Benefits of the oil cleansing method
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
I’ve mentioned in my entry on the benefits of Jojoba Seed Oil that I’ve been experimenting with the oil cleansing method (OCM). It’s been some weeks now and one of the most evident benefit for me has been the almost complete eradication of the blackheads on my nose. I have stopped using baking soda or tomatoes so I’m sure that the blackheads were removed due to my new cleansing routine. And it’s not just me because two of my readers, Florence and Ms Blacklace also shared their good experiences of using oil to cleanse their face and I thought I’ll share their comments here.
Florence’s comments dated 13 Oct:
“I have been using the OCM for abt 1 mth+; very good, my blackheads are gone & skin is radiant. I brought the cleansing oil from aubrey nicole…”Ms Blacklace’s comments dated 13 Nov:
Have been using jojoba oil and grapeseed oil for almost a week, and I can say that my blackheads have reduced. After the oil cleansing, I squeezed my nose lightly and the blackheads just shot out! After a follow up cleansing with a mild cleanser, and using the oils as moisturiser, I went to work the following day and my friends thought that I had put on makeup because my nose was smooth. Haha!
How to cleanse your face with oil?
The oil cleansing method is not difficult to follow. All you need are a natural carrier oil to suit your skin type, a wash cloth and running steamy bath water.
1) Apply about 8 to 10 drops of oil (3/4 of a teaspoon) in one of your palms and rub both palms together to warm the oil before smoothing all over your face.
2) Massage the oil well into your skin to remove all traces of impurities like your makeup and sebum plus any of your problem areas. This should take about 2 minutes but it can be longer if you like.
3) Next, dip your wash cloth into clean steamy water and then drape your face with the wet and steamy hot washcloth. Leave it on to cool down and pat off the excess oil off your face gently.
4) Repeat another 4 to 5 times until you feel your skin is clear of the oil and impurities.
5) Tone and moisturize as per normal afterwards.
Why oil can cleanse your skin?
The concept of OCM is that the oil used to massage your skin will dissolve the oil that has hardened with impurities and stuck in your pores while the steam will open your pores, allowing the oil to be easily removed. I will tell you that based on personal experience that this works. In fact, I find oil make a better makeup remover. Although I’ve not used this method long enough to vouch that it will definitely give you clearer skin but besides fewer blackheads, softer radiant skin and less acne were some of the other benefits being reported by others.
What are my reservations towards the oil cleansing method?
However, I have some reservations about using oil cleansing too frequently. In fact, I only use it a few times a week, once a day at most. Other than that, I revert to using my normal cleanser. First, I dislike the usage of washcloth. Although I try to wash the cloth regularly with hot boiling water and air it dry, I’m still not entirely comfortable with using it. Second, I dislike heat on my face. In fact, some of you may recall that I’ve written why you should not steam your face too often as heat can dry up our skin. I’m not sure if the oil massaged into the skin will compensate for the lost in moisture but I’m just paranoid about the heat. Finally, oil cleansing method is time consuming and waste too much water!
Can you use commercial oil cleansers for OCM?
Having said that, I have to admit that the oil cleansing method has done some good for my skin. But while it is said to be suitable for all skin types, I am not entirely sure especially when it comes to those with sensitive skin. But if you’re keen to try, you need to start by finding a suitable oil and for me now, Jojoba and Grapeseed Oil works great because they’re light and they keep my skin sufficiently supple. One way to do this is to research on the right oil for your skin type and if you’re getting your supplies from the DIY ingredients suppliers, you can also find out from them. But if you find getting natural oil troublesome, then you might want to try the oil cleansing method with commercially available oil cleansers because I have also come across many raves from ladies who have used those products. They just cost more and contain more ingredients than the natural oil!
So what are your thoughts about the oil cleansing method and will you attempt it?
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November 18th, 2008 at 11:35 am
*giggles* I have a post on this coming up! Seriously, you read my mind again!
btw, slight delay in postage - sorry!
ParisB: Really??? Hahaha…such a coincidence! I look forward to reading your thoughts on this…
No worries about the posting. 
November 18th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
HI,I am glad that you like OCM & seen good results :)Btw I will change to jojoba or grapeseed oil, coz is much more cheaper then AN. May I chk with you do u just use jojoba oil or mix together with grapeseend oil?
Florence: No, I don’t mix. I use either of them at one time.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I have read about using oil to dissolve blackheads, are there any oil-based cleansers that act as normal cleanser, without needing to use the washcloth?
Sel: Those from the Japanese brands like DHC, Fancl and Shiseido are oil-based cleansers which you can use. But without the washcloth, you need to double cleanse with something that is foaming to get rid of the oil.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I had tried OCM using jojoba oil and the Oil Revitalising Cleanser from Yours Essentially. I personally prefer the Oil Revitalising Cleanser.
You are right, it is rather drying using OCM, I believe it should not be done more than 2 times a week from what I had read.
Will definitely stick to OCM for a while!
De: Not more than 2 times…ah…that’s useful to know. I was thinking maybe three. Never tried the oil revitalising cleanser. Will remember to try that in my next order.
November 18th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
i tried a few brands of cleansing oil out there, but they all caused me breakouts though i actually double-cleansed
was still hoping that it would clear my blackheads. ah wells…
Shin: You mean the commercial brands? Perhaps you’re sensitive to some of the ingredients. Have you tried using pure natural oil?
November 19th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I’ve been using Dermalogica’s Precleanser as a make up cleanser, followed by my regular facial wash. It’s made up of several different oils; grapeseed oil, safflower oil, kernel oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil, orange oil, borage seed oil and lavender oil. I don’t use it everyday and instead just 3-4 times a week. And a small bottle goes a long way as you only need a few drops each time.
Morningdew: Sounds very interesting! I’ve never tried any of Dermalogica’s products so didn’t know they have something like that. The ingredients are very beneficial for cleansing!
November 19th, 2008 at 10:45 am
From what I know, all those commercial brand cleansing oil contains mineral oil, that’s why some ppl will cause breakouts.
Florence: Yeah, you’re right. A couple of them do but a few don’t. So it depends on choosing the right ones. I used one with mineral oil sometime back and though it didn’t break me up, but it felt kind of heavier compared to the natural oil.
November 19th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
hmm my reservation was also because of the wash cloth! nowadays i always wipe my face with a clean tissue paper, and i’m really quite skeptical about washcloths. was thinking of looking for non-perfumed facial wipes though…
elleve: I have reservations towards those facial wipes as well. And if using the OCM, the wipes probably can’t withstand the water right? I can’t think of a perfect solution that can help with our concerns…as yet.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I was doing reading up about the fancl cleansing oil! it contains jojoba oil as well but what i’m afraid of its that it might be drying because my nose seems to be flaking a little! Should I still try it? really wanna get rid of blackheads..
Sharon: Why is your nose flaking? Did you use anything on it? My nose used to flake a lot when I squeezed it too hard for the blackheads.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
would EVOO work? i have lots of that home :p
Shin: Haha…you mean those from the kitchen cabinet? Never tried…wouldn’t recommend either…
November 20th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I’ve used and am still using cleansing oil from brands like Shu Um and Fancl. They rinse clean so it’s not necessary to double cleanse. Doing that is actually too drying to the skin. Surprising as it may seem, some breakouts are caused by skin being either too dry, or too agitated.
Flym: You’re right. Dryness can cause breakouts too. Never tried Shu Um and Fancl’s. You can rinse them off? Sounds great. I wanted to try Fancl and DHC but just never got my hands on them…somehow…
November 20th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Hi there, thanks for sharing with us your experience and advices. I’m so very tempted to try this OCM. Will be ordering one bottle from the site very soon. BUT I don’t use toner and moisturizer after I cleanse my face with facial foam. Do you think that matters?
Anyway, do you mind me asking you something irreverent to OCM? May I know for local postage charges, how much were you charged the previous round that you bought the 1oz jojoba seed oil?
Oh, this method sounds really good but rather time- consuming too. Hee, maybe when I try it, I’ll just try it a few times a week, much more like 3 days a week. I’m kind of lazy you see. :X
Gina: If your skin is quite oily, three times maybe okay. Not using toner and moisturizer is fine but in that case, don’t wash till your skin feels dry. You can also warm two drops of the oil on your palm and rub into your face afterwards.
I remember postage was always less than $1.50 per order. It depends on your quantity but I remember it was never very expensive. Anyway, you’ll know the shipping cost once you add your items before paying.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
You don’t mix them? I usually apply equal amounts of jojoba and grapeseed oil when I use the OCM.
Love to use grapeseed oil as a moisturiser. Feels so light.
Ms Blacklace: No never tried. Maybe I should but I like to assess them separately first. I love grapeseed oil too! Very light and lovely!
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 am
Oil cleaning is my absolute HG products, have been using for over 2 years for daily cleaning. I tried DHC and Laventine, both are very good, Laventine is more cheaper though.
Theresa: I haven’t heard of Laventine. Must keep a lookout for it. But, I also haven’t tried DHC.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thanks thanks so much!
I shall try it out soon. Haha, after hectic school activities starts to slow down that is. Anyway, your other entries are all very awesome! (:
Thanks, tc`
Gina: Hey, you’re welcome. I hope you’ll like it when you get to try. Let me know how it went for you if you can.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Been using the oil cleansing method a few nights already. I love the fact that for the first time i might feel that this would be the best solution to my very tough blackheads.
But I am begining to pop 3 pimpls around my nose and lip area.. hmm maybe i should stop for awhile?
Valerie: Yeah, I think you should stop first. What oil did you use? Sometimes it could be the oil being too rich, sometimes it could be the impurities on your face are being purged out. Anyway, oil cleansing should be kept to about 2 - 3 times a week at most based on reader’s comments and my experience.
November 25th, 2008 at 9:00 am
[...] regimes and products and I’m fine with that. You can also read Viva Woman’s experience here. Copyright © http://www.mywomenstuff.com Link - Don’t [...]
November 25th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I have oily t zone hence with the problem of blackhead. WHen using the OCM, do you wash your face and tone itagain after you wipe off the oil to make sure there is no oil residue that will clog your pores or its just suffice to stop at where you wipe off the oil with hot towel?
troubledGal: My face feels quite clean and oil free after the cleansing but I tone afterwards out of habit and preference. You can actually stop after the cleansing process and moisturize with a bit of the oil or your normal moisturizer.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
thanks for the speedy reply
I ve just received my order and tried it on just on. Sorry I have just another question : I plan to use it at night everyday and my intention is to replace the use of commercial facial products and also clearing out of my big pores, blackheads and oily tzone(but apparently some website doesnt suggest using it everynight.If I use it only at night, I reckon I would still need to use normal facial cleanser to clean my face in the morning?
troubledGal: When you mean everyday, I guess you’re referring to OCM? Hmm…I won’t recommend you do it everyday. You might want to try out alternate days and see how. The recommendation is 2 days a week although 3 has worked for me. Reason is because over steaming the face may bring about dry skin and broken capillaries. Once a day is the maximum too. For morning, you can still use your normal cleanser.
November 29th, 2008 at 12:09 am
[...] Viva Woman shares with you the benefits of the oil cleansing method. [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 12:10 am
[...] Viva Woman shares with you the benefits of the oil cleansing method. [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 4:57 am
[...] Viva Woman shares with you the benefits of the oil cleansing method. [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 10:19 am
[...] Viva Woman shares with you the benefits of the oil cleansing method. [...]
November 29th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
[...] Viva Woman shares with you the benefits of the oil cleansing method. [...]
November 30th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Fabulous article! Thank you everyone for sharing the your experiences and how to use the oil cleansing method (OCM).
I’ve have tried DHC’s cleansing oil with good results, and have been tempted to try Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil or Laura Mercier’s and think it is so much smarter and cheaper to create your own!
MB: I guess it’s convenient to use the commercial cleansing oil. But if possible, natural oils are much better because you’re getting the 100% natural stuff.
November 30th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
[...] Woman</strong> shares with you <a href=”http://www.vivawoman.net/2008/11/18/benefits-of-the-oil-cleansing-method/” target=”_blank”>the benefits of the oil cleansing [...]
December 1st, 2008 at 1:02 am
Hi, I was wondering, since I am always in a rush for time except on weekends. I was wondering if I could just do this in the bath… to wash my face in warm water and then to gently rub my face with the oil and then to wash off with warm and then cold water? ^^ cause unless I find the time to steam my face I always usually just do this.. sometimes I just use cold water.. since my bathroom sink has no warm water only the shower..
Oh and when you rub the oil on your face.. I wonder if this is alright. cause sometimes I do put in a bit more pressure to rub out the whiteheads that I can feel on my nose. wonder if that is bad.
Valerie: Gently massaging your face with the oil is fine. No problem as long as you’re not scrubbing it.
In fact, you need to work on those problem areas a little longer. If you’re using natural oil, warm water itself won’t wash the oil off. You need to use another cleanser. Alternatively, you can try using those emulsifying commercial oils like from fancl or dhc. According to some of the readers who have used them, you can take it off just with warm water.
December 4th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hi, Great article on OCM!!! I just got my hands on so jojoba from YOurs essentially, thanks to your blog and wanted to make it my daily cleanser. No NOT OCM daily though as it is way too time consuming. Is it ok if I just wipe all over my face,massage in, then rinse with warm water follow by my usual cleanser?? as in no steaming, no wash cloth??(kind put off by the whole wash cloth thingy..)
Thanks
Jacque: Yes, it’s fine! I do that sometimes too. Use it like a makeup remover…only thing is it does not emulsify like the commercial oil cleanser but it works as well.
December 11th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I had tried Muji cleansing oil for sensitve skin & its pretty good at removing makeup but not black/whiteheads.
December 31st, 2008 at 10:30 am
I was reading on this website on OCM (http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/)that you need castor oil as the primary oil and then add another oil of your preference to it. It says that ‘Castor Oil has potent anti-inflammatory properties, but is also healing and cleansing, which is why we’re focusing on this oil as our primary oil’. Castor oil is supposed to have more drawing properties, hence more drying. Hence, they suggest higher proportion of castor oil if one has oily face, and less if dry skin. The other oil mostly recommended would be jojoba and grapeseed.
I am a little confuse here. Do I have to definitely use castor oil as a primary oil or I can do just jojoba and grapeseed. Would mixing castor with another oil be more effective then if use jojoba or grapeseed alone on its own? Any gals got comments?
Domestic Goddess: I’ll ask Leon who is quite an expert in this area to find out. Maybe she’ll comment later. I don’t use castor oil at all. I just use grapeseed or jojoba oil by itself.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Hi Domestic Goddess, let me clear ur confusion. Castor oil is a very good oil for oil cleansing method but it doesn’t mean that you have to use castor oil as a primary oil. Grapeseed and Jojoba oil also have anti-inflammatory properties and do equally good job. I use castor oil for OCM but I’ve had better result with Evening Primrose and Olive Oil. Everyone’s skin is unique so I don’t think that one oil can be good for all, even the right proportion matters when it comes to oil cleansing method. Keep experimenting until you find ur perfect oil and proportion. Castor oil is just a good option.
December 31st, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Sesame, I am not an expert, I am also learning,lol
Hey Leon: Thanks for clarifying about the castor oil. Hehe…to me, you’re an expert even if you’re still learning. I’ve certainly picked up a lot of useful skincare tips from you.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Wow, thanks for the kind words Sesame:) Glad I could help you.
Leon: You’re most welcome!
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi Leon, thanks for the clarification. I totally agree with you that we need to explore before hitting the best combination. Just another question - how do you use your oil in your OCM? Do you mix Evening Primrose and Olive together into a mixture and use that or do you use the oils separately one after the other?
I am currently using Kose’s cleansing oil for makeup removal but realised that it’s main ingredient is mineral oil. I read that it is not good, any comments?
Anyway, I am striving to go natural in the new year, so OCM is a definite try for me when I am done with Kose’s oil.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Hmmm… I first came across this OCM method quite some time ago. I should’ve bought the oils and tried it then.
I’ve got super sensitive skin with eczema and combination skin: oily, normal and sometimes dry. Everything I’ve tried either failed to clean my skin or caused lots of problems instead.
So, I’m thinking of trying out this formula once I order the oils + some essential oils from iHerb(I hope Sing customs allows them):
60% castor oil, 20% grapeseed oil and 20% jojoba oil. And a few drops of tea tree oil to mix.
I don’t think I’ll try olive oil(especially EVOO) because it is much heavier on the skin and can cause severe breakouts especially for sensitive conditions like eczema, rosacea, etc.
Also, I wonder why few use sunflower seed oil though it’s recommended on the OCM site.
Btw, after reading the negative comments regarding OCM(cysts+ acne), these are my suspicions:
I noticed many replaced some or all of the oils with products chocked full of harsh chemicals or they used lower-grade oils likely distilled/cut with alcohol or other chemicals.
And that some used way too much castor oil. 20% is rather drying for many, so 50% castor + 50% EVOO would likely destroy their face.
So I guess skin patch testing is a must before trying new oils or new blends.
Sorry if I’m off anywhere as I’m still new to essential oils.
Dee: You’ve done quite a bit of research there! You could be right that the products the gals are using aren’t right. Another thing I just realized after talking to someone who is pretty well versed in skincare is that it may not be good to use this on unclean skin cos we could be massaging the impurities back. Maybe some skin types don’t take this technique too well.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Oops… I meant:
20% to 30% castor and a mixture of other oils.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Yeah, the unclean skin sounds like a huge factor. Furthermore, this is my personal take but if your body is laden full of toxins and the like, methods like OCM might not help or even make things worse.
Dee: You’re right! If the internal system isn’t well, external aids are not going to help very much.