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OIL CLEANSING IS YOUR SKIN’S NEW BFF
Just when you thought that you had your skin routine down pat, we’re about to shake things up with a cleansing method that will have you both excited and…maybe a little skeptical. That’s right, we’re talking about Oil Cleansing. You’ve heard about it everywhere. It’s been dubbed the ‘Holy Grail’ of cleansing. Oil cleansing connoisseurs rave about how it’s changed their lives.
It’s also the heart of the time tested Japanese Skincare Ritual. I mean, it sounds great…but putting more oil on your skin, especially if you have oily or acne-prone skin? It feels counter-intuitive, we get it. Today, we’re bringing the facts and breaking down how oil cleansing works. The massive benefits of oil cleansing for oily or acne-prone skin, and why conventional cleansers are so 2000.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The basic idea behind slathering your face in oils in the name of cleaning is that “like dissolves like.” In other words, putting clean, nourishing oils on your skin is intended to:
- lift and dissolve excess sebum
- clean out clogged pores like blackheads and whiteheads
- remove dead skin, pollutants, and makeup
- provides a clean and beautifully moisturized canvas for your products to better absorb into the skin
- it doesn’t overstrip your skin, your skin retains the natural sebum it needs
- immediate results, soft, smooth, dewy (not greasy) complexion
SO YOU’RE SAYING THAT I SHOULD PUT MORE OIL ON MY OILY AND ACNE-PRONE SKIN?
Yup. Yes. Absolutely!
We know what you’re thinking. Won’t this make me more oily and lead to more breakouts? While putting oil on your already oily skin feels counter-intuitive, this is not the case at all. As mentioned, the oil cleansing method purifies pores naturally, and it does so, so much better, and gentler, than conventional cleansers. Especially if you use certain types of oils (astringent types). Plus, it won’t disrupt or damage your skin, but instead remove excess oil, leaving you with a balanced, beautiful complexion.
When you’re breaking out, you want to treat your skin like sensitive skin – because it is! You also want to remove any excess sebum that may be contributing to your breakouts – without drying out your skin.
Enter oil cleansing. Long story short, oil cleansing is much gentler than most conventional cleansers. It doesn’t dry out your skin, and because like attracts like, oil cleansers are able to bind to excess sebum on your skin and wash it away. See why we say it’s your skin’s new BFF?
You can use an oil cleanser daily to get ahead of breakouts, or save it for when you need it most, but either way, get yourself a cleansing oil.
If your skin is sensitive and prone to breakouts, avoid harsh exfoliants and acids. Opt instead for oil cleansing, a hydrating mist, the perfect spot treatment, and a soothing moisturizer. Downsize your skincare routine and keep it simple and nourishing to heal your pimples fast.
Traditional cleansers can irritate the skin, cause excessive dryness, exacerbate acne and ultimately result in the skin overproducing oil after washing. Oil cleansing, on the other hand, can help balance the skin and lock in hydration.
HOW TO – BASIC OIL CLEANSING:
- In the shower or at the bathroom sink, pour about a quarter size amount of the oil blend into your hand and massage into the skin on your face and eyes (don’t wet skin first). Use smooth circular strokes and let this also be a gentle facial massage. Massage for at least a minute (two minutes is better) or until you are sure that the oil has saturated your skin. This will also remove make-up very effectively, so there is no need to remove make-up first. You can even leave the oil on the skin for up to 10 minutes to really deep clean pores.
- Place a clean washcloth under very hot tap water (or shower water) until it is completely soaked and quickly wring it out. Open it and place over your face. This will create steam against the skin to remove the oils and any impurities in the skin. Leave the wash cloth on for about a minute, or until it cools. Repeat if needed with the other side of the washcloth and then use the corners of the washcloth to gently remove any remaining oil. There will still be a thin layer of oil on the skin and this is beneficial.
- Typically, no moisturizer is needed after the adjustment period, but if you still have dry skin, try reducing the amount of astringent oil and using a tiny bit of moisturizer on the skin. If you are using any specialty serums, now is the time to apply them.
HOW TO – DOUBLE CLEANSING:
If you’re prone to acne or oily skin, you may want to follow this method. You’ll still get the cleaning and hydrating benefits of the oil cleanse, but you won’t have to worry about any oil being left behind to clog your pores.
- Follow first step above for a basic oil cleanse.
- Before you moisturize, wash a second time with a mild face wash that won’t strip your skin of its new hydration (like Skin Essence Organics Fresh or Pure cleansers or Moor Spa Gentle Cleansing Gel).
- Pat dry with a clean towel – very important! Even better, use paper towels, that way you are sure not to get any bacteria on your clean skin) and apply moisturizer if you feel you need it.
Some cleansing oils include surfactants in the formula so that the mixture foams slightly once you add water and rinses off cleanly. It’s also easy to make your own! I personally use a sesame and rosehip oil blend. Just choose oils according to your skin type.
GREAT OILS TO USE FOR CLEANSING:
- olive oil (nourishing)
- castor oil (astringent)
- sweet almond oil (nourishing)
- grapeseed oil (nourishing)
- hazelnut oil (astringent)
- avocado oil (nourishing)
- sunflower oil (nourishing)
- apricot kernel oil (nourishing)
- argan oil (nourishing)
- jojoba oil (nourishing)
OIL CLEANSING BY SKIN TYPE:
- Oily Skin: 1/3 Castor Oil or Hazelnut Oil and 2/3 Olive, Sunflower, Jojoba or other nourishing oil.
- Combination Skin: 1/4 Castor or Hazelnut Oil and 3/4 Olive, Sunflower or other nourishing oil.
- Dry Skin: All nourishing oils like olive oil, you can also add a very small amount of Castor/Hazelnut Oil added to the nourishing oils but it may not be necessary for dry skin.
NOTES ON THE OIL CLEANSING METHOD:
- It is normal for it to take a week or so for skin to adjust, and you may even see more oily skin or more breakouts during this time as impurities leave the skin. If you can, resist the urge to use harsh soaps or facial cleansers during this time, as it will make the adjustment period take longer.
- You will likely have to experiment some to find your perfect ratio and oils.
- If you do this in the shower, make sure to clean your shower floor regularly so it doesn’t get slippery!
MY PERSONAL FAVORITE: SESAME OIL
Sesame oil has been used as a healing oil for thousands of years. It is mentioned in the Vedas, (the Vedas is a large body of texts originating in ancient India) as excellent for humans. This oil is naturally antibacterial for common skin pathogens, such as staphylococcus, streptococcus as well as common skin fungi, like athlete’s foot fungus. It is also naturally antiviral and an anti-inflammatory agent.
On the skin, oil soluble toxins are attracted to Sesame seed oil molecules which can then be washed away with hot water and a mild soap. Internally, the oil molecules attract oil soluble toxins and carry them into the blood stream and then out of the body as waste.
I personally use sesame oil as one of my cleansing oils on my face and I also apply it all over my body after the shower while my skin is still slightly wet or damp. I ordered mine though Well.ca (you can also get it on Amazon) and always be sure to choose an organic, cold pressed sesame oil.
SKIN AND BEAUTY BENEFITS OF SESAME OIL:
There are many ways to enjoy the skin benefits of sesame seed oil and it is not known to have any kind of side effects on the skin. Sesame oil can also be mixed with other oils to increase its skin benefits.
LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF SESAME OIL:
- The vitamin E in sesame oil makes it a very good emollient and moisturizer, which, if used regularly, keeps your skin moisturized, healthy, hydrated and nourished. Hence, sesame oil is known to be extremely beneficial for dry skin care.
- Sesame oil has natural sun block and sunscreen properties. Application of sesame seed oil on the body parts exposed to the sun can help prevent tanning and other damages caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun. This is one of the important sesame oil benefits.
- Sesame oil has tranquilizing and soothing properties hence it is popularly used in massage therapies and aromatherapy. A sesame oil face or head massage before going to bed can help you get some sound sleep and rest and is beneficial for people suffering from insomnia.
- The soothing and healing properties of sesame seed oil also prove useful in the repair of damaged skin cells and for skin rejuvenation. Application of sesame seed oil to the skin improves blood circulation which helps repair damaged skin cells and gives the skin a healthy glow.
- Sesame oil also seeps into the skin or is absorbed by the skin very easily, which helps skin feel soft, hydrated and light.
- Sesame oil has the ability to attract and trap toxins that are soluble in oil. This detoxification of the skin can be done by applying warm sesame oil to the skin, let it stay for around 15 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water without using any soap.
- The antioxidants that it contains helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps you maintain youthful skin for a longer time.
- Sesame Seed Oil helps tighten facial skin, particularly around the nose, controlling the usual enlargement of pores as skin ages chronologically.
- Topical application of sesame seed oil is also known to be beneficial in the treatment and cure of skin related disorders like psoriasis and eczema.
- Sesame oil is also very beneficial in the cure and prevention of acne due to its oil pulling properties.
- Sesame oil swabbed in the nose can protect against air borne viruses and bacteria.
IN CONCLUSION
Teen boys and girls have learned, wrongly, that all oil is bad for their facial skin. Heavy oils and toxic oils and creams are bad for all facial skin. But Sesame seed oil is the one oil which is actually good for young skin. It helps control eruptions and neutralizes the poisons which develop both on the surface and in the pores. With Sesame oil, no cosmetics are needed. The oil will cause young facial skin to have and display natural good health.
And there you have it! A very effective and inexpensive skin cleansing method.
Friends don’t let friends strip their skin, so be sure to share and let your friends know so they can upgrade their daily cleansing ritual too.
Glowy, healthy skin is just around the corner!
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