Oils. Great when paired with bread, amazing when paired with potatoes but bet you didn’t know how beneficial they are for your skin, did ya?
Before I discovered oil cleansing I was under the impression oil meant acne. But if you read my last blog post you can see why that’s not true and how they actually are a very good addition to your skin care routine.
Personally, I have been using oils on my skin for over 8 years. I’ll never go back to a non-oil skincare regimen. They changed my skin & my life. It did require some trial and error to find the right oil. Because of that, I am now able to take out all the guesswork for you.
Below, I have created a simple list to set you on the right path to finding your perfect oil and how to incorporate it into your double cleansing routine (unfortunately oil and skin is where my match making skills end in case you were thinking this was starting to sound like a casting for the next season of the Bachelorette).
WHAT OILS ARE BEST FOR OIL CLEANSING?
· Jojoba oil (all skin types, but very desirable for acne prone)
· Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)
· Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)
· Avocado (dry and aging skin)
· Apricot kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)
· Argan (all skin types)
· Tamanu (all skin types)
· Pumpkin seed oil ( acne prone skin )
· Rosehip seed oil (inflamed skin)
Are you wondering why our internet famous friend coconut oil is not on this list? While coconut oil did a great job of rising to fame, like some reality TV stars, we don’t exactly know why it’s so famous. Contrary to popular belief, coconut oil is an absolute no for your face. It is too comedogenic. If you have a jar of coconut oil at home that you’re now looking at with a side eye- you can use it on your body instead.
Choose Your Fighter. I mean, your Oil.
1. If you have oily acne prone skin you’ll want to pick up an oil high in linoleic acid, which will restore your natural oil production without clogging pores.
2. If you have dry aging skin, oleic acid is your friend, as it penetrates easily and deeply, replenishing lost moisture.
Create Your Own
If you want to get creative, try mixing oils. I like to stick to a 1:1 ratio, but if you need to play around with the ratios, there’s no oil rule book (except no coconut oil). You can mix them together and keep in a bottle or you can do it like me and just eyeball it in the palm of my hand when you’re ready to oil cleanse.
Most skin types will find facial oils hydrating enough to use on their own, but it's totally safe and effective to mix them into your moisturizer or even layer with other oils. Just like your body needs different nutrients from different foods, your skin will benefit from using a blend of oils instead of just one. Do be sure to purchase the highest quality oil you can afford and from a manufacturer you trust. Keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate carrier oils labeled for use as cosmetics. They do, however, regulate edible cooking oils that may serve double-duty as carrier oils. Pay attention to labels and ingredients.
Look for carrier oils that are cold-pressed, 100% pure, and free of additives and preservatives.
Here are some of my favorite combos:
Oily skin= safflower oil + grapeseed oil
Acne prone= pumpkin seed + kukui nut oil
Combination= grapeseed + hazelnut oil
Dry skin= evening primrose + argan oil
Sensitive/reactive= Tamanu + jojoba oil
OIL CLEANSING STEPS:
PREP. Have your oils handy in addition to a clean washcloth.
CLEANSE. Apply the oil directly to your dry, dirty skin. You are going to love this, your makeup will just start melting away. You can massage the oil directly over your eyelid to effectively remove mascara and eye makeup. Move the oil around, just like you would a water based cleanser, for 1-2 minutes.
RINSE. Grab your washcloth and soak it with warm water. Apply your cloth to your face and hold it there for about 5-10 seconds then gently wipe off. Rinse your wash cloth and repeat if needed. Rinsing your skin by splashing running water on your face at this point will not remove the oil. You need to use your cloth.
DOUBLE CLEANSE. This is where you go in with your water based cleanser and wash your face normally. Do the same 1-2 minute product massage and then rinse.
HACK: I like to take my oil in the shower with me and do all the steps in there. I just keep my back to the water while I’m doing the cleanse portion. I find it to be quicker and more efficient.
Let me know if you have any questions! I’d be happy to answer and start a conversation down below in the comments!
For next week, since we touched on the topic of oleic and linoleic acid oils in this post, I’ll be expanding on those.