Have you ever heard of the oil cleansing method? In today’s chemical-happy society, something like cleaning your face with oil sounds like a big contradiction.
But, over the past few months, I’ve been giving this cleaning method a try. And I am proud to report that it has really worked to give me smooth, soft, clear skin.
How it Works
The oil cleansing method works because the hazelnut oil used dissolves your dirty facial oil while the replenishing oil (various kinds can be used) restores the necessary moisture. Your skin isn’t stripped of its natural oils harshly like chemical facial cleansers do. And since the moisture is restored, skin problems don’t continue to happen. And soft, smooth skin results.
What You Need
- hazelnut oil (this is the cleansing oil)
- replenishing oil of choice
- For Normal Skin:
- olive*
- sunflower seed
- sweet almond
- For Dry Skin:
- avocado
- apricot kernel
- olive*
- peach kernel
- For Oily Skin:
- grapeseed
- jojoba
- olive*
- sweet almond
- For Acne-Prone Skin:
- jojoba
- For Normal Skin:
- essential oil(s) of choice (optional; I highly recommend Young Living Essential Oils because of their authentic therapeutic grade quality)
- For Normal Skin:
- lavender
- geranium
- rose
- For Dry Skin:
- carrot seed
- jasmine
- patchouli
- rosemary
- sandalwood
- ylang ylang
- For Oily Skin:
- basil
- cedarwood
- cypress
- lemon (photosensitive)
- orange (photosensitive)
- For Acne-Prone Skin:
- chamomile
- clary sage
- frankincense
- helichrysm
- melaleuca (a.k.a. tea tree)
- For Normal Skin:
- clean washcloth
- hot water (you can just use hot from the tap or heat some up on the stove)
*Note: When using olive oil, make sure it’s extra virgin and that it is real olive oil.
What You Do
Figure Out Your Ratio
You’ll need to play around with the ratio of hazelnut oil to replenishing oil until it matches your unique skin type. And, if your skin is anything like mine, you may need to tweak it based on what season of the year it is (for example, I need more replenishing oil and less hazelnut oil during the winter than I do any other time of the year). The climate in which you live (humid versus dry) can also affect what you need for your ratio.
As a general rule of thumb, here are the oil ratios based on skin type:
- Normal Skin: 1 part hazelnut oil to 1 part replenishing oil
- Dry Skin: 1 part hazelnut oil to 3 parts replenishing oil
- Oily Skin: 2 parts hazelnut oil to 1 part replenishing oil
- Acne-Prone Skin: 3 parts hazelnut oil to 1 part replenishing oil
Mix the oils together in a jar or bottle along with a couple drops of any essential oil(s) you want to add. Now you’re ready to go!
The Method
- Apply the oil. Shake up your jar or bottle of oil then gently massage some onto your face in an upward motion for about a minute.
- Open your pores*. Wet your clean washcloth with bearably hot water then rest the washcloth on your face. This will steam your face, soften the oil, and open your pores.
- Remove the oil. Once the washcloth is lukewarm, use it to gently wipe the oil off of your face.
*Note: If you’re wearing makeup when you start, you should do step 2 twice, rinsing the washcloth in between.
Do you use the oil cleansing method? How do you like it? Any tips?
[Box6]
I have been doing the Oil Cleansing Method for a year now and I absolutely LOVE it! It feels like getting a facial every night when I wash my face. And my skin is so much softer and my acne is much better too. Thank you for the essential oil info, I have not added those in yet but now I will. 🙂
Too good
I have heard that castor oil is excellent for acne prone skin. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Julia J.
Hi, Julia. Yep, most oil cleansing methods “out there” recommend castor oil and you are more than welcome to give it a try instead of the hazelnut oil. I do not because, in my research, I discovered that how it is harvested and how it is made makes the oil pretty toxic. I’ve also heard a lot about people having worse problems because of castor oil.
Thanks for the info. I had no idea! I am new to making my own cleaning products, and beauty products. I have used many of your recipes for the past 2 months now. Thank you! I have looked over the Young Essential Oils website, as I am just starting to learn the benefits. They look like a very informative company that not only sells the oils, but educates the consumer. Love that!
Hello thanks for those tips, I just found your blog and will be trying some of your ideas. I just went on the Bodyshop site to find just as many chemicals as most products and lots of expensive , I will try your tips instead. xx