The oil cleansing method has been gaining popularity in the skin care community and it turns out, it’s exactly what our skin needed all along. While some people are hesitant to jump on the bandwagon (after all, slathering your face with oil can be a bit scary), others are raving about the benefits of leaving behind their traditional water-based cleansers.

The key to oil cleansing is using great quality oils that won’t clog your pores or leave behind an undesirable layer of “grease.” It’s also equally important to choose the right oils for your skin type, as oils vary in their properties and their benefits.

What is the Oil Cleansing Method?

An oil cleanser is made from a single nourishing natural oil, such as Argan, Jojoba or Grapeseed, or a combination of oils, and is used to remove makeup, excess oils and debris from the skin and from the pores. You can use the oil to cleanse your face instead of using soap or detergent cleansers. You may also decide to use it in addition to your regular cleanser, in what is referred to as the “double cleansing method.” When double cleansing, always start with the oil cleanser first to remove makeup and dirt, then use your water cleanser to remove any excess oils.

5 Benefits to Oil Cleansing

While there are many benefits to cleansing with oil, we’ll focus on our top 5.

Effectively Cleans
The idea behind using an oil cleanser is that “like dissolves like,” meaning that using oil helps to more effectively remove excess sebum (i.e., natural skin oils), clean out pores (removing blackheads and whiteheads) and remove makeup, dead skin and pollutants. The result: clean skin and clear pores.
Balances Oils
Cleansing oils help to balance your skin’s sebum production while keeping your skin moisturized. This balancing act makes oil cleansing a great option for all skin types, including oily and acne prone skin. The result: a balanced complexion.
Reduces Inflammation
Because of their gentle nature, oils help to soothe irritated skin, reduce redness and calm inflammation. This quality makes oil cleansing ideal for sensitive skin, dry flakey skin and skin with visible acne breakouts. The result: a balanced complexion.
Deeply Hydrates
The right cleansing oils can pack a strong moisturizing punch that deeply hydrates the skin, helping to minimize signs of aging and improve elasticity. The result: soft and dewy skin.
Protects and Nourishes
Using oils instead of water based cleansers helps to protect the natural lipid layer of your skin. While traditional cleansers can be quite harsh, oils help to replenish the skin’s natural barrier, which is crucial for healthy skin. Oil cleansing also feeds your skin with amazing nutrients, antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins that can do wonders for your skin’s health and appearance. The result: a healthy complexion.

If you decide to incorporate oil cleansing into your skin care routine, it’s important to choose the right oils for your skin type. Some oils can be used directly on the skin (such as Grapeseed oil), while others need to be diluted first (such as Castor oil). Some oils are non-comedogenic, while others may clog your pores. And because our facial skin deserves only the best, we recommend using organic cold pressed oils to avoid polluting your skin (and your body) with chemicals or pesticides.

It may take some experimenting to find the right oil blend for your exact skin type, but don’t give up, because once you find it, your skin will thank you for it!