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”

Zarnaz

November 4, 2015

Should I use this oil cleansing method daily? Right now as winter approaches, my skin is getting extremely dry and flaky, this was not the case in summertime. I was wondering if I should stop using Clean & Clear face wash and try cleansing only with OCM instead.
P.S. I have used OCM before but only once a week. Olive oil works best for me.

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Karen

October 25, 2015

I’ve been washing my face with coconut oil for 6+ months now, thanks to this article! Love it for my skin! However, I fear it’s clogging up my pipes. The sink gets a nasty, oily residue and requires very frequent cleaning. Recently, it’s super slow to drain. How to avoid the build-up of coconut oil that turns back to solid form??

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Marlene

October 19, 2015

In response to Abbie. I don’t see where you mention castor oil. From my understanding it is an important part of OCM. Also Katie uses gelatin daily and I added that to my daily routine and there is a big change in my skin, hair and nails. Maybe that will help in combination. I have been using OCM since I found the wellnessmama about 8 months ago. I loved it from the start. I first used castor oil and olive oil. I loved the way my skin felt and still do. Recently I changed to castor oil and hazelnut oil. I use 1/1 and it works great for me. Read Katie’s post about gelatin and try it. So many benefits. I purchase mine through Thrive market that I also learned about from Katie. She has truly changed my life. Good luck Abby and Thank You Katie!!

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Abbie

October 18, 2015

I have had acne since I was 10 years old (I’m nearly 20 now) and I switched to natural skincare about 4 months ago but I feel like nothing is working! I went from using honey, rosewater, and jojoba oil to S.W. Basics and now I’m trying the OCM and I feel like nothing is working. Right now I’m using a mixture thats equal parts grapeseed, argon, and rosehip oils with 2 drops of tea tree at night and then just using water in the mornings. I’ve been doing this for about 2-3 weeks and my skin looks healthier but my acne isn’t getting any better (if anything, it’s getting worse, I’m getting more of the larger, painful bumps). Anyone else have this problem? Should I just try one carrier oil at a time? I just started using hempseed oil with a drop of tea tree in the morning as a moisturizer so I guess I will see how that goes but I am losing hope.

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1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  Have you ever tried dietary changes? Or used diluted apple cider vinegar on the skin?
  
  Reply
  1. Abbie
    
    October 18, 2015
    
    Overall, I believe I eat quite healthily. I buy organic as much as I can and try to have greens or at least fruit with every meal, though I do tend to snack often (at least they’re from Trader Joe’s, not like Oreos or chips). I have eliminated eggs because they cause me serious stomach pains and I am doing my best to eliminate dairy. I still cheat some days but I am doing much better considering I would eat milk chocolate on a daily basis, I’m down to cheese about once every 1-2 weeks (although I have been baking a lot, I haven’t mastered dairy substitutions yet). I’m not sure what other things I should try to eliminate since I don’t eat very many things. I know wheat can be a culprit but I honestly don’t think I can eliminate that. S.W. Basics’ toner has ACV in it so I was using it before I switched to the OCM. When do you recommend using it?
    
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Ashley

October 13, 2015

I have been oil cleansing for about3 weeks now. I just have been using what I have: almond oil. My skin had been looking dull & getting dry patches recently, and I wondered if oil cleansing could help that AND my chin acne during “that time of the month”. So far it has been WONDERFUL. I have also realized that it is CRUCIAL to exfoliate with a gentle sugar scrub (mixed with essential oils) a few times a week. It helps the oil cleansing to get deep into your pores rather than sit on top of your dead facial skin.

I always mix in 1 drop of Young Living essential oil to my oil for my face. I usually use Tea Tree to promote clear skin, but on days when my skin looks pretty good already, I add a drop of something that smells luxurious like Joy essential oil or Gentle Baby essential oil. My skin has been super glowy, and I’m already seeing the difference with less wrinkly skin. (Huge for a 30-something year old!)

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Bisma Doll

October 13, 2015

hi v nice articale
i have a problem with my skin, its dry and looks like dull and non attractive and it has additional prolem of pimples on my face mostly on my chicks i’m university going student and have such that problems what should i do please guide me kindly give me effective precription thank u!

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Rose

October 5, 2015

Bridget, I’ve heard that coconut oil can clog your pores over time. Maybe you should switch to another oil?

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1. Bridget
  
  October 7, 2015
  
  Thanks Rose! I’ll try a different oil
  
  Reply
Bridget

October 3, 2015

When I first started the oil cleansing my face looked great, despite the few expected breakouts. But this is week 3 for me and I am breaking out like crazy on my forehead which never happens! I am using 1: 1/2 coconut oil to castor oil for my combination skin. I was looking through the comments and saw that maybe tea tree oil could help. Should I do that? Or what else should I do?

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Rhiannon

October 1, 2015

I’m thinking of using hemp oil as my moisturiser – it worked a treat for the keratosis thingy on my arms. I bet it’ll help my face too. Anyone else use it?

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Anna Humberstone

September 25, 2015

Hi, I have some olive oil infused with lemon balm and lemon verbena, could I use that as part of my cleansing oil please? Thanks 🙂

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Nicole

September 14, 2015

I’ve been doing the ocm for almost a year now and my normal routine is to oil cleanse at night and just splash my face with warm water in the morning and apply my makeup. My makeup has been looking a little dry/patchy lately and am looking for alternative morning solutions for maybe days I wear makeup. Any recommendations? For people that cleanse with honey in the morning, how do you it?

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Marie Mead

September 13, 2015

I love this oil clensing I have very combination skin with both acne and eczema. I have been using a 50/50 mix of olive and castor oil for a week and my skin is amazing the amount of black heads on my nose have significantly reduced. I have now switched to a 1/3 castor oil 2/3 olive oil mix as my skin has imporoved. I also love the salt scrub. Looking forward to making sugar scrub presents for the family at christmas.

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Amanda

September 10, 2015

I’ve been dying to try this for a few weeks but a little nervous…I have combination skin but I pretty much never break out. Ever. Even with a few pregnancies behind me and all those lovely hormones. I was planning on using castor oil and sunflower…I know everyone’s skin is different, but what are the chances mine will go crazy and just become one giant blemish (after the expected adjustment period)?

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1. Rachel H
  
  October 4, 2015
  
  I am 49. I have T-zone skin: oily nose with slightly oily forehead & chin but normal to dry on cheeks & down corners of mouth.
  I’ve been using straight cold-pressed, organic coconut oil for a month now. For the first week to two weeks my skin looked fabulous & I noticed my face wasn’t oily in the morning when I woke up. But into my 3rd week I noticed I started getting a 2 little whiteheads between my eyes, above my nose, I also had 1 small cystic type at the jawline (I’m perimenapausal & ended up having another period after 22weeks of stopping my last one, so I think that had a lot to do with both types of pimples). Now into my 5th week, & I LOVE it! Except for that breakout session that wasn’t bad at all just 3-4 pimples, I’ve noticed decreased oil! My skin did start drying a bit but I think it’s because I used peroxide & alcohol on the pimples only & I was using witch hazel as an astringent because I was afraid the oil wasn’t getting all the dirt off, BUT IT WAS! The clean cotton pad was proof! So after drying my face, instead of Joba Oil with Your Living Frankincense Oil in it to moisturize (I use in morning), I used the coconut oil at night to moisturize & it helped immediately with the dryness. Since then, I don’t use witch hazel. By the way, I use a straight Jojoba Oil from Trader Joe’s to take off my make-up at night. So glad I finally broke down to do OCM! One more thing, I started this as I cleaned up my diet– low GI veggies only for 3 weeks, no dairy, berries for fruit, no grains for 3 weeks & now I’m organic, non-gmo, & a lot of gluten-free.
  
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Lily-Rose

September 10, 2015

I would like to start using the OCM, but I am so scared. I have acne mild to moderate located on my chin and jawline. It is mostly blackheads and whiteheads, but I get sometimes those pimple a little more red. My pores on my chin seems to be blocked, it’s all bumpy but not that visible to the naked eye. I alwasys have 5-6 small pimples on my chin and I am affraid to worst my condition. I used to have cystic acne 4 years ago and now that I am passed that terrifying experience, I don’t want to go to a pizza face again. Do you think it is worth the risk?

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McKayla

September 7, 2015

I’m never one to post my results, but this method is so amazing that I just had to! After being super stressed out from starting my first year at university, my face started breaking out incredibly bad. I have been going to the dermatologist for about 6 years now. Everything they gave me never made my skin fully clear. After they prescribed me an oral medication, they told me that it wouldn’t start working for at least 3 months. I was so frustrated with the insane amount of blackheads and bumps all over my face. I had tried blackhead masks, homemade remedies, and face scrubs, but nothing seemed to work. I wanted something that was going to fix my acne NOW. I found this site and decided to give oil cleansing a try. I figured that there was nothing I could lose since my face was already broken out so badly. I made a mixture with 30 percent castor oil and 70 percent extra virgin olive oil since I have an extremely oily face. I massaged this mixture into my face for about 10 minutes and I could feel the dirt, whiteheads, and blackheads on my hands. It was super gross. When I looked at my hands after massaging, I literally saw specks of dirt and blackheads on my hands. After I steamed my face and wiped it a few times, I noticed that my pores were incredibly clean. I have never had that clean of pores in my life. My face was so smooth and it was glowing. When I woke up this morning, at least half of my blackheads were gone. Half of the little tiny bumps I got all over my face were gone as well. I’m not saying that my skin is perfect from only one oil cleanse. However, I am saying that my skin has dramatically improved. I feel that after 2 weeks of doing this method 4 times a week, my skin will be much clearer and healthier.

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1. Sadia
  
  June 14, 2016
  
  Hi. Looks like you’ve had a great experience. Can you tell me if you use OCM everyday or just 4 times in a week. And if you use it 4 times in a week only, how do you wash your face the other days? I’m in my 4th week now and my skin is breaking out like crazy. It’s not stopping at all. I need help!
  
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zoey debra

September 2, 2015

love this give me more

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Emily

August 24, 2015

I am fairly new to the natural way of doing things, have been gradually progressing over the past year or so, and I love my essential oils and my natural body butters, their affects on my skin have been great. I have been using a mixture of Jojoba oil & essential oils for about a year now as my moisturizer and absolutely love it & the affect it has had on my skin, but I still use my regular cleanser. I am wondering if I use this cleansing method and get rid of my store bought cleanser, would I stop using my moisturizer, or would I use both, or can I incorporate my current moisturizer into this method?

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Katana

August 20, 2015

I can’t attest to the efficacy of this method over the long-term yet. However, I just tried this for the first time this evening. I have very hard water and so went searching for waterless cleansing methods, as my face has been dry, dull, and even cracking.

I typically wash my face with raw honey and then moisturize with a bunch of coconut oil, which was just OK. Tonight I tried this method with Jojoba oil, and placing the hot washcloth over my face until it wasn’t hot anymore. Then I did the other side of the washcloth and wiped my face gently. 3 hours later and my skin is still glowing, looking warm, polished, and definitely moisturized. I will be using this method always now.

Much appreciation to You!

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Rose

August 20, 2015

Hello Mrs. Wellness Mama! I just recently happened onto your website and read your article on oil cleansing. I would love to try it, but reading some people’s comments about how OCM actually made their skin worse is sort of scaring me. Do you recommend OCM for all skin types including acne prone skin?

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Bethany

August 3, 2015

I started oil cleansing about 6 weeks ago. I do it every night and wash with raw honey in the mornings. For the first three weeks my skin was great. I didn’t have acne or anything severe to begin with, just uneven skin tone and sometimes too oily or dry. During those first three weeks, the moisture level in my skin was perfect. I didn’t need a moisturizer and it wasn’t oily. For the last three weeks, the moisture level has stayed consistent, but I’ve been breaking out horribly, even in areas where I’ve never had breakouts before. I’m considering giving up the routine but wanted to know if you had any thoughts or suggestions first. Thanks!

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