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”

sue rice

November 2, 2014

I will be 69 in November of this year..I have never had as many compliments on my complexion as I have in the last few years. I use extra virgin Olive Oil as my nightly cleanser. Just Olive Oil and rub gently–take a warm soft bath cloth and wipe off (several times will do it) and remember to smooth oil over your upper chest and neck as well. The next morning your skin will look nourished and healthy. After showering the next morning I use a sunscreen with moisture (not oil) then get ready for the day! It works–it’s the best thing I have ever done or used for my acne prone complexion. It is probably the “dewey” look that helps me look younger!. Try it for two weeks and you will never use any other cleanser. Look prettier each and every day! Sue Rice

Reply
Ronny

November 2, 2014

Hello again,
I wrote commented here some time ago regarding my atopic dermatitis. I went ahead and made the whipped body-butter. I used what your recipe calls for, except I replaced some of the olive oil with jojoba oil. The cream works very well for my body, but again it made my face even more dry. The dryness comes some hours after applying the cream. This time it’s a bit more flaky.

Could it be that my body reduces its own oil production due to me applying oils?

Regards,
Ronny

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Alex

November 2, 2014

Hi,
I’m new to this whole toxin free living and was just wondering is it safe to use these oils around the eyes? Like to remove makeup?
:/

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  November 6, 2014
  
  I do all the time 🙂
  
  Reply
Brandie

October 29, 2014

I mix a tsp of baking soda into coconut oil as my face wash/ exfoliant works great! I’m a mother of 2. 32 years old and people constantly think I’m in my early 20s. Putting all those carcinogens on your face causes wrinkles!

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Ronny

October 27, 2014

Hello.
I have atopic dermatitis and trouble with dry skin in my face. I decided to give this method a try. I have used coconut oil before as a moisturizer with great effect. With oil cleansing I tried sweet almond oil since it’s thick and seemed good to leave on in the night.

To begin with my skin felt soft and smooth, and all seemed well. What I did notice though was that my eyes were getting watery occasionally. I figured I’d probably gotten some oil in my eyes from sweating or something.

Now though, after 3-4 days of doing this, my skin has turned extremely stiff and dry. It doesn’t flake much but seems “stuck”. Whenever I talk, smile or move my face in any way, I feel the skin stretching. That kind of dry.

Could this be almond allergy? To my knowledge I’ve never had trouble with eating almonds, but who knows? For now I’ll stick to coconut oil instead to be sure. I do have celiac disease as well but I’m sure that’s irrelevant.

I will be trying your whipped body-butter recipe for my face to see if it can cure this dryness (I used olive oil and a little jojoba for the liquid part).

Hope to hear back from you soon!

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Sandra

October 27, 2014

Sorry if i missed this, I read many posts and didn’t see it..
I would like to know more about the Honey Wash as I feel the need to clean my face more than once per day. I attempted using honey once a year or 2 ago but it seemed so sticky I had to re-wash with a cleanser to get the honey off.
What is the best way to wash with honey?
I plan to try the OCM but I know i’m going to want to use more than plain water in the mornings.
Thanks

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Pink

October 21, 2014

After cleansing, how long gap do i have to give to use facewash?
(I use a mild cinnamon facewash.
Or is it that I should give up on facewash completely forever??)
Hope i am not sounding silly o_O

Reply
1. mary
  
  October 22, 2014
  
  Hello Pink.
  
  Maybe I can answer your question? Give up on face wash forever.
  
  In my opinion you do NOT need soaps or face washes. Most of them are chemicals which are bad for you and the environment.
  
  For the past fourteen years I have been cleansing my face morning and night with only oils. It is simple, cheap and it works magnificently.
  
  I am in my late 40’s and my face is unlined and super silky soft. As a result of clear and glowing skin, I go bare faced and avoid all make-up products. I often get compliments from strangers who ask what my secret is.
  
  There are two secrets and the first is oils:
  
  My preference is cold pressed organic Jojoba oil. It is gorgeous for the skin and removes dirt and grime just as well (if not better) than expensive chemical based cream cleansers.
  
  I also use sweet almond oil, hempseed oil, argan oil, camellia oil, calendula oil, vitamin E oil, sunflower seed oil, tamanu oil, wheatgerm oil and avocado oil. It is a good idea to change your oils once in a while. You are meant to do it every three months but I normally go for six months between changes.
  
  I also moisturize with all the oils mentioned above, along with rosehip oil which is fantastic for mature skin.
  
  I dislike coconut oil for my face; but will use in an “emergency” if I am out of everything else.
  
  Daily Routine:
  
  Using a dropper is best. Take a small amount of oil (around seven drops give or take), briefly warmed between the palms of your hands and then applied, massaged and spread all over a dry face. Then remove oil with a damp (not wet) cotton wool pad. I find warm water better to use than cold on the pad, as it tends to remove the oil and any grime better. I use certified organic cotton wool pads but that is just a personal choice.
  
  In the morning I then get in the shower, and the water will wash away any remaining traces of the oil cleanser. I do not shower at night, so after using the cotton pad, I will use a warm wet face cloth to remove any remaining oil.
  
  I rarely use toner as the ones you buy are alcohol based and very drying overall. I will occasionally make my own rosewater or orange blossom spritzer toner but I find there is really no need for this step.
  
  After I have used the wet face cloth, I will gently but not completely pat my face dry with a towel. Whilst my skin is still damp, I will then apply the oil again. You do not have to have a damp face but the oil absorbs better apparently – or so I have read. Apply using same method as above, but this time I am using the oil as a moisturizer; so I leave it on.
  
  In addition, once a week I use a Bernard Jensen DRY skin facial/complexion brush to gently remove any dead cells, which will aid the oils to nourish better. And also once a year I have a professional facial done at a Jurlique salon but this is more a luxury treat than a necessary step.
  
  And my second secret to having the best skin ever is……………………..now that would be telling!!
  
  🙂 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Lauren
    
    March 29, 2016
    
    What’s your second secret?
    
    Reply
Gina

October 19, 2014

This is so interesting. As soon as I’m out of my own store bought cleanser, I am definitely going to give this a try. Maybe I’ll test it on my husband first as he is only using bar soap right now. 🙂

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Cara

October 17, 2014

I have started to experiment with OCM after having someone acne prone skin and using solely coconut, or hemp seed oil. I am getting ready to try your mixture. Prior to this, I was using Kiss My Face olive oil soap bar. However, I have still been getting mild acne (32 yrs and I have been off birth control for 6 years now…pretty sure that was the culprit, never had acne prior). Interesting though, these bumps go away at night and resurface in the morning.

Anyway, my question is what do you do after working out for cleansing your face? I practice hot yoga/pilates 3-5 days a week. Should you just splash water on your face and call it done until showering at night and using the OCM?

Also, I haven’t used olive oil for cooking in a while … we switched to Avocado oil and coconut oils. Do you get your olive oil on Rose Mountain as well?

Gracias!

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Kirstie Keller

October 16, 2014

For the facial wash does it matter what kind of olive oil you use like: Extra Virgin or Virgin?

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Sabrina

October 16, 2014

I’ve been using this for two weeks now (1/3 castor oil , 2/3 olive oil) and my skin got slightly better for a few days but has now been getting progressively worse. Any tips for mild to moderate acne with this method?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 18, 2014
  
  You might try interspersing it with a honey wash, just to make sure that you are not propagating any bacterial growth.
  
  Reply
Edelle

October 16, 2014

This sounds brilliant! Can’t wait to try it. This is a great blog.
Thank you!

Reply
Marleigh

October 16, 2014

Is this a once in the morning once at night type of thing?

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Emily

October 15, 2014

I’ve been using this method for over a month and while most of my skin has cleared up and looks great, my chin and jawline are worse than when I was in middle school. Any ideas on what’s going on?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 17, 2014
  
  You might be having a detox reaction that is unrelated to the oil cleansing. Have you made other changes recently?
  
  Reply
  1. Emily
    
    October 17, 2014
    
    Hmm. No changes that I can think of.
    
    Reply
Chris

October 14, 2014

I’ve my blend oil mixed in a 1 oz bottle, but I have been hesitating because I have so many unanswered questions. I have been using apple cider vinegar toner, vitamin C serum and sugar scrub, and I like it a lot. So, please help me answer these questions. Do I need to use toner, ACV, right after the oil cleanse? Should I follow with a serum?!?! What about moisturize, I mean like should I use the blend oil as a moisturize or should I use my own moisturize if and only if I need to moisturize?

Reply
1. Katie – Wellness Mama
  
  October 14, 2014
  
  I’ve found that I don’t need to moisturize with oil cleansing. I use the oils and then sometimes use a serum or sea spray on my skin after, though it isn’t really needed. I’ll occasionally do a scrub or bentonite clay mask but more just for fun 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. Chris
    
    October 17, 2014
    
    It seems like I neither need toner, serum nor moisturizer. What I know from reading the post and comments, I eventually will get breakouts, so here is my “logic” for using ACV toner and vitamin C serum. ACV is known for fighting acne and ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C) helps reduce inflammation, so overall, these two helps fight and prevent acne. If I get breakouts from oil cleansing, ACV toner and vitamin C serum can help me fight back the breakouts. Wellnessmama, please give me your thoughts about my so-called “logic” because I really want to get rid of my greasiness and blackheads on nose and cheeks, but I still hesitating from using oil cleansing method 🙁
    
    Reply
omo

October 14, 2014

I love this blog. I cant wait to try the oil cleaning. But i really need a toner my face seem to be very dark beause of the over the counter products i have been using. I have a very oily skin and a good scrub too. Thanks

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Philips

October 10, 2014

Hello, everyone! This is my third post because it seems like my first and second post couldn’t be posted. By the way, I came across this blog by accident, and I am very glad that I did. I read the entire page, and I believe it is time for me to get rid of my greasy-oily-breakouts-blemishes-blackheads-redness-discoloring-large-pores-acne skin, basically I have the worst skin that you ever can imagine of, by start the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). Before starting the method, I have a few questions I want to ask everyone here, and please answer my questions in order if you can 🙂
1. Do all the oils (castor oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, etc) have to buy from a specific store or I can just buy them from local grocery stores?
2. Do the oils have to be “extra virgin”?
3. Cold-pressed? Is it the same as pure/extra virgin? And do the oils have to be cold-pressed in order to get the best result?
4. I have oily to very oily skin, so in your opinions, between sunflower oil and olive oil, which one is the best for my skin type?
5. Do I have to do the OCM daily, morning and night, constantly or it has to be a specific number of times per week?
6. Do you make a large portion that is enough use for a week, or a month, etc,, or do you mix the oil just enough for each time use?
7. If I premix the oil, how do I store and maintain the oil?
8. This question will sound pretty stupid, but I have to ask it after all. What does “tsp” stand for?
9. I understand that I will have to be patient and pass through the adjustment period in order to achieve a clear skin, and I REALLY have to ask this question. Does OCM really work in term of clearing blackheads, acne, etc?
I am sorry if I ask too too too many questions,and please don’t hesitate to give me your opinions because I need them all. And I am not trying to spam this blog for posting the third time. I am a little impatient because I really want to get some great tips from everyone and really want to start the OCM, so I am sorry Wellnessmama if many of my posts are being moderate. Thank you for your time reading this post of mine 🙂

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Philips

October 10, 2014

Hello, everyone! I just came across this blog by accident, and I’m glad that I did. After reading the entire page, I believe it is time for me to get rid of my greasy-oily-discoloring-blemishes-blackheads-dark-spots-redness-acne skin, basically I have the most worst skin that you can ever imagine of, that I have been suffering for years by starting the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM), but at the same time, I have a few questions that I want to ask. Please answer my questions in order if you can:
1. Does the “olive oil” literally mean the olive oil that I can actually buy from Wal-Mart, or Target, or CVS, etc?
2. Will it be better if I use extra virgin olive oil?
3. The same goes to this question as question 1, is “castor oil” something that I can buy from local stores?
4. I am sorry if this question sounds stupid, but I have to ask it after all. What does “tsp” stand for?
5. I have oily to very oily skin, so between olive oil and sunflower oil, which one is the most suitable for my skin type?
6. I understand that this OCM takes time because I will need to pass the adjustment period in order to achieve a clear skin. The most important question I REALLY want to ask is does this really work in term of clearing blackheads, acne, blemishes, and oil?
7. Do I do this OCM daily, morning and night, constantly or does it have to be a specific times per week?
I am sorry if I ask to many questions, and thank you for your time reading this post of mine 🙂

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Lisette

October 8, 2014

Katie,
You use oil cleansing for you, but what do you use on your kids during bathtime? Right now I have a bottle of Dr. Bronners Mild Baby unscented castille soap that I use, but I am wondering if you could suggest something that you use on your little ones. Thank you so much!

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Rebecca

October 7, 2014

Very informative post, thank you for sharing Katie. I’ve been using the recipe you shared for oily/combo skin and so far I love it. The oil massage is something I look forward to and I love how it creams my eye makeup right off.

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