The Basic Guideline To Oil Cleansing

The Basic Guide to Oil Cleansing

Many women have turned to oil cleansing as a way to gently remove makeup, soothe sensitive skin, and tame unrelenting breakouts.

Using oils instead of traditional soap or detergent cleansers can also help protect the natural lipid layer of the skin and the good bacteria that live there.

How does oil cleanse your skin?

For many people, “cleansing” brings to mind foamy lather and rinsing.

Oil cleansing can include both, but for the most part it’s done with pure oils and a washcloth dampened with warm water.

The basic idea behind slathering your face in oils in the name of cleaning is that “like dissolves like.” In other words, putting clean, nourishing oils on your skin is intended to:

• lift excess sebum, the oily substance produced by glands on your skin
• clean out clogged pores like blackheads and whiteheads
• remove dead skin, pollutants, and makeup

Makeup removers often include oil because it’s well-suited for lifting oil-free, oil-based, and waterproof formulas off the skin and lashes.

Traditional cleansers can irritate the skin, cause excessive dryness, exacerbate acne, and ultimately result in the skin overproducing oil after washing. Oil cleansing, on the other hand, can help balance the skin and lock in hydration. Oils used for cleansing may also have healing properties, important nutrients, or other skin-boosting benefits.

It is found that cleansing oil can be good for dry, mature skin particularly.

In a study it has shown that adults and children who used a bath oil every other day for a month had better skin barrier function and fewer symptoms of dry skin than those who used oil-free cleansers.

Regardless of what oils you choose, it’s important to buy high-quality oils and cleansers that don’t have any scents or dyes added. When possible, look for cold-pressed, unrefined, virgin oils that are meant to be used on the skin, rather that food-grade oils.

How to oil cleanse

There are two ways to oil cleanse. One involves removing the applied oil with warm water or a wet washcloth. The other, follows oil removal with a gentle cleanser to remove any residue.

Before you try either, test the cleansing oil on a small patch of your skin for a couple of days to see how your skin reacts.

Basic oil Cleanse

1. Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil in the palm of your hand. Start with a 1/2 teaspoon of Argan Oil.
2. Apply the oil to your dry face. Use your fingertips to gently massage the oil into the skin for a minute or two to remove impurities like makeup and dead skin cells, and let it penetrate the skin.
3. Use a damp, warm washcloth to gently wipe away the oil. Be careful not to press too hard or scrub at your skin, as this can irritate the skin and cause breakouts. A smooth, soft washcloth is best. You can also rinse with warm water if you want some of the oil to stay on your skin. Your face should be hydrated when you’re done, but not greasy or overly irritated from wiping it down.
4. Pat dry with a towel and apply moisturizer if you feel you need it.

Double Cleanse

If you’re prone to acne or oily skin, you may want to follow this method. You’ll still get the cleaning and hydrating benefits of the oil cleanse, but you won’t have to worry about any oil being left behind to clog your pores.

1. Follow the first three steps above for a basic oil cleanse.
2. Wash with a mild face wash that won’t strip your skin of its new hydration.
3. Pat dry with a towel and apply moisturizer if you feel you need it.

How often should you oil cleanse?

You should oil cleanse no more than once a day, but you can also do it infrequently as a special treatment. It’s best to do this at night so your skin is well-hydrated for bed.

What to expect after you oil cleanse

Your skin should feel supple and be free of makeup and other products after you oil cleanse. Depending on your skin type, you may not need to moisturize afterward.

DISCLAIMER:

It may take a week or two for your skin to adjust. “Purging,” or breakouts that are caused by new products bringing bacteria to the surface of your skin, isn’t normal in oil cleansing.

Oil cleansing with a heavy weight oil can cause an allergic reaction, irritation, or clogged pores, which is why it’s important to do a patch test before applying an oil cleanser on your face. We further encourage people to try oil cleansing with lightweight oils like ARGAN OIL People with cystic acne should talk to their dermatologist before trying an oil cleanse to prevent aggravating their skin.

If you’re getting an increase in breakouts, especially after you’ve been oil cleansing for a couple of weeks, you may need to use a gentle face wash after, change the oils you use, or stop oil cleansing altogether.