What It's Like to Try the Oil Cleansing Method

We're Trying the Oil Cleansing Method: Week Two

April 20, 2011

I'm two full weeks into using the OCM, and I have to admit that things aren't going well. I switched from a blend of olive oil and castor, which left my skin feeling irritated, to sweet almond oil, which other readers recommended. Unlike everyone else, though, the results I've gotten aren't so great. My skin isn't feeling simultaneously greasy and itchy anymore, but I'm breaking out all over and have temporarily had to go back to my DHC cleansing oil just to get my skin to calm down.

Everyone's given such great advice before, so now I'm hoping you can help me. What am I doing wrong here? I've been putting the almond oil on twice a day for five minutes, and then wiping it off with a wet, warm washcloth. Any ideas on what might be causing the problem?

22 Comments

jjaustin 2 years 3 weeks

I put Almond Oil (only couple drops) in my hands, and lightly massage on my face, then I tissue the oil and make-up off. After that I just wash my face as usual. I don't leave the oil on my face while my face has make up on! If you feel dry in the winter, just 1 drop almond oil for your clean face, after that put on your regular face lotion.

Burkina 2 years 4 weeks

I agree with the massage part. Do to thoroughly. I wipe my face after that and steam it for a couple of minutes. Then I wipe again with cold water to close the pores.

2 years 4 weeks

You don't mention massaging it in. When I started, I honestly felt some of the gunk come out after massaging it in for a few minutes, then I'd use the hot cloth, leave it on until it cooled, wring it out, wet it again, and repeat once or twice.

2 years 5 weeks

Maybe its the oil that's not suiting you - I would highly recommend jojoba oil - it's ph mimics that of human skin and its suitable for all skin types. Try this recipe: one teaspoon honey one teaspoon jojoba oil First warm the honey in the microwave and then add the jojoba oil, apply to clean face (washed with water is fine) and massage with light circular motions. I love using this one. Honey is also a natural anti-microbial, so this will help with the breakouts.

2 years 5 weeks

I've been using Shu Uemura's for a while now but I'm sure this applies to every cleansing oil. Apply with dry fingers to dry skin, massage for one minute, splash water on your face and massage for another minute to emulsify, then rinse. Follow up with a gentle, foaming cleanser and wash as you normally would.

stoopeed 2 years 5 weeks

I agree with the last comment. Essentially castor oil is the cleanser and the other oil has to be the humectant. Without any castor oil, and also without sufficient steaming (hot rag on face 2-3 times), you're not getting enough oil and gunk off your skin and that results in breakouts. And since castor oil is the cleanser and you have dry, sensitive skin, you can limit it to 5% of the mix. But you do need some. I think.

stoopeed 2 years 5 weeks

2 years 5 weeks

I think you're doing this wrong. I would have started doing it every other day, not twice, that's too much too soon. If you have sensitive, dry skin like myself. Here's what works for me: Morning: only splash your face with warm water in the morning, no soap! Then use a pea-sized amount vitamin e oil, concentrating on your under-eyes and working around. Your skin will suck it in =) Evening: 10% Castor oil with 90% almond oil. Massage onto dry, unwashed skin for 2 minutes, then put the hot-wet rag on your skin until room temperature, then repeat 2-3 times. If you feel your skin is too oily, just wipe the excess off with that same rag. If your skin still feels dry, then put the pea-size amount of vitamin e oil on your face. Hope that helps!

Miriam Lacey 2 years 5 weeks

Thank you guys! My skin is really dry and sensitive, so I don't know how that changes thinks. I'll tweak my recipe, and maybe change over to jojoba?

Annie Tomlin 2 years 5 weeks

I have never tried doing this with a self-made oil blend, but I love Nude's cleansing oil. Definitely takes a while to get over the idea of putting oil on your face if you're acne-prone, but honestly, it seems to help my skin.

ClassicalTorture 2 years 5 weeks

I use 25% castor and 75% sunflower oil, with tea tree to spot treat. I have extremely oily skin, but I only do this at night. Maybe twice a day is too much for you?

2 years 5 weeks

I learned about the OCM last year at a makeup blog, but didn't try it. After reading your post, and with summer coming I decided to give it a try since I'm at my wit's end with my greasy, not oily skin. So I've been reading and learning about the method and from the brief research I've done, it is suggested to do the OCM a few times a week to start. I got my Castor oil, and am on the lookout for sunflower seed oil as suggested on a blog. I can't wait to get started and hopefully ease my greasy skin. Any relief would help. I'm desperate!

michaeluvnikita 2 years 5 weeks

wow so many mistakes for the past tenses geeshhhh

michaeluvnikita 2 years 5 weeks

i dont know about everybody else. But me, i used to actually steam my face then rub the oil after to remove whatever was in my pores. I would wash it out with warm water and a towel. But I found out that it was not the best methods for me.My skin broke out and got really irritating and dry. Instead now what i do is while taking a shower. I let the steam of the shower open up my pores. Then i use a little on my hands and rub it on. Next I use a makeup remover pad to remove all the dirt. I usually use two pad to remove excess oil. After , I use a drop, then rub it on my face. No more pimples. I swear by it. But I do it every other day.My Mixture (extra virgin olive oil, lavender essential oil (or tea tree oil), castor oil. What people don't realize is that once your pores are open, you don't need hot towel. Get a makeup pad and use that instead. It's softer on your skin

michaeluvnikita 2 years 5 weeks

i dont know about everybody else. But me, i used to actually steam my face then rub the oil after to remove whatever was in my pores. I would wash it out with warm water and a towel. But I found out that it was not the best methods for me.My skin broke out and got really irritating and dry. Instead now what i do is while taking a shower. I let the steam of the shower open up my pores. Then i use a little on my hands and rub it on. Next I use a makeup remover pad to remove all the dirt. I usually use two pad to remove excess oil. After , I use a drop, then rub it on my face. No more pimples. I swear by it. But I do it every other day. My Mixture (extra virgin olive oil, lavender essential oil (or tea tree oil), castor oil. What people don't realize is that once your pores are open, you don't need hot towel. Get a makeup pad and use that instead. It's softer on your skin

2 years 5 weeks

After reading about this method on here I decided to try it. My skin is oily and I am always breaking out. I found a website talking about this method for acne. Im using about 60% castor oil, 20% jojoba and 20% tea tree. My skin already looks amazing! I only do it at night though, I rub the oil on and then take a warm wash cloth and place it over my face to "steam". Let it cool and repeat one or two more times, then i wipe my face with warm cloth, and splash cool water. Maybe just try doing it once a day. From what i read too jojoba oil is most like the skins natural oil and thats why it works so well. Good Luck!

MargaretheH 2 years 5 weeks

I have castor, sweet almond and coconut oil at home to play around with. Surprisingly I can't use castor at all, occasionally I can use almond, but I use coconut oil as a wash and as my moisturizer right now because it works so well. I have very sensitive skin and seems to be the gentlest. Organic cold pressed. I love my skin right now from it. Love all of your posts! Keep it up Miriam!

2 years 5 weeks

I've heard of someone using 50/50 grapeseed and sweet almond oil. I'm using the OCM once a day with castor oil and avocado oil. It seems to work okay but something tells me that most women seeing fabulous results from the OCM are eating well and excercising regularly.

shalee55 2 years 5 weeks

I understand completely, I use organic Coconut oil I buy at Wholefood......mostly on my body...but when I really need it, in my hair and on my face. Since I have combination skin it can lead to breakouts....so for the face Handle With Care.

steen 2 years 5 weeks

When I tried it, I use a jojoba/tea tree oil blend for my oily skin.

nkatz1 2 years 5 weeks

I like jojoba myself. I'll just soak a cotton ball in jojoba and scrub with a gentle circular motion, and then I let it sit for a minute, and then I rinse with warm and then cool water.

2 years 5 weeks

Miriam, are you sure you're not just being too hard on yourself or overly self-critical? Your skin has looked fantastic in all your recent photographs! I do not see a breakout anywhere.

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22 Comments

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