The Oil Cleansing Method for Radiant Skin

Our Skin Needs Oil

Think about the skin’s daily duties - protecting you against the elements, regulating your internal temperature, and alerting you to sensations, both good and bad. It’s no wonder that the body’s largest organ needs oil to work properly. Natural oil keeps it hydrated and provides a protective barrier so the skin can do its jobs better.

To achieve the appearance of youthful skin, and a healthy, supple feel, oil is necessary. It provides a barrier that keeps healthful bacteria thriving on the skin biome while helping the skin heal from injuries. Many skin care tactics talk about oil as the root cause of all our skin issues, like cystic acne, pimples, and whiteheads. However, it’s usually an unbalanced pH that causes an overproduction of oil, which then leads to a host of skin problems.

Instead of thinking about stripping oil away, oil cleansing allows us to reintroduce healthy, natural oils back to the skin’s microbiome. Here’s what to know about this increasingly popular method.

What Is The Oil Cleansing Method?

The oil cleansing method, often abbreviated to OCM, uses natural oils instead of a soap based foaming facial cleanser to wash away dirt, grime, and makeup. The basic idea is that oil dissolves oil, so by replacing the dirty oil left on your face after a long day at work with a clean, refreshing oil, you are still gaining clean skin but without dehydrating it in the process.

Remedy Cream-To-Oil Cleanser: This nourishing face wash helps you easily introduce the oil cleansing method to your skincare routine. Silky cream quickly transforms to a hydrating, supple oil as it removes impurities and leaves behind soft, clean skin. It can be used on its own or as part of a double cleansing routine.

Essential Biphasic Makeup Remover: Water-resistant makeup users, take note. This oil-based cleanser can remove even the most stubborn makeup and thick sunscreens. The fragrance free formula is delicate for use around the eyes and lips. 

Sublime Skin Pro Skin Barrier Cleanser: Enriched with Achillea millefolium oil extract and sweet almond oil, it effectively removes make-up and cleanses without disrupting the skin barrier, leaving the skin soft and velvety. Also ideal for double cleansing.

Who Should Cleanse With Oil?

The OCM method does work for all skin types, from dry to oily and anything in between. It is important to note that different skin types will have varying requirements and considerations.

Wear sunscreen

Those with oily skin should consider using certain base oils that contain astringent ingredients like tea tree, rosehip, or peppermint oil. Diluted castor oil is great for this skin type as well.

Combination skin

Consult with a dermatologist or esthetician before embarking on your own OCM. Since combination skin can be both oily and dry at the same time or at different times, it takes extra caution to treat. Sunflower oil can be a wonderful tool in your skincare kit.

Normal skin

If you’re one of the lucky few with normal skin, then you can potentially opt for any oil that feels great on your skin. Think about the conditions you do experience from time to time, and choose a base oil that way.

Dry skin

Oil cleansing products work well with this skin type, especially for those in cold, arid climates. Skin is usually in desperate need of additional hydrating so using an ultra-moisturizing oil like sesame oil or black currant oil.

Sensitive skin

Olive oil can work really well for sensitive skin as it's thick, hydrating and easy to come by

Often, our skin doesn’t just occupy one category. It changes along with the seasons, meaning that you can switch up your oil cleanser as well. During the summer months, you may want to opt for a lighter-weight oil whereas winter weather requires a thicker, more nourishing oil.