Natural Face Wash
I’ve always, always had dry and blotchy skin. I’ve always had breakouts. Nothing to major of course, but you still feel like everyone is noticing them. I mean for goodness sakes, I’m 27 already! Puberty was supposed to be over!
I also used face lotion like it was going out of style. I’d scrub my skin so very squeaky clean and then use half a bottle of moisturizer to try and replenish. Unfortunately no matter what product I bought (and I’ve tried some pretty expensive ones!) I was always…..flaky. And red.
Does it really matter?
The problem is, all of these conventional face products out there strip our skin of it’s natural oils, causing it to produce even more oil. And while you are washing your poor skin, it becomes aggravated from the drying effects of the cleansers, and now it’s vulnerable to the host of chemicals that are actually in the product. These chemicals include carcinogens, developmental toxins, and endocrine disruptors.
Although the chemicals are supposedly in such small amounts that they “shouldn’t” make us sick, our skin is our largest organ. And what we put on our skin is absorbed into our body. These toxins are stored in our fat cells along as in other parts of our body,and it’s the fat cells that also produce different hormones our bodies need. If we are filling them full of toxins, how can they correctly balance hormones?
My thinking is also this:
One, if our bodies are so busy fighting off potential cancer causing toxins, how can it allow our reproductive systems to flourish? It’s part of our bodies survival nature, kind of like when we’re starving and to thin, ovulation stops.
And two, (women especially know this!) that a body multi tasking can only work for so long. Like when we are to busy for to long, we drop the ball somewhere along the line. If our bodies are to busy fighting this, that, and the other, something’s gonna fall.
The basics
Down and dirty
The best thing about this method is that you can fine tune your own mix.
- Have dry skin? Use 1 part castor oil to 9 parts sunflower oil
- Normal skin? Use 2 parts castor oil to 8 parts sunflower oil
- Oily skin? Use 3 parts castor oil to 7 parts sunflower oil
You can add more or less castor oil as needed. My first batch I used the ‘dry skin’ recommendation and now that it’s winter, I’ve noticed my face becoming a bit more dry, so my next batch I’ll mix at 1/2 part castor oil to 9 parts sunflower. You can always adjust and remake your mix, no more heading to the store to buy a different product!
My Routine
Each morning I take a hot washcloth and hold it over my face until it cools, repeating a few times, and then a light rinse. Pat dry. (never rub your face dry!)
Every other night I take a few drops of the oil and massage onto my face. (use your ring fingers, they don’t have as much strength as the others) I then use a hot, steamy washcloth and place over my face until cool, repeating a few times until most of the oil is dissolved. Pat dry.
Every other night, when I don’t use the oil, I just follow my basic morning routine. I also no longer use any lotion, as the oil does a great job at keeping my skin moist.
When I feel my skin may be getting a bit to oily or I feel the need to exfoliate I add about a half a teaspoon of sugar to the drops of oil and lightly scrub my face. I actually used this a lot more when I first started using the oil cleansing method, as it took a couple weeks for my skin to adjust.
When my skin starts getting a bit drier, I just smooth on a touch of coconut oil. It’s a great moisturizer!
Saving your skin and saving money
I spent $2.00 on the jar, $2.00 on the castor oil, and $6.00 on the sunflower oil. $10.00 total.
See the amount in the jar? It’s been four months and I’m just now needing to make more. (you seriously only need a couple drops each time you cleanse) I’m thinking I can make at least 5 batches of cleanser from these two bottles of oil, meaning these supplies should last me over one full year! That’s less than ten dollars a year for facial products! I used to easily spend that in one month, since each month it seems I was always buying either the wash or the lotion. So I figure switching over to this oil cleansing method, I’m going to save about $110.00 a year. Great for my pocketbook, and even better, it’s great for my body!
No related posts.
I started using the oil cleansing method a few months ago too. I use more oil, though, probably because I wear makeup most days. Plus, I have oily skin. I use OCM every night, then apply a serum. In the mornings, I exfoliate with a rag or a little baking soda and water, then apply some good moisturizer. It’s working great for me! My skin has definitely improved, and I’ve cut way back on my skincare spending.
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I guess I’ve sort of been doing this. When I got married, my husband hopped into bed each night at bed time while I did my little toothbrush, contacts, face cleaning routine (using clearasil or something). My face broke out according to my hormonal calendar and not depending on how clean my face was. Anyway, to spend less time in the bathroom before bed, I started to skip cleaning my face at night (I didn’t wear that much make up anyway). At the same time, I switched my evening lotion from Eucerine to organic coconut oil. I was surprised to note that my face didn’t break out anymore than it had before and the coconut oil actually healed any infections. I should exfoliate a little more often, but other than that, my skin is healthier and clearer than ever, and I don’t have ANY cleaning routine–just my coconut oil application at bedtime.
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A warm wash cloth (no rubbing) removes make-up?
I normally wouldn’t even have to ask, but pregnancy is not good to my face and I’ve resorted to concealer, which makes my face look bland, which then necessitates blush and mascara.
I just want a naturally clear face! So I think I’ll try this…
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Beth – I normally don’t have a problem with makeup coming off after steaming my face with a hot cloth a few times. Every once in awhile I’ll just lightly wipe off, but I just try not to scrub. Or you could just use OCM each night your wear it. Pregnancy was not good for my face either the first 6 weeks! Not horrible teenage stuff, but bumpy and red. I ended up using a sugar scrub a few times a week during the worst of it to help exfoliate.
I’ve also started using coconut oil as a moisturizer which has been working great now that the air is drier up here. Doesn’t leave my face greasy like I thought it would either! (It’s kind of a weird solid oil if you’ve never used it)
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One more question: Where did you get that cute bottle?
How many ounces would you guess it is? I’m thinking of picking up some sunflower and castor oil when I go out tomorrow – I just have no idea where to store the concoction once I make it! 
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I found the bottle in the cooking section of our local supermarket/superstore. By the other glass oil bottles and measuring cups and cooking utensils. I’m guessing any store that sells cooking supplies might have something similar.
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I love the oil cleansing method and I’ve been using it for about 4 months also! I normally do it every other day though and also just use it in the shower/bath…that way I can “steam” my face without a wash cloth. If my face is too oily afterwards I use either a wash cloth or some baking soda to get the excess off. It is so relaxing though. Great article!
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I’ve been using OCM for about a year now. I use about 20% caster oil and the rest olive oil. I have always had lots of skin problems (dryness, exzema, allergic reactions to makeup, etc) but my skin has been amazing this past year. I no longer need a moisturizer and only have have breakouts during “certain times of the month.”
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Love your post!
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I totally missed the “girl school” lesson on make up and face cleaning routines. Actually, my older sister took me to the drug store once, loaded me up with six or seven products, showed me how to use them all and I never did it again
I’ve been lucky that I’ve never had bad acne or skin problems so that helps with the whole “I wash my face when I shower, or when I’m particularly gross” cleaning method.
I’ve seen a couple people talking about this oil cleaning method. If I feel like I need to actually clean my face in the future I am totally going to try this! Thanks!
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Hi Donielle!
Castor oil is on my Meijer list now for my son who has mild acne.
Thanks for joining in on the blog carnival!
Kelly
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