The oil cleansing method is a popular yet controversial skincare practice. It involves cleansing the face with a mixture of olive oil and castor oil. The practice is ancient and probably has its roots in Ancient Egypt and Asia. However, no one seems to be able to pinpoint exactly where it all started. Nonetheless, it is still very popular.
If you are conscious about skincare, you have probably come across the oil cleansing method in a magazine or a blog. Women who have tried this method express varied results. Some get flawless skin within a couple of days while others merely get more skin troubles.
The oil cleansing method can work for every woman if certain precautions are taken. The most crucial step is selecting the right oil. The oil must contain linoleic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that is similar to sebum. Linoleic acid dilutes excessive sebum and cleanses the pores.
Therefore, oils with high concentrations of linoleic acid are excellent for oily acne-prone skin. This component is not always necessary for women with dry skin. Other factors to consider are your skin type, skin conditions such as eczema, and the healing properties present in these oils. Here are seven of the best oils for the oil cleansing method:
1. Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil is obtained from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. The plant predominantly grows in Central America. Evening primrose oil is especially popular as a supplement as it contains remarkable pain-relieving qualities. Nonetheless, evening primrose oil is also superb for the skin and particularly suitable for the oil cleansing method.
It contains essential fatty acids such as gamma-linolenic acid and linolenic acid, which dilute excessive sebum thus cleansing clogged pores. Furthermore, evening primrose oil reduces inflammation. Several clinical studies have proved that this remarkable oil can cure eczema. Therefore, it is suitable for both oily skin and dry skin. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of evening primrose oil as a supplement, its benefits to the skin are unquestionable.
2. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is extracted from sunflower seeds. The oil is slightly yellow with a mild aroma. Sunflower oil has vast benefits to the skin as it has appreciable amounts of vitamin E. Sunflower oil is very effective for the oil cleansing method because it is light and easily absorbs into the skin. In addition, it does not clog the skin’s pores.
Sunflower oil is easily available but often overlooked despite its numerous benefits to the skin. Some of these benefits include diminishing acne scars and skin blemishes as well as giving the skin a radiant and youthful glow. Sunflower oil is suitable for all skin types.
3. Pumpkin Seed Oil
The pumpkin seed oil has slowly gained popularity over the years as a folklore cure for an enlarged prostate gland. However, the oil has been around since the eighteenth century. The oil is extracted from roasted pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin seed oil is deep green and has quite an unpleasant aroma. Nonetheless, if you can overlook this, the oil is a superb choice for the oil cleansing method. Pumpkin seed oil is loaded with linoleic acid and vitamins. It deeply cleanses and moisturizes the skin without causing breakouts.
4. Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the wild rose bush. The oil is especially suitable for oily skin because it controls sebum production. In addition, the rosehip seed oil is suitable for mature skin as it eliminates wrinkles and fine lines.
The oil contains beta carotene and essential fatty acids including linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Using rosehip seed oil for the oil cleansing method will make your skin flawless, acne-free, and moisturized. The oil is also suitable for dry skin.
5. Argan Oil
Argan oil took the world by storm a couple of years ago. Celebrities and ordinary women alike were lining up to buy the supposedly outstanding oil. Experts were also lining up to weigh in on whether the oil was truly a gem or simply overrated. Despite the skeptics, this remarkable oil has withstood the test of time as it is still popular. The oil is extracted from a tree that predominantly grows in Morocco.
Cold pressing is the preferred method of extraction as it preserves the oil’s nutrients. Argan oil has vitamin E, carotenes, and essential fatty acids. It is suitable for the oil cleansing method because it has a high concentration of linoleic acid and deeply moisturizes the skin. It is suitable for all skin types.
6. Avocado Oil
Extra virgin avocado oil is a remarkable blend of essential fatty acids and pretty much all the vitamins you can think of. It is packed with vitamins A and E, which are particularly great for the skin. Avocado oil penetrates deep into the skin and aids in cell regeneration as well as collagen formation.
Using the oil for the oil cleansing method will result in supple and glowing skin within a few days. However, oil is only suitable for dry skin. Women with oily skin should use avocado oil sparingly or avoid it altogether in order to avoid breakouts.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant, a plant that grows worldwide. The oil barely has any nutrients and has negligible amounts of linoleic acid. However, it has something even more powerful. Castor oil contains a compound that penetrates the skin and literally cleanses the pores. Therefore, it is no surprise that as far as the oil cleansing method goes, castor oil is always mentioned.
Nonetheless, the oil should be used with caution. It can dry the skin and lead to an increase in sebum production, which in turn leads to more breakouts. Castor oil should always be diluted by a suitable carrier oil. In addition, women who generally have clear skin may not need to use castor oil.
To conclude, the oil cleansing method is probably here to stay. A lot of women have tried it and swear by it. Others, undoubtedly, have not had the same success. If you intend to successfully incorporate the oil cleansing method into your skincare routine, select a suitable oil for your skin type.
All the oils mentioned above are excellent choices and a great place to start. Do not forget to steam afterward and gently exfoliate with a microfiber cloth. Moisturizing the skin subsequently is not always necessary.
