As a long-time sufferer of very oily, breakout-prone skin, I, like many others, have tried "everything": dermatologists, over-the-counter systems, mail-order products, "customized" make-up counter bars, soaps, lotions, gels, scrubs, masks, creams, ointments and wipes. From the age of 13 to 24, I have tried it all. My T-zone stays a grease-pit, and the bumps persist.
Two days ago, however, I was perusing Pinterest (if you don't know what this is, get on it!) and discovered a pin on OCM. I clicked it, I read it, I jumped in grease-pit-first. The idea is simple: your skin is oily because it is trying to protect itself from whatever you are doing to it, so stop what you're doing and give your skin what it needs. Chemistry tells us that "like dissolves like". Dissolving pore clogs made of hardened oil, debris and dead skin cells is as easy as giving your skin the right oils.
What are the right oils? First you need the "cleansing" agent, castor oil. Castor oil is very medicinal (find it in the laxative aisle!) and is used to draw the toxins, blackheads, bacteria, etc. out of your pores. You will also need a "moisturizing" oil. This can be almost any pure oil of your choice: extra virgin olive oil came highly recommended, as did sunflower seed, virgin coconut, and safflower oil. I, however, had grapeseed oil on hand, and that is what I'm using.
Here is a breakdown of what you'll need to get started:
Castor oil, a moisturizing oil of your choice, a measuring spoon (I recommend a teaspoon), a small bottle, and although it's not pictured, please use a funnel.
Ratio is important when mixing your oils. Oily folks like myself need more castor oil, drier peeps will need less. I took a stab in the dark and put 2 teaspoons of castor oil, and 2.5 teaspoons of grapeseed. I doubted that the castor oil would be as drying as my research claimed, but it's true. Go sparingly, my flakey-faced friends (maybe 1 part castor to 4 parts moisture). Start with a small batch, as you may need to tweak it as you go along.
Before bed, pour the oil mixture into your palm, rub your hands together, and then start massaging your face. Massage firmly in small circles, and really work the oils in. Continue massaging for several minutes, I went for about five. Wash your hands, and then wet a washcloth with hot water. Lay the washcloth over your face and let the steam mingle with the oils. Sit back and wait for the cloth to cool, then repeat this step again, giving your face a second steam. Once your second steam is complete and the washcloth has cooled, simply wipe off the oil. Be thorough, as you don't want any oil globs on your pillowcases, but you don't need to scrub. It will all come off with no problem. Look at your beautiful, all-natural, frugal face in the mirror! Gorgeous!
After only one night into my new routine, I can tell you two things. 1) My face looked like a million bucks right after I was done, as well as this morning when I woke up, and 2) If this continues to be the miracle it seems to be (and I will be blogging about my progress), I will save TONS and TONS of money on skincare. Proactiv runs me about $35/month right now. That includes a scrub, toner, cream, oil-control gel, and spf 15 moisturizer. Castor oil is $5 for the bottle pictured, and that bottle of grapeseed oil was $6 from Marshall's. You probably even have moisturizing oil in your cabinet right now. The little bottle was $1 at Target. I use maybe a quarter-sized amount of oil each time. I expect a savings of at least $30/month. Savings and glowing skin? Now, that is truly lovely.
Sources:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/128905/cleaning_up_oil_with_oil_the_oil_cleansing.html?cat=69
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/
http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/
