Are you afraid to put oil on your skin?
As an acne-prone teen and young adult, I was for a long time! I thought putting any type of oil on my already-oily skin would surely make me break out in a millisecond.
Now that I've spent a few years learning more about natural skincare, I know that oil is not the bad guy when it comes to taking care of your skin.
In fact, oils cleanse, protect, and moisturize our skin very effectively - without all the fillers and junk ingredients you'll find in a lot of products.
One of the ways you can use oils in your skin care routine is to wash your face with them. It sounds strange at first, but it works really well and removes impurities without drying out your skin or causing tightness and irritation. I have been cleansing my face this way for a few years now and my skin has never looked better.
Many advocates of the Oil Cleansing Method use castor oil - I don't. The reason for using it is that it works really well for pulling impurities out of the pores, so if you wear a lot of makeup or get really dirty during the day, you might want to. I don't, really, so I skip it.
Jojoba oil is actually a wax, and it's composition is very similar to the skin's natural oil (sebum). According to Sarah Kretchmer at The Science of Beauty,
Since Jojoba oil is so similar to sebum, when applied to the skin it can help to reduce sebum production. Sebum is produced to waterproof and moisturise the skin. When Jojoba oil is applied, the skin registers that sufficient oil is present therefore less sebum is released making skin less oily.
In addition, Jojoba oil is both antibacterial and anti fungal. Therefore, by reducing sebum production and prohibiting bacteria growth, Jojoba oil can really assist in the reduction of pimples and acne.
The method of cleansing with jojoba oil is very simple - here's what I do:
- Massage about 5-7 drops of jojoba oil to my face and neck.
- Brush my teeth. LOL - it's just enough time to let the oil sit and soak everything up.
- Remove the oil with a hot, damp washcloth.
That's all there is to it. I do this just after I hop out of the shower and my skin is slightly damp.
You can add essential oils if you want to. I used to add tea tree oil when I struggle more with acne. These days, I sometimes add a drop or two of rosemary oil, which is a lovely EO for acne, antiaging, and skin-healthy nutrients. The essential oils are 100% optional, however.
If you're looking for a natural way to cleanse your skin and leave it SUPER soft - give the OCM a try!
Abbie
Hello! I have bad acne and I switched to natural skincare a few months ago and it will not go away (my skin was pretty clear while using Proactiv but I didn't like using chemicals). All of the products I use now are 100% organic and are supposed to help clear up acne. The cleanser I use is made from rosewater, vegetable glycerin, and tea tree oil. I don't, however, leave it on very long or do the hot washcloth. Would that help? Do you have any other tips that might help?
Kylie Worthington
Hi Abbie! The cleanser you use sounds wonderful - what are you using after that? I suggest a serum immediately after cleansing and weekly yogurt masks. I'll link a couple of posts that have some more info:
http://everblossom.net/2011/12/how-to-use-tea-tree-oil-for-acne.html
http://everblossom.net/2011/05/how-to-make-your-own-face-serum-with-oils-that-are-right-for-your-skin.html
Abbie
Thanks! I'll definitely look over those articles. I'm using S.W. Basics so after the cleanser I use their toner made of water, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and the essentials oils of clary sage and sandalwood followed by a serum made of avocado oil, geranium oil, turmeric oil, and coffee oil. Maybe I just need to add a mask into the mix, I haven't tried that yet. I am sensitive to dairy, would the yogurt affect me? Should I try honey instead?
Kylie Worthington
Yes, honey is a great idea!