Think about the skin’s daily duties - protecting you against the elements, regulating your internal temperature, and alerting you to sensations, both good and bad. It’s no wonder that the body’s largest organ needs oil to work properly. Natural oil keeps it hydrated and provides a protective barrier so the skin can do its jobs better. 

To achieve the appearance of youthful skin, and a healthy, supple feel, oil is necessary. It provides a barrier that keeps healthful bacteria thriving on the skin biome while helping the skin heal from injuries. Many skin care tactics talk about oil as the root cause of all our skin issues, like cystic acne, pimples, and whiteheads. However, it’s usually an unbalanced pH that causes an overproduction of oil, which then leads to a host of skin problems. 

Instead of thinking about stripping oil away, oil cleansing allows us to reintroduce healthy, natural oils back to the skin’s microbiome. Here’s what to know about this increasingly popular method.

"Often, the materials that we are trying to remove from the skin, such as sebum, SPF, or makeup, are themselves lipophilic, meaning that they are attracted to and bind to oils. This makes oil-based cleansers very effective. They are an important part of a double-cleansing ritual which leaves the skin deeply cleansed without overly stripping the skin of the hydration needed to maintain the barrier function." - Christine Lee,  

Board Certified Esthetician and [ comfort zone ] Master Educator

The oil cleansing method, often abbreviated to OCM, uses natural oils instead of a soap based foaming facial cleanser to wash away dirt, grime, and makeup. The basic idea is that oil dissolves oil, so by replacing the dirty oil left on your face after a long day at work with a clean, refreshing oil, you are still gaining clean skin but without dehydrating it in the process. 

The OCM method does work for all skin types, from dry to oily and anything in between. It is important to note that different skin types will have varying requirements and considerations. 

Those with oily skin should consider using certain base oils that contain astringent ingredients like tea tree, rosehip, or peppermint oil. Diluted castor oil is great for this skin type as well. 

Consult with a dermatologist or esthetician before embarking on your own OCM. Since combination skin can be both oily and dry at the same time or at different times, it takes extra caution to treat. Sunflower oil can be a wonderful tool in your skincare kit. 

If you’re one of the lucky few with normal skin, then you can potentially opt for any oil that feels great on your skin. Think about the conditions you do experience from time to time, and choose a base oil that way. 

Oil cleansing products work well with this skin type, especially for those in cold, arid climates. Skin is usually in desperate need of additional hydrating so using an ultra-moisturizing oil like sesame oil or black currant oil. 

Olive oil can work really well for sensitive skin as it's thick, hydrating and easy to come by

Often, our skin doesn’t just occupy one category. It changes along with the seasons, meaning that you can switch up your oil cleanser as well. During the summer months, you may want to opt for a lighter-weight oil whereas winter weather requires a thicker, more nourishing oil. 

Oil cleansing works similarly to regular washing but with a few key differences. 

• Use a clean washcloth or clean fingertips. It’s important to start with clean tools - be them a cloth or your hands. The clean oil you are about to apply to your face will absorb impurities from whatever it contacts. Using an unclean washcloth just defeats the purpose.
• Choose organic, pure oils. Don’t scrimp on this
  
• Use any of the products mentioned above or make your own mix with one of the following base oils, depending on your skin type: Jojoba Oil, Apricot Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Castor Oil, Argan Oil, Olive oil ,Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Essential Oils.
• When going the DIY route to mix your own oil, don’t simply use essential oils. These are potent and irritating so they must be mixed with a carrier oil. Certain essential oils, like vitamin E, have healing properties but should be used in very small doses (a few drops) when mixed with any of the base oils mentioned above. You’re not cleansing with essential oils, you’re cleansing with a base oil.
• Don’t wet the skin as you normally would when cleansing. 
• Pour a half a tablespoon to a tablespoon of oil into your hands and massage oil onto the skin with fingertips. 
• Use the clean, warm washcloth to wipe oil away, gently. Avoid hot water as it can scald skin, instead opting for warm water. 
• Pat dry with another washcloth and feel free to moisturize depending on your skin type.

The benefits of oil cleansing are numerous and many beauty experts are opting to switch up their traditional cleansing methods for the OCM. The most important thing is to choose what works best for you. You can oil cleanse every day or when your skin feels extra dry. Some of the key benefits of oil cleansing are:

Choosing high quality products is essential to creating a healthy, glowing complexion, no matter the cleansing regimen one intends to implement. 

[ comfort zone ] products choose high quality ingredients because we prioritize your skin’s overall health and wellbeing. We’re not just here to sell you a product but rather, provide the insight you need to make the best possible skin care decisions for your body.