How is it that, when it comes to our general health and state of being, we are more likely to go to a drugstore, instead of trying to find a good solution in nature?

As far as our skin is concerned, we are more likely to put something concocted in a lab on our face and body, than a pure, natural ingredient, that came straight from nature.

However, nowadays, people have started going back to nature, and, instead of chemical products, they are opting for an organic alternative.

This is a good thing, since you avoid many health problems, such as allergic reactions and irritations, by simply using natural ingredients. Not to mention that, today, it is hard to track products that have cancerous ingredients from those that do not.

When it comes to cleaning your skin, one trend has become increasingly popular – the Oil Cleansing Method or OCM.

What is OCM?

Is this for real?

The Oil Cleansing Method?

Yes, you’ve read that right.

After years of being ostracized and condemned by the general public and many beauty products experts as one of the biggest no-no’s for the skin, oils have finally got their 15 minutes of fame.

If you want clear, fresh looking skin, you should look for an oil-free product, right?

Well, actually, that is not the case.

New studies have shown that the Oil Cleansing Method is really beneficial for the skin, because it does quite the opposite of what you would assume. It cleans the skin, removes all the dirt and bacteria, and leaves your skin looking radiant.

OCM has become all the rage, and many big companies have included oil cleansers in their product offer.

How Does it Work?

Did you know that you can remove an oily stain by adding more oil in the process of cleaning it away?

No?

Well, many of us didn’t.

But, apparently, the same thing is applicable to the process of cleaning your face and body. By putting oils on your skin, or oil-cleansing beauty products, you unclog your pores, remove all the blackheads and whiteheads, get rid of dead skin and pollutants, and, surprisingly, lift extra sebum.

How amazing is that! As the old saying goes, we live and learn.

Researchers are still questioning how well the oil cleansing method really works. The research itself depends on many variables, thus making it harder for it to be conducted. Different oils consist of different ingredients and these usually include antioxidants, phospholipids, free fatty acids, phenolic compounds and triglycerides. And all of these ingredients have different effect on the skin, which is why different types of oil have different purposes.  

Does it really work?

As it has already been mention, people and science in general had in the past quite a poor relation towards natural solutions. It even reached a point that many people doubt now whether natural ingredients, with no additional chemical substances, can help their overall health, skin included.

Well, for all of you doubting Thomas’ out there, have no doubt, OCM really works.

The advantages are simply innumerable. We can list them all day, and we still won’t be able to mention everything. But we will sure try.  

Deep Cleaning? Look No Further!

It is time to put away all those soaps and cleansers that only dry your skin excessively, and make room for this real game changer!

This method removes all the impurities from the surface of your skin, thus deep cleaning your pores and making room for other products to reach the deeper layers of your skin.

It is basic chemistry, where “like attracts like.” The oil attracts the excessive sebum you have on your skin and lifts with it all the dirt, making your skin exceptionally clean. It may be hard to believe it, but you can trust us on this! You will see an amazing difference!

Goodbye Acne!

It may be hard to comprehend that oils can help you with this type of problem.

But what can we say, oils work in mysterious ways.

All jokes aside, oils used for cleaning your skin actually normalize your skin’s oil production and balance it, and they are doing so without clogging your pores.

However, if you are prepared to take a chance with this method, bear in mind that your skin will maybe need more time to get used to this type of cleansing. Like anything in life, it may get worse before it gets better, but results should appear quite soon.

Amazing Anti-Aging Properties

If you thought it can’t get better, let us inform you, it definitely can.

For a long time, people have looked for a perfect product to stop or at least slow down the appearance of wrinkles and other aging marks on their face and body, and this is the most natural and most approachable way to do it.

Since oils are rich in antioxidants, they will help your skin restore that former glow and soothe down those lines you might dislike. By hydrating and nourishing your skin, oils help it regenerate and restore elasticity. In this way you will look younger and fresher in no time.

An Excellent Makeup Remover

How often have you come back from work or a night out, just tired and not in the mood for that tedious and often annoying process of removing your makeup?

Yes, you wanted that waterproof mascara for so long, and it stays put for hours on end, but when it comes to removing it, you regret ever putting it.

The oil cleansing method is a perfect way out of this tricky situation, since it removes makeup smoothly, without damaging your eye-lashes or making some of them fall off (many a soldier have lost that battle).

It removes the most waterproof of mascaras, and, at the same time, nourishes your eyelashes, making them thicker and boosting their growth.

Applicable to All Skin Types

Whether your skin is oily or dry, you can use this method to clean it, you just need to choose the right oil.

Don’t worry if you have super sensitive skin, since this method helps all types, even the most sensitive ones, without causing irritation or allergic reactions.

No matter which skin type you have, it will give you the skin you have always wanted – radiant, clean and fresh.

It Can Heal Burns and Bedsores

Many oils have anti-inflammatory properties, which are perfect if you have burns you need healing.

It not only soothes the injury, it accelerates skin repair and prevents any possible infection. You can treat all kinds of wounds, not worrying of making things worse. However, be sure to choose the right one.

Side effects of OCM

Skin Allergies

Possible skin allergies that you might experience don’t mean you are allergic to the oil, but to its compound, or, more often than not, the nut the oil was derived from.

So pay attention to the product you are buying and make sure you read the label.

The base oil maybe the right fit for you, but the oil with which it is mixed may not be. If you are allergic to it, you may break out in a rash or some other skin condition, and no one would want that, so, be careful.

Always do a patch test to be sure you won’t have an allergic reaction. You can put the oil on your forearm or behind your ear and wait a bit to see whether you will experience a reaction.

“The Purge”

We have already mentioned the “purge,” or to put it simply, the period when things get a lot worse before they get better.

If you have an acne problem, it may happen that you get even more of them before things start to change for the better.

It is important not to lose hope and wait for the silver lining. We assure you, it will come.

Coconut Oil – Beware!

Be sure to use coconut oil carefully since, apart from hydrating your skin and making it more elastic, it can sometimes clog your pores, which can result in acne breakout or similar skin responses. That is why you need to use it moderately and occasionally.

In order to know which oil to use, what follows is a comprehensible list of most frequently used oils and their benefits.

Types of Oils and Their Usage

First things first. You have to decide whether you want to go natural all the way or you feel more comfortable buying a ready product at the drugstore.

Before doing either of those, make sure you consult a doctor, so that you get clear instructions based on your skin type.

When selecting a prepared product, make sure you read the label well, since there are different mixtures designated for different types of skin and skin conditions.

As for the more adventurous ones, there are plenty of choices and simple DIY recipes. For starters, the most common recipes always include “thirds,” e.g. two thirds of a base oil and one third of an additional oil.

Castor oil, for example, is most commonly used as a base oil, because of its astringent nature. Namely, it dries the skin up and removes all the dirt from your pores. It is truly mind-blowing that an oil can actually help dry the skin and clean it, but there you go.

Jojoba oil, also most frequently used as a base oil, has almost the same structure as the skin’s natural sebum. It works wonders with skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis, because of it anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it is rich in Vitamin E and B, which boost skin repair.

Is there anything that olive oil cannot fix? Judging from the sound of things, the only answer is no. Its antioxidant properties can help you refresh your skin and reverse the damage done by stress and UV radiation. It helps the skin get proper nourishment and successfully removes any type of bacteria found on the skin. Amazing!

Sunflower seed oil, coconut oil and argan oil are a perfect choice for dry skin. Sunflower seed oil contains linoleic acid, which helps you maintain the skin barrier and additionally hydrates your skin. Coconut is also a perfect moisturizer. However, it is known for clogging a pore or two, so be sure to use it in small amounts, especially if you have sensitive skin. Argan oil, on the other hand, is a common ingredient of many hair and body products, so have no doubt it can help your skin look shiny and healthy again. It also has a softening effect, which is makes it perfect, don’t you agree?

If you find castor oil too drying, then almond oil is your best bet. It treats dry skin by increasing the levels of hydration, and at the same time removes the excess oil on the skin. It boost the process of regeneration, making your skin look younger, and making you wonder why you haven’t started using tons of this a decade ago!

If you have a recurrent problem with acne, you will find grapeseed oil and pumpkin seed oil extremely helpful, since they remove the impurities from the skin’s surface while also hydrating it without clogging the pores.

If you are willing to try making a mixture at home, here is a “starter” recipe we are sure you will enjoy using:

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. argan oil
• 3 tsp. organic jojoba oil for the dry skin or castor oil if you have an oily skin

Preparation

Pour the oils in a glass bottle and slowly roll it to combine them. It is important to do this slowly for better results.

After you have made the mixture, squirt a bit of the liquid onto your fingertips and massage into your face in circles for about a minute or two. If you have makeup on, be sure to go over those areas several times. Put a cloth under hot water and put it on your face. Let it stay there for couple of minutes and then wipe away the remaining oil still on your face. After cleaning, apply a toner or a moisturizer.

If you are planning on trying the oil cleansing method for the first time, let us know how you get on!