Care for your face by creating your own facial care products using essential oils and other clean, simple ingredients. Explore recipes, tips and more to guide you.
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A regular oil cleansing method is a simple, soap-free skin care practice. All you need are a skin care oil, essential oils, warm water and a washcloth. During an oil cleansing, impurities from your skin's surface mix into the cleansing oil, which is then removed using a warm, damp washcloth. Added bonuses: a delightful facial massage and steam are an integral part of cleansing in this way — it isn't just about the oil.
It might seem counter intuitive that oil will clean your skin, but the oil cleansing method is based on the fundamental principle in chemistry that "like dissolves like." During an oil cleansing, oil you apply to your face attracts the oils in the skin and any debris attached to them. When the mixture is removed, your skin will be clean and feel as if you've just had a full facial followed by a supple moisturizer.
The ideal time to undertake an oil cleansing is at the end of the day. This will give your face a chance to absorb the nutrients from the oil and provide some recovery time after being exposed to make-up and the elements all day, especially if you do not apply additional moisturizers or make-up after.
Depending on how your complexion adjusts, a once-daily treatment is plenty, or as little as one to three times per week. Keep in mind that it might take your skin a few days or weeks to adjust. Before you start using the oil cleansing method, we recommend trying it on a small section of your skin and consulting your dermatologist if you have concerns.
Choosing the right skin care oil for your oil cleansing method is very important. You'll need to understand a bit about the properties of the oil you select as well as your own skin.
Always choose minimally refined, botanical skin care oils, organic if you prefer. These varieties of nut and seed oils are made up of a combination of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. To understand how the oil might feel on your skin, look at the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (see table). The more unsaturated an oil is, the more absorbent it is, while the more saturated an oil is, the more likely it is to remain near or on the surface of your skin. Choose your oil based on the absorbency you find is appropriate for your skin.
| Skin Care Oil | Average Balance of Unsaturated Fatty Acids | Average Balance of Saturated Fatty Acids | Unique Feature or Benefit | Recommended Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apricot Kernel | 93% | 5% | Excellent all-purpose oil well-suited to mature and delicate skin. | Bath and body care, massage. |
| Argan | 80% | 27% | Balance of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids yet has a light texture. | Skin, facial, hair and scalp care. |
| Avocado | 80% | 14% | Balance of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids yet has a light texture. | Bath and body care, massage. |
| Baobab | 65% | 30% | Balance of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids yet has a light texture. | Bath and body care, massage. |
| Castor | 96% | 3% | Contains ricinoleic acid, a long chain omega 9 fatty acid | Body care. Use with heating pads and hot packs. |
| Grapeseed | 88% | 11% | Balance of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids yet has a light texture. | Bath and body care. Skin and facial care. |
| Jojoba | 15% | 4% | Contains jojoba wax ester which is non pore clogging. | Bath and body care. Skin and facial care. |
| Macadamia | 60% | 19% | Balance of unsaturated and fatty acids. | Bath and body care. Skin and facial care. |
| Rosehip | 92% | 4% | Contains natural vitamin A. | Bath and body care. Skin and facial care. |
| Sesame | 85% | 13% | Balance of unsaturated and fatty acids. | Bath and body care. Skin and facial care. |
| Sweet Almond | 91% | 9% | Excellent all-purpose oil for all kinds of skin. | Bath and body care. Massage. |
| Tamanu | 43% | 27% | Balance of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids yet has a light texture. | Body, skin and facial care. |
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