Oil Cleansing Method For Alll Skin Types! Especially Acne

The Oil Cleansing Method aka OCM  **update at bottom.

Preface
OK, this might sound scary to some of you but this cleansing method uses OIL directly applied to your face. Are you ready to close this page out yet like I was? Well please don’t. I know it sounds crazy but please give it a chance if you have troublesome skin. A common misconception concerning oil and acne is that oil causes acne. This is not true. Oil alone does not cause acne–other factors like age, hormones and prolonged clogging of the pores of trapped bacteria, dead skin cells and dirt are the actual contributors to acne. The sebum your skin naturally creates is there to protect and heal it. Ideally, oil is GOOD for your skin.

Water cannot dissolve oil, so the vast majority of today’s cleansers and toners use chemicals to strip your skin of its oil which irritates it and causes it to produce MORE oil as a result. So why do SO many acne-related products say “oil-free”? Because the oil-acne myth is universally celebrated and sworn by and selling their products using the “oil-free” gimmick makes companies more money. Now don’t just go out and buy any products that have oil and think that will work either, their still is a science to this.

Fact: Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: Other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.

Getting Started
The basic OCM blend is of castor oil and extra virgin olive oil. Castor oil is fantastic at drawing dirt, bacteria and other nasty stuff trapped in your pores, while healing your skin.

The ratio of castor oil to EVOO will vary depending on the person. The typical starting ratio is 50/50 castor oil to EVOO. For oily or acne-prone skin, a ratio of 75% castor oil to 25% EVOO will work better. For dry or flaky skin, a ratio 25% castor oil to 75% EVOO is good.

However, you should find the right blend for you. A lot of OCM users cut out the EVOO all together–especially those with oily or acne-prone skin, since it is a heavier oil and in rare cases has even caused people to break out. Many people replace it with other oils like Grapeseed oil, which is light, quick to absorb and is known for its astringent properties. Jojoba oil is another popular choice because it is a great natural moisturizer, is non-comedogetic and mimics the skin’s own natural sebum. Other popular oils are Avocado oil, Apricot Kernal oil and Evening Primrose oil–all have extremely low pore-clogging probabilities.  If you can find them Carrot Oil and Avocado oil are also great for acne prone skin.

Some use 60% castor oil, 20% grapeseed oil and 20% jojoba oil. Another great oil to use for acne-prone/oily skin is Hazelnut oil. I use a 70/30 mix of cold pressed Castor oil and organic jojoba oil for my extremely Acne prone skin. i hate to jinx myself, but my skin has never been clearer!  I have also since added a few drops of lavender and cedarwood essential oils.  You don’t want to add much, just a couple drops of each to a 2 oz container mixed with your oils.

The Process

• You take some of your oil blend and massage it into your face (have you fainted, yet?). Do it gently and avoid scrubbing because that can be irritating to your skin. try to do this for a minute, but only for 30 seconds or so if you have makeup on, you don’t want to push makeup into your pores!

• Then, you take a washcloth dampened in warm to hot water (depending on your tolerance–but don’t burn yourself!) and drape it over/hold it up to your face and leave it there until it’s around room temperature. What you’re doing is steaming your face and opening your pores so the castor oil can draw out the dirt and dead skin cells and the other oil(s) can condition your skin. I use this time to stretch my neck!

• Wipe the oils off with the washcloth, GENTLY, no scrubbing!   Massage some oil into your skin again and repeat. This can be repeated as many times as you like, depending on how much time you have on your hands. It may take you a few OCM sessions to get your routine down and maximize your time efficiency. I usually do this 3 or 4 times.

• When you’ve finished steaming, rinse off your washcloth, wring it out and gently start wiping the oil away. This gets rid of the dirt and dead skin cells you have freed that can lead to acne. Then, splash your face with almost cold water,(never completely cold, that can cause capillaries to break and you don’t want that!) close your pores and then pat your face dry.

After that I have started adding a touch of tea tree and Jojoba oil mixed to my skin. and that is that. I sincerely mean that this is the clearest my face has been! I had heard of this method before but didn’t want to try it because I didn’t want to give it a go for a few nights and then have 2 months of break outs as the aftermath! But nothing at all was working for me.

This is not just for acne prone skin, this will help with anyone looking for an overall glow or evening out their complexion, or for someone with oily or even dry skin!!  Especially good for smokers since they always seem to have a dry layer of skin on top of an oily layer.

**update.  I have since started doing this only twice a week.  it eventually wasn’t doing as much good as before.  I have adult acne, that starts at the chin, small white bumps and go clear up my cheeks, all the while getting larger in lesions.  I finally tried something, and for the last month it has worked, see my results, before and after pictures!  Still here on my blog.

I think the oil cleansing method works because it is taking us out of putting all the harsh chemicals that dry the crap out of our skin.  That is the same concept with Carley’s.  All Natural and doesn’t make your crack, peel or hurt.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©