Master the Oil Cleansing Method For Beautiful Skin

I’ve written about many natural beauty ideas before, but oil cleansing may be one of the simplest. It’s one of the most effective natural beauty tips I’ve found for healthy, clearer skin. Here’s how to add it to your skincare routine and why it can work so well!

I admit, I was skeptical before I first tried this oil-cleansing method. My skin is naturally oily and I wasn’t sure it would work for me. I also had very acne-prone skin when I was younger, and was afraid that a method like this would bring back the acne… I was wrong!

What Is Oil Cleansing?

It may sound crazy, but the idea of using natural oils to gently cleanse the skin makes a lot of sense. The basic idea is to use natural oils in a specific combination to cleanse and naturally balance the skin’s natural oils. This produces more nourished and moisturized skin than detergent-based face wash.

The basic concept of oil cleansers is using oil to massage and cleanse the skin. Like dissolves like and the carrier oils help dissolve the impurities stuck in pores. Warm water then opens the pores allowing the grime and sebum to be easily removed.

Fans of the OCM claim it can help with oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, and whiteheads. The types of oil you choose depend on your skin type.

Natural Makeup Remover

Many makeup products have oil in them and oil cleansing can help remove these too. Use it to remove foundation powder, mascara, and even eye makeup! Here are more DIY makeup remover ideas.

Does the Oil Cleansing Method Work?

This is the part I’m most excited to share! Even in the third trimester of pregnancy, when my skin usually goes a little hormone-crazy, I had ZERO breakouts! I used oil cleansing for several months to help avoid blemishes and remove makeup.

When I first started using oil cleansing, I had an adjustment period where my skin got worse for about a week. Most resources I’ve seen suggest this is a detox reaction as impurities are pulled from the skin. This is definitely what it seemed to be for me. After that, my skin gradually improved and by 3-4 weeks of using only oil cleansing, I had no excess oil, no dryness, and no blackheads.

I asked several friends and family members who now use the oil cleansing method how it’s worked for them, and they seemed to have the same results. Some even noted that the combination of oil cleansing and taking gelatin daily has been the best anti-aging treatment!

Oil Cleansing Ingredients

Want to try oil cleansing and see the results for yourself? All you need are some natural oils and a clean, damp washcloth!

The most common oils used are castor oil and olive oil, though you can use any natural oil. Castor oil is naturally astringent, so it helps pull impurities from the skin. This makes it ideal for oily or combination skin (and even dry skin in lesser amounts). While I use castor oil packs to help detox, it can be too harsh if it’s used undiluted as an oil cleanser.

You’ll mix the castor oil with another carrier oil (or several) that match your skin type. My other favorite oil to use is olive oil, though sunflower, safflower, or even coconut oil can work.

Which Oils Work Best for Oil Cleansing?

Some oils, like rosehip oil and castor oil, are more astringent (drying) than others. Others like olive oil can be too heavy for naturally oily skin. Here are some oil cleansing options and how they work:

Base Oils

These are oils to use in larger amounts along with the castor oil.

Avocado oil – Good for combination, dry, or mature skin.
Grapeseed oil – Lightweight oil that’s good for oily or acne-prone skin.
Sunflower oil – A lighter oil that’s good for combination or oily skin.
Sweet almond oil – Good for oily, sensitive, or combination skin types.
Coconut oil – This works really well for some and not so well for others. It can be too drying and pore-clogging, especially for acne. Some people love it in skincare products though.
Olive oil – My favorite oil to use. Great for mature or dry skin, but I found it worked well for my slightly oilier skin too. Be sure to get real olive oil though since most of what’s in the store is mixed with other, cheaper oils.

Specialty Carrier Oils

These work great to add a little more customization to your OCM blend. They’re a more concentrated source of skin-loving nutrients. You can add just a little bit of these to your oil blend for big benefits.

Rosehip oil – This astringent oil is great for more oily skin types but in smaller amounts it’s also a good anti-aging oil. Full of vitamins A and C to help with scar tissue, blemishes, and wrinkles.
Argan oil – Packed with vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and linoleic acid. It’s emollient, helps protect against free radical damage, is anti-aging and moisturizing.
Jojoba oil – Similar to skin’s sebum, jojoba has vitamins E and B as well as minerals. It won’t clog pores and it’s great for all skin types.
Essential oils – While these aren’t a carrier oil, they deserve a mention. They offer additional skin benefits to help with anti-aging, inflammation, and blemishes. Some of my favorites are lavender, tea tree, frankincense, sweet orange, and cedarwood. Just add a drop or two to your OCM blend (but be sure to avoid the eyes!).

Want to Buy It?: Don’t want to buy the oils yourself and DIY it? This handmade oil cleansing blend smells divine and works well for oil cleansing.

Oil Cleansing Blends

If you’re new to oil cleansing, it may take a few tries to figure out what oil blend works best for you. I used a mix of 3/4 olive oil and 1/4 castor or hazelnut oil and it’s perfect for my skin. You can also try the following:

Oily Skin: 1/3 castor oil or hazelnut oil and 2/3 sunflower, grapeseed, or sweet almond oil.
Combination Skin: 1/4 castor oil or hazelnut oil and 3/4 olive, sweet almond, sunflower, or other oil
Dry Skin: All nourishing oils like avocado or olive oil, or a very small amount of castor/hazelnut oil added to the nourishing oils.

Start with the suggested amounts above for your skin type and adjust if needed. When I started, I mixed up very small batches until I figured out the right blend for me.

I’ve also found that even pure coconut oil can work well once the skin has adjusted, though it can be drying on some skin types. One friend uses a half and half mix of coconut oil and olive oil that she blends in a blender to create a cream, and this works perfectly for her.

Oil Cleansing Tutorial

Now that you know which oils to use, here’s how to do the OCM!

Pour a quarter-sized amount of the oil blend into your hand and massage onto your dry skin. Use smooth circular strokes to massage it in for 1-2 minutes. If you’re wearing makeup no need to wash it off first!
Optional: Leave the oil on for up to 10 minutes to deeply clean skin cells and pores.
Soak a clean washcloth in very hot water and place the damp cloth over your face for a minute or so. This creates steam to remove any oils and skin impurities. Repeat if needed.
Use the washcloth to gently remove any remaining oil. There will still be a thin layer of oil on the skin and this is beneficial.
Most people don’t need a moisturizer after the adjustment period. However, if you still have dry skin, try reducing the castor oil in your blend and use a little lotion to moisturize.

Oil Cleansing Method FAQs

Oil Cleansing With Acne

It’s normal for it to take a week or so for the skin to adjust. You may even see more oily skin or breakouts during this time as impurities leave the skin. If you can, resist the urge to use harsh soaps or facial cleansers as it will make the adjustment period take longer.

You can also speed up the detox process by using a clay face mask once or twice a week.

The Oils Aren’t Working For me

Even if you don’t have acne-prone skin you may still have an adjustment period. And you’ll likely have to experiment with different oils to find your perfect oil ratio. If your skin is too dry afterward then reduce the castor oil (or rosehip oil if using). If it’s way too greasy, try a lighter-weight oil or increase the castor oil used.

If you find your skin really doesn’t like this after a month (and you’ve already tried different oils) then the OCM may not be a good option for your skin.

Cleaning Up Afterward

If you do this in the shower, make sure to clean your shower floor regularly so it doesn’t get slippery! Some readers have also asked how to clean the washcloth afterward. I do a separate load of laundry for them and wash on hot. You can also follow the wash up with a vinegar rinse before drying.

Have you ever tried oil cleansing? Did it work for you? Share below!

Sources

Michelle, D. (October 29). Oils Specifically For Acne Prone Skin. Minimalist Beauty.
Crunchy Betty. (February 23, 2019). Trying and Troubleshooting the Oil Cleansing Method: Tips For Flawless, Oil-Cleansed Skin.
Parker, S. (2014). Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty. Process Media.

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

999 responses to “Master the Oil Cleansing Method for Beautiful Skin”

Lisa M

August 2, 2014

Hi, Katie!

I’m going to do my (coconut) oil cleansing tomorrow morning. Can’t wait to incorporate the steaming.

My challenge will be to not use my usual facial cleansing: battery-operated brush, Neutragena pore reducing facial cleanser and water. At age 63 my face feels cleanest when washed with water and my cleanser. I used to follow-up with a thin layer of almond oil to moisturize.

Gonna give the oil cleanse a try.

Question: since your post mentions the cleanse is good for ridding of impurities including sebum…can I get good results using this on my scalp? I have oily skin and have a number of sebaceous cysts on my scalp which have returned even after surgeries. It would be great to know if oil cleanses would work on my scalp!!!

Thanks.
Lisa in Indy

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  August 3, 2014
  
  You could certainly try it…
  
  Reply
  1. Lisa M
    
    August 4, 2014
    
    Hi, Katie
    Thank you for taking the time to respond. I will try the OCM on my scalp and let you know if it works.
    
    Question: why use a microfiber cloth? Is a regular cotton washcloth ok?
    
    I love how the oil cleansing with coconut oil makes my teeth look and feel. Day 3. Didn’t care for using Almond Oil. You have a wonderful website chock full of valuable tips! Thank you. Lisa
    
    Reply
    1. Katie – Wellness Mama
      
      August 4, 2014
      
      I just prefer microfiber but regular works too. Thanks for reading 🙂
      
      Reply
Renea

August 2, 2014

I have the oiliest t-zone you can imagine! It’s beyond disgusting. I have to use a mattifier every couple of hrs over my makeup to control it enough just to make it through the work day. And this is AFTER I use a mattifying gel BEFORE applying my makeup. I use really good products, well they should be for what I pay for them as well as high end makeup. My question is what oil combinations would u recommend I start with? And how do you make this? Do u combine it each time you use it or do you make it up in a container and use from that? And if so, what ratios of the oil to oil should I try?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  August 4, 2014
  
  If you are that oily, I’d start with a 1/3 caster oil 2/3 olive oil blend. Start with small amounts, like 1 tsp to 2 tsps, to start out. If you want you can maybe mix a blend together once you figure out what your face likes, although be careful with the castor oil.. You want to use it diluted, and you don’t want you oils in your big blend to separate such that you get too much of one or the other.
  
  Reply
Arita Trahan

August 2, 2014

Here’s a question I don’t think you’ve seen. I use a far-infrared sauna daily for detoxing. This is part of my naturopathic protocol as cervical tumors dissolve away. What I have noticed is a lot of small warts appearing in areas where sweat accumulates in the sauna – under breasts, behind my knees, on my lower back, etc. I am convinced this it the HPV exiting my body. I was wondering how you would suggest I use the oil cleanse for soothing and removing those warty areas. Should I put the oils on my body prior to getting into the sauna – or after the tepid shower (suggested by my ND for increasing the rush of oxygen to my internal organs). Looking forward to your reply!

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  August 4, 2014
  
  I’ve used skin brushing and apple cider vinegar directly on the area to remove dark areas before… that might work?
  
  Reply
Rose

July 30, 2014

I could write pages about this -in fact I probably will!- but suffice to say I’m so glad to be freed of that nonsense pedled by the so called ‘beauty industry’.
I’ve been using oil (just coconut) to cleanse for about two months. It hasn’t made me look 10 years younger (maybe I expected too much!) But my skin is certainly no worse- possibly a little better than before when I used conventional products. I don’t see how massaging the face nightly with oil and stopping with harsh scrubs, toners, chemical filled creams and all the rest could possibly NOT be good for the face.
I actually find the process quite soothing and don’t want to stop massaging my face once I start!

Last year a lovely woman gave me a little sample of a face cream she made, perfumed with Neroli – this made me sceptical the strong scent would irritate my skin. she assured me it wouldn’t and she was right. Great though the prooduct was- and lovely though the lady was- at £50 for a pot, I felt I couldn’t make that commitment to a product. I’ve always been low maintenance and the thought of spending so much money on face cream just doesn’t work for me.
After some time I thought, why not make my own cream? For £50 I could buy all the ingredients and have enough for a lifetime! However, I also knew I had not enough time to spend experimenting with different recipies and ratios to get the perfect product- it could quickly become a full time job.
But! while looking online for recipes I came across wellness mama- the most amazing thing! My head had already begun to think.. ‘but if i use a handmade face cream, shouldn’t i also use a handmade cleanser?’ and ‘what about my hair?…’ etc. This is where the oil cleansing method is a total godsend, because its a cleansing and moisturinsing proess in one! For the record, I do the cleanse at night, rinse my face in the morning and if it feels a bit tight, dab on a tiny tiny bit of the same oil. For 5 dollars I have all the beauty products I need!

Years go, I used to oil cleanse my hair so I knew the wisdom. After a while I stopped doing it, my short hair grew long and it was frankly too much of a faff to do. Now I have come back to the same wisdom. The truth is, I think we all know the beauty industry deals in myths. If all the rubbish they sell really worked, we would all be looking younger and younger. And why don’t men need these things to? Why do women have special skins that need all these chemials rubbed into them?

Dont worry, I’ve nearly finished.
The thing is, I work in a jewelry workshop, with my partner. My skin can sometimes be grubby from polishing compounds, metal dusts etc. He splashes his face with cold water and has perfect skin, I (did) scrub, cleanse, moisturise -with all manner of creams that left me with a flaky face- use face masks etc and quite rightly, he used to shake his head and laugh at me.
We all know this stuff is nonsense, we just need to be bold enough to not need these hideous products and not buy into the myth.

Thank you wellness mama for spreading the word about oil cleansing!

Reply
1. Katrin
  
  December 31, 2014
  
  Hi Rose,
  
  I know your post is a few months old but one thing left me curious (besides that I can completely second all you said about the beauty industry).
  You said you did oil cleanse your hair for a while. How did you do this and did it work for you in the end? If not, what do you do now?
  
  Reply
ailin

July 29, 2014

DRY SKIN.

hi there! thanks so much for your article! i have a question, i’ve been using the OCM for about a week now and my skin is doing good so far, i’m actually eyeballing the quantities because i’m afraid to commit to a batch no matter now small it is i’m afraid i’ll do the wrong mix, anyway i bought an exfoliating walnut sponge to exfoliate since i keep reading it is necessary to have the new skin cells come out, should i exfoliate with my my “old” cleanser i used to use (lancome mousse cleanser) and use the sponge or will this completely mess up the entire process, what’s a good way to exfoliate and is it even necessary since i use reg. small hand towels for the OCM which makes me feel i’ve exfoliated…also what kind of oil should i use to moisterize at night? i have dry skin, but so far it hasn’t been dried at all with the OCM…

your help is truly appreciated!

*i use the OCM once or twice a day (before my shower and then when i come home from an evening out)..

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 31, 2014
  
  A lot of what you are asking about can be down to personal preference. In general, though, if you are doing oil cleansing, I’d say stick with it and don’t bring in outside products like your old cleanser. If you feel exfoliated, then you may not need to add another step into the process. Most people who use this method find they don’t need to moisturize separately (a nice perk), but a tiny amount of coconut oil makes a very nice moisturizer if you need one.
  
  Reply
klaudia

July 28, 2014

Hi, Wellness Mama! Do you do oil cleansing once a day, in the evening or twice a day? Thanks for the response

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 30, 2014
  
  I now do it once a day, but it can be done twice a day if you wish.
  
  Reply
Diana

July 26, 2014

I love…love…love…oil cleansing!!!! It has done my skin wonders. I have always had issues with my skin… blotchiness, redness, basil skin cell problems etc… since I have been using the oil cleansing method (approx. 8 mths) my skin is clearer, the blotchiness is disappearing, and the basil skin cell issues are almost a thing of the past. I use nothing else for my skin and the ratio I use is 9/2…9 parts sunflower oil (as recommended) and 2 parts castor oil.
I started cleansing my skin only in the eve before bed for years didn’t always know why until now. (If I cleansed my face twice a day it would become dry and itchy.) So I kept that routine and rinse my skin in the morning with only purified cool h2o. I noticed the elasticity in my skin is becoming taunt (more elastic) and and my skin tone clearer. I am greatful for the simplicities of beauty.

Thank you for sharing Katie!!

sincerely,
Diana

Reply
Caitlyn

July 21, 2014

Hi Katie! I was just wondering, if I use the olive oil/coconut oil blend, would I have to melt down the coconut oil first? If I blended them in to the cream you (like your friend that you mentioned), would the process be the same with using a hot washcloth, etc.? I am new to all of this, but you inspire me, and I couldn’t be happier that u stumbled upon this blog! I am looking forward to trying all of these things and working towards a healthier me!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 22, 2014
  
  Yes, you would still follow the same process. Thanks for reading!
  
  Reply
Argudin

July 21, 2014

Hi, I´m trying this method but I hesitated because of the splotches I get. What do you think about using primrose oil instead (my acne problems are hormonal)??? Thanks

Reply
Michelle

July 21, 2014

Hi there,

I love your blog and have been making so many changes (honey morning wash, homemade toner, OCM, all purpose cleaner, etc) but right now I am so confused!

I started all of this because I had very oily skin and so far I am loving the OCM/honey wash combo. But I did notice that sometimes I didnt feel totally clean (honey is sticky!) so I added the diluted ACV toner as Id seem on lots of comments that people use this with the OCM and honey methods. Now is where it gets confusing for me – isnt the whole point of OCM the fact that you are NOT stripping your face of its natural oils? So isnt using a toner along with OCM counter productive?

Thanks so much for helping me to understand my skin!
Michelle

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 21, 2014
  
  I think that if it works, do it! It’s not counter-productive if you like what it produces.
  
  Reply
  1. Michelle
    
    July 22, 2014
    
    Well its not really working, I still have some breakouts at all times… especially around my cheek areas. Im not sure if I should switch the oils I use or not use the toner, etc. This is why Im trying to understand exactly how it all works. Should I be removing oils with a toner when using OCM? What do you do?
    
    Thanks!
    
    Reply
    1. Wellness Mama
      
      July 22, 2014
      
      You might try playing around with your oil blend a bit.
      
      Reply
Stacy

July 16, 2014

I just need to clarify on the frequency of cleansing. Do I do this once daily until I am finished with the adjustment period and then adjust to every other day? or can I cleanse daily until the end of time? I wear makeup, but not everyday. It is more like once a week!

Thank you for your time!
Stacy

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 16, 2014
  
  Oil cleansing is not just for removing makeup… It helps remove oil from your face you just naturally produce but can trap dirt and clog your pores. I still do it every day, but that may be too frequent for you. Skin is very different from person to person, so I encourage you to experiment and find what works for you.
  
  Reply
Andrew

July 15, 2014

Hey, I just have a question about the OCM. So I have oily skin and fairly mild acne, Im just wondering if I use this in the morning and at night or just night then rinse off in my morning shower?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 16, 2014
  
  You might need to experiment to see which works best or you. This is one o those methods that seems to really admit of a high degree of personalization.
  
  Reply
Maria

July 12, 2014

Hi, I am new here and so grateful to have come across your site! I read you can put the oil right over makeup. On some days I wear a “full face” of makeup. Foundation, powder, eyeliner, mascara, etc. I would think it would be a little odd and messy to just start rubbing oil into my face right over the makeup. Should I try removing some of the make up first?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 12, 2014
  
  I’d experiment! You can use the oil to remove some of it too…
  
  Reply
2. Tali
  
  October 6, 2014
  
  Maria, I wear all that and the oil works great to get it off.
  
  Reply
Sara

July 11, 2014

Hi wellness mama! I am on your site almost everyday and in the process of changing over most of my family’s skin care products using your recipes. I have a two month old and use your diaper cream recipe and lotion on him. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your site!
QUESTION: I don’t have organic olive oil on hand, but do have organic coconut oil and castor oil from mountain rose herbs. I have combination skin. What ratio do you recommend I start trying with? Thank you again!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 11, 2014
  
  Try 1/4 castor oil and 3/4 coconut for a start.
  
  Reply
Lisa Burke

July 11, 2014

okay, im only a little confused…
the oil cleansing is for your face, once a day
then you have mentioned a microfiber cloth, what is this for
then people have talked about the shower getting oily….
what do you ‘cleanse’ with in the shower for your body…. : )

Reply
Marissa Nevel

July 8, 2014

Omg! Thank you so, so much for sharing this! My skin was very dull, dry and blotchy. I starting this method two days ago and have noticed such a huge difference. I used a mixture of half olive oil and half coconut oil. My skin is soft, glowing, even toned and my leftover dry spots from acne are healing much quicker than before. Even some of my acne scars have faded, and my blackheads are gone. I did notice my skin is transitioning and I have had a few small zits break out around my hairline where I would otherwise not have but they are going away quickly and are not like my usual ones (small, surface level whiteheads rather than big under the skin ones).
I am using about half the foundation I would normally need,and I noticed it comes off much more easily than with the face wash I was using before. I love not having to buy my old pricy face wash which goes for about $28 a bottle.
Thank you for saving my skin!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  July 8, 2014
  
  I’m so glad it is working so well for you!
  
  Reply
Kym

July 8, 2014

Katie,

I absolutely love your website and all of the great info! I was scared to death to try cleansing with oil because my face has always been oily and no matter what I used, it didn’t help and it never really seemed clean. The cotton balls from my toner were always still dirty no matter what I used.

That all changed at Christmas time when we went out of town and I forgot my face wash. I had Tropical Traditions coconut oil with me and decided to try washing my face as you do but with the coconut oil instead. I am hooked! Less oil, no dirt on cotton ball when I “tested” with the old toner, smaller pores, softer skin, lines are less noticeable. The best part is that I saw a friend that I haven’t seen in several months today and she wanted to know how my skin looked so good now.

For anyone that is wondering what I do, I only use coconut oil on my face now, I wash with it once in the morning after my workout, moisturize with a small amount after the shower and also put it on my face at night before I go to bed (on the days that I wear makeup I do not bother to wash my face in the evening, I just put the oil on top of it) . It works great for me. I will never buy the expensive stuff again. I am 43 and my face looks better than it did 10 years ago.

Reply
Debbie D.

June 27, 2014

I have been doing this oil cleansing method for 2 weeks now and my forehead had been and still is completely broke out. I have more zits on my forehead than I ever have. I started out trying just coconut oil, then switched to jojoba oil and coconut oil. I am about ready to go back to my ProActiv Solution because this is ridiculous. I’m bummed too cause I really thought it would work.

Reply
Lauren Turner

June 25, 2014

Hello!! I really enjoy your post and am excited to make some of your homemade make-up products soon. I just recently heard about the OCM and switched 2 weeks ago- I love it!! My face looks and feels so much better and my husband agrees 😉
My question then is- can this apply to washing your whole body? I guess I’m wondering that if soaps and detergents strip your face of natural oils, wouldn’t they do the same for the rest of your body? We use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap, which has water as its first ingredient, and then the majority of following ingredients are oils…

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 25, 2014
  
  You could certainly try it. The ancient Romans cleansed their bodies with oil. You may find it rather time consuming, though.
  
  Reply
  1. Lauren Turner
    
    June 26, 2014
    
    OK. Thanks for your input 🙂
    
    Reply
Carrie

June 24, 2014

My daughter and myself have been using the oil face wash method for about a week now, and we are hooked!! My daughter has had a problem with acne for a few years and we have tried every product on the market, with no real results. After just a few days using the oils her skin is already showing a huge improvement. My combination skin has always been difficult to get clean without over drying, With this method (we use half olive oil and half castor oil) My skin feels so clean but always well moisturized. However, I was wondering if there is a quick way to “freshen up” when I don’t really need to wash my face, like after swimming or the gym? I’ve heard apple cider vinegar can be used as a toner?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  June 26, 2014
  
  It can, although it’s a touch drying. You could also try witch hazel.
  
  Reply