I’ve been getting so many questions about skin care. I also receive tons of comments and questions on my article about oils for acne prone skin. I read comment after comment about something working for a reader for only a short period of time, sometimes readers trying too many different things, or someone being in complete turmoil not having an idea on where to start with clearing their skin.
I honestly can only share what I’ve learned from my own personal experience. I will also admit to being frustrated at times as I feel others think that there is a magic topical solution that will clear all skin issues. Well there isn’t one magic product. Today I wanted to share the full picture and exactly what I do to keep my skin clear, and how I got it clear in the first place. It really is a multifaceted system!
My Skin History
First let me give you a background on my skin then go from there. I have never had severe cystic acne, yet I have had hormonal acne cysts (which this supplement really helped) maybe two or three at a time along with other smaller breakouts. They would come and go. I would have clear skin for a short period of time then would break out all over again. What came along with this cycle was acne induced hyperpigmentation. So as one scar was finally healing, I’d have another breakout and the cycle would begin again.
Someone asked me this week how I cleared my acne scars. It was just then that it occured to me that I was no longer spot concealing marks with makeup. I had finally eliminated the cycle of breakouts and scars. Once this vicious cycle of breakouts ended, my scars slowly faded over time using my simple skin care regimen which I describe below, and after I stopped focusing on the scars. My skin is by no means perfect at all, yet I have learned a lot about my skin, and will share what that is.
I realized I was no longer stressing about my skin. I used to be very obsessed with how my skin looked, and I would spend time in the mirror actually picking at my face. It was then that I decided that I really needed to step away from all of my skin care madness, organic and DIY skin care included, and for the entire weekend I stopped my skin care regimen completely, and didn’t wear any makeup. I washed my face with water only.
Psychologically this was a much needed break from my obsessing, and physically my skin actually started looking better. It was at this moment that I realized that our skin has the ability to heal and balance itself. I was doing way too much to my skin in the first place. Being healthy and whole is our bodies default setting, yet we create a lot of stress and anxiety on ourselves, and also don’t always use the tools that we could to soothe ourselves from the stress we experience in daily life.
Expensive to Simple Organic Skin Care
Prior to beginning Minimalist Beauty in 2010, I was spending about $100 every month or month and a half on organic chemical-free skin care. I loved the products that I was using, yet my skin never really looked consistently good, and I was “randomly” breaking out. At least that is what I thought because I did not understand what my skin was trying to tell me. That was when I started using the oil cleansing method with olive oil and castor oil to find something a lot simpler and more affordable. As I mentioned in the article on carrier oils for acne prone skin, I had not yet learned how carrier oils differ, and that oils high in linoleic acid helped to soften our natural skin’s sebum and unclog our pores. Olive oil is high in oleic acid, and although a wonderful oil, not good for acne prone skin.
Next I followed up with cleansing my face daily with rhassoul clay which really helped to gently exfoliate my skin and rectify the damage that oil cleansing with an olive oil and castor oil mix had caused. In the end rhassoul clay was too drying for my skin to use daily, yet a great hair cleanser. So I then enjoyed cleansing with raw honey and learning more about other natural beauty remedies while sharing them here. I continued to have ups and downs with my skin.
Diet Plays A Major Role
During this time I was eating a vegetarian diet, yet I was also not necessarily a “healthy” vegetarian. At this time I was eating a lot of processed vegan foods (faux vegan meats, frozen veggie burgers, tofu, chips, health bars, etc.), sugar (evaporated sugar cane, honey, agave, coconut nectar/sugar, etc.), breads, and gluten. When I am talking about processed foods, I mean anything that is prepared and prepackaged that is not something like quinoa that needs to be cooked.
Finally I STOPPED EATING ALL PROCESSED FOODS! I cook almost all of my food from scratch, so I know exactly what is in it. I also only buy organic produce which is the best priced at farmer’s markets. When I eat out I avoid processed vegan meats and vegan cheeses, or other processed foods, and enjoy hearty salads, macrobiotic dishes, omelets, and other simple vegetarian foods. Every once and awhile I will treat myself, yet it is once in a blue moon. I have also eliminated sugar of all kinds (honey, coconut sugar, agave, evaporated cane sugar, brown sugar), and gluten from my diet. I don’t eat gluten-free breads much either. I also don’t drink alcohol or smoke for health reasons.
I eat a lot of alkaline and detoxifying foods throughout the week. This helps keep my digestive system clear and moving. When you have a sluggish digestive system, toxins get into your blood and you have breakouts. Eating easily digestable plant based foods help to sweep out the digestive system. I eat a lot of fiber and fruit. I also drink lots of water and herbal teas. Read a few tips on creating a healthy gut here.
Exercise To Detox The Body & Centering Activities
I’ve always been active all of my life mainly because I’ve been dancing all of my life. What started when I was seven became a career. I work out three to four times a week hard to the point I am dripping in sweat, and also do other things such as yoga and stretching on other days. Working out really helps the skin detox.
Lastly I try to do centering activities such as meditation and/or yoga daily. When my thoughts are clear and positive I don’t have skin eruptions from anger and stress. When I don’t do my meditation or yoga, I can definitely tell the difference. Your thoughts and emotions play a big role in the appearance of your skin.
My Skin Care Regimen
When I learned the theory on oils high in linoleic acid, and tested it for myself by eliminating all high oleic oils/butters from head to toe, I found that the scientific tests were correct. Oils higher in linoleic acid made a HUGE difference in my skin, and I only use these types of oils for my hair and body as well. When I have incorporated oils high in oleic acid back into my regimen just to see if it would make a difference, my skin has always had a break out.
In the morning I wash my face with water only and moisturize with an oil high in linoleic acid. I then apply my makeup. You can see the makeup that I use listed at the bottom of the page here. Using makeup with chemical ingredients or high oleic oils is a “no-go” in my opinion since I honestly desire clear skin.
At night I remove my makeup by oil cleansing with a soft microfiber cloth also using an oil high in linoleic acid. A microfiber cloth removes all dirt, oil, and makeup during the cleansing process. You can read in detail how I oil cleanse with a microfiber cloth here. I dampen my skin with water then moisturize with a high linoleic oil. I’ve recently added the 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream back into my regimen again after receiving a sample in my last 100% Pure order, and falling back in love with it.
The high linoleic oils that have worked best for my skin are pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, and rosehip seed oil. I have also tried grapeseed oil, yet I prefer the others I just mentioned. I find using organic unrefined oils to be the best. I honestly don’t like suggesting which high linoleic oils to use mainly because I really don’t know exactly what is going to work best for everyone. I usually reply to use your intution on choosing a high linoleic oil to try.
You may wonder if I ever get any blemishes now. In general no. I may get a slight blemish on a very rare occasion, yet nothing to the extent prior to using high linoleic oils. If I see something beginning to surface, I put a tiny bit of pure lavender essential oil on the blemish, and it is gone by morning. The blemish never ever comes to the surface. Using pure essential oils is never suggested, yet in this article I am sharing what has worked for me. I find that lavender essential oil is gentle on my skin.
Deep Cleansing Skin Treatment
At least once a week I do a deep cleansing skin treatment. This is possibly the step that keeps oil cleansing working so well for me. In general I do a weekly herbal facial steam which I give details about here. This opens my pores and provides a deep cleanse for my skin. If I don’t have the time, I will use just plain oats to do a gentle cleansing and exfoliation. I have also used rhassoul clay on rare occasions since I still have some, yet not too often.
What I am trying to explain in this article is that when you tell me what is going on with your skin and are looking for answers, in my head I am wondering about ALL OF THE OTHER FACTORS that have nothing to do with your skin care regimen. I’m wondering if you are going through a stressful time in your life, are you eating processed foods, do you drink enough water, do you eat lots of organic fruits and vegetables, how active are you, have you ever done a detox or cleanse, are you happy, what kind of makeup do you wear, etc. I also wonder are you using too many different products, drying out your skin with cosmetics geared towards acne, or being too rough on your skin, etc. There are SO MANY FACTORS that contribute to the appearance of our skin. What I have shared is what has worked so well for me with consistent results. It really is never just one thing.
Our skin is a huge reflection of what is going on inside of our bodies as well as our state of mind.
I hope this helps!
Update… Organic Skin Care by Minimalist Beauty ~ i am AZUHA ~ Created With Oils High in Linoleic Acid
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Daisha says
Thank you so much for this article! I always enjoy reading your posts and learning new things along the way. I recently began water washing only on my face & I can’t tell you the difference it has made. I keep getting compliments from people about how much younger my skin looks and how much brighter. I, myself have even noticed that the fine lines/wrinkles are less noticeable. I have been moisturizing (as needed) with coconut oil (not sure if it’s high in linoleic or not). I’ve noticed that I haven’t gotten those breakouts on my neck and along my jawline as well. I do use Thayers alcohol free Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera from time to time but not very often. My goal now is to still keep it simple but find something that works for getting rid of the hyperpigmentation now. When I first tried the oil cleansing method I think I started with Olive Oil & I got the most severe breakouts. (I’ve never had problem skin. I think the issues I’m facing now are hormonal). I ended up going to the doctor because that oil cleansing caused cystic acne & I needed a prescription to clear it up. After several months I decided to try it again but I don’t remember what oil I used, nevertheless, I had the same results. I didn’t want to go back to the doctor so I made a concoction of turmeric, aspirin, water & honey. I applied this to my face nightly until the acne cleared up. So, now I’m reading about the oils you use on your skin and I want to try them because obviously, like you I selected the wrong oils in the beginning but I am SO AFRAID of trying another oil. I want to clear up my acne scars & discoloration. Have the oils you’ve been using been a major factor in this regard?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Daisha,
Yes the high linoleic oils I mentioned made a huge difference in my skin. It takes time to find what works for you. I wish you the best and have a great weekend!
Marita says
You look gorgeous! I am a skin picker…bad I know. Sometimes it is so tempting. But It is getting better. My sisters are starting to use raw honey for cleansing and scrubs. I also have the eye cream…I have yet to use it though.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Marita,
Thank you so much! The 100% Pure eye cream is one of my all time favorites. If you have it definitely give it a try. It smells divine too!
sandy says
I found that the simpler the cleansing process the better. Over the last year, I’ve been only using an oil product for cleansing purposes. I accidentally discovered this works when I was looking for ways to remove eye makeup.
My process:
First,I steam my face with a warm/hot face cloth(this opens the pores) Next I apply the oil(sparingly)
Then:
I massage the oil gently
I remove it with a warm cloth.
I close the pores with cool water.
Most Oils will work:
I’ve tried plain Olive Oil and got similar results.
It gives my skin a natural glow and helps it to retain moisture.
If anyone is interested, the product is Aura Glow under manufactured by Heritage Sstores.
II agree with you Dawn. Skincare is personal and reflective of nutritional, mmedical and other physical factors.
For example, if I put my hands on my face, I usually get a pimple in that area of my face. So I had to learn to keep my hands off my face.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for sharing the skin care regimen that is working for you. Yes simple skin care is the best as well as keeping your hands off of your face. Have a great weekend!
madamedummy says
great article …
such a great help ..
thank you …
madamedummy says
ps -you are GAWJUS !
Dawn Michelle says
Thank you so much madamedummy! <3
keisha says
thank you so much for this article!
Dawn Michelle says
You are so welcome Keisha! I hope it helps <3
Taylor says
I have terrible acne and have for the past year. I mainly get acne under my nose, on my chin, and occasionally on my forehead. I haven’t been acne free in several months which never happens to me. I generally eat a very clean diet and exercise daily. I went on prescription antibiotics for a while and used a topical medicine but neither helped. So about two weeks ago I started the oil cleansing with grapeseed oil and taking a supplement from Innate Skin. I am still breaking out though and can’t decide if I should stick with the oil cleansing. Do you think it will eventually help my skin to clear up? I’m getting very self conscious!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Taylor,
Prescription antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in your body. You may want to look into taking a natural probiotic to rebalance the healthy good bacteria in your body. With oil cleansing try a microfiber cloth, and steaming as I mentioned in the article. Grapeseed oil is good yet I found pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, and rosehip seed oil to be better.
Best wishes!
Hazel says
Always good to remind people that acne is not just about what you put on your skin but all the other factors as well. A joy to read this article!
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks Hazel! I hope you are having a beautiful day <3 Talk soon!
Myesha says
Your journey toward health and beauty is inspiring and educational thank you;) I have tried various regimens too the article on oils for acne prone skin was what I needed. My face lives raw honey and pome grate masks, Greek yougurt with lemon for exfoliating and clay masks for detoxing. However the past two weeks I finally used authentic black soap from Ghana along with Shea butter and rosehip oil to moisturizer and my skin has never looked better so quickly. My skin is smooth my pores are looking smaller and I have a glow without makeup. I am so happy now I just want to eat healthier and workout to see even more results.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Myesha,
Thanks for sharing this! It’s great to find a regimen that works for you, and yes adding healthy foods and exercise will make you feel and look even better. Best wishes!
Jennifer says
I have recently re-discovered your blog, I used to visit it earlier in my natural hair journey and found you again since starting my water only washing journey. I used to do oil cleansing for my skin and have now started using Grapeseed oil as my linoleic oil since my skin is acne prone. I also used it as my oil rinse for my hair. thanks for all the great tips
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jennifer,
Welcome back! Please keep me posted on how this works out for. Have a beautiful day!
sarah says
hi there!
I have noticed that you now only use the oil cleansing method… is there a particular reason why you do not cleanse with raw honey anymore? p.s. thank you for creating this site. truly a blessing in a time of need!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sarah,
As I shared in the article I wasn’t getting my best results with my skin using rhassoul clay or raw honey although they both served their purpose on my simple 100% natural skin care journey. Oil cleansing with high linoleic oils specifically pumpkin seed, hemp seed, and rosehip seed has been the best thing that could have ever happened for me. My husband actually uses raw honey as his face wash every day and loves it. He has dry skin and my skin is combination. It’s just about finding what works best for you. Best wishes!
Taylor says
Is it possible that the oil cleansing just wont work for me? I have been doing it for a while now and I’m starting to get little pimples across my forehead. I am really tempted to stop the oil cleansing, but I really like the idea of natural skin care. I am doing your method with the microfiber cloth.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Taylor,
Please keep in mind that clearing your skin is much more than your skin care regimen alone. I’m not sure what oil that you are using but finding the right oil for you makes a big difference, yet oil cleansing may not be right for everyone. I’ve tried different high linoleic oils and although grapeseed oil doesn’t break me out, it also doesn’t help to keep my skin as soft and clear as pumpkin seed, hemp seed, and rosehip seed oil. All high linoleic oils are not the same since each one is very unique.
Also know that there are other natural DIY facial cleansers that you can try as well if you don’t like oil cleansing such as raw honey, rhassoul clay, or oats. There is also a list of natural cosmetic brands to check out here if you are interested. It takes time to find exactly what works for you.
Best wishes!
Brianna says
Hi Dawn,
I recently discovered your blog and I’m impressed with the information on here. I’ve been struggling with acne for yeas. I’ve tried using chemical products prescribed by my doctor but they’ve only worked half the time. I decided to abandon all the chemical products and start the natural skin care journey. I’ve started using grapeseed oil for my oil cleansing at night, as well as raw honey in the morning. As I read more of your blog I’m starting to get overwhelmed by all the information. How long did it take for you to see visible results once you began using natural products? Is there any other advice you can give me as far as skin care?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Brianna,
Welcome! There is a lot of information here so take your time reading through the site. The best advice for skin care in general is in the articles tagged under “Principles“. You’ll notice results with your skin within a few weeks to a few months depending upon where you are starting from by eating organic whole foods, simple chemical-free skin care, exercise, etc. Everyone will have a different experience as we are all unique and starting from different places. If you have any specific questions just let me know. Wishing you the very best!
Aliciante' says
This is great! i have combination skin and now somewhat acne prone due to coconut oil. It was working freaking great at first then everything went downhill and i keep going back to it because ugh i hope things would change. but now i just wash my face with oatmeal and i just simply need something to moisturize with so i will try pumpkin seed oil. hopefully this will get ride of my white heads and acne scars as well as some existing acne. i do still; take coconut capsules and apple cider vinegar supplements as well. hopefully taking coconut oil internally will show great results instead of me putting it on my face.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Aliciante’,
I cook with coconut oil and have also added it to my smoothies yet avoid it like crazy for skin care. I hope that you have better results using pumpkin seed oil. I’ve found it to be really amazing for my skin.
Best wishes!
Wash Away Acnew says
wow amazing post, thanks! It’s great that you cleared up your skin without using a load of expensive products!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Wash Away Acnew,
Thanks so much! I’m beginning to believe that products are one of the factors that contribute to skin issues. Less is more in so many different instances. Our skin has the amazing ability to heal itself. I think we halt the process by doing to much. Best wishes to you!
Jessica says
Did you ever try safflower oil? And do you use any moisturizer after oil cleansing?
Sharon V. Jackson says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
I have loved your site and articles for so very long. You have inspired me to go deeper into DIY natural skin care and it has been an amazing journey. Once I read a FaceBook post about Henna and that one question has changed my life. It led me to learning more about Henna and from there I found your page. You took me beyond henna for my hair to cleansing with oil and clay. I have completely stopped using ALL commercial products on my hair and skin. I use natural products to cleanse and moisturize my hair, face, and body. For my hair, I use soapnut and clay. For my face, I cleanse with pumpkin seed oil, rosehip seed oil, and neem powder. Once or maybe twice a week I do a deep cleanse with a mask made up of Rhassoul Clay and Fullers Earth Clay. I also use Tamanu oil to moisturize afterwards if I feel like I need to. After I shower I don’t dry off, I immediately apply tamanu oil to my body before going to bed. This isn’t recommended for married ladies out there because it smells like a nut, not flowers. LOL The benefit to using Tamanu oil for me is the fact that it is removing spots from my skin. It is making my skin tone even. It is also reducing the size and darkness of some old keloid scars. Nothing has ever been able to do this. I also make my own lotion from Shea Buter, Cocoa Butter, Mango Butter, and Kokum Butter. I melt them and mix with olive oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera gel. All of that has let me to think more about what I am putting inside my body, how I’m detoxing, and exercising. I now put 1/2tsp of calcium bentonite clay into one bottle of water and drink it in the mornings to detox my body from the inside. I do this 3 weeks straight with one week off. I HATED running all my life. Now I’m doing 30 minutes of intense cardio every day and walking/running in 5k’s. My skin looks wonderful with no acne breakouts anymore. I feel wonderful and on my way to better health. I now eat more dark green leafy veggies, nuts, seeds, beans, quinoa, tomatoes, potatoes, almond milk, and oats. I drink at least 4-6 bottles of water a day. You have encouraged me not to be afraid of trying a more natural approach to caring for my body and I cannot thank you enough. I know there is more to learn and more to discover. I also know IT TAKES TIME AND PATIENCE.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sharon V. Jackson,
WOW thank you so much for sharing this! It sounds like you have had such a beautiful experience and have really taken your health and beauty into your own hands. I also appreciate all of the examples of what you have been doing as well to create the overall effect as it is never just one thing. I wish you the very best of everything!
Theresa says
Hi Dawn–I stumbled across your website when I found your article on the composition of commonly used beauty oils. I’ve since been inspired to try pumpkin seed oil in my daily routine (as opposed to the argan that I’ve previously been using). Anyway, keep up the good work, I really like your site:)
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Theresa,
Welcome! I’m glad you are enjoying the site and keep me posted on how pumpkin seed oil works out for you. It is high in zinc which is wonderful for healing skin. Best wishes!
maria says
hey!
I’ve been struggling for some time now with my skin and I’m so sad and angry about it. I’ve never had this kind of problems with my skin and i can stand in front of the mirror and look,look and look and hate what i see. ugh. i have a small fobia for spots and rashes and even a little dot on my arm can be scrutinized by me and i can mentally obsess over it for hours..and when they’re on my face? man.
i have been using different kinds of skin care products for about 3-4 years. at first i was trying to find a good cleanser and moisturizer and i went through, clinique 3 step system, wasn’t good, i have had dermalogica, lancome’s serum, different kinds of vegan cleansers(vegan apoteke) castile soap, balance me products, i can’t remember when my skin was good?
ive also tried to use jojoba as a moisturizer, didn’t work, experienced little bumps when using it, transferred to almond oil and my skin did not like it i think, constantly got small bumps and blemishes which wouldn’t go away! also tried coconut oil for a short period but didn’t like it.
Ive also been transitioning into a vegan/vegeterian diet and been on a roller coaster with it..periods eating quite well and periods eating junk. obsessing with food and so on. and i sometimes think that it is because of my ‘diet’ my skin is so poorly?
i was active but now i don’t even do regular walks…:(
i don’t drink that much water but itry to pay attention to that.
the thing is, i found YOU. and i was blown away by the information you had and was sharing, and i immediately felt that this was my solution, since being vegan/vegeterian and anti consumer society trying to simplify my life just cleansing with oil sounded aaaaawehsome. so i tried sesame oil, but felt my skin was purging like hell, and then i read that sesame oil is the strongest cleansing oils out there so maybe not the best to put on your face, so now i just use it on my body.
i moved on to pumpkin seed oil and been using it for 3 days now.. i think i see some improvement but how long does it take to really show if it works? i also use microfiber cloth.
ive also purchased raw honey and bentonite clay before this to try to clear my skin. also used, lemon/apple cider vinegar as a toner to diminish redness an blemish but it didn’t seem to work. so i feel like I’m at the end station. don’t now what to do if this doesn’t work!! i need to know how long i have to stick to the procedur to now if it works and if not what should i do? try another oil?
I don’t have pimples whit white in them so much. its just blemishes, that sometimes turn into white. and blackhead?whitehads? i have some on my cheeks. and tiny tiny ones on my forehead, nose, and chin.
the longest comment i know, hope you have some advice.
Love maria!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Maria,
I feel the best solution for healing skin in general is to sometimes give your skin a break from intense skin care routines especially is you have been obsessing over it. Our skin has the ability to heal itself, yet we do so much to it is slows down and messes with the healing process. It takes about a month for our skin to become used to a new skin care regimen.
If you are only oil cleansing with a high linoleic oil, and are consistent with this regimen, your skin will have time to adjust. The time frame that it takes for your skin to heal is based on your history with skin care, health, and any imbalances inside your body. The better you are with diet, exercise, drinking water, and eliminating irritants in other beauty products, the process of healing will be improved. Please remember that our skin is our largest organ, and is also used to secrete toxins from the body. A healthy digestive system and liver also relates to this process. Your skin will improve once there are minimal toxins to secrete from your body.
Best wishes!
Jennifer says
Hi,
I was wondering what do you use to wash your face after working out or exercising? I’m thinking of cleansing with honey or oats in the morning and oil cleansing in the evening. But what can I use to get off all the sweat and grease on my face after working out mid day?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jennifer,
If you don’t wear makeup while working out using a gentle cleanser such as oats or honey will work perfectly. Oil cleansing is the best for removing makeup. Hope this helps!
Jennifer says
Hey,
Thank you so much for the response!
I never wear makeup while working out, oats seems like something I could try after exercise. Thank you for the suggestion. I read that you exercise and dance a lot so was wondering what do you use to wash face after you work out?
La says
Hi,
First of all I love your site, thank you so much for so many amazingly informative articles on natural skincare 🙂 I have a question though, before finding this site i was planning on trying out bentonite clay as a face mask (The Aztec Indian Healing Clay brand specifically) However, i have not yet come across bentonite clay anywhere on your site. Do you not recommend using this clay for acne/combination skin? And what are the relative pros and cons of bentonite clay when compared with rhassoul clay, which I have seen mentioned many times in your articles?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi La,
This article is for you. I hope this article is helpful. <3
Anna says
Hi there! Thanks so much for the advice on skin care. I plan on purchasing some pumpkin seed oil this week! What is your advice on facial hair removal? I do not want to go to the salon for waxing twice a week.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Anna,
I don’t have a lot of information about facial hair removal. I have found sugar waxing to be very efficient and easy to do though. <3
Alexandra says
Dawn Michlle,
I love all your skin care tips! I have very acne prone skin and ocm is the only thing helping. I was curious what do you think of exfoliation, beneficial or damaging?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Alexandra,
I’m learning that the less I do to my skin the better. When I use the oil cleansing method I use a microfiber cloth which exfoliates the skin. I feel that steaming the skin is better than exfoliation. <3
Alexandra says
Thanks so much for the reply. Really enjoy the info. 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
You’re so welcome Alexandra!
Kim says
I love your blog – thank you for all of the great information and tips!
I have struggled with acne for the past 15 years. Despite eating a very clean diet over the past five years, my acne has persisted.
Within the last year, my acne has remained and my skin has become extremely dry. Thanks to your advice I have started the oil cleansing method (using pumpkin seed oil) – I have eliminated all other facial creams and lotions. Also, i realize that I need to stop using all my commercial, chemical-laden make up. I plan to purchase some organic make-up.
Do you have other suggestions or oils you would recommend for my skin type? Also, when initially starting the oil cleansing method, can your skin go through a “purge” phase? I feel my skin has broken out more since I started using the oil method.
Thank you for your help!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kim,
I find that using a mineral makeup without chemical additives is so much better for your skin than traditional makeup. The makeup you use can make a huge difference. If you have been using skin care and makeup products that contribute to your acne then you skin will go through a detox phase when you stop using them. Best wishes!
Hanna says
Hi Dawn,
I’m wondering what your opinion is on at-home chemical peels, specifically AHA peels like lactic or glycolic acid (pure acid diluted with water, no additives or chemicals). I’ve been doing oil cleansing for the past 3 months with great results, but I’d like to add something a bit more aggressive into my skin regime to lighten post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, exfoliate and even skin tone.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Hanna,
The more I’ve learned about my own skin the less I do to it overall. For the past year I’ve been weaning myself off of wearing foundation and concealer daily (I don’t anymore) and I’ve also done my best to limit my skin care and skin care treatments. On occasion I may want to do a special facial treatment so I will whip up something in the kitchen. Facial steaming has been an incredible addition to my regimen. Rosehip seed oil is also wonderful for healing and evening skin tone. You can see some natural alternatives to brightening the skin here. Do what you feel is best for you!
Nan says
Hi Dawn,
I have very sensitive skin. I cannot use soaps or body washes that are filled with chemicals or high in fragrance because i breakout and they cause my skin to become dry. I was thinking about using the raw african soap as a daily cleanser but i have heard about the ph balance issues. I was also wondering if you can give any advice what to use while shaving to give a smoother, more bump free shave. If you have any advice or suggestions to give i would be grateful.
Thanks.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nan,
A quick shaving tip is to shave in the direction the hairs grow versus against it. It is not as clean of a shave yet if you have sensitive skin it really really helps. You can find some simple facial cleanser options here. Most soaps are very alkaline which disrupts the skin’s acid mantle. I hope this helps!
Bianca says
Hi Dawn!
Great post. i have alot of glogged pores on my entire face, probably due to using conventional makeup. Retin A has been reccomended to me to get rid of my acne but i feel it is not the right path. Im going to purchase pumpkin seed oil and use that from now on as my cleanser and moisturizer. However, i do not think i have the courage to go makeup free yet. Is all vapour organics foundation low in oleic? how can i find a safe foundation (high in linoleic? THANKS C:
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Bianca,
I wrote today’s article in response to your question. I thought it may be helpful for others too. Hope it helps and you can see it here. <3
Eileen says
Any thoughts on pure Argan oil?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Eileen,
Argan oil is higher in oleic oil so I’ve never tried it. You can see the ratios here. <3
Catherine says
Hi Dawn,
I am new to your fabulous website and have been reading your articles avidly since I discovered the site. I have suffered from acne and the dark scars that they leave behind for years and have tried everything to no avail. Having black skin I want to ensure that whatever I use to eliminate the acne and the scars does not damage my natural skin colour/tone.
For the last two weeks I have been using OCM with pumpkin seed oil (PSO) and microfibre cloths, eliminating oleic oils from my regime.
I am a healthy eater, drink water etc, exercise and regularly change the microfibre cloths that I use, but my skin problems remain.
My skin feels soft after the PSO, but I am still getting acne. In your experience could my skin be adjusting to this new regime and purging?
Thanks for your time and long may you continue to educate others.
catherine
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Catherine,
Give your new skin care regimen more time. It takes at least a full month to become adjusted. I only suggest changing it if you have some form of allergic reaction or irritation. I do think that there is a purging process for some depending upon where they are starting from. Just know that healing takes time. So glad that you are enjoying the site and thanks for your comment. Best wishes! <3
mahaut says
Hi Dawn, could you please tell me what your thoughts are on bio-oil? I have a little acne too (I’m 25)… My sister bought me this today but reviews I’ve heard of are all very different. Thanks a lot!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Mahaut,
I prefer using only organic cold pressed carrier oils. I tried bio-oil years and years ago yet never had the results that I have achieved using high linoleic oils. Using only high linoleic oils has allowed me to prevent consistent acne and soften scars immensely at the same time. Hope this helps!
Sarah says
Hello,
This website is fantastic!!!
When you cleanse with pumpkin seed oil, do you need to dilute it with a carrier oil? Thank you for sharing your expertise 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Thanks Sarah,
I use pumpkin seed oil as is. You can read the details of how I oil cleanse here. <3
Wanjiku says
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for the eye opening blog and website on how to go natural.
I have always believed that I have sensitive skin but now I don’t know anymore (weird that i don’t know my skin type). Early this year I started using Simple products and they did agree with my face-people would comment on the improvement. Prior to this I was using physiogel cream which was also good since I never broke out but never had a smooth face.
After a few searches here and there and talk from friends – they recommended Argan oil, since I was headed to Morocco decided to buy a litre of the same. This is where my troubles started.
I ditched my Simple products except the cleanser and started using argan oil. The last week of using simple i had some pimples on my forehead but not as many. Three days into using argan oil, instead of having a smooth face, i had breakouts on my forehead and jaws.
Some pimples were internal – in that I could actually feel the cyst in them and also were very painful. I stuck with the oil for a week and since i couldn’t see any improvement I stopped applying and reverted back to Simple. This also didn’t help anymore.
After like 2weeks, i ditched simple and took a break for like three days and thats when I discovered your website. I bought rose hip oil which I have been using for the last two weeks for oil cleansing together with the microfiber cloth. I also apply it as a moisturizer in the morning.
I can see some improvements but am still breaking out. What I have recently been doing is oil cleanse and then apply mashed garlic to dry the pimples out. Yesterday I just more break out on my jaws and can feel some on my forehead (the pain that comes with the pimples that develop internally. I try as much as possible to drink at least 4-6 glasses of water and incorporate a lot of veggies in my diet.
Kindly advice on what am doing wrong/what i need to improve on. Am i losing hope too soon?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Wanjiku,
I’m sorry that you are experiencing this as I know it is extremely frustrating. I recently wrote this response to another reader’s acne related issues and ai think it will be helpful as well. You need to give you skin time to balance itself.
Your skin is most likely irritated from using the drying ingredients in your original skin care and the argan oil most likely hardened the sebum in your skin since you are acne prone. If rosehip seed oil is showing improvement in your skin continue using it and be patient. If not pumpkin seed oil may be another good option but don’t try a ton of different things as it can cause more havoc than good.
It is true that we want our skin to heal overnight yet it needs to purge the congestion from the argan oil first as well as any imbalances in your digestive system. It will get better, just be patient. Best wishes!
Amanda says
Hi Dawn
I’m so glad i found your blog. You are helping so many people including me
Since coming off birth control 12 months ago I have been in a battle with my skin. Since throwing out all my chemical ridden skin care I am finally seeing some changes but I’m not sure where to go from here…
My current regime is cleanse:1/3 castor oil 2/3 hemp seed and moisturize: 1/2 rose hip oil 1/2 hemp seed. my acne is improving dramatically, pore size is shrinking and my hyper pigmentation is starting to fade
I am however experiencing some drying on the side of my nose and my eyelids. Is there an adjustment i need to make to help find a balance? I have tried jojoba oil before and found that it blocked my pores
Look forward to hearing from you 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amanda,
Have you tried herbal facial steaming? It is incredible for adding hydration to the skin as well as opening up the pores further for a deep cleaning. I like to do them once a week in the morning before oil cleansing my face. Another tip for added moisture is to always apply your moisturizing oil to damp/wet skin by splashing hour face with water prior or applying with wet hands. I hope this helps and thanks so much for your kind words. I’m really glad that this information has been helpful to you. <3
Noushka says
Hi Dawn
I have been obsessing over your blog since last night. I saw a comment you left on one of Wateronlywashing videos and decided to head here to your blog. I have few questions for you in regards to skin. I have oily acne prone skin it really drives me nuts; I have been using a murad skin cleanser for the past few months and it does not work at all. I want to start oil cleansing with the pumpkin seed oil and want to order it from amazon the one I see is certified organic but cold pressed and unrefined. Is that okay? Also would you say your skin is oily or dry? My skin is combination/oily. I would really love to hear back from you. Thank you so much for all of this information, Im usually a YT watcher, but you’ve been able to pull me in with your blog. Also please make a YT channel one day. I would be your first subscriber.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Noushka,
I’m glad you’ve found the blog and I’ll be glad to help. I have combination skin which has balanced itself out from oil cleansing with high linoleic oils. I wrote a one year update which you can see here. Organic cold pressed and unrefined are exactly what you want to look for in high quality carrier oils. Using a microfiber cloth really help with oil cleansing too. Wishing you the best of everything and thanks for the YT encouragement!
Remy says
Hey girl,
I absolutely love love love your website! I only found it a few days ago and already can’t wait to embark on my journey to gorgeous skin!! I was wondering, do I absolutely HAVE to use the microfiber cleasning cloth? I live in the UK and it would be so much easier for me to access an average facial cloth? And can is use blackseed oil or pumpkin perfume oil? Also, I have oily skin, so will this make my skin oilier or dry? Finally, will I have a period of my skin purging whilst it is getting used to this new routine? Oh, and I’m currently using tons of skincare products ( currently following tyhe Korean skincare regime which consists of approx 10 products a day!) so should I drop products one by one or just jump straight to the simpler skincare? thanks ans sorry for all the questions! I’m just super excited!! xxx
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Remy,
I noticed that you asked this question in a few different articles and you can see my response here. Also I’ve purchased soft microfiber cloths from TJ Maxx and Marshalls and I think a similiar store would be TK Maxx in the UK. And yes oil cleansing is amazing for oily skin. Oily skin is usually a culprit of diet and stripping the skin of its natural oils with harsh facial cleansers. Best wishes!
H says
Hey,
My skin is oily, prone to clogged pores, that sometimes turn into pimples, very mild but persistent. So for the last 6 weeks I’ve been doing OCM with hemp seed oil + micro fibre cloths. For the the first week and a half, my skin looked amazing! Clogs were disappearing, skin was soft and balanced, finally thought it was fixed for good.
But then it slowly started getting worse and worse. I’m now breaking out in places that I don’t normally break out, quite sore pimples and lots of clogged pores. If you look closely I look sort of flakey, but at the same time I am greasy, and the hemp oil feels like it is just sitting on my skin.
I don’t really wear makeup maybe, once every two weeks. I eat healthy vegan diet, lots of veg, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
I’m not really sure what I’m doing wrong. I am tempted to try change oils, but hemp is 0 comedogenic rating, and the other high linoleic oils have high ratings (with the exception of safflower oil, but I have not found that in the UK!) Should I try pumpkin seed oil maybe?
Apologies this was long, but any advice would be greatly appreciated, many thanks! Love your blog.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi H,
Have you tried herbal facial steaming? Herbal facial steaming helps to hydrate the skin and also helps with deep cleaning. Also consider using a clay mask only once a week if needed to help detox your skin. Use bentonite clay mixed with apple cider vinegar or rhassoul clay mixed with aloe vera juice. Both of these combinations create the proper pH for skin. Also don’t allow the clay to dry completely on your skin. I find it helpful to spritz my skin with water whenever I have used clay masks. Changing oils may be a good thing if you don’t feel it is working. Try pumpkin seed oil yet also consider detoxing as well. as your skin continues to heal you will find that you will be able to do less and less overtime. Even when you eat a plant based diet it still helps to detox either with the seasons or as needed. Being truly healthy inside and out is constant maintenance.
yiming says
Hi H, Your comment was from a few years ago now, but I wanted to share what I’ve found in my research. My understanding is that during the OCM, there can be a period of “purging”. I believe the idea is that the oil is pulling things out that are deeper within the skin. Also, a lot of the linoleic acids can go rancid pretty quickly, so I’ve read that it’s important to store them in the fridge. I’m not sure if you’re already doing this?
Personally, I haven’t really liked any oils I’ve tried that have a comedogenic rating of 1 or 2:
-Pumpkin oil (comedogenic rating: 2/5) clogged my pores
-Tamanu oil (comedogenic rating: 2/5) also clogged my pores and felt really heavy
-Rosehip seed oil (comedogenic rating: 1/5): kind of meh, slightly cloggy
-Sea Buckthorn oil (comedogenic rating: 1/5): also just meh, slightly cloggy
Some other oils I’ve found that are higher in linoleic acid (vs. oleic acid) are with a comedogenic rating of zero are:
Poppy Seed Oil: 72% linoleic, 11% oleic
Safflower Oil (Organic) **(not cooking oil): 68-85% linoleic, 8-30% oleic
Prickly Pear Seed Oil: 61% linoleic, 21% oleic
Sunflower Oil: 59% linoleic, 30% oleic
Hemp Seed Oil: 56% linoleic, 11% oleic
Watermelon Seed Oil: 56% linoleic, 18% oleic
I’m excited to try hemp seed oil, poppy seed oil, and maybe prickly pear seed oil, and watermelon seed oil. All of these have a comedogenic rating of zero and high linoleic acid, lower oleic acid. I hope you find something that works for you!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Yiming,
Thanks for sharing this info and I do hope you find the best solution for your skin care search!
Jane says
Hey Dawn,
Ever since I started the oil cleansing method, I’ve been having many tiny bumps on my face and cystic acne. Is this normal?
Jane
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jane,
It really depends on what oils you are using. You can read more about my experience here and here. I hope this helps!
Ebony says
Good morning Dawn,
Recently came across your website and have found your research & knowledge to be very interesting. I am in the process of trying to make my own facial moisturizer and have been researching different things myself. I payed much attention to your words about Linoleic vs Oleic and of course have some questions. I read that you have oily skin and how people with this skin type should use products that are high in Linoleic acid – but what are your thoughts for those who have normal skin in addition to those with dry skin? Should those with normal skin use oils that are Somewhat balanced but higher in Oleic acid or Somewhat balanced and higher in Linoleic acid? Or would they just use oils that are high in Oleic acid? My same question would apply for those with dry skin…
Thank you and appreciate your time in my response & questions.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ebony,
I have combination skin that has become more normal from oil cleansing and doing less overall with my skin care regimen. It has slowly balanced itself overtime. I suggest high linoleic oils if you are acne prone regardless of oil production. Titles such as dry, oily, combination skin to me is just imbalanced skin types. When you aren’t stripping your skin with harsh cleansers it will stop producing excessive oils. If you are drinking ample amounts of water and eating healthy fats your skin will be less dry. It is just about learning to pay attention to your skin’s needs and finding what works best for you. I hope this helps and have a great weekend!
kari says
I been trying different products heal my skin, nothing work. My skin is oily and sensitive. I tried going to a dermatologist/foundation/ castile soap/oil cleansing etc but this gives me dermatitis/ acne. All clays are also really drying to my skin. I tried hiding under foundation but it gave me a bad rash, bumpy skin. During this time, I cleaned up my mostly vegetarian diet alot, no milk or mil products or processed fooods at all. I still have hypigmenetation. and little scars. I cuurently have hives/ red bumpans smh from some makeup.
What suggestions do you have?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kari,
I ended up writing this article to answer your question in detail. I hope that you find it helpful. Best wishes!
Cree Ann says
Hi Dawn,
Thank you so much for sharing all you know! I’m hoping to become as natural as possible and your journey is very inspiring.
Last week I bought 3 Essential Oils, Rose and Tea Tree-for face and Rosemary-for hair all from Native American Nutritionals-have you every heard of this brand? I’m 31 and still suffer from acne. I know in part it is due to my diet so I eliminated meat for two years but bought it back when I became pregnant last year and I’m still nursing now. I’m hoping to stop eating meat as soon as I’m done nursing within the next 3-6 mons or so. There is minimum sugar in my diet mainly from natural fruits and little to no juice or soda. I like to exercise but haven’t had the time to but will pick it up again.
So my question is how do I find out which essential oils have high linoliec or low and oliec acid? And do you find it safe to mix the essential oil with the carrier for acne treatment?
Thank you,
Cree
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Cree Ann,
Essential oils are comprised differently than carrier oils so the oleic versus linoleic acid balance is not considered. As for adding essential oils to carrier oils do not add more than 10 drops of essential oils to 1 ounce of carrier oil. I also don’t suggest tea tree essential oil especially if you have sensitive skin as it is too potent. Lavender essential oil is much more gentle and still has antibacterial properties. Try the carrier oil on its own for a few weeks to make sure your skin loves it before adding essential oils. Congrats on the new baby too <3 Hope this helps!
Teri says
Hi! I have been using you steps for the oil cleansing treatment n I completely changed my diet n I exercise do yoga and all that good stuff. I am seeing great improvement in my skin so far and I started less than a week ago.
My question is, in the morning do you use a moisturizer w/ SPF to protect your skin from sun damage?
Teri says
Hi Dawn,
I noticed you said you only used oil in the morning after cleansing, but do you use any moisturizer with an SPF to protect your skin from the Sun?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Teri,
I use oils as a moisturizer and SPF only for extended time out in the sun so not daily. I share all my beauty products here. Do what works for you. You can find a list of healthy sunscreen options here. Best wishes!
Ana says
Hi Dawn,
I am so happy I came across your blog. I’m 22 and I used to do modeling, however, this hobby has mostly been sabotaged by my skin which has been rather heartbreaking. My overall skin is in a very good condition, it is clean, glowing and healthy, however, I have acne. Not severe, but it does leave red marks and I break out on a regular basis. I am on track to use just natural products, however, I am slightly concerned about one thing. I really enjoy doing make-up and this is something that I wish to pursue on a professional basis. How would you go about removing large amounts of make-up? Will oils be sufficient enough to remove rather heavy make-up and not leave any residue?
Best wishes,
Ana
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ana,
Yes oil cleansing will remove all kinds of makeup especially if also using a microfiber cloth which I shared in detail here. Also look into the makeup ingredients that you are using. Many times makeup can cause the breakouts. I shared some brands to consider here. I hope that this info helps!
Janine says
Hi Dawn,
I am just dropping in to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all this valuable information that you have shared with me. I had never before heard of the difference in oils, and was using olive oil, (among many other things) to cleanse and moisturize. My skin never quite took to it the way I had hoped when I first discovered oil cleansing. I have almost the same type of history as far as skin type and issues as you do, and at 35, its so embarrassing to still be dealing with acne. its never been sever except after I had my last 2 children in 2014 and 2012. But boy, after just one week of using pumpkin seed oil, my skin changed! like, literally overnight. Then, when I received my rosehip oil, it was over. My skin has never looked this good girl! I am in shock, I keep looking in the mirror to see if anything has popped up lol. I pray that it will remain this lovely, and will keep up with the regime. I have been drinking waaaayyyy more water and green tea as well. I also got this tea called Get Gorgeous from the Republic of Tea; I’m not sure if that’s made a difference, but it obviously has not hurt, either. I will be using the Aztec healing clay once on weekends beginning this weekend.
Man, I am so happy I came across your board. I know you know, the struggle is real when it comes to adult acne. I cant believe no one has ever told me about the difference in oils, but again, thank you so very much., You have really made a huge difference in my life.
Peace and Blessings,
NeeNee
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Janine,
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m thrilled that you were able to notice an immediate difference in your skin using high linoleic oils and that your skin is improving. Definitely keep up the healthy lifestyle to go with it. Wishing you only the best of everything!
Angela says
Hello Dawn. Just thought I’d start with letting you know how awesome your blog is and how much it has helped me so thank you. (This may be quite long) maybe a year ago now, I tried out using the oil cleansing method with the organic pumpkin seed oil like you suggested with a microfibre cloth, also I had never had any severe breakouts or acne in my life prior to this, and after about a week of oil cleansing I starting breaking out so much, so many bumpy red spots all over my cheeks that
looked like acne. I thought this was just the detox phase so I carried on but after a month or two it was just getting worse so I stopped it completely. Ever since then I have had these breakouts on my cheeks, also I have always had an olive complexion and never ever had a red complexion but now it seems like I’m more red than olive especially where the spots are. I never really aggravated my skin I never picked at the spots I just let them be and went back to using regular organic natural skincare, it wasn’t making my skin look worse, but like you said, it wasn’t really doing anything and I knew there had to be another skincare routine that would help it. So a few months ago, I went back to a more simple routine and cut out all the shampoo body wash etc and on my face I only use microfibre cloths again and wash my face with hemp seed oil (which I have found out is the only oil which doesn’t seem to clog my pores or make my skin worse by the way) and hot water and then I would take the oil off with the microfibre cloth, which seems slightly similar to oil cleansing, except I treat the hemp seed oil like its a face wash, which seems crazy to go back to after what happened to my skin but my skin doesn’t seem to be reacting the way it did the first time, it just isn’t really doing anything, neither improving nor getting worse, and then I follow up with hemp seed oil as a night moisturiser. I would consider myself quite a healthy person, I exercise regularly and I’ve been eating a healthy vegan diet for a few months now (lots and lots of organic fruit veg and grains) and I pretty much avoid processed foods and make all my meals from scratch so my diet is and always has been pretty healthy. I also haven’t used any face makeup for at least 2 months and I feel like that hasn’t done anything for my skin either. I just don’t understand why my skin is still like this and it’s quite frustrating because I use minimal products on my skin, I never overdo it, I drink plenty of water everyday and get a decent amount of sleep, but sometimes I can get stressed quite easily and life at home can get me down a bit but I try to relax as much as possible. In the day I do use a day moisturiser from an organic natural brand in the UK called Green People only because it has SPF in it and I want to protect my skin from the sun rays when I’m out so it doesn’t cause even more damage but now I’m thinking, is this blocking my pores? I wear it religiously everyday as I feel like I can’t not put it on as I have dry skin and if I skip moisturiser my face feels extremely tight and it can produce small dry flakes on my skin. But also now Im thinking, are these blemishes even acne anymore? Because they’re not as raised as before but there’s still as many of them as there were before and they’re still red but now they’re flat and not bumpy at all and they stay the same, they don’t increase, so they could be scars but whenever I see pictures of acne scars they seem to be either really deep into the skin or not defined at all and look nothing like spots but mine don’t look like that. And if they are scars how do I get rid of them? I’m just getting frustrated because it’s probably been over a year now and I still have these blemishes from the oil cleansing and they really get me down. I was thinking of wearing hemp seed oil in the day time but then i remembered the time, about a year ago and when I was wearing the pumpkin seed oil on my face under my makeup and I was out at a restaurant outside in the summer and my face suddenly started burning and itching and I had to go to the bathroom and wash all of my makeup off because it felt awful and left me with itchy red bumps, I was wondering if this has ever happened to you? And do you ever wear spf In the day? I just don’t want that to happen again because it was a horrible sensation. Also, not long before I started oil cleansing, I had just recovered from about a year of very severe eczema and impetigo all over my face and I was forced to take antibiotics to get rid of it and occasionally take probiotics now but what if this has contributed to it? I just don’t know what else to do because I feel like I’ve tried everything and I still have these awful blotchy red blemishes all over my cheeks and I feel like there’s just nothing else I can do. I feel like if I got some hot sun on my face, and develop a tan, the redness would disappear and apparently it’s good for acne too but In the UK there’s just no such thing as hot sun. Im out of options now and Im so sorry if these questions are hard to answer but I was wondering if you had any tips for me at all…..thank you so much Dawn! All the best. Angela.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Angela,
I’m not sure if you started oil cleansing for acne or not based on your comment, but I do understand you are still looking for the best way to care for your skin. It is wonderful that you have started eating a whole foods diet. It may be time for a gentle detox. For the few months that you have been eating so well you must also consider the years of how you ate before now.
In terms of skin care oil cleansing just may not be the best fit for you. Since you are not a makeup wearer there are other natural cleansing methods that you can choose from. I have currently switched to using Manuka honey as a face wash which I wrote about in detail here. You can also see a list of other simple and natural facial cleanser ideas here. Raw honey/Manuka honey is amazing for brightening the skin and softening scars overtime.
Lastly stress and anger can do major skin damage. Our emotions play a huge role in the appearance of our skin. You can read more on that here. This pertains to acne, eczema, hives, or any other skin related ailment.
Less is more especially with skin care. Take some time to look over all the other factors that may be contributing to this and use your intuition on your next step. I hope that this info is helpful to you and that you find the best path to suit your needs. <3
Alicia says
WOW. I absolutely love your site & everything that you describe about skincare, especially your detailed self experiences. I highly relate to this article, as I too get very bad hyperpigmentation and used to pick pick pick!!! I recently started using Rosehip Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, and Seabuckthorn Berry Oil. I am in love! These 3 oils are my holy grail, daily gold! I have naturally dry skin (I drink A LOT of water & coconut water daily and I’m also a Personal Trainer & Nutritionist). Not too long ago, I began following a raw organic diet with some homemade cooked foods here and there. HUGE difference on the skin and overall well being! Anyway, once again thank you for your articles and for sharing so much! You are awesome. -Alicia Mahadeo
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Alicia,
Thank you so much!!! Once you find what works for you stick with it. I definitely have seen a huge difference the cleaner I eat. I so appreciate your comment and I wish you the best of everything!
Armeen says
Hi… Want a simple CTM day Nd nite regime for age 42 female having pigmentation and discolouration Nd fine lines… What natural face wash to use after cleansing with pumpkin oil… Am in India
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Armeen,
Oil cleansing can be used solely for washing your face as you really don’t need to use another facial cleanser. You can find some simple natural remedies for hyperpigmentation here as well as see my updated skin care regimen here for other ideas. If you want to read more about all natural skin care ideas that are very simple then you definitely want to check out this skin care series. I hope that all of this information will point you in the right direction for healing your skin. Best wishes!
Bragan says
Hi Dawn!
I just found your blog and I think it is so wonderful and helpful! I have been using hemp seed oil for a long time now and it’s great, but I think it is photosensitive. I oil cleanse at night using it and wash my face with water in the morning, but I get rashes on my face from being in the sun. I eat an ancestral type of diet, but I still have mild acne. I know it’s because of hormonal problems, so I need to get my hormones in balance. Would rosehip oil be fine to use instead?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Bragan,
I actually love rosehip seed oil yet it’s all about finding the perfect match for your skin. Pumpkin seed oil is also a favorite. Also if you have sun sensitive skin and prefer not to wear sunscreen it is very important to wear a hat and wear protective clothing. The healing journey takes time so be patient and nurturing with yourself. Best wishes!
SOfia says
Hi Dawn!
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your posts. You’re truly amazing thank so much for sharining your experiences with acne. I’m battling with acne and just starting to OCM. By the way I ran into this interesting post about oils high in linoleic and I found out that Barbary fig seed oil has one of the highest linoleic content. 🙂 I can’t wait to try it.
God bless you.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi SOfia,
I’m glad you found this helpful and best wishes on your healing journey!