For about a month now, I've been using the Oil Cleansing Method to wash my face. I had read about before and was intrigued. So, while I was unemployed I figured I might as well try it.
My face hadn't been looking to good up until this point. I bought some of those face wipe things when I was waiting tables because they were quick to use when I got off late. They did not work. In fact, they may have caused me to break out more.
On top of the faulty wipes, I went off the pill (not trying to have babies yet, though!). So, my skin went crazy. It was like puberty all over again.
Cue the Oil Cleansing Method. Why the hell not, right?
What is the Oil Cleansing Method you ask? It sounds crazy, but it really makes sense. Instead of using harsh facial cleansers, you clean your face with oil. Yes, oil! The thought process is that oil dissolves oil. So, when you massage oil into your skin, the fresh oil purges the dirty oil.
What I do is mix one part castor oil, one and 1/2 parts olive oil. You can use a variety of oils in place of olive oil, but the castor oil is a must. It is really good at dissolving dirt and the like. If you have dry skin, up the olive oil. If you have oily skin, up the castor oil.
I massage the oil into my (dry) skin for about 5 minutes, focusing on the bad areas. Then I run the hot water, getting it as hot as I can. I wet a clean wash rag, wring it out, and put it over my face. The steam opens your pores. I repeat with the wash rag about five times. Then, I wipe my face with the rag to get off the excess oil. Voila!
Your face shouldn't be oily--if it is you used too much. Nor should it be tight or dry. You shouldn't even need moisturizer.
So far so good. My face is not blemish free yet, but my skin does look radiant. My problem is that its a bit time consuming, so sometimes I forget to do it. I try to do it once a day. This past weekend, I forgot for like 3 days straight and I broke out again. Gasp! But now that I'm regularly cleansing my face its looking a lot better! Hopefully pretty soon I'll be blemish free!
For some more info check out: Crunchy Betty, The Oil Cleansing Method, and Simple Mom.
This sounds really neat! I'd love to know if it's been effective for reducing your outbreaks if used regularly. I just started my "poo free challenge." I may have to add this oil cleansing to the list.
ReplyDeleteLike going no 'poo, there can be a transition period. Mine hasn't been too bad--but my face was already prone to breakouts. I can tell a difference now that I'm making myself do it once a day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your new adventures!