Wash your face with oil

You’re sick of oily skin and breakouts. You’re tired of dry and flaking skin. You no longer want to use commercial products that strip your skin of its natural goodness, sending who-knows-what down the drains. Well, if the oil cleansing method is not already on your radar, then read on because this, my friends, is a game-changer.

What Is The Oil Cleansing Method Anyway?

In a nutshell, you wash your face with oil. Yep, that’s right, wash your face with oil. It may seem unusual but stay with me. I personally have very oily skin (it’s not all bad news – I figure I’ll have less wrinkles as I get older?).

Since I started oil cleansing, my skin is clearer, smoother, more supple than ever! No longer am I using harsh ingredients on my precious skin, something I did a lot in my teen years.

Who remembers the stuff that would bleach your towels and pillowcases? I’m cringing even thinking about it; how is this stuff even allowed to be sold?

Many mainstream skin care products contain some very questionable ingredients. (Read more about the ingredients I think we should all be looking out for and avoiding if possible, here). These ingredients can strip our skin of nourishing oils, send the microbiome into chaos, damage the sensitive cells on, and beneath, the surface, and the list goes on.

We only get one face and we need to take good care of it.

How Do You Oil Cleanse?

It’s soooo easy!

Just massage a small amount of oil into your face (a few minutes is ideal but I often settle for 60 seconds!). Then, run a washcloth under warm/hot water, wring it out and use it to gently wipe away excess oil. Repeat if needed, until your face doesn’t feel greasy.

It’s okay for some oil to remain – simply massage it all in. There is no need to tone or moisturise afterwards.

Which Oil Should You Use?

Honestly, olive oil is the simplest, cheapest and best choice for most people, but combining it with avocado and castor oil is even better! You really could use any oil you have handy, don’t overthink it.

As for essential oils, totally not necessary but frankincense and lavender are divine for the skin.

How Often Should You Do It?

You can use this method every evening, or just once a week, it’s really up to you. In the morning, following an oil cleanse the night before, I usually wash with just water, then moisturise (or apply this sunscreen).

If you want to alternate between oil cleansing and another natural face wash, you might like to try this face wash, toning afterwards with good old apple cider vinegar (diluted with water 50/50 if you like, but I don’t usually bother with watering it down these days), and then moisturise with something like this.

Krissy Ballinger

author and passionate advocate for natural living and wellness

Krissy Ballinger is an accomplished author and passionate advocate for natural living and wellness. Her mission is to gently guide individuals towards holistic wellbeing by providing a wealth of resources and services, ranging from natural living guidance and DIY recipes, to healing therapies that nurture the mind, body, spirit and space. She envisions a world where conscious choices are made that honour the self, humanity and the environment.

With her roots in education and health promotion, Krissy continually expands her expertise. Recently, she obtained certifications in Zone Healing Technique and NeurOptimal Neurofeedback (brain training), qualified as a Reiki Healer, and completed an Undergraduate Certificate in Lifestyle Coaching from Endeavour College of Natural Health.

Krissy dedicates her time to managing her wellness room, offering services in Zone and Reiki Healing, Neurofeedback brain training, and Chemical Awareness Consulting. Additionally, she educates individuals about common and avoidable toxins through her various social platforms. Krissy’s books have collectively sold over 100,000 copies, including the award-winning Naturally Inspired – Simple DIY Recipes for Body Care and Cleaning, as well as Make & Play – Natural DIY Recipes for Kids, and The Lifestyle Edit.

13 Comments

  1. HI Krissy,

    Love what you do – thankyou!

    A question about coconut oil. I read that it is highly comedogenic (clogs pores). Would you still use it on your face?

    • Thanks Cecilia! Yes, coconut oil is best suited to dry skin and has a moderate-high comedogenic rating. Some people have no issues but I prefer to stick with olive oil (avocado, castor, jojoba are great mix-in’s too!) to cleanse. However, because the coconut oil doesn’t stay on your skin, I don’t think using it to cleanse would be an issue anyway. Hope this helps.

    • Do you have a water filter on your bath and shower? That’s a huge help in my opinion. Avoiding harsh shampoos, ACV rinsing, and no product in his hair may all help too. And, I can’t see why olive oil wouldn’t be beneficial. Good luck!

  2. hi thanks for some really great information. My query thought is Nits. what do you suggest for getting rid of them, my adult daughter keeps getting them but no one else in the family. thanks

    • Hi Kris, do you have my book? There is a treatment suggestion in there on page 117. Basically you want to drown them in oil and comb the little buggers out!

  3. Hi Krissy, I have been using oil to cleanse for some time now. At 58, my skin has never been better. Friends have noticed the difference in my skin. The best thing I have ever done for myself is to purchase your book. Thank you so much.

  4. I use the oil cleanse both morning and night but once or twice a week I use a good face scrub in the night. I thought it would leave my skin greasy but definitely not. I cleanse before I shower so most of the oil comes off in the shower. I use hemp seed oil and vitamin E oil with some added Frankincense. Love it and it makes your skin so soft.

  5. Yes I have used oils off and on over the years. My niece used oil on her babies for the first few months of their lives instead of putting them in a bath, they have beautiful skin now.

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