Facial cleansing with oil - The oil-cleansing method

Surfactants in cleansing products can not only irritate the skin due to their degreasing effect, but can also permanently unbalance it. In the worst case, oily skin reacts with increased sebum production and dry skin increasingly loses moisture. Even though mild tensides are increasingly used in cleansing products, the trend is towards "Cleansing Reduction", the "less is more" method.

To clean the skin only with oil sounds strange at first. The skin produces sebum or oil by itself to build up a natural protective barrier. If the sebum cannot flow off properly due to excessive hornification of the epidermis, the sebaceous glands become blocked and impurities and pimples appear. The "Oil Cleansing" method is based on the principle that oil is able to dissolve oil. Make-up and sebum are gently dissolved, which is why people with oily skin can also use this method.

Most commercially available oils are suitable for cleaning. It is important that they are adapted to the respective skin type. They should also be cold pressed and of high quality.

Castor oil and coconut oil have an anti-inflammatory, healing and above all cleansing effect. Therefore they can be mixed with one or more carrier oils in a concentration of up to 30% (30% oily skin, 20% normal skin, 10% dry skin).

There is nothing wrong with the all-round talent almond oil: it is very compatible and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and baby skin.

The production of a cleaning oil is very easy. Depending on the skin type, fill a small bottle with one or more carrier oils (e.g. almond oil) into a small bottle with pump dispenser and shake. The bottle should be hermetically sealed. The shelf life of the mixture depends on the oils used. It is advisable to produce only a small quantity at a time.

The cleansing oil is then rubbed into the palms of the hands and gently distributed and massaged into the face. Then remove the oil with a wet cloth and rinse with water.

Unfortunately, the "Oil-Cleansing" method does not only bring advantages:

Water alone cannot dissolve oil - if the oil is not completely removed, make-up residues and an oily film remain on the skin. The oil should always be removed with an absorbent microfibre cloth, a conventional terry cloth washcloth cannot absorb everything.

Another solution would be: In addition to the oils you can add a mild emulsifier in a ratio of 1:10 (e.g. fluid lecithin).
Commercially available cleansing oils often contain essential fragrances that can irritate the skin.