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manuka oil   Tizo Sunscreen  jojoba oil   hemp seed oil  lavender oil   castor oil   argan oil

A friend of mine asked me recently what kind of face wash I used. When I told her I hadn’t used a face wash in 4 years, she looked startled, then interested. “How do you wash your face?” she asked. That was when I told her about the oil cleansing method.

I have been using oil to clean my face for about 4 years now, and I wish I had been doing it all my life–especially in high school, when my acne was at its worst. In order for the oil cleansing method to work, it is important to choose oils that do not clog pores, like  jojoba oil,  hemp seed oil, lavender oil, castor oil, and argan oil. The oils work as a powerful cleanser by dissolving the sebum that clogs your pores. (And these oils have low comedogenic ratings, so they are unlikely to clog your pores). Essential oils can also be quite moisturizing, and some of them have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help heal and prevent acne.

All you need is the right combination of oils, a washcloth, and hot water. Sometimes I pre-make my cleansers by mixing up oils ahead of time, and other times I just add oils to my face as I go, depending on what I feel like my skin needs. You can dab a small amount of the oil mixture on your face, and rub it into your skin. Certain oils (especially castor oil ) are wonderful makeup removers. After you spread the oil around and give it a chance to soak in, run your wash cloth under hot water, wring it out, and drape it over your face. The heat and the steam open your pores, and then you can wipe your face with the washcloth.

Personally, I like to mix hemp seed oil and castor oil to remove my makeup, or to cleanse my skin if I’ve just come from the gym and I’m sweaty. Then, I do a second cleanse with a combination of oils that moisturize my skin and treat acne. For my second cleanse, I usually use argan oil, hemp seed oil, and lavender oil. If my skin is breaking out, I’ll add manuka oil, which is antibacterial and moisturizing, and lavender, which is also antibacterial and helps calm irritated skin. After I wash my face with the oils, I continue with my normal skincare routine. If it’s morning and I am going out, I put on my Tizo Sunscreen. If I am cleansing in the evening and getting ready for bed, I will add a few drops of argan oil to my face for added moisture, and I will spot treat my face with manuka and lavender to help clear acne.

If you try this out, I’d love to hear how it works for you!