DIY Face Wash: The Oil Cleansing Method
In chemistry, “like dissolves like.” Our faces accrue oil and bacteria throughout the day, which can eventually lead to pimples. To rid our faces of this unhealthy oil, we need a proper cleansing method. That method is the Oil Cleansing Method.
I know that it seems counterintuitive to clean your oily face with more oil. But let’s trust science on this one, shall we? You can make your very own concoction at home or purchase one from us. I have been using this method for five years now and I rarely get acne.
Here’s the recipe:
-Choose at least 3 different oils from my list below (or another oil of your choice)
-Combine the oils into a glass bottle in equal parts
-Add 10 drops of essential oil (or more if you want a stronger scent)
Here’s a short list of base oils you could use in your mixture (choose at least 3):
-Almond
-Jojoba
-Avocado
-Sunflower
-Hazelnut
-Olive
-Castor
*Though I love to use coconut oil for many other applications, I dislike the way it feels on my face. Both regular and fractionated coconut oil feel too heavy on my skin. This is why I didn’t include it on my list, but if it works for you, then by all means, use it!
Here are my recommendations for which essential oils to use:
-Tea Tree
It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. This is the very best oil to use on your skin because of those two healing properties. Tea tree is a natural cleanser and will also reduce redness and puffiness.
-Lavender
It is anti-inflammatory, which is great for your skin after a stressful day and will also reduce acne. It’s also known to promote calmness and reduce stress. This is the perfect essential oil to use when you cleanse your face at night.
-Peppermint
This one will leave your skin feeling a little bit tingly and will help clear out your nasal cavity at the same time. If you have any tension, peppermint should help relieve it. It will also help relieve any itchiness you may have. If you like to cleanse in the morning, peppermint will help wake you up!
I like to combine essential oils to get a lovely blend! I recommend using one (or more) of the essential oils I suggested along with another oil of your choice!
Here are a few example combinations:
CLASSIC TEA TREE
-⅓ almond oil
-⅓ avocado oil
-⅓ jojoba oil
-10 drops tea tree essential oil
HERBAL CALM
-⅓ castor oil
-⅓ sunflower oil
-⅓ hazelnut oil
-10 drops lavender essential oil
-5 drops sage essential oil
GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE!
-⅓ castor oil
-⅓ almond oil
-⅓ jojoba oil
-8 drops lemon essential oil
-8 drops peppermint essential oil
Directions for how to use the oil:
-Rub a nickel-sized amount of oil into your hands and apply to your face
-Scrub it off with a warm washcloth
That’s it! It’s so simple. I usually just do this in the shower. The scrubbing exfoliates my skin, but the oil mixture is moisturizing, so my skin is never dry afterward like it would be with a face wash. On the rare day my skin craves a bit more moisture, I simply use a small amount of HK & Sons All Over Oil as a moisturizer. You can use your DIY mixture for this purpose, unless you used castor oil. Castor oil is a bit sticky and thick and wouldn’t do well as a face moisturizer.
When you start using this method, please keep in mind that your skin may need a week or more to adjust. If you’ve been using face wash and moisturizer for several years, you can’t expect perfect, happy skin right after you switch. Let me know which combination you make. Use one of mine or be creative! If you don’t have time to make your own, buy one here.