Oil Cleansing 101/How I defeated Acne/My Skin Care Routine

Oil Cleansing, what is that?!

Essentially, it is applying an oil to your skin, then soaking, massaging, and rinsing your skin clean with oil and a microfiber cloth.

Oil Cleansing has been a true God-send! The best part (other than it being incredibly simple AND budget friendly), is that it's excellent for EVERY skin type; even for the most severe acne sufferers. I will cover which oils are best for each different skin type below.

Have you ever seen those insanely great priced microfiber cloths (100% Polyester is absolute best for this, not the 80-20 options) in the cleaning and towel isles of Walmart or Dollar stores? Washing and massaging one’s face with a microfiber cloth and water alone- removes 100% of makeup, excess grease and oil, it unclogs pores, gently exfoliates, reduces fine lines, diminishes acne, whiteheads and blemishes, minimizes acne scars, and so much more. (You can use a separate microfiber cloth to remove makeup, or you can use the same microfiber cloth to remove, cleanse and treat with oil…all in one. Both ways work great!) I buy bulk microfiber towels and cloths (literally, just buy whole shelves), and I use a new cloth every month.

I recycle my old microfiber towels and cloths by turning them into dusters, and other handy cleaning objects. To clean my microfiber cloths daily after use, I use Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soaps (Baby Unscented is my go-to!) I no longer need to use any face washes, face lotions, or any facial care products at all- besides the Grapeseed Oil (mixed with Healthy Habits Rejuv Cream in the winter/dry months).

With oil cleansing; no matter your skin type- cleansing oils mixed with preexisting oils already on one’s face (from sebum, makeup, touching face too much, etc.), are removed and skin is left perfectly clean and nourished. Basically, the cleansing oil uses the “good oils” in your skin to remove the “bad oils”- very simply put. Oils used in cleansing, contain antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients, they also improve texture and appearance of skin.

While researching oils, I’ve learned about their composition and what makes each one different. One key factor that makes some oils work for some people, but not for others, is the ratio of linoleic acid to oleic acid in the chemical composition of each oil.

Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid, as well as omega-9 fatty acid. On the other hand- Linoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid, as well as omega-6 fatty acid. Acne sufferers tend to have low levels of linoleic acid in their skin’s surface. When our skin is deficient in linoleic acid, our skin’s natural sebum and oil become way too thick; which clogs pores and creates persistent and even painful acne. There are many wonderful carrier oils in nature. Yet if you are acne prone, being specific about which oils that you choose to use is extremely important. High oleic acid content is not good for acne prone skin! Acne sufferers need an oil that is higher in linoleic acid ratio. I grew up with acne prone skin, so I stick with oils higher in linoleic acid. OH MY GOSH what a difference it has made. I have been oil cleansing my face for over a year now, and it is more than a night-and-day difference!

Commonly used oils that are HIGHER in LINOLEIC acid (absolute best for acne prone skin) include: Safflower Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Prickly Pear Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil (what I use, and what is pictured below), & Black Cumin Seed Oil.

Common oils that are somewhat BALANCED between Linoleic & Oleic acid (best for combination skin; mild acne prone/easily dried out) are: Jojoba Oil, Tamanu Oil, Coconut Oil (both refined & unrefined), Argan Oil, & Flaxseed Oil.

Commonly used oils that are HIGHER in OLEIC acid (best for scaly, flaky skin, and skin that dries easier than most) are: Avacado Oil, Apricot Kernal Oil, Shea Nut Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, & Palm Fruit Oil.

**If you have very serious acne, I would recommend avoiding ALL carrier oils with chemical compositions higher in oleic acid; and ONLY use carrier oils, (and products) that have high linoleic acid ratios. Yes, even including other skin and hair care products!** The generally recommended oils that “The Oil Cleansing Method” (OCM) usually involve are olive oil and castor oil; which only does more harm to those with acne prone skin in the long-run. The same is true for oil cleansing with jojoba oil. Although jojoba oil is pretty close to the natural sebum our body produces, some jojoba oils have a higher oleic acid composition. PLEASE also note that healing acne is NOT ONLY a topical solution as most products try to tell you, but it IS a whole body healing experience. (Including…but not limited to: getting more sleep and exercise, cutting back on/omitting wheat, dairy, and processed sugars and junk, drinking more water, limiting- caffeine, energy drinks, sugar, and junk food consumption, eating REAL & fresh foods, getting more vegetables into your diet, finding happiness in life, having a fulfilling career, creating healthier relationships, and decreasing stress!)

My current AM. routine: Soak and gently rub face with steamy hot microfiber cloth (to open pores). Immediately following up with about a quarter-sized amount of Grapeseed Oil. I rub this mixture on my face and neck (avoiding eye area) in gentle circular motions. Then, I soak my microfiber cloth in hot water again; and gently rub and massage face and neck. Finally, I wipe and pat-dry my face and neck. This alone acts as a primer for makeup throughout the day, and also effectively reduces oily shine! I apply a thin, additional, stay-on layer of Grapeseed Oil (mixed with Healthy Habits Rejuv Cream ), for further sebum and shine control throughout the day- and added moisture.

My PM. routine: If wore makeup during the day- rinse and gently scrub face with steamy hot microfiber cloth to take off makeup completely. Then apply quarter size amount of Grapeseed Oil to moist skin, rubbing in well to face and neck. Using opposite side of rinsed and steamy microfiber cloth (or new cloth), (keeping eyes closed to not get oil in eyes), rub gently in circular motions with hot microfiber cloth, until oil feels mostly spread around and taken off. (There will still be a thin layer of oil left, that is GREAT, don’t take it ALL off.) Rinse gently. Pat dry. Follow up with spot treatments on problem areas using Healthy Habits Dermatox Ointment . Then I rub about a half dime-sized amount of Grapeseed Oil , mixed with a couple drops of water on rest of my face and neck. Walah! OH, also, once every two weeks- I do a facial mask using Indian Healing Clay mixed with Bragg's ACV, to deeply detox. I follow up with coating my face in a light layer of Grapeseed Oil and Healthy Habits Rejuv Cream.