Our skin produces natural oils whose task is to keep our skin healthy and flexible. These oils lubricate the skin, promote healing and help seal in moisture against drying winds, as well as facilitate the assimilation process (in conjunction with sunlight) in producing Vitamin D and some necessary hormones.

While these naturally occurring oils are produced by our skin for its own benefit, a buildup can cause problems including skin blemishes such as acne (pimples, whiteheads and blackheads). The problem occurs when the oils age and become waxy, trapping bacteria, dirt and dead skin cells. Hormonal fluctuations, dietary deficiencies, allergies and stress can all accelerate this process.

Then there are the problems of aging skin, wrinkling, excessively dry & flakey skin, rosacea or eczema. Using any kind of soap, even one which claims to be moisturizing, is not a suitable cleansing method for any of these conditions due to the stripping of oils, an innate property to soap. Aging skin which has begun to wrinkle due to the natural loss of collagen, is greatly benefited immediately by the Oil Cleansing Method. Many people who try OCM also find long term improvement with these other difficult skin challenges.

Most people use soap in order to wash the oils from their skin, but soap removes too much of these beneficial oils and leaves skin dry, unprotected and vulnerable to environmental attack. A preferable technique is to use the Oil Cleansing Method to remove excess oils and wax from your skin without stripping your body’s protective oils completely.

If using oil to clean your skin sounds strange to you, remember that oil dissolves oil and the waxes the oils degenerate into. Don’t panic at the thought of rubbing oil into your skin. The oil itself will not cause blemishes. It will effectively soften and dissolve the waxy oil that is clogging the skin along with the trapped bacteria, dirt and dead cells which are causing the problems.

Natural oils you can use to make your own Cleansing Facial Oil include Sweet Almond, Jojoba, (some prefer Extra Virgin) Olive, GrapeSeed, Apricot or any other good quality, pure oils mixed to your personal preference.

Castor oil is sometimes suggested for OCM regimens, but as it is purgative and mildly irritating to tissues I would suggest keeping the Castor Oil at 1-10% or less of the total mixture. At this low level the properties will serve to stimulate circulation at the surface of your skin for a beneficial effect. If you notice any irritation after OCM, cut back or cut out the Castor Oil. If you have rosacea, a skin condition causing redness and broken capillaries, Castor Oil is not recommended

Sea Buckthorn Oil is a very beneficial healing skin oil, but is also best used in the Cleansing Facial Oil formula in a low percentage. This is because Sea Buckthorn Oil is expensive and has a very orange color due to the antioxidant carotenes that can turn your skin orange and stain clothing in concentrated amounts.

Additional healing ingredients you can include with positive results are:

• Tamanu Oil (very beneficial)
• Shea Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil (helps severely dry & damaged skin, eczema, inflammation)
• Rosehip Seed Oil
• Kukui Oil
• Perilla Seed Oil (strong smell)
• St. John’s Wort Oil
• Hazelnut Oil
• Camellia Oil (useful for eczema, psoriasis)
• Babassu Oil
• Hemp Seed Oil
  
• Avocado Oil (very good for dry& aging skin)
  
• Macadamia Oil
  
• Argan Oil
• Flax Seed Oil (use for eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne & aging skin)
• Meadowfoam Oil (especially good for aging skin)
  
• Oil of Calendula flowers
• Oil of Chamomile flowers
• Oil of Comfrey
• Vitamins A & D & E

In small amounts some pure Essential Oils (not fragrance oils) can be added to your blend as an enhancement:

• Carrot Seed –for aging skin & wrinkles
• Palo Santo –highly regarded oil from Equador
• Helichrysum –highly prized for all facial skin aplications
• Tea Tree –use sparingly, antiseptic, antibacterial
• Rose
• Lavender
• Clary Sage

Apply a generous coating of Cleansing Facial Oil to your face, gently massaging it into the skin. If your skin is blemished and/or very dry use the oil full strength. If your skin is mostly healthy and moist, you can dilute your Facial Oil with an equal amount of a high-quality, pure skin oil such as grapeseed, sweet almond, olive or apricot oil. If you have only one of any of the appropriate oils, try it by itself!

Apply the oil directly over any visible dirt or makeup and massage it well into your skin. Take a little time to work the oil deep into your skin, massaging and relaxing the muscles under your skin as you go. Work slowly and gently… breathe deep, relax and enjoy this deep self-care treatment. Remember the role of stress in aging skin!

After the Cleansing Facial Oil has been worked well into skin and pores and the healing essential oils have been deeply absorbed, lean back in a comfortable chair and drape a steamy, wet towel or piece of flannel over your face. Wring the cloth out before applying to produce a comforting, moisturizing steam bath for your face. This process will help to open pores and allow them to release any trapped dirt or impurities, as well as soothing your facial muscles and nerves.

As the wash cloth cools, use it to gently wipe away the remaining oil from your face, together with the dirt, makeup, stubborn dead skin cells, toxins and whatever other impurities have collected on your skin. Rinse the cloth out a time or two and use to gently wipe your face two or three times to completely clear your skin of any residue. The dirt and impurities will come off and leave your skin clean, healthy and glowing.

No soap or other cleansers are needed!

After rinsing well, gently splash cool water over your face to close the pores and tone the skin. Nothing else is needed, though if your skin feels tight you can apply a high-quality, chemical-free moisturizer to top off the process. In fact, the Cleansing Facial Oil itself will work fine for this moisturizing stage… simply take a few drops of the oil and massage right into your newly cleansed skin. Keep working gently until all the oil is absorbed (or pat it off with a warm, moist towel).

You’re finished! Your skin should have a vibrant glow and be clean and healthy without having lost its natural healing oils. Enjoy!