Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Oil Cleansing Method

So I'm testing out this new facial skincare regimen - The Oil Cleansing Method. Basically, I've said buh-bye to my Sonia Dakar cleansing lotion and have replaced it with a curious mixture of oils. Why? For no particular reason other than the fact that I love trying new things and I'm easily lured by things that claim to have anything to do with tighter pores, clear, glowing, dewy-looking, free of blackheads & pimples skin! I thought that would get your attention!

The original formula is a mixture of Castor oil and Olive Oil but since I've already tried olive oil and didn't care too much for it, I've replaced it with other oil wonders. It's important to note that Castor Oil is the basis of this method for it's anti-inflammatory, cleansing and healing properties - so in other words, don't replace it.


My first formula was pretty simple, I used a 2:1 ratio of castor oil and jojoba oil. I used that up for a week and noticed a bit of flaking around my nose, did a bit of research and found that I should try decreasing the amount of castor oil in my mixture. Castor oil, because of its cleansing properties has a tendency to dry out your skin, so the make up of yours will determine the ratios that you use. So now I'm on week #2 - with a new and improved formula. I've also added a couple of new oils to the mix - macadamia nut and coconut oil. My skin is really lovin' this stuff! I've noticed that the pores around my nose and forehead are significantly tighter - my skin isn't producing as much oil as it used to 2 weeks ago. I'm no longer sitting in front of my bathroom mirror for an hour pressing and squeezing the crap out of my skin with Hillsy in the background shaking his head in amusement.

So what exactly do I do with the stuff? Well, I just apply it all over my face wait as long as I can (at night, I like to slab it on and wait for 20 minutes) then I use a wet{ish} paper towel (hot/warm water) and gently wipe the stuff off. I really should go to Target and buy a couple of wash cloths. The stuff removes makeup really well so you do not need to remove your makeup beforehand. Then I go about my usual regimen - which is pretty simple, I just use my favorite Sonia Dakar Hydrosoft lotion. In the mornings, when I have time, I like to apply it to my face and leave it on while I'm in the shower - supposedly the extra steam is good - then wipe it off after the shower. Oh and I also scrub my face with a face scrub formula (store-bought) at the end of the week - just for good measure. I guess I still can't get over the fact that my skin hasn't been washed with a soapy bubbling cleanser for more than a week and was getting a bit paranoid. So, I'm not really sure if it's necessary.

What I find fascinating, is that I've always gravitated towards products touting "oil-free" formulas; thinking that since my face was prone to pimples, oil would be the last thing I'd want to slap on my face. Au contraire mon fraire!

So if you're interested in learning more about this, I suggest checking out the links below. I'm waiting to see whether my current formula is worth sharing with the rest of the world (well, I mean the five of you) - I have another two weeks or so to make sure I don't suddenly break out with massive acne cysts. Fingers crossed!

There are TONS of reading material out there, but here's a good place to start...
www.theoilcleansingmethod.com
www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html
www.highonhealth.org/why-you-need-to-start-
using-the-oil-cleansing-method-ocm/


PS. I've been applying my wonder oil to Hillsy's finger which occasional breaks out with eczema when he's stressed out and it's actually been helping a lot!!!! Hmmm.

6 comments:

modernemotive said...

Ooh, thanks for this. My skin has been so dry lately so this might do the trick.

Hope to see the formula soon and I'll give it a try. We seem to have similar skin. :)

krissy said...

i'll be curious to see the results too. i don't have oily skin...i guess more on the normal-to-dry range. i wonder if i can use the oil cleansing method too?

...and i just bought a brand new bottle of cleanser last week! darn.

Marichelle said...

I'll definitely keep you guys posted!!

P said...

Ohhhh...this is very interesting. Fauxhawk has the same issue with his hands...maybe I should try this. I've also heard that coconut oil is really good.

Anonymous said...

Keep us posted, I'm curious too!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Came here through Marichelle- I had such an epiphany one day when, as a treat for myself, I went to get a facial. I always thought I had oily skin and used oil free products because I was blackhead prone with a greasy cast. Then the facialist told me that the large clogged pores were due to the fact that I actually had dry skin, so my skin was tight and trying to make up for it by producing oils (and not doing a very good job). My skin has definitely improved with the extra moisture I've been giving it ever since, but always looking for another product, so I may give this regimen a try. Thanks!