The Oil Cleansing Method + The OCM + Washing Your Face With Oil
I get several questions, on an almost daily basis, about The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM.)
While there is A LOT of information on the internet about this subject, I find that most of it is just wrong. 90% of the time the DIY recipes are a recipe for disaster and take no time to consider the comedogenicity of the oils being used. For example ; I have read countless blogs touting Castor Oil and Olive or Sweet Almond Oil as being an ideal option for the OCM. NO!!!! Why?
The Comedogenic Scale has to do with an oils likelihood of clogging pores, while some oils are ranked differently in different places, the basic idea is a scale from 0 - 5.
Oils rated 0 will not clog your pores and oils rated 5 are basically a disaster waiting to happen if you have even remotely sensitive skin. If you happen to be one of those people with "Normal" skin ... get out ... no, I am kidding :) But it is not bloody likely that even you would be able to use an oil rated a 3 or above and not get some kind of breakout.
So, to my first point, the comedogenic rating of an oil has a very large bearing on whether it is a good oil to wash your face with. Look at it like a "percent chance of rain."
0 - 0% Chance of rain, wear that cute new dress and a full face of makeup, it won't rain today. (Hemp Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter / Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Maracuja Oil, Safflower Oil, Mango Butter, Aloe Vera Gel Panthenol, and Argan Oil)
1 - 20% Chance of rain, maybe bring an umbrella and definitely consider taking less time on your hair. (Castor Oil, Calendula Oil, Neem Oil, and Pomegranate Oil )
2 - 40% Probably going to need those cute rain boots. (Olive Oil, Apricot Oil, Almond Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba, Hazelnut Oil, Peach Kernel, Pumpkin Seed, and Tamanu Oil)
3 - 60% It's going to rain at some point today. (Soybean, Cottonseed, and Sulfated Oils)
4 - 80% It is probably already raining. (Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil {I know, I love it too, but not on my face.}Flax Seed Oil, Linseed Oil, Palm Oil {Like they use in like every bar soap.})
5 - 100% It's raining. (Wheat Germ Oil, Algae Extract, and Salt)
Pretty much anything from 40% - 100% means you are going to get wet if you don't bring an umbrella, and even 20% you might want to bring an umbrella.
I use this example so that you understand just how important the type of oil that you put on your skin is. There are so many amazing botanical oils, but not all of them should be used on your face. You have thousands of pores on your face, so even a 20% chance of a clogged pore is a pretty big deal, in my book.
In my opinion, 99% of the horror stories about the OCM have to do with people using oils rated a 1-5. You basically have a 20% - 100% chance of those oils clogging your pores, multiplied by seven days a week and you are playing russian roulette with your face. No thank you.
Now, if you have dry or mature skin, you can use oils like Jojoba + Apricot, since your skin tends to need more in the way of moisturization. But, if your skin is sensitive + acne-prone + oily, stick with things in the zero range.
Steaming and Dry Cloth Cleansing
There are three main methods of removing the oil from your face. Each has its benefits, but I typically choose Dry Cloth Cleansing.
1. Pre-Cleansing followed by a Face Wash. - I recommend this method to those who are nervous about oil cleansing. It offers the benefits of the OCM, but without the fear of not removing the oil. By first using the oil on your skin to break down makeup and clogged pores, and then following with a face wash, you get the benefits of the OCM, you don't strip your skin with the face wash, and you can just splash with water. This method is great for just about all skin types, and it is great for those nervous about using oil to cleanse or who just love their face wash. My Apple Amino Acid Face Wash is my recommendation for the second step of this cleanse, along with any of my cleansing oils.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Pump Apple Amino Acid or any foaming face wash into hands and massage into Cleansing Oil on your skin.
C. Splash with water to remove.
D. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
2. Steaming / Wet Cloth - I LOVE using microfiber cloths to remove cleansing oil. Both wet and dry it removes the oil and gently exfoliates. If you have Combo + Dry Skin, then you will want to use a damp cloth to remove the Cleansing Oil more often than not. This provides some Hydration during the removal process, as well as helps to open your pores and prep them for Toner and Serums. The process is super simple.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Dampen cloth with warm (never hot) water and lay cloth over face to open pores.
C. Rinse cloth, and then use cloth to gently remove oil from your skin. Skin should feel soft and supple, never oily. Removing the Cleansing Oil you used to clean your skin assures you will not re-clog your pores.
D. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
3. Dry Cloth - Dry Cloth Cleansing with the OCM is my absolute favorite for Acne-Prone + Oily + Combo Skin. I use this method more often than any of the others, mostly because it is easy at the end of a long day. This method is also super gentle, and assures you don't pull or tug your skin. The most important part of cleansing with this method is using a clean microfiber cloth. I wash my cloth after two cleanses (once on each side of the cloth.) I use Castile Soap to wash my face cloths in a sink with hot water.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Wipe the oil from your face using a clean microfiber cloth. (You can stop here, and do not necessarily need to use any other products.)
C. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
Do I NEED other products?
No! The reality is, just cleansing oil and water are enough to take care of your skin. Other products like Toner + Serum + Moisturizer will definitely add other benefits, but if you are a simple guy or gal, just the OCM and some microfiber cloths will have you glowing :0 )
While there is A LOT of information on the internet about this subject, I find that most of it is just wrong. 90% of the time the DIY recipes are a recipe for disaster and take no time to consider the comedogenicity of the oils being used. For example ; I have read countless blogs touting Castor Oil and Olive or Sweet Almond Oil as being an ideal option for the OCM. NO!!!! Why?
The Comedogenic Scale has to do with an oils likelihood of clogging pores, while some oils are ranked differently in different places, the basic idea is a scale from 0 - 5.
Oils rated 0 will not clog your pores and oils rated 5 are basically a disaster waiting to happen if you have even remotely sensitive skin. If you happen to be one of those people with "Normal" skin ... get out ... no, I am kidding :) But it is not bloody likely that even you would be able to use an oil rated a 3 or above and not get some kind of breakout.
So, to my first point, the comedogenic rating of an oil has a very large bearing on whether it is a good oil to wash your face with. Look at it like a "percent chance of rain."
0 - 0% Chance of rain, wear that cute new dress and a full face of makeup, it won't rain today. (Hemp Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Shea Butter / Oil, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Maracuja Oil, Safflower Oil, Mango Butter, Aloe Vera Gel Panthenol, and Argan Oil)
1 - 20% Chance of rain, maybe bring an umbrella and definitely consider taking less time on your hair. (Castor Oil, Calendula Oil, Neem Oil, and Pomegranate Oil )
2 - 40% Probably going to need those cute rain boots. (Olive Oil, Apricot Oil, Almond Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba, Hazelnut Oil, Peach Kernel, Pumpkin Seed, and Tamanu Oil)
3 - 60% It's going to rain at some point today. (Soybean, Cottonseed, and Sulfated Oils)
4 - 80% It is probably already raining. (Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil {I know, I love it too, but not on my face.}Flax Seed Oil, Linseed Oil, Palm Oil {Like they use in like every bar soap.})
5 - 100% It's raining. (Wheat Germ Oil, Algae Extract, and Salt)
Pretty much anything from 40% - 100% means you are going to get wet if you don't bring an umbrella, and even 20% you might want to bring an umbrella.
I use this example so that you understand just how important the type of oil that you put on your skin is. There are so many amazing botanical oils, but not all of them should be used on your face. You have thousands of pores on your face, so even a 20% chance of a clogged pore is a pretty big deal, in my book.
In my opinion, 99% of the horror stories about the OCM have to do with people using oils rated a 1-5. You basically have a 20% - 100% chance of those oils clogging your pores, multiplied by seven days a week and you are playing russian roulette with your face. No thank you.
Now, if you have dry or mature skin, you can use oils like Jojoba + Apricot, since your skin tends to need more in the way of moisturization. But, if your skin is sensitive + acne-prone + oily, stick with things in the zero range.
Steaming and Dry Cloth Cleansing
There are three main methods of removing the oil from your face. Each has its benefits, but I typically choose Dry Cloth Cleansing.
1. Pre-Cleansing followed by a Face Wash. - I recommend this method to those who are nervous about oil cleansing. It offers the benefits of the OCM, but without the fear of not removing the oil. By first using the oil on your skin to break down makeup and clogged pores, and then following with a face wash, you get the benefits of the OCM, you don't strip your skin with the face wash, and you can just splash with water. This method is great for just about all skin types, and it is great for those nervous about using oil to cleanse or who just love their face wash. My Apple Amino Acid Face Wash is my recommendation for the second step of this cleanse, along with any of my cleansing oils.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Pump Apple Amino Acid or any foaming face wash into hands and massage into Cleansing Oil on your skin.
C. Splash with water to remove.
D. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
2. Steaming / Wet Cloth - I LOVE using microfiber cloths to remove cleansing oil. Both wet and dry it removes the oil and gently exfoliates. If you have Combo + Dry Skin, then you will want to use a damp cloth to remove the Cleansing Oil more often than not. This provides some Hydration during the removal process, as well as helps to open your pores and prep them for Toner and Serums. The process is super simple.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Dampen cloth with warm (never hot) water and lay cloth over face to open pores.
C. Rinse cloth, and then use cloth to gently remove oil from your skin. Skin should feel soft and supple, never oily. Removing the Cleansing Oil you used to clean your skin assures you will not re-clog your pores.
D. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
3. Dry Cloth - Dry Cloth Cleansing with the OCM is my absolute favorite for Acne-Prone + Oily + Combo Skin. I use this method more often than any of the others, mostly because it is easy at the end of a long day. This method is also super gentle, and assures you don't pull or tug your skin. The most important part of cleansing with this method is using a clean microfiber cloth. I wash my cloth after two cleanses (once on each side of the cloth.) I use Castile Soap to wash my face cloths in a sink with hot water.
A. Massage Cleansing Oil into Dry Skin for 3-5 minutes, focus on trouble areas, but never pull or tug your skin. Use enough oil that your hands freely glide across your skin.
B. Wipe the oil from your face using a clean microfiber cloth. (You can stop here, and do not necessarily need to use any other products.)
C. Tone + Moisturize (After toning, a few drops of your Cleansing Oil can double as your moisturizer)
Do I NEED other products?
No! The reality is, just cleansing oil and water are enough to take care of your skin. Other products like Toner + Serum + Moisturizer will definitely add other benefits, but if you are a simple guy or gal, just the OCM and some microfiber cloths will have you glowing :0 )
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