I’ve been getting a lot of questions about cleansing the face with oil and exactly how I do it. For starters I want to say that I don’t just use any type of natural carrier oil. Once I learned about the chemical compositions of different carrier oils, and which ones benefit acne prone skin, I now only use oils that are very high in linoleic acid. You can read more about these carrier oils high in linoleic acid as well as a list of carrier oils high in oleic acid which cause acne in this article.
My History with Oil Cleansing
I had tried the oil cleansing method with olive oil and castor oil five years ago. It was then that I realized that skin care could be extremely simple, and didn’t have to cost me over $100 every month and a half on the organic skin care brands I was using at the time. I could use only one product for my entire skin care regimen! That really excited me.
Sadly I didn’t have a clue that olive oil was very high in oleic acid, and although my skin was soft with oil cleansing, I broke out miserably! It took me a few months to get my skin back in good shape, yet having clear skin was still very unpredictable. I would have clear skin for a little bit then another bad breakout, and I couldn’t figure out why. It was beyond frustrating, and I had to rely on makeup to hide my flaws.
When our skin’s sebum is high in oleic acid, our sebum becomes hard and clogs our pores. Literally feeding our skin natural carrier oils high in linoleic acid balances our sebum to also be higher in linoleic acid which keeps our skin clear and radiant.
Back To Simple Skin Care
Five months ago I started oil cleansing again. I wanted a simple skin care regimen that only used one product and didn’t have me making a ton of DIY beauty products in my kitchen. This time I would be oil cleansing with only organic pumpkin seed oil. I had my fingers crossed that this would work and my skin care could be minimal and effective.
Organic pumpkin seed oil is very high in linoleic acid, rich in omega fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and also antioxidants which makes it a very stable carrier oil that does not need refrigeration although it is recommended. Organic pumpkin seed oil is perfect for skin as it won’t disrupt the skins pH balance, and contains vitamins A, C, and zinc all incredible for maintaining clear blemish free skin while healing hyperpigmentation. It has been referred to as “green gold” because of its rich green color.
The Addition of the Microfiber Cleansing Cloth
I also began using a soft microfiber cleansing cloth instead of a regular wash cloth for this new skin care regimen. Using a microfiber cloth on its own will remove makeup with just water, yet using a microfiber cloth with other facial cleansers felt like I was over exfoliating my skin. Although using a microfiber cloth along with oil cleansing was perfection!
When I started using a soft microfiber cloth with organic pumpkin seed oil for facial cleansing, my skin started to THRIVE!
The microfiber cleansing cloth was critical to use because it removed all of the dirty makeup filled cleansing oil from skin which could have clogged my pores despite using a carrier oil high in linoleic acid. The microfiber cleansing cloth also aided in helping to unclog and minimize the size of my pores, as well as soften any hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts. My skin is clearer and smoother with every use.
Exactly How I Cleanse With Oil
I don’t usually wear more than mascara for daily eye makeup, yet if this in one of those occasions where I have on the works, I will take a cotton pad saturated in organic pumpkin seed oil and gently wipe away my eye makeup. Then I take a teaspoon or more of the oil and massage it into my skin over my mineral makeup which I make myself if I am wearing it. I also massage the oil gently down my neck as well. If I need more oil I will add another layer of oil to my skin and massage gently.
I now run a microfiber cleansing cloth under warm water until it is saturated with water. I then turn the running water on its hottest setting to heat up the cloth. I gently wring out the cloth and place it over my face and neck. This allows my pores to open up while I steam my skin for about 30 seconds. I now wipe the oil away being extra gentle around the eye area. I run the microfiber cleansing cloth under water again to repeat the steaming and wiping portion of this cleansing process one last time. If I need extra moisture I will add a few drops of the organic pumpkin seed oil to my hands and pat into my clean skin. Lately I haven’t felt the need to do this step at all.
I never thought that skin care could be this simple and inexpensive. A few times I tried cleansing my skin with some of my other favorite natural cleansers such as rhassoul clay and also oatmeal my skin responded poorly. I also tried misting my skin with rose water afterwards instead of using the oil as a moisturizer and my skin didn’t like that much either. For me keeping things as simple as possible has proven to be the best way. My skin has always been finicky so I’ve learned to just listen to it and stick to what works. I now have consistent results oil cleansing this way even when my hormones vary once a month.
When I’m out of my organic pumpkin seed oil I’m curious to try another natural carrier oils high in linoleic acid which is also a very stable carrier oils such as organic rosehip seed oil . I may just stick with organic pumpkin seed oil though. Just so you know I have also tried organic grape seed oil for this cleansing method as well with success which definitely doesn’t need refrigeration, yet love the results of organic pumpkin seed oil the best so far.
What has been your experience with oil cleansing? Also see the latest details of my extremely simple beauty regimen here!
Update… Organic Skin Care by Minimalist Beauty ~ i am AZUHA ~ Created With Oils High in Linoleic Acid
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Shara says
Thank you for your articles. Are these high linoleic oils suitable for dry skin, as well? I’m looking for something that truly hydrates without leaving my skin oily.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Shara,
Rosehip seed oil is wonderful for dry skin. You may like pumpkin seed oil as well. You can always order small amounts of these oils. I list all of the oils high in linoleic acid here. If you are 100% not acne prone at all you may not have any problems using oils high in oleic acid like coconut oil or olive oil. To find out exactly what your skin loves try one new thing at a time and pay attention to how your skin responds.
Best wishes!
Mariah says
Hey Dawn! I hope everything is well with you. Out of curiosity, how often do you use the same microfiber cloth? When do you know it’s time to clean the cloth? Also, where do you buy your cloths from? Are the ones from the $1 store any good? Thanks a lot.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Mariah,
I give all the details on the microfiber cloths in this article. Also I wash them each time I use them with soap and water by hand and replace them every other day with a fresh cloth.
Hope this helps!
Mademoiselle Natre says
Great post!
I often use a water-based cleanser after using a face oil or balm. I do find that it is diffcult to not have “oily” residue using solely the oil cleansing method (the water doesnt mix with oil..therefore..).
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Mademoiselle Natre,
I love using microfiber cleansing cloths along with oil cleansing because there is no oily residue. At the same time my skin never feels dry and is always soft and hydrated. This combo has been amazing for me which is why I’m sharing it. Let me know if you decide to try it out.
Enjoy your day!
Joshua says
Nice article, however one correction that should be made is your statement “Organic pumpkin seed oil has a pH of 4.64 which is perfect for skin”.
pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in an aqueous solution (water). Because there is no water in oil, there is no pH value.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Joshua,
I hear what you’re saying about oils not having a pH because pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in an aqueous solution, yet on the Mountain Rose Herbs website they do mention the pH for some of their oils. You can test the pH of any liquid with pH strips, and I’m not sure exactly how the pH of some oils are found and cited.
What I have also learned is that if the oil contains materials which when mixed with water supply hydrogen ions to the water phase, then these will register when the pH of the water phase is measured. I’ve been able to search the pH of coconut oil easily yet as for olive oil not so much. All carrier oils are definitely not all alike. I don’t know what about their unique chemical composition makes one oil have pH that is easy to find and others not at all. I’m seeing a lot of different info online. The research continues.
Thanks for your comment and hope you are enjoying your day!
Mariah says
Articles like this make me want to try the OCM again. But, every time I try it, my skin freaks out after a few days, even with different oil combinations. I’ve never tried pumpkin seed oil, but I may have to now.
Have you ever tried hemp seed oil or hazelnut oil? I’ve heard good things about both of those for the OCM. Also, have you quit using honey in your routine altogether? My skin is so happy with a honey wash; I couldn’t imagine ever switching from that.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Mariah,
If your skin is loving raw honey as a face wash stick to it. It is easy to change things up whenever we see or read something that is working for someone else, but when you find something that is working well for you trust it. I mentioned in this article how even spritzing my skin with rose hydrosol irritated my skin a little. I have no idea why since it’s so natural, but I have to listen to what is working for me. I’ll use what I have left of the rose hydrosol for my body or hair instead.
Have a beautiful day and trust what’s working for you!
Lauren says
Thanks for the info, might try oil cleansing again with pumpkin seed oil!
Just FYI, grapeseed oil doesn’t have a very long shelf life compared to other oils. If you use it it’s best to add some antioxidants. The blog Point of Interest is great for more info on specific oils.
Also, I know you mentioned this, but rosehip oil will aggravate acne. It’s best for mature or exceptionally dry skin.
One thing that annoyed me with oil cleansing is the amount of rags I used and threw in the laundry just for cleansing my face. I might try washing the cloths by hand and air drying them.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lauren,
The grapeseed oil from Mountain Rose Herbs has a shelf life of two years. All of the oils that oxidize quickly from Mountain Rose Herbs state that they need to be refrigerated or it is recommended to extend the shelf life. It is recommended to refrigerate pumpkin seed oil to extend the shelf life, but I store it in a cool dry place.
Based on the research I did about carrier oils and their linoleic acid versus oleic acid content, and how it relates to acne, rosehip seed oil is a carrier oil high in linoleic acid which is actually good for acne prone skin. You can read the article here. I hand wash the microfiber cloths after each wash with soap and water and then toss into the laundry bin after the second day of use. I then start with a fresh cloth the following day. It does help to hand wash the cloths after each use. It eliminates having 7-14 different cloths at the end of the week.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
Ruth says
Thanks for this article! I was wondering, do you eventually wash the towel in the laundry, and if so does oil get on the other clothes? I’m also curious; do you notice your sink getting clogged by oil or clay? I love using more natural products but they seem like they could cause other hassles.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ruth,
I hand wash the microfiber cloths with soap and water after each use then toss them in the laundry bin after two days of using each cloth. I have a new fresh cloth to use every other day. Hope that’s clear.
Usually it’s hair that clogs my sink or shower so I pay more attention to that now. I don’t do clay masks on my hair any more. It takes too much time to rinse out. When I use clays I use a very diluted watery mix. I don’t have problems either with the sink oil cleansing.
I’ve found that using natural ingredients for beauty are easy when you aren’t having to mix up a bunch of different ingredients to create one product repeatedly. I prefer finding one ingredient that can do all the work. Every once in awhile I enjoy creating something extra special, but not for every beauty product.
Best wishes!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
Tracy says
Hi Dawn, Thank you SO much for your blog. I cant tell you how much Ive enjoyed reading it. I found you recently, I think you had left a comment for The Daily Connoisseur maybe?? Anyway, however I found you, I am so thankful. I had been using Clarins products for Years, along with lots of others and last year discovered Caudalie. I loved their products but the pricing was ridiculous. I got to thinking that if all the products I love are plant based, then why the heck was I spending so much money when surely I could get the essential oils myself. That was when I was blessed with discovering your site. I love your articles, you really investigate the different oils and have helped me so much. I began with the oil cleansing method, and if you hadnt explained wiping it off with a washcloth I would probably still be an oily mess 🙂 but that did the trick and when I tried my old cleanser again, I couldnt believe how it made my skin glow. Now Im using oils as my moisturizer too and cant believe how my skin just glows. Thank you for all the great info and PLEASE keep it up. Im also trying a more minimalist lifestyle and you are so inspiring. Thank You!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tracy,
I’m so happy that this was helpful for you! Microfiber cloths definitely changed my experience with oil cleansing. I’m glad you are enjoying the site too! Have an amazing day!
trina says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
I’m new to your site and have been enjoying reading all of your articles. While I have dry skin and am not prone to acne I do have a problem with hyperpigmentation due to shaving my chin. I now wax and have noticed that this has at least not added to the problem. However, I was wondering if, you had any suggestions about supporting and enhancing the healing process and also any thoughts on other hair removal methods that might be more gentle to the skin. When I’ve healed from the hyperpigmentation I am thinking about laser treatment.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Trina,
Here is an article with 10 different natural remedies for hyperpigmentation. I also wrote this article all about healing hyperpigmentation and acne although you already said you were not acne prone. Maybe there is something in that article that may help though too. I personally prefer sugar wax versus hot wax treatments. I think it is more gentle.
Hope this helps and best wishes!
E says
I’ve used the oil cleansing method for about a month now. I love it. I did not break out at all and I have acne prone skin. I also had dry skin this winter and once I started using the oil, the dry spots went away and it even softened the little lines under my eyes. Score!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi E, Oil cleansing is amazing is so simple! Glad you are having success with it too <3
Sylvie says
I have recently switched to oil cleansing with a microfiber cloth, pumpkin seed oil and grape seed oil after reading your blog. It feels heavenly and I love it! However I still get big zits and I have hundreds of blackheads that won’t go away. I have tried many things before, but nothing seems to help. Do you have any suggestions?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sylvie,
Have you only tried topical solutions? I do my best to always address beauty and skin care from a multifaceted approach. Our skin is our largest organ and also shares what is going on inside our body. I wrote more on this approach in this article. If you are getting a lot of acne around the jaw line or chin it is usually considered hormonal acne. Hormonal imbalances can be tested by a physician. I hope this helps some. Please keep me posted!
Maria says
Hi Dawn Michelle!! I get so excited every time I see a new article on the blog!! I’m curious about trying this method, but I have not seen microfiber cloths in stores… Where do you buy them? Also, what should the fabric tag say to make sure it’s the right one? (and not some polyester or “plasticky” thing). Thank you so much for your advice!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Maria,
I wrote the specifics on where I purchased my microfiber cloths here. The ones I love are actually 100% polyester. They are sadly not organic cotton cloths, but they work like no other. Have a great weekend!
ScentualSoundtracks says
I will have to try pumpkin seed oil next for OCM. I hear you on sticking to what’s working. As a tip, you could re-purpose the rose hydrosol as a body mist by adding some EOs of your choice, and the rhassoul and oats would make a nice facial masque from time to time. Have a good weekend and thanks for the skin care update!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi ScentualSoundtracks,
I’m having to re-purpose a bunch of the natural ingredients that I have, yet I am sticking to this simple skin care regimen regardless. It’s taken me a LONG time to create a regimen that wasn’t complicated, had consistent results, and didn’t irritate my skin in any way. Learning about oils high in linoleic acid versus oleic acid was the biggest breakthrough for me and caring for my skin. Thanks for the ideas too!
Emmelien says
Oh, this is very helpful! I’m very interested in the OCM, it sounds wonderful. I’ve tried it before, using coconut oil, but that dried out my skin a LOT. I now use honey to wash my face, which is very hydrating. Do you think I can use any of the oils you recommend? My skin is acne-prone but I’m scared these oils will dry out my skin…
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Emmelien,
I have not found oils high in linoleic acid drying to my skin, yet only you truly know your skin. I never oil cleansed with coconut oil so I can’t compare my experience with that oil in particular. If you feel inclined to try it after a few more days definitely give it a try especially if cleansing with raw honey isn’t working as well as you like. If it is stick to it. No need to change what is working for you. If you need more skin hydration, I personally LOVE herbal facial steaming. I wrote about it today!
Best wishes!
sel says
I started using evening primrose oil to oil cleanse with a month ago, my skin has never been clearer.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sel, This is amazing news! Thanks so much for sharing!
Lily says
Thank you for the always fantastic posts on skin care. Is any particular body wash method you use? I use homemade soap composed of sodium hydroxide, activated charcoal, olive, and coconut oil, and am wondering if this is too harsh on skin.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lily,
I surprisingly stopped using even natural vegetable based soaps as a body wash and have noticed an incredible improvement in my skin overall. I plan to get more into details with body care as part of the chemical free skin care series I started at the end of last year. I plan to complete that series in the next week or two. Stay tuned for those new articles!
Kausar says
Hi Dawn,
Very informative article.I use microfiber cloth daily twice a day with OCM.I have been using only one cloth for last 20 days.I wash my cloth with soap and water after using it in morning and it dries completely till I use it at night,then I wash it again at night and it dries till the morning and I use it to cleanse my face.This is what I m doing for last 20 days.Washing and using only one cloth,no need to put in laundry.Do you think I m doing it right or do I need to use new cloth every other day as you said in this article.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kausar, Washing your cloth after each use with soap and water is very important so it’s great that you are doing that. If you can purchase a few new cloths and clean them in the laundry after 1-2 days of using, I think it’s even better. Best wishes!
Hina says
Hi Dawn,
Do you know about Thanaka powder.Recently I was searching for facial hair removal and acne cure and I found that Burmese women use thanaka for healing acne,blemishes,freckels,sunscreen,anti aging,make up base or liquid foundation.It also serves as a permanent hair removal when used with safflower oil.I m not sure if this stuff really works.Have you heard anything about this.
Thanks.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Hina,
I’ve not heard of thanaka powder until you mentioned it. I will do some research myself as it sounds really interesting. I have heard of turmeric powder used in India to slow down the growth of body hair though. Turmeric brightens skin and hyperpigmentation too. Thanks for sharing this information and let me know your experience with thanaka powder if you do try it. Have a beautiful weekend!
TRINA says
Hi, Just tried the microfiber cloths. They are amazing! I bought some and am now using them as my go to all over body cloths. I discover and learn so much from your site so gladd I found you. :))
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Trina,
This is so good to hear! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Allyson says
Hi, I love the way my skin feels after using the Pumpkin Seed Oil — thank you! I’m wondering if you have anything you use for organic sun protection for your face?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Allyson,
My DIY foundation is created from a sunscreen base. I share how I make it here. It’s good to here that this cleansing regimen is working for you too!
Cherie Babe says
Hi Dawn!
Am new to your site and totally loving the info! How often do you use the OCM?
Cheers!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Cherie Babe,
I cleanse twice a day! Welcome to the site too!
Taylor says
Hey! I was wondering where you can buy the microfiber cleansing cloth 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Taylor,
I purchased my current set from Marshalls in the home section, but I also found a set at Target and have seen them in dollar stores. I wrote more about microfiber cloths here. <3
blah blah says
I put oil on in the shower while wet, and then dry off. The oil gets on the towels. I ruined a set of towels this way by washing them with normal detergent then drying them. The dryer cooked the oil to make it rancid smelling, and set the oil into the towels so it never came out. Plus, the towels were horrible at wicking up water after that.
I learned the hard way that if you’re going to wash oily towels, about 1/2 cup pine sol goes a long way. Massage therapists have to wash oily towels all the time, and they suggest orange oil, but I figured out pine sol is way cheaper and just as effective. You can buy orange oil in a large bottle at like Home Depot or such if you really want to try it (it’s good for taking sticky residue off things when you peel a label off… used it to strip the gunk off some decals I took off my motorcycle). But, pine sol is still effective and way cheaper. Can make your clothes smell like a hamster cage, though (which is why I explain where to get the orange oil).
Side note, I found the best scrubbing cloth for face / body has been … that foam you get in boxes that computer parts come in. I bought a little wifi card for my comp, and the gray foam was sort of soft but a tad scratchy. Thought it might be interesting to use it to wash with. Tried it, and it worked realy well. Wasn’t too abrasive (like some loofahs), wasn’t overly soft (like other loofahs).
Dawn Michelle says
Hi blah blah,
I’d definitely suggest microfiber cloths over most exfoliating cloths because they are gentle and extremely effective for removing dirt, makeup, oils etc. They are also very inexpensive since you can find them at the dollar store. A great solution for cleaning your microfiber cloths is to wash them with soap and water after each use and to add baking soda to your washing machine with a natural detergent to help clean them further. Using biodegradable and natural cleansers are really healthy for your skin and the environment.
Have a great day!
Calissa Johnson says
Dawn Michelle,
I just recently found your website (two days ago), and I want to say how much I’ve enjoyed it and learned so far! I really want to ditch all of my products that have harsh chemicals and start fresh! Your posts have been very helpful.
Thank you for the awesome posts! Can’t wait to read more.
Calissa
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Calissa,
Welcome! I’m glad that you are enjoying Minimalist Beauty and I hope that the information here will make that switch to natural products so much easier for you. Many think it is more expensive to use organic and natural products, yet many simple ingredients do the job even better than store bought products and are even less expensive overall.
Best wishes with everything!
Tobi says
Hi Dawn,
are you still using using honey to wash your face or just oils?
thanks
Tobi
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tobi,
This article is my updated and simple skin care regimen exactly along with my weekly steaming sessions which I explain here. Have a beautiful day!
Saba says
Hi Dawn,
Can I splash cold water after OCM to close my pores as steaming with cloth open up the pores.
I M currently using pumpkin seed oil (epicurean organics from mountain rose herbs), but I don’t like the smell of the oil .Can you suggest me something that reduces the smell.Does adding few drops of lavender essential oil helps with the smell (I have severe acne with extremely dry skin).
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Saba,
I like to apply a bit of oil after cleansing to damp skin. It seals in more moisture into my skin. Herbal steaming also really helps with adding moisture to the skin. Lavender essential oil may work very well in addition to pumpkin seed oil although I haven’t tried that combination myself. Frankincense essential oil may also be a nice scent as well as being healing to skin too.
Best wishes!
Bonnie I want says
Hi there! I absolutely love your blog! I’ve been interested in natural skin and haircare for quite a while, I”m just now actually getting proactive about it. I wanted to ask you two questions:
First off, have you ever tried rice bran oil for skincare? I tried it for a couple months before I got pregnant and loved it. I wanted to try it again, and was wondering if you might have any information on it. Secondly, I see you make your own mineral makeup. I wanted to know if you would write or an article or shoot me an email detailing how you do it. I would love to be able to make my own products. Thanks so much! And please keep blogging and keeping us informed!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Bonnie I Want,
I haven’t tried rice bran oil before for skin or hair. There are so many wonderful carrier oils. As for how I make my DIY foundation I have the exact recipe here. You will have to experiment to create the exact color for your complexion yet it is a lot of fun. Glad you are enjoying the blog and best wishes!
Aidan says
Is it possible to cleanse with clay daily or is it too abrasive/harsh? I was considering pre-cleansing with high linoleic hemp oil then following with a clay cleanse to remove any excess oils. Would this work? I am worried about breakouts due to the OCM but I am not sure if clay cleansing alone will remove zinc sunscreen… 🙁
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Aidan,
Clay cleansing will remove zinc based sunscreen. Since you are interested in using clay as a cleanser, I have found that rhassoul clay is pretty awesome. Using clays daily depending on your skin type can be drying over time so I suggest mixing clay with raw honey and using only once a day in the evening. I wrote this article about natural facial cleansers that may give you a few more ideas.
Best wishes and keep me posted on your progress!
Calissa Johnson says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
I started oil cleansing by using some organic coconut oil from Puritans Pride. I have dry but acne prone skin. I followed your method and have been doing it at night and then putting a dab on my skin afterwards sort of as a moisturizer. Do you have any recommendations on something that won’t dry out my skin? Should I use a moisturizer afterwards instead of the oil? I actually began having dry skin and more breakouts.
Any help is appreciated! Thanks.
Calissa
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Calissa Johnson,
Coconut oil is high in oleic acid which is most likely why you are experiencing breakouts. You can read all about why using oils high in linoleic acid is important for those who are acne prone in this article. If you are experiencing dry skin drinking lots of water and herbal facial steaming may help with that as well. If you enjoy oil cleansing switch to an oil high in linoleic acid (these oils are listed in the first article linked above) and after cleansing apply the same oil to damp skin to seal in moisture.
Best wishes and let me know how this works for you!
Tobi says
Hi Dawn,
I’ve been using watermelon seed oil (~90%) with a bit of Polysorbate (10%).
Although I’ve had no breakouts and my face does look and feel better, I’m paranoid that I’m not washing away all the oils with the emulsifier.
I apply the cleansing oil with dry hands onto a dry face and massage in for a min or so. When I use water on my face, it turns milky white. I can still “feel” a tiny bit of the oil on my skin- I guess that I’m so used to the squeaky clean skin that african black soap left me. Just after rinsing, I put some oil on a cotton pad to check if there was any of the “dirty oil” still on my face and the pad was a bit brown. Is this normal? Am I not using enough Polysorbate? I the watermelon oil I’m using not right for my skin type? (Severely Dehydrated acne prone skin courtesy of black soap)
Thanks
Tobi
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tobi,
Polysorbate is a lab created ingredient and I always stick to the purest natural ingredients that I can find. Because I don’t use those types of ingredients I honestly can’t give much advice about them. If you want to stick with oil cleansing you can try using a soft cotton washcloth instead of a microfiber cloth. I personally feel that gently wiping off the cleansing oil is an important step to oil cleansing.
You can even try using a different natural facial cleanser like the ones discussed in this article instead and use a high linoleic oil as a moisturizer. For adding moisture to dehydrated skin, I’ve found herbal facial steaming to be incredible. Keep me posted on your progress.
Best wishes!
Tobi says
Sorry just to add to the above – I started adding Polysorbate, the emulsifier, because my skin can’t handle the whole microfiber washcloth process – I find it too hassling and wanted a cleansing oil that I could easily wash off. I’ve only being using my cleansing oil for 3 days so I’ll update everyone in a week or so. Is it normal to have a slightly oily residue after rinsing the oil-Polysorbate blend away?
Once again, thank you for all your patience. I apologise for any spelling/grammatical mistakes, I’ve written all this out on my phone and it’s misbehaving today!
Thanks
Tobi
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tobi,
Yes please keep us posted on your progress and check out the ideas I shared in the other reply as well.
Have a beautiful day!
Rovena says
Hi Dawn,
Reading your articles are a revelation. I want to try oil cleansing, but I have acne and a sensitive combination type skin. Is organic apricot oil a good idea? As its not easy to get pumpkin seed oil and the like where I live. Any experience or thoughts on apricot oil?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Rovena,
Apricot kernel oil is an oil high in oleic acid so not good for acne prone skin. You can see a list of oils high in oleic acid and high in linoleic acid in this article. Grape seed oil is high in linoleic acid and somewhat easy to find so may be a good option. Hope this is helpful!
Lindsey H says
Hi Dawn! I have started oil cleansing with grapeseed oil due to having acne prone skin!! I’m about a week n half into it and my face is a mess.. Is this the detoxing phase ? Or maybe this method doesn’t work for me? Any suggestions would be great . Thank you . Lindsey
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lindsey H,
There are so many factors that need to be considered for taking care of your skin. Yes it is possible that your skin is detoxing. I wrote about all of the other factors for understanding your skin in this article and also more on caring for your skin from a multifaceted approach in this article. What we use topically on our skin does have a lot to do with keeping our skin clear yet there is also more to look at such as diet, exercise, emotions, etc which I discuss in both articles linked above.
You also want to look to see what types of oils are used in your makeup and hair care products. Using products that have oils high in linoleic acid for all of your beauty care if possible really makes a difference as well. If you are an avid makeup wearer and haven’t switched to a more natural brand you may want to look into mineral makeup which usually doesn’t contain oils. It is also important to keep your makeup brushes clean too. I hope that this is helpful to you and please keep me posted on your progress.
Dian Gilpin says
Hi Dawn,
I recently discovered your blog. I really like the informative information you put on here. Thank you. I tried cleansing my face with organic raw honey, followed by aloe vera juice and lavender oil/tea tree oil combo, (even though your recipe called for lavender only) I had lavender/tea tree mix. then I moisturized with grapeseed oil.
Dawn I don’t know what happened but my face began to burn and turn red. ok, my guess is that it was the tea tree, however I’m not sure because one site I read said Raw Honey can give you a reaction like that too. What do you think? Also what do you suggest to do next, since I’m not sure what caused reaction. Thank you.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dian Gilipin,
When trying new products or ingredients for skin and hair care I feel it is best to only try one new product/ingredient at a time so you can be sure what is working and what is not. When mixing aloe vera with essential oils it is so much different than mixing carrier oils with essential oils. The same amount in ounces of aloe vera with the same drops of essential oils will come across much more potent than the same amount of a carrier oil with the same drops of essential oils. Also tea tree oil is a very potent essential oil. Lavender essential oil is much gentler on the skin. I would omit the essential oils for now and test each ingredient alone to see what is irritating your skin. Hope this helps and keep me posted!
J mckay says
Hello Dawn. I love your blog! Thank you for putting such an excellent site together. Do you have any reccomend actions for rosacea acne dry flakey skin? Do you think I should try pumpkin oil? I don’t understand my skin type. Thank you.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi J McKay,
Thanks so much! I think that pumpkin seed oil would be great. Another option is rosehip seed oil. I have combination skin and have recently been testing out rosehip seed oil and LOVE it. Another thing that has really helped me hydrate my skin is herbal facial steaming. Let me know if you try it out.
Best wishes!
Hinnu says
Hi Dawn,
Does OCM clears skin with severe pus filled pimples.I have been cleansing my face with gentle cleansing grains which I get from an Ayurvedic store.
It is good,it doesn’t aggravate my acne condition but is also doesn’t heal my skin.Recently I read your article and thought of giving it a try,but I m scared whether it will help heal my acne or make it worse.I have big pimples with pus oozing out of it(sorry to say it like this but this is what happens to me).Will it make it worse at the beginning and then heal it as I continue doing it regularly.
Can you tell me how many days will OCM take to see the healing process and how much time does it take to completely heal.
Can I use rosehipseed oil for OCM and Can I do it twice a day(after waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night)
I heard that rosehip seed oil is sensitive to suns rays and if applied during day as a moisturizer it will cause sun spots ,freckles and hyper pigmentation.
Can I apply it in during day time as a moisturizer and go out in the sun.
Usually I travel to India where it is very hot and temperature fluctuates all the time.Does rosehipseed oil go bad if I keep it at room temperature in India.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Hinnu,
Yes I do think oil cleansing with oils high in linoleic acid and moisturizing with these same oils are helpful to healing acne especially after finding some scientific research about these types of oils. I share the research and info in this article. Once I learned about this I stopped using all skin and hair care that contain oils high in oleic acid.
Grapeseed oil does not need refrigeration as it is a high temperature cooking oil. And yes you can oil cleanse twice a day. Another option is to oil cleanse at night and rinse with water and moisturize in the morning once your skin continues to improve. Also know that healing acne is not only a topical solution. It is a whole body healing project in my opinion. You can read more about that here and here.
Best wishes always!
S says
Hi Dawn,
I have severe dry skin with severe acne.
Can we mix vitamin e oil to pumkin seed oil (for moisturizing purpose) in the OCM mix.
Does vitamin e oil clog pores.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi S,
I wouldn’t suggest adding vitamin E oil to your oil cleansing mix when healing acne. I am still trying to find information about the complete chemical composition of vitamin e oil and I haven’t found what I was looking for just yet. I am clear about the oleic and linoleic acid content in the carrier oils listed in this article though. Also you may benefit from herbal facial steaming to hydrate and moisturize your skin. It has been extremely helpful for my combination skin. Please keep in mind that healing acne in a whole body affair and not just a topical solution. I wrote about that here and here.
Best wishes!
Giddi says
Hi Dawn,
I would like to know does oil cleansing method on acne first make it worse before clearing it?
Does OCM causes more pimples or breakouts at the beginning and then settles everything down later on?
If it does this then it means it is pulling out all of the junk out of the skin,which makes sense.As all the trapped sebum ,bacteria,oils has to come out it cannot go back inside our body.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Giddi,
Everyone most likely has a different experience with oil cleansing. Also oil cleansing with carrier oils that are not high in linoleic acid will break you out if you are acne prone. My first experience with oil cleansing was with olive and castor oil. It was a gentle cleansing experience at first, yet broke me out because olive oil is high in oleic acid not linoleic acid. You can see all the details about these types of oils here.
Also healing acne is a full body affair. The body eliminates toxins by any means necessary and if other body systems are not able to eliminate properly the toxins are eliminated through the skin. You can read more about understanding your skin here and the multifaceted system to clear skin here.
Best wishes!
Saba says
Hi Dawn,
Can I use rosehipseed oil with lavender or tea tree essential oil as a oil cleansing mixture.
Do I need to store them in a fridge.
Can I apply same mixture as moisturizer during day and go out in the sun for sometime(dropping my daughter to school or going for groceries). I hate applying sunscreens if I m just going out for 2 hours or so.
I apply mineral makeup with sunscreen if I m going to be in the sun for longer times.
I heard that rosehip seed oil is sensitive to suns rays and it will do the opposite ,cause pigmentation and freckles.Is it TRUE.
I thought of asking you as you have a very good knowledge in this regard.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Saba,
Mixing any high linoleic acid with an essential oil would be great for oil cleansing and moisturizing. I prefer lavender oil over tea tree essential oil because it is more gentle on the skin. Also I honestly have never heard anything about rosehip seed oil causing hyperpigmentation/freckles because it is said to actually help regenerate the skin.
If you are concerned about the need to protect your skin definitely add a bit of mineral makeup to your daily regimen. Even a sheer layer is better than nothing especially if you have sun sensitive or fair skin. Listen to your intuition in this regards as we are all different and unique. Hope this helps!
Kelsey says
Hi Michelle,
I want to start the oil cleansing method but am not still nervous on choosing the right oil for my skin. Currently my skin is pretty dry around my nose and lips and I have a couple pimples that are healing up with redness left behind. I also have blackheads on my nose which seem to never go away no matter what. I’m nervous to choose an oil thats better for oily or dry skin alone because I feel we if my skin is very dry in certain areas but normal in others…. And I still need an oil that will help these stubborn blackheads and random pimples/red spots. Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated! It seems as if you really have done research on this and I would love to hear what you think.
Thank you!
Kelsey
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kelsey,
Many times our skin can become dehydrated just by using harsh facial cleansers or even ones that strip too much of our natural sebum from our skin. Also not using pH balanced beauty products throws our skin out of balance.
Here are some additional simple and pH balanced facial cleansers to look into if oil cleansing is still not appealing to you. Otherwise I would definitely suggest using any high linoleic oil for oil cleansing even if you only experience minor breakouts. Rosehip seed oil is high in linoleic acid yet also wonderful for dry and irritated skin as well. I’m experimenting with it myself now and do enjoy it. There are many more oils that are high in linoleic acid that you can look more into here. Herbal facial steaming is incredible at hydrating dry skin too.
Use your intuition on creating your own customized skin care regimen to suit your skin’s needs the best. It may take some trial and error, yet you will learn more about your skin in the meantime. Try only one new product/ingredient at a time so that you are clear with what is working and what is not. You can even keep a journal of notes if that helps.
Best wishes!
Best wishes!
Kelsey says
Hi Dawn,
I have been very curious about the oil cleansing method because I’ve heard such good things and nothing seems to keep my face from being dry and acne/blackhead free. I don’t have severe acne, but i do get spots here and there, usually 1/2 at a time. I have dry skin around my nose and mouth, but my skin is normal elsewhere. i need to find a oil that can help with the blackheads and random pimples without drying my skin anymore! Would you be able to recommend a solution, possibly? I was thinking about grape seed/ castor/ and hemp mixed together but that might be too drying?
Any help but be so appreciated!!!
Kelsey
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kelsey,
If this is this is the combination of oils that you are interested in trying, I would suggest using each oil individually first so that you are clear with which oil is beneficial for your skin before just mixing them and being unsure. Castor oil is much thicker than the other two and if your skin is really dry I would wait a bit before trying that oil for now. I have cleansed with castor oil alone, and it is a much more cleansing oil than grapeseed oil or hemp oil.
Hope this helps!
chantelle says
Hello,
I came across your website and it is so helpful. I have combination skin, oil t-zone and dry cheeks. I have been washing with Berts Bee’s cleanser in the morning and using jojoba oil as a moisturizer. I have noticed my acne has cleared up a bit, however I still have issues with blackheads and hyper-pigmentation. I have tried switching to raw honey cleansing and I am thinking of using grape seed oil or rose hip seed oil as a moisturizer. I am pretty close to a whole foods, have you tired the NOW brand? or are there any brands for oils you would recommend?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Chantelle,
I have tried NOW brand products before and they seem fine. I hope that you find what you are looking for and I wish you the very best of everything. Keep up posted on your progress!
Sari says
Hi Dawn! thank you for blogging all these. Im from the Philippines and i dont know if Mountain rose could send me products here. Anyways, could i just use soybean oil that i bought from grocery? btw, the % of omega-6 was written on its back, downside is its mainly use for cooking,
*.*thanks, i really learned a lot from you, godbless u more..;)
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sari,
Yes use soybean oil since it is high in linoleic acid and you can easily get your hands on it. In general if you can find organic soybean oil that’s even better. The pumpkin seed oil from Mountain Rose Herbs is also considered a culinary oil but it really doesn’t matter. You just want to use a high quality 100% pure carrier oil. Best wishes with everything!
wk says
Hi Dawn, thanks for the article. I had a similar olive oil experience some years back, then recently began to use grapeseed oil mixed with castor oil. My skin was th e smoothest it had been in a while!! Then I began to break out in places I had formerly not had issues with acne. I think i have oilier skin in the T zone and had never had acne on my jaw/cheeks outside of this. I’m not sure if this means I should try a combination of high oleic and high linoleic oils and hope it balances out or what…- What do you think?
I was also using aloe vera (straight from the plant) as moisturiser afterward and am not sure if daily use was too much…
Dawn Michelle says
Hi wk,
Usually acne along the jawline and lower cheeks is hormonal acne. I know that an article on hormonal acne is definitely due but for now also understanding the other aspects of why we break out is helpful. I wrote this article to give all of my readers a better view on maintaining clear skin so that they know it is not just a topical issue or solution. I hope that article will give you another perspective as your skin heals.
Using a microfiber cloth has really upgraded my oil cleansing regimen because it ensures that I remove all of the cleansing oil. Please also keep in mind the ingredients in the makeup and hair care that you use can also affect your skin. I hope this helps some and let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions that come up.
Best wishes!
Sari says
Hi Dawn, thanks for the respnse. I noticed at the packaging it was an RBD oil. That kinda freakd me out a bit. No worries, i could still use it for cooking..thank goodness!
~Will be looking for a pure one next time..:)
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sari,
A refined, bleached, and deodorized oil probably isn’t the best for cooking either. It is really good that you noticed. Best wishes!
H says
Hi Dawn,
I have dry skin with severe acne.
Which oil will be best for oil cleansing for my skin type.
Can I use camelina oil or hazelnut oil.
Can you please suggest an oil mixture with essential oil for my skin.
I tried pumkin seed oil for 2 months but it dint help with healing my acne at all (it did not made my acne bad though).Just that I did not notice any difference on my acne.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi H,
If your skin is very dry you may want to incorporate herbal facial steaming to hydrate your skin. Steaming is incredible and also a luxurious at home treatment. Also rosehip seed oil is amazing for acne prone skin as well as dry/combination skin. If you are curious about other oils to include in your mix include other oils high in linoleic acid. In this article I share how to create your own oil serum and I hope that it will give you more ideas on how to mix carrier and essential oils. Definitely use your intuition on what oils to try, yet stick to high linoleic acid oils. If you haven’t worked with essential oils before try lavender essential oil as I find it very gentle on skin as well as having healing properties.
Please know that healing acne is not only a topical solution. In this article I wrote about looking at maintaining a clear complexion from a multifaceted system, and in this article I discuss other variables which affect the appearance of your skin and understanding your skin from a much deeper level.
Hope this helps and best wishes!
Keren says
Hi dawn! I just started the oil cleansing method with castor oil and raw honey mix. I have broken out pretty bad , more than usual since I havent had clear skin since h.s anyway,but I was thinking about giving this method a couple of weeks to see if its helping at all or is the ocm suppose to work right away and not break me out anymore than what I already!? Thanks!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Keren,
Castor oil is considered a purging oil which could be what has caused the intense break out. I’ve never tried mixing oil with raw honey as a cleanser so have no personal experience with that cleansing mix. What are you using as a moisturizer?
Also feel free to try isolating the raw honey as a cleanser or even a gentler oil such as grapeseed or pumpkin seed oil for oil cleansing to see how that works for you. Sometimes it is challenging to know what is working and what is not when we create combinations without trying the ingredient individually. Castor oil is higher in linoleic acid than oleic acid yet there are carrier oils with a much higher percentage of linoleic acid which may prove more effective for healing acne. You can see a list of those oils here.
Best wishes!
H says
I have used pumkin seed oil with lavender essential oil,but that didn’t help with healing acne at all.What could be the reason.I came to know that oil needs to be astringent to clean the skin of dirt and oil.Does pumkin seed oil has astringent properties.Which oil higher in linoleic acid has astringent and cleansing properties.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi H,
From what I have learned is that oils high in linoleic acid keep the skin’s sebum soft while oils high in oleic acid harden the sebum which then clogs the pores. It is also possible that your skin may prefer a different high linoleic acid oil. There are a bunch to choose from so use your intuition on which one you may want to also try. More info on these oils here.
Using a microfiber cloth while oil cleansing is what really changed the game for me because it removes all of the cleansing oil and dirt while also gently exfoliating the skin. Another thing is that healing acne is not only a topical solution. Acne is a symptom of toxins trying to be eliminated from within the body. I honestly believe that in order to heal skin ailments you need to look even deeper. I wrote about it here and here. I hope that this info helps.
Saba says
Hi Dawn,
Can I keep my rose hip seed oil and lavender essential oil mix in the bathroom cabinet or do I need to keep it in the refrigerator.
Can I do oil cleansing in a shower? Can you tell me when to apply oil in the shower as the face would be wet with water (water repels oil).
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Saba,
Rosehip seed oil is one of those oils that is recommended to be refrigerated because it is a more fragile oil especially if you live in a warm climate and definitely in the summer. If you purchase a large bottle of rosehip seed oil, store the big bottle in the fridge and keep a 1-2 oz bottle in the bathroom if you choose. As for oil cleansing in the shower I’m sure that you can if you prefer. I just share how I oil cleanse in this article with great results. This is just what works best for me.
Hope this helps <3
Karin says
Hi Dawn,
Forgive me if you already covered this, but what essential oil, if any do you use with the pumpkin seed carrier oil for your face? Do you need to add an essential oil or can you just use straight pumpkin seed oil? Also, I just bought hemp seed oil. But when I did some more “research” online, I noticed people commenting A LOT on the smell (earthy, marajuana-y, etc. I’m just reluctant about opening a pricey bottle of oil if I’m going to smell like I just smoked something illegal. 🙂 What are your thoughts on hemp seed oil?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Karin,
I really enjoy lavender essential oil yet you do not have to add essential oils to high linoleic oils for good results. Also hemp oil has a nutty smell and doesn’t smell like marijuana at all. Hemp oil is wonderful for hair and skin and also for health. Best wishes!