Oil cleansing is the process of using oil instead of a chemical cleanser to dissolve and remove dirt on the skin. It's based on the concept that "like dissolves like." Oil cleansing clears away all the contaminated oil that builds up on your skin and replaces it with natural, clean oil.
How To Oil Cleanse
Place a hot, damp washcloth on your face for 20 seconds.
Remove the washcloth and massage the oil of your choice into your skin.
Let the oil sit for 30 seconds.
Use a hot washcloth to gently wipe the oil away.
That's it!
What's the Best Oil To Use?
Castor oil is one of the most effective deep-cleansing oils and is highly antibacterial. However, it can be drying. When using castor oil, it should be mixed with another oil in equal parts (or 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil, for very oily skin) to gentle its effects on the skin.
Other oils that can be used for oil cleansing include:
Argan oil
Shea oil
Olive oil
Tamanu oil
Jojoba oil
Sunflower seed oil
Oils for cleansing should be cold-pressed and naturally extracted. They can also be mixed with a few drops of essential oil for a pleasantly scented cleaning experience!
If you cleanse at night, for example, some lavender essential oil mixed into your cleaning oil would be perfect for relaxing at the end of a long day.
When done properly, oil cleansing removes makeup, clears acne, combats dryness, and gives the skin a radiant, healthy glow!
Note: It can take up to two weeks for the full effects of oil cleansing to appear. During that time, the skin may break out or produce more oil as it detoxes and adjusts to the new skincare routine.
Sources:
Caporimo, A. "This Is Why You Should Wash Your Face With Oil Instead of Water." (March 31, 2015). Retrieved from https://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/oil-cleansing?utm_term=.hoO5BY5O5P#.efgOvqOoOx
Crunchy Betty. "Nitty Gritty on the Oil Cleansing Method." (January 7, 2018). Retrieved from https://crunchybetty.com/oil-cleansing-method/