am totally obsessed with face oils, and credit them for transforming my skin and helping me finally get rid of my adult acne! After attacking my skin with harsh, kill-all-the-bacteria-ever skincare products (and using way too many of them) face oils provided the soothing relief my skin so desperately needed.

Oil Cleansing Method 101

What is the Oil Cleansing Method?

Exactly what it sounds like: a means of cleansing the skin with oil.

How does the Oil Cleansing Method Work?

The Oil Cleansing Method is based upon the principal of like-dissolves-like—the oil used to cleanse the skin dissolves the oil on the skin.

Now you may be scratching your head and thinking, “But I have acne. Won’t oil just clog my pores even more?” Well a zit is nothing more than a sticky mess of sebum and dead skin cells and/or dirt. And since like dissolves like, the oil cleansing method can actually help to break up this sticky mess and clear it from the pore.

Will the Oil Cleansing Method make my skin a shiny mess?

The Oil Cleansing Method can actually help balance your skin’s natural oil production.

Putting oil on your face can “trick” your skin into producing less oil since it thinks it already has enough. And often, the skin produces excess oil if it is dry—by thoroughly moisturizing the skin, the Oil Cleansing Method helps prevent the sebaceous glands (which create face oil) from going into overdrive.

How do you “wash your face with oil” using the Oil Cleansing Method?

Basic Oil Cleansing Method routine:

1. Splash some warm water on your face, then gently pat dry.
2. Dispense a quarter-size amount of oil into the palm of your hand and gently massage it into your face for 1-2 minutes, especially focusing on those areas with clogged pores.
3. Wet a washcloth with hot water (you want it as hot as possible without burning your skin), ring it out and lay it on top of your face.
4. Quickly lay a second dry washcloth on top to trap the moisture and heat. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes, or until the wet washcloth cools.
5. Repeat, using the dry washcloth to gently wipe your skin at the end.

If your skin feels tight afterwards, follow up with a small amount of moisturizer. However, you likely find that you don’t need to moisturize at all since the cleansing oil will settle into the skin, providing moisture.

Which oils are best to use for the Oil Cleansing Method?

It’s best to use a blend of an astringent oil and other nourishing oils based on your skin needs.

Astringent oils:

• Castor oil
• Hazelnut oil

I personally choose to avoid using castor oil due to possible environmental and human rights implications. It can also be extremely drying and so finding the perfect amount for your particular skin can take a bit of trial and error. However, it is the astringent oil you will most commonly see in Oil Cleansing Method oil blend formulas.

Nourishing Oils:

There are so many AMAZING skincare oils out there, each with different benefits. Read The Best Carrier Oils Based on Skin Type to see which oils may be the best fit for your skin needs.

If you have tried the oil cleansing method using coconut or olive oil—two of the most commonly suggested oils—and were disappointed in the results, I suggest giving it another go! These oils can clog pores and so do not provide the best results for everyone.

Basic Oil Cleansing Method oil blend formula:

Normal to Oily Skin → 1 part astringent oil to 3 parts nourishing oil(s)

Combination Skin → 1 part astringent oil to 5 parts nourishing oil(s)

Dry Skin → 1 part astringent oil to 10 parts nourishing oil(s)

How long will it take for me to see results with the Oil Cleansing Method?

It may take a week or so for you skin to adjust to the Oil Cleansing Method. As the oil breaks up the gunk in the pores,  you may even experience more breakouts during this time. Try to wait it out and resist the urge to use regular facial cleansers during this time, which will prolong the adjustment period.

You will also likely have to experiment with the best oils and oil ratio for your skin.

Have you tried the OCM?

Have any advice or input based on your experience?

Please share with us in the comments below!