I feel like I am in on a little secret that no one else knows.  I wash my face with oil.  I know it sounds crazy to wash your face with oil.  But I have done it for almost a year now and it is the BEST and most frugal decision I have ever made for my face.  It is soooo soft, no break outs, no need for moisturizer and it’s crazy cheap. 

I have been washing my face every night with a part olive oil, part castor oil mixture since I heard about it on simple mom almost a year ago.  Now before you click away and think I’m crazy let me state my case. 

Washing your face with oil may sound weird and counteractive especially if you have oily skin but believe it or not oil does not cause acne or make you have an oily face.  Acne is caused by trapped dirt, bacteria and even fungus. 

The truth is oil is our bodies defense layer from dirt and bacteria, when the oil is removed (soaps, body wash etc.) the body reacts by producing MORE oil. 

Here’s a direct quote from acne.org:

“Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to dissolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanical, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, and acne while leaving your skin balanced and properly moisturized. 

In other words oil is actually a far better cleaner than anything you will find in the drugstore.  It is inexpensive and free of preservatives or weird stuff I can’t pronounce.  Olive oil actually has the same pH as human skin so it is the perfect balancer.  The best part is you don’t need an additional moisturizer!  Your skin is cleaned, nourished, and moisturized in one step.  Making it even MORE frugal, easy, and simple.  LOVE IT!

How to get started:

If your ready to go I suggest choosing a re-purposed container.  I use an empty contact solution bottle which works perfectly. 

For normal skin mix equal parts Extra Virgin olive oil and castor oil.
For oily skin do 3 parts castor oil and one part EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
For dry skin 3 parts EVOO and 1 part castor oil.  This is what i use

It is very hard to mess it up so play around and see what combination works best for you. 

I squeeze (from my re purposed contact solution container) about a dime size amount on my fingers and rub it into my (not wet yet) skin.  It takes my makeup off and everything.   After i have rubbed it in well I then wash my face with water and a warm wet wash cloth.  Repeat a few times if my mascara is being stubborn. That’s it.  My skin is immediately softer.

You can give yourself more of a facial” but rubbing on the oil then placing a warm wash cloth over your face for about a minute or so to steam out all the impurities and dead skin cells. 

I only do this at night.  In the morning I simply splash my face with water to wake up.  But there is no harm in doing it twice a day if you prefer. 

Other beneficial oils 

Castor oil and EVOO are carrier oils, work well, and are the most popular for OCM but other people have found great success with coconut oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and flaxseed oil, especially if their skin is very oily. I haven’t tried these personally, though.

If your skin is on the dry side, almond oil and evening primrose oil are also good carrier oils.

Tea tree essential oil is a natural antiseptic, and is great for clearing up acne. Try a few drops into your OCM mixture. Only use a few drops — a little goes a long way.

I hope you enjoy your new softer more vibrant skin.  I have never had such great results with any number of cleansers, lotions etc.  The benefits couldn’t be better and price tag is kinda nice too.