What Is Oil Cleansing?

Cleansing is the foundation of any excellent skin care program. Despite this, many of us unknowingly use cleansers that disrupt our skin’s natural balance. Excessive washing can peel and dry up our skin, resulting in breakouts and even dry patches. Furthermore, if you have a bit too much oil, your skin can start overproducing sebum, resulting in oilier skin that causes congestion and acne. Did you know that washing your face with oil can help you solve all of these issues?

It may seem counterintuitive to wash your face with an oil, especially if you have oily skin like me. I, on the other hand, have never looked back once I started cleansing my face with oil. Why? Because cleansing oils are nourishing and calming; they are more effective and less irritating than certain standard cleansers. Also, experts are beginning to uncover the tremendous benefits of oils for skin, and calming; these are healing compounds that have been used for centuries are regaining favor.

Oil cleansing has become popular in recent years. Even well-known brands now include an oil cleanser in their product line-up. Many women have resorted to oil cleaning as a way to gently remove makeup, soothe sensitive skin, and calm relentless outbreaks.
Oil cleansing should be done no more than once a day, although it can also be done on occasion as a special treatment. It’s ideal to do this at night to ensure that your skin is properly moisturized before going to bed.

How Does Oil Cleanse the Skin?

The word “cleansing” brings to mind images of foaming suds and rinsing for many people. Oil cleansing can contain both, although it’s usually done with pure oils and a warm washcloth. Oil absorbs oil, thus oil-based cleansers can efficiently remove debris and excess sebum without damaging or drying your skin. Consider an oil cleanser to be a surface dirt magnet. This is why cleansing oils are beneficial to people of all skin types. Let’s look at some of the benefits of oil cleansing.

Natural Anti-Aging Benefits

We can’t halt time, but we can slow down how it appears on our faces. Because plant-based oils are high in antioxidants, oil cleansing has natural anti-aging properties. An oil cleanser’s healthy oil will absorb quickly into the skin, giving it a natural, balanced, and lovely glow.

Removes Makeup

Oil cleansing is also a great approach to get rid of your makeup in a natural way. Even the thickest, most waterproof mascaras aren’t immune to water. Oil washing is a safe and effective approach to remove makeup that also nourishes your beautiful eyelashes while doing so.

Deep Cleanse

Do you believe that the only method to thoroughly wash your skin is to use soap or detergent-based facial cleanser? Take note of this. Impurities, dead skin cells, and bacteria can all be removed with oil cleansing. The oil clings to debris and effectively lifts it away, leaving your skin thoroughly cleansed and residue-free.

Choosing a Good Cleansing Oil

You have the choice of purchasing a premixed version designed for your skin type or make your own now that so many brands have introduced an oil cleanser to their lineup. Premade oil cleansers can be found online, as well as at most drug and cosmetics stores. If you have acne-prone skin, search for non-comedogenic products to avoid clogging your pores. Olive oil and castor oil are the most widely used oils in DIY recipes. Most recipes call for a 1:1 mixture of these two oils to begin. Then, if you have dry skin, increase the amount of olive oil, and if you have oily, acne-prone skin, increase the amount of castor oil.
Olive oil is high in vitamins and antioxidants, and it helps to keep the body hydrated. Castor oil is an astringent cleanser that is antimicrobial. Due to this, it can cause skin dryness due to its astringent properties. Other great cleansing oils to use include:

• Jojoba oil is beneficial to acne-prone skin.
• Avocado oil is extremely hydrating.
• Safflower seed oil aids the prevention of dry, flaky skin. It is particularly excellent for eczema.
• Sunflower seed oil is anti-inflammatory.
• Apricot kernel oil is excellent for dry and sensitive skin.
• You may also try argon oil, sweet almond oil, or grape seed oil.

It’s critical to get high-quality oils and cleansers that are free of odors and dyes, regardless of which oils you use. Instead of food-grade oils, opt for cold-pressed, unrefined, virgin oils intended for use on the skin.

How to Oil Cleanse

Oil cleansing can be done in two ways. One method is to use warm water or a damp washcloth to remove the oil that has been applied. The alternative method involves removing any oil residue with a mild cleanser. Before using either, test the cleaning oil on a small patch of skin for a few days to see how it reacts.

The Basic Oil Cleanse

• In the palm of your hand, pour 1 to 2 teaspoon(s) of oil. Start with 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon castor oil for dry skin. Start with 1/2 teaspoon jojoba and 1/2 teaspoon castor oil for acne-prone or oily skin.
• Apply the oil to your dry face and massage it in. To eliminate impurities like makeup and dead skin cells, gently massage the oil into the skin with your fingertips for a minute or two to allow it to penetrate the skin.
• To remove the oil, gently wipe it away with a damp, warm washcloth. Avoid scrubbing or pressing too hard on your skin, since this can irritate it and trigger breakouts. The best washcloth is one that is smooth and silky. If you want some of the oil to stay on your skin, you can also rinse with warm water.
• When you’re finished, your face should feel hydrated but not greasy or irritated from wiping it down.
• Apply moisturizer as necessary after patting dry with a towel.

The Double Cleanse

• This procedure may be beneficial if you suffer from acne or have oily skin. You’ll still get the oil cleanser’s purifying and moisturizing effects, but you won’t have to worry about any oil clogging your pores.
• For basic oil cleaning, follow the first three steps above.
  Wash your face with a gentle cleanser that won’t remove your skin from its newfound hydration.
• Apply moisturizer as necessary after patting dry with a towel.

Now that you Know…

After you oil cleanse, your skin should feel supple and free of makeup and other items. You may not need to moisturize afterward, depending on your skin type. Oil cleansing can create an allergic reaction, irritation, or clogged pores, which is why a patch test is recommended before using it on your face. To avoid exacerbating cystic acne, those with cystic acne should consult their physician before attempting an oil wash.
Although there’s some research on oil cleansing, anecdotal evidence suggests that it may take a week or two for your skin to react. In oil cleansing, “purging,” or outbreaks produced by new products bringing bacteria to the surface of your skin isn’t normal, so if you’re experiencing an increase in breakouts after oil cleansing for a few weeks, you may need to switch to a gentle face cleanser, alter your oils, or discontinue oil cleansing entirely.