Clicky

Nitty Gritty on the Oil Cleansing Method

crunched by on February 7, 2011
filed under Natural Beauty Recipes, Skin

There are facial cleansers – foamy, gel, soapy, dry. There are exfoliants and scrubs. Toners and splashes.

And then there’s oil.

The superhero of facial cleaning.

You heard me right. Oil.

Regardless of your particular skin situation (dry, oily, normal, reptilian), there’s an oil-cleansing method that will work with your type.

“Oil cleansing method,” is one of the most popular in-site search term on Crunchy Betty. You want to know more about this oddly effective way to wash your face. I don’t blame you. It’s disco awesome.

My one post on it, however, was written at nearly the absolute beginning of my blogging career. I had no idea how to craft a readable, coherent post. (Translation: It’s confusing and not very helpful.)

We’re going to try this again. The right way.

Everything you want to know about the oil cleansing method. Why it works. How to do it. The pros and cons.

Your mind = blown. Your face = gorgeous. Your undying love + candy = mine.

How Does the Oil Cleansing Method Work?

Turn off the faucet for a minute. Put your facial cleanser away. Instead, today, grab some oils and slather them on your face. Massage them around. Let them lounge luxuriously. Now, turn the faucet back on – very warm water. Dunk a washcloth in it and then slowly wipe the oil off your face.

Guess what? Your face is now as clean as it needs to be. It’s radiant. Gorgeous, dahling. You’ve just used the oil cleansing method.

But how does it work?

You know how your skin – all of it – secretes oil? Even if your face feels dry, it still has oil on it.

Well, according to chemistry know-how, like dissolves like. So, effectively what you’re doing  is dissolving and wiping away all the icky dirty oil from your face and replenishing it with clean, nourishing oil.

There’s no harsh chemicals involved. No suds. Nothing to actually strip your skin of its oil.

And this is good, because when you strip your skin of its sebum, it goes into overdrive, trying to create more. Which leads to clogged pores. Blackheads. Whiteheads. Just plain old irritation.

(We learned this well with the no ‘poo experiment, right? How shampoos make your scalp flip out and produce more oil?)

And that, in a very brief and succinct nutshell, is how the oil cleansing method works.

What Oils Are Best for Oil Cleansing?

Regardless of your skin type, there’s one oil you’ll probably want, and that is:

Castor oil.

Castor oil is gives you the most cleansing, dissolving bang for your buck. It’s also highly antibacterial in nature.

It can also be drying. So depending on your skin type, you’ll either use more or less castor oil proportionally to the other oils.

Good Oil Cleansing Varieties

  • Jojoba (all skin types, but very desirable for acne-prone skin)
  • Sweet almond (all skin types, especially oily)
  • Grapeseed (all skin types, especially oily)
  • Avocado (dry and aging skin)
  • Sunflower Seed (all skin types)
  • Olive (all skin types)
  • Apricot Kernel (dry, aging, and normal skin)
  • Argan (all skin types, especially aging skin … very pricey)
  • Tamanu (all skin types … very pricey)

*You’ll probably want to stay away from coconut oil for oil cleansing, as it is a known comedogenic and may possibly clog your pores and exacerbate blackheads.

The Oil-Cleansing Ratio

Some oils to use for the oil-cleansing methods.

When you first start out with OCM, It’s best to think in ratios of thirds. You can measure these thirds out ahead of time and prepare a whole bottle full of oil. Or, you can do what I do and just eyeball it each time you use the method.

It might be better to use this on a “wash-by-wash” basis before you go mixing a whole bottle of oil together, just in case you want to change up the ratios if you notice your face is becoming too dry or too oily.

Here’s the rule of oil-cleansing thirds (remember, castor oil is important here):

.

.

  • Oily skin: Use 2/3 castor oil to 1/3 carrier oil. (Or measure out 2 tsp castor oil and 1 tsp carrier oil.)
  • Normal skin: Use equal parts castor oil and carrier oil. (Measuring out 1-1/2 tsp castor oil and 1-1/2 tsp carrier oil.)
  • Dry skin: Use 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 carrier oil. (Again, 2 tsp carrier oil and 1 tsp castor oil.)

These ratios are NOT set in stone, but they’re a great jumping off point. Again, when I do this, I just eyeball it in the palm of my hand and go from there.

My favorite mix thus far: 1 tsp castor oil, 1 tsp avocado oil, and 1 tsp jojoba oil.

Oil Cleansing in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Prepare. Either mix your oils together ahead of time, or have the bottles ready. Set a clean washcloth beside the sink. Turn the hot water on to warm up.
  2. Cleanse. Starting with a dirty face (no need to pre-clean here, even if you’re wearing makeup), rinse your face lightly with the warm, running water. Pour the oil in the palm of your hand and then apply gently all over your face. Massage firmly, but gently, always moving upwards. Massage for 2 minutes, and then let the oil sit on your face for 30 more seconds or more.
  3. Rinse. By now, you should have very hot water coming out of your faucet. Adjust the heat until it’s cool enough to apply to your skin, but warm enough to soften the oil (it’s probably going to be hotter than the water you usually rinse your face with). Dunk the washcloth under the hot/warm water until it’s completely soaked. Apply the washcloth to your face and hold it there for 10-15 seconds. Slowly begin to wipe off. Rinse your washcloth and repeat until you’ve wiped all the oil off your skin.

That’s it!

Your skin is now cleansed.

For as easy as it sounds – and as beneficial as it is – there are some pros and cons to oil cleansing, though.

Pros and Cons of Oil Cleansing

Pros:

  • It’s fantastic for your skin, and works for many people to clear up acne, combat dryness, and maintain a radiant glow.
  • It’s super natural (be sure to buy cold-pressed or expeller-pressed organic oils, as well as castor oil that’s consciously extracted).
  • It whisks away makeup in a flash.  (It’s the only way I clean my face when I wear makeup now.)
  • It doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils.
  • If you use this nightly, you may not need to spring for pricey moisturizers anymore.

Cons:

  • It may take a week or two for your skin to adjust to this new regimen.
  • It’s more time-consuming than just washing your face with a cleanser.
  • It’s a little more costly than using a cleanser, depending on the oils you choose.
  • It may mean more laundry, due to the numerous washcloths you’ll go through if you do this every night.

Notes on the Oil Cleansing Method

Now that you know why you should do it, how to do it, and whether or not you’re up to the challenge, you may have a couple of questions. If I don’t cover them here, feel free to ask down below.

The frequency at which you use the OCM is up to you. Some people do it every night. I don’t have that kind of hardcore dedication (nor do I feel like my face gets dirty enough most of the time to warrant it). The one thing I would probably steer clear of – completely – is switching up the OCM with a store-bought facial cleanser that contains sulfates or sulfides. You’ll just confuse the heck out of your skin and it won’t know what to do with its own oil.

You might not need to moisturize after you use the oil cleansing method. This is where I heartily encourage you to get to know your own skin, so you can tell if it’s feeling dry enough to use a moisturizer. Every time I’ve OCM’ed before bedtime, I’ve never felt the need to moisturize (save a little vitamin E oil around my eyes).

You CAN jazz it up with things like tea tree oil or lavender essential oil (if your face is oily or acne-prone) or carrot seed oil or rose hip oil for normal/dry skin or even some rose essential oil or myrrh essential oil if your skin is aging. In all cases, just use 2-3 drops of each oil in your mixture.

Don’t sweat it if you don’t enjoy the oil cleansing method. It does take some time, and it does take some time to get used to. Eventually, you may feel like you’re pampering your face in a whole new and incredible way. Or you may feel like you never want to go to bed, because. Only do it if you enjoy it – if you see and feel a difference you’re happy with.

Last but not least, here are some of the websites that turned me on to the oil-cleansing method last year. Thanks, ladies!

Sorta Crunchy

Keeper of the Home

High on Health

Have you tried the oil cleansing method? Speak up in the comments! Let everyone know what you thought and what your favorite part about it was!


Related Posts:

← Older Comments
  • Shiann Metheny

    I really do like this method! I learned that taking shortcuts in the process will cause breakouts even worse. So, do it right!

    Funny expereince: this morning, I didn’t get all the oil off my hair. When I straightened my hair, it made me crave pasta! Yummy olive oil.

  • Waterfall_deer

    So I just made my mixture and I’ll be using it tomorrow – about 25% castor oil and 75% sweet almond oil with a few drops of tea tree oil. I can’t wait to try it! I’m worried that the castor oil will  cause some problems though, so I’ll be keeping a very strict eye on it.

  • Sha’ahn

    My face still feels a little dry on the normally oily part of my face (forehead). can I put more olive oil on my face after I cleanse?

    • Elizabeth

      Absolutely, after I finish cleansing my face I always add a couple drops of olive oil back to moisturize. Just make sure your skin is still damp when you do this.

    • devin

      Maybe try NOT wetting your face before applying the oil and then steam and rinse only twice.  Dropping the 3rd steam and rinse made all the differemce for me.  Oh and I use 4:1 ratio of olive oil to castor oil.  I believe that if you dampen your skin first, the oil isn’t really “touching” your skin as the water repells the oil.

  • Elimccoy

    So, I have been trying the oil cleansing method now for about 3 weeks, and am wondering if it is for me or not. I am trying not to get frustrated, and know there is an adjustment period when you change the formulation, but I am thinking that I need some advice before I buy even more oils that might not be right for me. So, my skin is quite sensitive and combination, though it very easily looses moisture and becomes flaky. I am also hyper prone to getting bumpy cheeks- I have not been diagnosed with rosacea (has never been so bad as to make me seek out a dermatologist), but I am very pale and redheaded, so I flush easily. But, the bumps and flakiness are both common with rosacea, so I tend to treat my skin very delicately (as though I do have rosacea).

    As I said, I began the OCM regime about three weeks ago with 1/3 castor oil, 1/3 avocado oil, and 1/3 jojoba oil. I wear makeup to work, so I feel the need to do the OCM every evening, and in the morning have just been rinsing with water. Everything was good for about 3 days, then my skin got SUPER dry. So, I cut back the castor oil and started moisturizing with a few drops of jojoba oil. No dice, skin was still so dry it itched and felt crazy tight. So, I cut out the castor oil altogether and replaced it with grape seed oil (which I have been mixing in equal parts with jojoba oil), and still my skin is tight and itchy and super flaky even though I am smothering my face with jojoba oil in the evening. I am afraid not to use a dryer oil (like castor or grape seed) for fear that my mix won’t have enough cleansing power, which will lead to clogged pores.

    I am loving the softness of my skin, the oiliness I used to experience in the middle of the day has subsided, and after an initial couple of blemishes the clarity has improved (redness in cheeks is also reduced). So, there are plenty of reasons to keep on trying OCM, but the excessive dryness is really uncomfortable. I have already purchased like 5 oils trying to get the balance right, and don’t want to keep buying more just to experiment only to end up with a cabinet full of mostly full bottles of oil and a dent in my wallet. ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!!! Again, I am seeing enough benefits that I don’t want to abandon the process, but the flakiness is getting so noticeable as to be embarrassing, so if I can’t strike a good balance I might have no choice but to stop. Thanks for any insight!!

    • Courtney

      I think you should try using 10-20% castor oil and 80% carrier oil.  I have used Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the start and it has not failed me.  Its nice and cheap and easy to get hold of.  Maybe try using the castor olive and avocado? Avo is great for moisturising. also use a dab of olive oil on dry spots after the steam cloth bit when your face is still damp and massage it it well. 
      Also only do this at night. if its still dry in the morning you can moisturize with a regular lotion or a tiny bit of oil?

    • Courtney

      I think you should try using 10-20% castor oil and 80% carrier oil.  I have used Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the start and it has not failed me.  Its nice and cheap and easy to get hold of.  Maybe try using the castor olive and avocado? Avo is great for moisturising. also use a dab of olive oil on dry spots after the steam cloth bit when your face is still damp and massage it it well. 
      Also only do this at night. if its still dry in the morning you can moisturize with a regular lotion or a tiny bit of oil?

    • Courtney

      I think you should try using 10-20% castor oil and 80% carrier oil.  I have used Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the start and it has not failed me.  Its nice and cheap and easy to get hold of.  Maybe try using the castor olive and avocado? Avo is great for moisturising. also use a dab of olive oil on dry spots after the steam cloth bit when your face is still damp and massage it it well. 
      Also only do this at night. if its still dry in the morning you can moisturize with a regular lotion or a tiny bit of oil?

  • That Girl

    This is the only way I wash my face. I discovered that the oil cleaning method actually clears up my acne. Many think that only oily skin breaks out – a lot of those irritants in traditional cleansers/moisturizers/etc. make my skin freak out. Adding that extra bit of moisture helps my skin to calm down. I find that less is more. The simpler my skincare routine, the better my skin looks. Awesome post! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=533603504 Courtney Fifer

    I have mine mixed in a bottle in the shower. When I get in the shower I allow a few minutes for the steam to do it’s work, then apply, massage and then continue to let the steam do it’s work. Then I wipe it off with a wash cloth. Easy peasy and works great. I wish I knew about this method when I was a teenager.

  • Susy

    I’ve tried it and it works. I’ve had bad skin and visible blackheads all my life and this was the only thing that ever helped me. One good tip I learned is to microwave a towel soaked in cold h20 instead of running the tap. The towel gets hotter, the microwave kills germs, and you don’t have to run and waste water.

    Of course I change the towel every several days– but the removal process itself is much easier using the microwave.

    • Sam

      Ooh, that’s a great tip! I just started using OCM — just past day 3 and already huge plugs are coming out! — and the only annoying part is getting the water hot enough. So I will totally try that.

  • Lynnette_lala345

    Actually I used the method for oily skin for a few months didnt work quite as well as i would have liked saw alot of oil buildup by morning for some reason, so i stopped. Then i heard on Doc Oz about how Cleansing your make up covered face with things that have coconut oil in them is ten time better than anything else u could use. That worked for me, and for moisturizing thru out the day because my face hates winter summer spring and fall. I rub a finger of Grapseed oil and some drops of tea tree/lavender oil, it made an amazing difference. Love the effects and less pimple some how big plus!

  • Anna

    thanks for the tips! I’ve been using OCM for a few months now and I feel like my pores on the skin right next to my nose look larger. after using the oils when I wash my face, I can see that the gunk in my pores is loosened and easier to get out but then I’m left with these nasty open pores. what am I doing wrong? I’m only 21 and I feel like my skin looks so much older because of these huge pores. what do you think?

    • Morrigan

      After rinsing your face with warm water, splash very cold water over your face several times. You can also wrap an ice-cube in a cloth and pat it on your face for spot treatments. Warm water opens your pores, cold water closes them. Hope this helps you!

      • Anna

        thanks, Morrigan! I’ve tried the cold water thing before which helps somewhat but hasn’t seemed to make too big of a difference. a year ago I didn’t have this problem so I’m not sure how it got this bad so quickly!

        • Guest

          Are you doing this at night before bed? It sounds like you need to.  That way your pores should close up overnight and look normal in the morning.  Also just rinse your face with cold water in the mornings instead of cleansing it.

  • erica

    I am SO grateful for your site. Thank you for introducing me to the OCM. I have to tell you, I tried it about 2 months back, with grapeseed oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. I have naturally oily skin that is so dry after using my old neutrogena cleansing bar,(oily and dry- go figure- I realize now how out of wack it was….) that I would have to moisturize immediately. I break out (I am in my mid-30′s) and have visible pores and struggle with blackheads even though I have a clean diet- no sugar, white flour, gluten, dairy…the list goes on. Anyhow, the comdo of those three oils did NOT work for me….I turned into a broken out mess, and was super unhappy, and decided the OCM was not for me. THEN, around Christmas, my skin got really bad again, this on my old cleanser/moisturizer/ visting the facialist regimine, so I revisitied your site and the OCM specifially. I then read that the key to this method is castor oil. I went out the day after Christmas and bought a giant bottle of NOW brand castor oil, and started OCM that night with 1/3 jojoba to 2/3 castor oil. Within TWO days, my skin was claming down….within FIVE days, all of my breakouts were gone entirely, and now, close to two weeks out, I am noticing how my skin gets less oily during the day (I wear makeup every day and it is staying nie and fresh looking much longer than it used to), my fine lines and dryness around my eyes is diminishing, and I have started using this method down my neck and onto my chest in the morning before my shower, while I leave my raw honey mask on! I am a sticky funny oil slick before a shower in the morning, and my kids think I am silly, but I tell you. I am THRILLED. Castor oil is key, you were ever so right- at least for sensitive, confused, break-out prone, hormonal skin like mine. Also, at night, the first few nights I felt like I needed a moisturizer after OCM, but did not, cause I didn’t want to mess up the process, and now, lo and behold, the tightness is gone and I don’t feel like that anymore- just so balanced! I love this process! I have spend so much money since my teen years- seen dermatologists, tried all sorts of natural remedies- nothing comes close to this. NOTHING. Thank you for making a huge difference in my life. I cannot wait to share this with my kids when they are old enough, and hopefully save then from some of the struggle that I went through with my skin as a teen. And, I hope to get to a point with this where I can feel comfortable without makeup everyday. How awesome would that be?

    • Stephanie

      Can I ask you, do you do this every night?  And what is your honey mask?   I have very similar skin and am in the same boat as far as time of life, etc.  I wear Everyday Minerals makeup every day.  In the morning after I work out, during my shower, I use a homemade raw honey/clove/lemon juice mask.  Is that what you are doing?  Sorry…it’s just that I really, really want OCM to work for me (I just started two nights ago) and your comment was SO encouraging!  Thanks!

      • Holly Dykstra

        Hi Stephanie!

        I haven’t started OCM yet (starting tonight!), but I wanted to comment to tell you that my dermatologist in New York said that powder makeup is really bad for acne. She told me that I should switch to liquid foundation. Hope this helps!

  • JenLoving

    I have very acne-prone skin, and only my t-zone is oily. I am a Jojoba oil fanatic (it is the closest to your skin’s natural oils, after all), any advice on how often I should do this? After all the products I have tried, I figured this can’t do any more to my skin than they have!

    • Courtney

      I do it every night and it’s fantastic

    • Courtney

      I do it every night and it’s fantastic

  • Saranan4

    Help, I need help!  I started using OCM two weeks ago.  I am 33 and have normal skin, just wanted to start using it b/c it’s natural, to clear persistent blackheads on my nose, and work on old scars and fine lines.  I’ve been using 1/3 castor, 1/3 jojoba, and 1/3 apricot kernal.  So far my chin has had at least 3 huge zits at a time- large, red, and painful.  Also got some dry, itchy spots in other areas of my face.  I want this to work and I don’t want to give up but I don’t know what to do.  I got all of my ingredients at Whole Body so it’s not the quality of them.  Is this normal?

    • Courtney

      Try adding more castor oil.  Castor makes your skin LESS oily.  You can dab a drop of oil onto the dry spots when your face is wet after using the hot cloth, just massage it in well.  If I were you, I’d try 50% castor and 50% carrier and go from there.  if it gets too dry add more carrier oils.

    • Courtney

      Try adding more castor oil.  Castor makes your skin LESS oily.  You can dab a drop of oil onto the dry spots when your face is wet after using the hot cloth, just massage it in well.  If I were you, I’d try 50% castor and 50% carrier and go from there.  if it gets too dry add more carrier oils.

    • Courtney

      Try adding more castor oil.  Castor makes your skin LESS oily.  You can dab a drop of oil onto the dry spots when your face is wet after using the hot cloth, just massage it in well.  If I were you, I’d try 50% castor and 50% carrier and go from there.  if it gets too dry add more carrier oils.

  • RachelliC

    I’ve been using OCM for about two months now: coconut or almond oil at night. I have to say it’s the best thing I’ve done for my skin in a long time. I’m 45 and basically have normal skin, but I also unfortunately suffer from eczema. Also, I live in Eastern Ontario, which basically means I have wind burn for about 3-4 months every year :o Right now, smack in the middle of January, I need little to no extra moisturizer on my face, I don’t have any itchy eczema patches, and I don’t look like I’ve just gone through the drying section of a auto car wash. I have to add, I also use RMS Beauty products so I’m not drying my skin out further with heavy makeup. I’m definitely going to have to try the honey face wash and the coconut milk recipe.
    Strangely, I’m feeling really hungry reading all these posts!!!

  • jennifer foust

    Why do you have to combine oils? Why can’t you just use olive oil, or grapeseed or avacado on its own? I’m just curious.

  • devin

    I have been washing with 3 parts olive oil to 1 part castor oil for about a month now and I love it!  My method is a little different than yours:  I massage the oils onto my DRY face first and then steam for 30 seconds and wipe 2 times.  I’ve found that steaming and wiping 3 times dries out my face.  I don’t even need to moisturize afterwards, which is new to me.  And 3 days ago I started the soap/poo free adventure!  My fine chin length hair feels a little weird but my skin is already less dry and itchy feeling.  I still take a shower every morning, but skip the body wash in leu of a nice washcloth exfoliation and I massage with scalp with just warm water.  If I didn’t wear makeup I wouldn’t do the ocm facial thing either.  Just like nopoo, nosoap is a process of skin pH and oiliness adjustment plus good bacteria vs. bad/stinky bacteria.  Once it gets back to it’s natural “homeostasis”  nosoap believers can’t imagine ever using soap on their body again.  Yes, soap use is necessary to wash hands post bathroom, but not everyday to strip your skin of it’s natural defenses and healthy pH.   So, so far I’m liking nosoap and nopoo.    

  • Jend404

    I am 43 and I have had a lifelong problem with blackheads on my nose. I have tried EVERYTHING to get rid of them, cleansers, strips, creams, astringents, etc… I have spent so much money on products, it makes me ill. This method is working. I started by removing all my face products from the bathroom. I have two oil bottles. One is 30% castor and 70% mix of olive, grapeseed and avocado and the other is 100% jojoba. 

    The first time I cleansed I moistened with a warm wash cloth; applied the mixed oil and massaged for 5 minutes; reapplied the warm cloth; massaged again then wiped the oil off with warm water and cloth. Since, I don’t see so well up close, so I asked my husband to look at my pores. He said “you have big gaping holes in your nose.” I was shocked so I got my reading glasses and checked myself. Sure enough, every pore was empty and standing open. The plugs were gone. 

    In the following days my face did seem more oily than usual and I had to blot several times a day for about a week. From what I read, I expected this. Now, two weeks later, the blackheads are totally gone. The pores are still enlarged but are reduced by about 50% and not nearly as noticeable. I expect them to shrink further. I have added a cold water splash at the end to close them.

    The only issue I am experiencing is, strangely enough, not oiliness but dryness. I have been switching the cleanse from the mixed oil to jojoba now and then and dabbing jojoba afterwards but my skin is still drying and I am searching for something to do to remedy this without returning to skin products that I am now convinced are no good. My skin is clean and clear has a nice and soft texture, the pores are shrinking and the redness is gone. I am going to try a mix of jojoba and aloe but I don’t know how that will work.

    • Kimberlee Schory

      I wonder if maybe you are wiping off too much with the wash cloth and maybe that’s why you feel dry?

    • Susacnw

      Less castor oil, more other oils in the mix.

  • Annie

    I just started washing my face with oil this week and the improvement in such a short time is phenomenal. 

    I moved down to FL last year, unfortunately the house that I am renting does not have a water softener and FL tap water is full of nasty sediments.  As a result, I have been dealing with moderate acne.  At first I was at a loss as to what was causing my acne, I’m 27 and had beautiful clear complexion my whole life and had always only had to use Cetaphil facial cleanser.  I thought it had more to do with the high humidity, which I’m sure is also a culprit, though once I started noticing all the buildup in the sink and on pots & pans, I imagined it must have been leaving the same buildup on my skin.  I omitted the water from my cleansing routine and when necessary I used purified filtered water.  I had a combination of oily and dry, scaly skin,  starting to have fine lines and was growing more and more self-conscious everyday. 

    Initially, I was just cleaning my face with cold cream, though this was not helping rid the acne that was already developed and also seemed to make it spread.  My first reaction was to start slathering my face with over the counter facial products and harsh chemical peels & microdermabrasions.  This just made it even worse!  My skin was red, inflamed, and full of pimples, blackheads and large pores.  This caused me to cake my face with a ton of makeup to try to hide it, which obviously made it even MORE worse!  I realized I had to find another solution.  I did a process of elimination and deduced what was different between the products I was using just recently and the Cetaphil.  I realized that it must have had a lot to do with the pH balance of my skin and that I most likely have a sensitivity to salicylic acid.

    I chose to go the natural route so I did some online investigation and found this post.  I started out the first night mixing it with pure honey instead of castor oil, as I did not have it readily available.  The immediate results were astounding!  I had improved skin tone, the redness and inflammation went down, and my skin was so soft.  The next morning I noticed some of my large pimples were starting to go away.   I went out and bought the castor oil right away, I started out 25% castor oil & 75% EVOO at night & the honey wash in the morning & the mix is working wonders for me!

    I was wondering if anybody had a suggestion for an SPF moisturizer, I can’t seem to find a topic about this…I definitely want to keep my new skin protected!

    • Annie

      After doing the OCM & Honey Cleanse for 3 weeks, I have since stopped.  It worked for me at first, but now I’m starting to have worse acne than I’ve ever had.  I had signs of what appeared to be Rosacea & a couple very large, painful pimples, I have never had to deal with before.  I have now been using a cleanser & creme for Redness Relief.  The cleanser has Castor Oil in it as well as Licorice Extract.  Luckily, the acne that was present after doing the OCM & Honey Cleanse has since been clearing up. 
      I’ve noticed that there’s a trend here w/horrible breakouts after using this method for a few weeks?  Perhaps it should be used as a type of skin detox at 2-3 week intervals?  Unfortunately, I have to say now that I would not recommend using this as a way to completely omit your normal cleanser.  I still plan on using it, though not on a regular basis as this method suggests.

      • Susancnw

        Your skin is detoxing. Getting all the crap out of the pores that has been buried. Keep it up and your skin will clear up.

  • JJPheeny

    Hello! I am planning to start using the OCM… I have oily/combination skin and am planning to use a mixture of castor, grapeseed and little rosemary oil. I have done as much research as I can and have read a couple of horror stories along the way (lots of people saying it’s been great for 2 weeks and then they’ve had terrible breakouts!). I just want to know a few things from people who have been using this method for a while… if you’re not using the method every night, what do you use/do to clean your face & remove make up in between? I am really excited about trying OCM out but could do with a few tips/ words of encouragement!! Thnaks :)

  • Jj_phoenix

    I have been doing the OC method for a couple of days. I haven’t seen much of a difference yet, but I am just wondering about a few things and I was hoping someone could advise: What kind of moistuisers are people using if any? And also, I have been reading through the Crunchy Betty site and would like to try some of the scrub/ honey mask recipes… can anyone tell me how I could incorporate these into my oil cleansing regime?? I am using a mix of 50:50 castor and grapeseed with a few drops of rosemary & clove bud essential oils… If anyone has any other extra tips, tricks or advice I’d love to hear them!! Thank :) x

  • Sandy

    So, I started OCM about two weeks ago.  And I have to say that so far I really like it…no more tight, dry skin after washing and no more oil slicks when I wake up in the morning.  I suffer from cystic acne, and while I am still having some break-outs, my cysts have been healing in mere days (instead of 2-3 weeks or longer!).  I don’t need a moisturizer anymore (had stopped using them because of chemicals anyway), and only dab a tiny bit of jojoba oil on if I have any dryness at all.  I mixed up a bottle using 2/3 castor oil, 1/3 jojoba oil and several (I lost count) drops of tea tree oil, which I’d read is good for acne.  I feel like my skin tone is evening out and my old acne scars are lightening up, too.  And I’m not having to blot my face with paper towels all day long!  It’s ridiculous what I just used to go through to get clear skin…chemicals, prescriptions, all the towels I accidentally bleached with my acne products.  I really feel this is helping me and can’t wait to see if all my break-outs completely (or mostly) stop.  If so, this will have been my God-send.  Thank you, Crunchy Betty!!  (I’m sure my local natural-food store owner appreciates you, too, since I will be spending more time and money in his shop!)

  • Amy

    Wow, your site makes me feel normal about my desire to have the least amount of fake product in my beauty routine and still look good!! I have been using the OCM for the past month and a half and I have NEVER been happier with my skin. I’m 25 years old, and I developed perioral dermatitis 6 months ago and suffered greatly with a horrible red rash on my face around my mouth (quite common for women who are in their mid-20s actually!)… it was itchy, burned and the more coverup I put on the worse it got… my doctor prescribed an antibiotic cream which did NOTHING to combat it so I decided to look elsewhere… I finally discovered the OCM online and could not believe it could work, since I was a long time sufferer of acne, oily and very sensitive skin (allergies to fragrance and SLS). I didn’t have anything to lose and decided to try it. I use castor oil/almond oil to cleanse, and apply tea tree oil/almond oil to moisturize afterwards. IT HAS BEEN AMAZING… I cannot rave enough about how much better I feel… no more painful zits, no more perioral dermatitis, no tight, dry spots… I recommend it to any girl who has had skin issues like mine, or to anyone who wants a beautiful glow to their skin!! I have never had compliments on my skin, but now only after 2 months people are saying nice things :)

  • http://www.Agatha-K.com/ Agatha, The Fun Money Nerd

    I can’t wait to try this! Starting tonight and hope this will be the end of spending thousands every year at the dermatologist’s office on skincare that doesn’t even work. I got a Hydrafacial a few weeks ago and paid $150 and, yes, my skin was soft as a baby’s bootie afterwards but I kept thinking….didn’t they just use fancy pricey machine to just infuse oil into my face? So I can’t wait try OCM and see if it’s just as good or even better than the Hydrafacial. Thanks for the very specific and easy to follow instructions!

  • Andrea

    Just started OCM 2 nights ago, after thinking about it for several months. I have extremely oily skin and was very prone to breakouts in my teens/early 20′s. Now at 30, I might have a mild breakout every now & again, but I’m still very oily and have lots of discoloration and some scarring from the bad years. I wasn’t sure OCM would work for me. After 2 nights, I think I like it. I have used the only castor oil I could find at Walgreens and the EVOO I had on hand. Probably 80% castor, 20% EVOO. I am sure my skin needs time to adjust…I am having a bit of a breakout right now (some small pimples near my mouth, a few medium red bumps/areas under my chin, and a very large cystic-type in the middle of my forehead). And I know some people have had trouble with EVOO. I’m waiting for a better castor and sweet almond and some EOs to come in the mail. So far, I’ve had some oiliness first thing in the morning, but then just nice, dewy skin the rest of the day! That is totally new for me! I’m usually getting oily 15-20 minutes after a washing, and by midday my face looks like an oil slick. If I’m wearing makeup, it looks like it could literally drip off, and I wear bareMinerals! I’m so excited, and I really hope it continues to work! Any suggestions on a blemish treatment while I’m adjusting? The only thing I have is EradiKate by Kate Somerville, but I don’t know if it’s too chemically…it’s mostly sulfur.

    • Katie23

      For tough blemishes, I add a couple drops of tea tree oil to a cotton swab dipped in Witch Hazel and gently apply that.  Those can be drying and you may need to apply a tiny bit of oil back on those areas. 

      • Andrea

        Thanks! I’ve also heard of some using witch hazel as a toner/astringent in the mornings…anyone have experience with that?

        BTW, so far it’s going well! I started using a few drops of argan oil instead of the EVOO because I definitely did not want to cause a major breakout. I’m excited to see where this goes!

  • Jessica Fetko

    I started OCM about 3 weeks ago and my skin is drier than ever in my life! I don’t like to moisturize at night because I’ve read that your skin needs time to create its own moisture and this has always made sense to me. I haven’t moisturized at night for many years and while using a gentle, natural soap, my skin was plump and well moisturized when I woke in the morning after cleansing at night. I had a bad breakout ( I think from chemicals in products?) and thought the OCM would help detoxify my skin, plus I looked forward to using just pure oils. My breakout has cleared up, but my skin now makes none of its own moisture. Do I need a heavy cream? Should I go back to using soap?

  • Zeet

    Question: I don’t use a washcloth. Are there any other ways to remove the oil off my face? Also, can I keep a jar of the mixture in the shower? It won’t spoil, right?

  • matt

    Well I do not know how many guys use this method but I am one and I wanted to let you know about my experience in case there are any other guys out there that want to try it. 
    First of all let me tell you that I have always had acne my whole life and while it has not been extreme it has always been persistent even when using Proactive. 

    I have gone back and forth with the OCM method at first I thought it was a waste of time until I found the right mix for my sensitive skin. I am also rather pale (I can’t tan). My best mix for a 3oz travel size bottle is 1/4 Castor oil, and then the rest of the bottle with an even mix of Grapeseed Oil & Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

    I put oil in my palm and then massage it on my skin dry for about 3 minutes until I feel the dirt come loose then take a hot rag and let it soak on my face until it goes cold. Wipe off the oil and repeat the hot rag process 2 more times. 

    If you have a beard or stubble it works well to go ahead and rub the oil around (it will soften your beard and keep you from getting ingrown hairs). I can say that if I skip more than a day and try some other product I will break out all over again. If you stick with it and get the oil mix right for your skin it really does work to keep you clean and clear

  • Lizzy

    I found your site about 3 weeks ago ( I am on a no chemicals in the house DIY kick ). I have always struggled with acne and oily skin. I have also had large pores on my nose that I felt could be seen a mile away. I started the OCM method using castor oil, olive oil, and tea tree oil. I have never been so happy!! My acne, for the first time in years, is practically gone (I’m going on 30, didn’t need that acne crap). The pores on my nose are no longer noticeable and my skin feels like it can breath. My skin doesn’t feel gross at the end of the day and my makeup doesn’t get shiny either! I love it!!

  • Nadine

    Thank you! I have acne-prone skin with large pores but it is constantly dehydrated by cleanser. I’m ready to try anything.

    What should I pay attention at when buying oil? Should it be extra-bio-natural-something?

  • Samsalmon

    I started using the oil cleansing method on Tuesday. . . It’s now Thursday of the same week, and I’ve broken out ALL over my chin. It’s been a long while since I’ve broken out this badly, and while it may be a purge, I can’t handle having acne like this (even for only a couple weeks, while my skin is getting used to the oil). So, I’ve begun washing with honey (with ground oats for a gentle scrub). Let’s hope this one won’t break me out as well. 

  • Jenn

    Has anyone that has switched to the OCM found it to be effective in areas of high humidity, high temperatures, and very hard water? I live in The Bahamas, and we have all three, plus the ever-present UV rays which make a daily sunscreen necessary. This method of cleansing intrigues me, but as I’m finally getting over hormonal cystic acne (I am refusing to have more than 3 periods a year to get it under control), I’m more than a little worried about starting something that will be terrible in this environment.

    • Susancw

      You might try using filtered water (wet the rinsing cloth, the microwave it as earlier poster does). Coconut oil is a natural sunscreen. Can you find any elders in your area (natives) who might know something about using coconut oil?

  • Oscarmeyerweiner01

    can you add the 60%castor oil,20% jojoba oil and 20%grapeseed oil for oily acne prone skin or skip the grapeseed and use if need to moisturize??? I am new to this.

  • Heather :) :) :)

    This is great. I’m totally going to give this a try!!!! Love and hugs from the ocean shores of CAlifornia, Heather :)

  • Nancy S

    Found you through Pinterest, and love the blog!!!  I started the OCM last week and so far so good.  I have pale, sensitive, little over 40 skin with minor rosacea and a few hormonal breakouts.  I started out the first night using Coconut oil (and yes I know I shouldn’t be using it) and it was….interesting.  But my skin dried out so bad!  So two nights ago (I’ve OCM’d everyday) I finished out by moisturizing with EEOV (had on hand).  I also don’t get the water too hot.  My skin is SO much better!  My forehead is bump-free for the first time in years.  The bumps on my cheeks and jawline are even feeling better.  I’ve heard the horror stories with people having a problem after a week or two, so I’m committed to stick with this for at least a month.  Thank you so much for an alternate to chemicals and dermatologists!

← Older Comments

Wp Plugin by capn3m0