The oil cleansing method is the best skin cleanser I have ever used.
While pregnant with OG, I started to get acne on my face, which was strange for me because even in high school I didn’t have a big problem with blemishes.
I began researching different products and their safety during pregnancy. I noticed how toxic some commercial face cleansers are (particularly ones containing salicylic acid). I began to notice many weren’t safe to use while I was pregnant.
Of course, I also wondered, “If it’s not safe during pregnancy, is it really safe other times?”
I started looking for more natural products that would help eliminate breakouts without all of the harmful chemicals.
That’s when I stumbled upon the oil cleansing method. Since then I’ve started making many of my own health and beauty products like no-melt deodorant, natural healing salve, and rosemary hair rinse.
I started by using this recipe: 20% Castor Oil to 80% Sunflower Seed Oil. This worked great and I saw results almost immediately (after the initial adjustment period). But then I read that castor oil is toxic (ugh!). Jennifer at 20 Something Allergies (in a guest post on Mommypotamus) writes:
There are a plethora of health benefits associated with it, but I can’t promote using it when its main toxin, ricin, causes severe allergic reactions and permanent nerve damage to many of the workers who harvest the seeds to make it. Bad business Big Ag.
Ricin is removed during processing, so the oil we use is deemed safe. There’s no need to run around chucking your supply into the trash. I would however consider looking to other sources when replacing it.
So I used up my castor oil and switched to hazelnut oil.
How Does Oil Cleansing Work?
The oil cleansing method works because like dissolves like. This means the best thing to remove the buildup of oil in your pores is oil!
This method is great for all skin types because it doesn’t strip oil away from the skin and can be adjusted for your needs.
Oil Cleansing Benefits
This method of skincare has transformed my skin. I almost never have blemishes anymore and can go days without washing my face at all. This method seems to have balanced out my skin and gotten me out of the cycle of stripping natural oils and reintroducing moisture through expensive moisturizers.
Oil Cleansing Recipes
These recipes are a great place to start, but feel free to adjust as needed for your specific skin needs.
Oil Cleansing for “Normal” Skin
Ingredients:
- 1 oz hazelnut oil (or other astringent oil)
- 3 oz moisturizing oil (such as coconut, olive, jojoba, sunflower or other moisturizing oil)
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 12 drops geranium essential oil
(I buy high-quality carrier oils from Pronounce Skincare and essential oils from Plant Therapy)
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz glass bottle. You can use a plunger-style top, dropper, or any other top that works for you.
Oil Cleansing for “Trouble” Skin
I use this one when I start getting blemishes.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz hazelnut oil (or other astringent oil)
- 3 oz moisturizing oil (such as coconut, olive, jojoba, sunflower or other moisturizing oil)
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
- 6 drops geranium essential oil
- 6 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 6 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz glass bottle.
How to Use the Oil Cleansing Method
I have a few ways that I cleanse my face using the oil cleansing method.
- At night: Apply a small amount of oil to your entire face and massage into your pores. Wet a washcloth with hot water (as warm as you can get it without being scalded) and apply to your face. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then wipe off the oil.
- In the morning: apply the oil to your skin before getting into the shower. Let the steam of the shower help the oil do its thing and then rinse the oil off when you feel it’s been steamed enough.
- Quick cleansing: When my face feels greasy and I don’t have time (or desire) to use water, I use this method. I simply put the oil on my face and let it sit a few minutes, then I wipe it off with a clean dry washcloth or towel. This method doesn’t affect blemishes much but does make my face feel clean yet not overly dry. It’s surprising I know, but give it a try!
I love this skin cleansing method because it’s simple, inexpensive, and really supports healthier skin (rather than masking unhealthy skin symptoms).
Notes:
If you are trying the oil cleansing method for the first time start with a blend for “normal” skin even if you are sure that you have oily or dry skin. You may find that by not stripping the natural oils away everyday (like commercial cleansers do) your skin doesn’t overreact by become greasy or dry.
If you have used this method before or decide that you still do have greasy or dry skin you can adjust the blend. The recipes above are 25% astringent oil to 75% moisturizing oil. If you have greasy skin (or its summer) you may need to increase the astringent oil. If you have dry skin (or it’s winter) you may need to increase the moisturizing oil.
Adding Soothing Herbs to Your Oil Cleansing
If you want to add extra skin-soothing properties to this oil blend, consider using herb-infused oil instead of plain moisturizing oil. You can find out how to make herb-infused oil and use it for this recipe. I suggest checking out which herbs might be best for you, but here are my favorites:
- lavender
- calendula
- chamomile
Oil Cleansing Method
A simple and healthy skin care method.
Materials
- 1 oz hazelnut oil (or other astringent oil)
- 3 oz moisturizing oil (such as coconut, olive, jojoba, sunflower or other moisturizing oil)
- 12 drops lavender essential oil
- 12 drops geranium essential oil
- OR
- 1 oz hazelnut oil (or other astringent oil)
- 3 oz moisturizing oil (such as coconut, olive, jojoba, sunflower or other moisturizing oil)
- 6 drops lavender essential oil
- 6 drops geranium essential oil
- 6 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 6 drops tea tree essential oil
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a 4 oz glass bottle. You can use a plunger-style top, dropper, or any other top that works for you.
Notes
If you are trying the oil cleansing method for the first time start with a blend for “normal” skin even if you are sure that you have oily or dry skin. You may find that by not stripping the natural oils away every day (like commercial cleansers do) your skin doesn’t overreact by becoming greasy or dry.
If you have used this method before or decide that you still do have greasy or dry skin you can adjust the blend. The recipes above are 25% astringent oil to 75% moisturizing oil. If you have greasy skin (or it's summer) you may need to increase the astringent oil. If you have dry skin (or it’s winter) you may need to increase the moisturizing oil.
Do you use the oil cleansing method? What is your favorite blend?
I was wondering if you could replace geranium oil in the oil cleansing method with some other kind, like grapefruit. I don’t particularly like the smell of geranium but love citrus.
Thanks!
Absolutely! From what I’ve read Grapefruit is a great choice for skin health.
A few questions: 1)What are you using to measure the oz. of oils; 2) How do you keep the coconut oil (if you use that) liquid; 3) How do you launder your washcloth? Is there a problem with the oil getting into the rest of the wash and not coming out with normal washing?
Great questions! 1. I don’t really measure them. Since I always fill a 4 oz bottle I just pour the astringent oil in to fill about 1/4 of the bottle (so about 1 oz, more or less if needed) and then fill the rest with the other oil. It’s not very exact but works for me :)
2. I don’t use coconut oil in my oil cleanser because, as you know, it would be hard in cool temperatures. If you wanted to use it I would recommend mixing it when it’s warm and then storing it in a container where you could scoop a bit out with your fingers. Then the heat of your hand would melt it and you could use it that way.
3. I haven’t found a great solution for greasy washcloths. I try to use the minimal amount of oil necessary to do the job which helps but, the washcloths do get greasy after many uses with oil. It doesn’t really come out with normal washing either. I usually just wash my face in the shower (rinsing the oil off instead of wiping it) but I do still use washcloths. If you’re worried about ruining washcloths I would suggest using a specific set just for oil cleansing. I haven’t had problems with washcloth oil getting on the other laundry but I usually wash all towels together instead of with clothing so maybe that’s why. Hope that helps!
If your not opposed to bleach or ammonia, soaking with either of those (never both) and water helps. I also will hand wash (old-fashioned style with rubber gloves, a washboard, and a big bar of Zote) anything that gets excessively oily. ( I use oils – and vinegar and baking soda- for of all my skin care). The hand-washing method gives me the best clean I have ever gotten.
Coconut oil, when mixed with a more liquid oil becomes softer and even more liquid itself. Depending on your ratios, it could become pour-able just by mixing them together.
Also, I use a frankincense/myrrh essential oil blend from my local natural health store. Both are supposedly wonderful for skin – wrinkles, acne, dryness, scars, etc. and I have had nothing but good results. I also like the four thieves blend and lavender/tea tree.
Thanks Anna!
Mindy, I just read your statement and actually just by accident . I found this site. I’m making my own organic/ vegan products and in my research I had found that you never put your fingers in any butters or any product where there is no natural preservative as it will create mold and fungus. Please do some research as I did, people can get real sick and break out with rashes. I’m just sharing what I just learned. I thought vit E and rosemary extract CO2 was ok . No it’s not. A lot of DYI people are making bid mistakes and people are getting sick and some have become blind. Please check this out yourself. I took a free 4 course from Formula Botanicals. No you don’t need a preservative in any butter. Salves, scrubs, etc . But , once you put your fingers in it dry or wet then it will create the mold and fungi. This is true. My cousin bought a butter from me and she didn’t use a wooden spoon, she used her fingers and fungus grew. So please research what your doing and make it safe for your self and family. Oils I’m still researching my self. I hope this helps you and other DYIs out their. Blessings!!
What would be another type of astringent oil? Sorry, I really have no idea. I don’t know where I could get hazelnut oil. I have never even seen at at health stores. I have coconut oil,jojoba, sweet almond, olive, & castor oil. I also have many essential oils. Thank you.
Castor oil is an astringent oil. Also, Borage and Grapeseed oil.
Hi, I just found this article and will be passing it onto my daughter. I was wondering what type of bottle you use to keep your cleansing oil in.
Thank you
I use these: http://www.purposefullysimple.com/Bottleandpump
Hy friends l have been wondering if can use hazenult oil alone for face cleansing
I wonder the same thing! I love hazelnut but dont want to end up with clogged pores if it shouldnt be used on its own.
You probably can but it might make your skin tight.
Is there an alternative to the hazelnut oil? My son is severely allergic to all nuts, so I avoid having any food or products containing nuts.
I believe linseed, poppyseed, sunflower, and safflower oils are drying oils.
As an esthitician, If I could share some insight into coconut oil… I know it has been given a lot of attention in the DIY world and it has great properties such as anti-bacterial etc. Which would make a person want to use it BUT unfortunately it is also comodogenic meaning it can clog pores making it not ideal for the face or any skin especially prone to breakouts but possibly even those leaning towards normal/dry or dehydrated skin. Too much of this oil could discourage one from using an otherwise great method. For those drawn to the properties of coconut oil may I suggest lookimg into babassu oil ( similar texture and properties but far less chance of clogging pores. The comodogenic factor or scale is just as important ( in my opinion😉) along with general properties of an oil when choosing which ones to use based on ur skin type and what concerns u r addressing to get the BEST results.
Thanks for your insight!
I too love the oil cleansing method. It’s the only thing that really works for my skin. I have dry / sensitive / acne prone skin.
I was curious do you use oil after as a moisturizer or just let it be ? I’ve tried both ways and not sure which one I actually like
I too love the oil cleansing method. It’s the only thing that really works for my skin. I have dry / sensitive / acne prone skin.
I was curious do you use oil after as a moisturizer or just let it be ? I’ve tried both ways and not sure which one I actually like
Yes, I will use more oil after if my skin feels dry. I will usually let it sit for a minute and then wipe off any excess with a dry towel.
I love this! I actually started using a natural facial oil (from a small homemade company, not something I made), and found that daily use of it actually leaves my face so much clearer and healthier looking than the traditional store-bought facial lotions+toners+facial cleansers, etc! It’s amazing how backward we moved, when we went from natural products to man-made chemical products. I love that we’re starting to move back toward these natural options. Thank you for all your simple, easy-to-follow tips.
I agree! It’s so nice to see a shift back toward healthier ways of caring for our bodies!