The Oil Cleansing Method is proposed as a way to clean your face using regular oils that you can find in most supermarkets. The idea might sound odd at first, and proponents can make what at first seems like a strong case for it, but getting at the real answer to does it really work is possible, and we did it.
Overview
The more companies learn about the body, the skin, and what is best for it, the more they tinker with their products to try and find the one face cleanser that’s better than the rest. The only problem is that often these products end up agitating the skin further, and doing nothing for certain conditions like dryness, acne, and very oily skin.
The Claim
The major claim of proponents of the oil cleansing method is that you can use oil to clean your skin, and that today’s modern cleansers don’t do your face any favors because they end up stripping your skin of its oil and irritating it. The theory is that “like heals like” and therefore the oil can actually help to remove the extra oil from your skin, and go one step further to actually clean your skin as well.
The Hype
The reason this is getting so much attention is that if it really worked it would be wonderful. No more having to buy chemical-laden face cleansers, or wasting time on things that just irritate your skin further. This method would appeal to all of those that prefer all-natural solutions over anything that is manufactured in a lab.
The Cost
The cost of the oil cleansing method is relatively low, considering that you simply by the oils from your local supermarket. This allows you to control the costs, by deciding how much you’ll spend on the oil, and whether or not to buy the higher priced versions or stick with the generic or lower-cost ones.
The Commitment
Compared to using a store bought cleanser from some of the bigger skin care companies this will likely take a little more time and effort, first to mix the oils in the right proportions, then to apply them, and also allowing the warm washcloth to cool on your face. Most would find it considerably easier to just wash, rinse, and be on your way with a standard face cleanser.
Evaluation
There is a lot of contradictory feedback when it comes to the oil cleansing method, and it seems that there is no conclusive data that it works for the majority of people, the majority of the time. You may find limited success with it, or it may end up making your skin worse if you have an allergic reaction to it. The best advice we can give is to test it on an inconspicuous part of your face before covering your entire face with it. That way if you do have a reaction to it you’ll limit it to that one spot.
The good news is that it’s super easy to try for yourself, and you might already have the necessary ingredients in your home. If you do try it out, it would be a good idea to get the best quality oil you can to insure that you are putting the best oil on your face.
Final Oil Cleansing Method Review
The oil cleansing method is getting our Might Work rating, because it appears that some people find it very beneficial, and others that try it say it is a waste of time. The difference could be due to user error, since there are a lot of different ways for a person to mess up the process, and there isn’t one agreed upon way to do it, so it’s hard to get a true measure of whether a particular method works.
Our Recommendation
Due to this being more complicated and potentially more expensive if you go with high-quality oils, we’d have to recommend going with a facial cleaning product that gets good reviews from those that use it, and is priced right. There are specific cleansers available for oily skin, as well as acne prone skin, so you can better tailor them for what you need.
I tried the Oil Cleansing Method for about 2 minutes but was too chicken to follow through with it. That’s embarrassing and sad to admit but I was terrified that I was going to make my already acne-prone skin even worse. Seeing April’s review and the YouTube video featured inspires me to try it again and see if I can see improvement on my face. I personally invested in a Clarisonic and feel like it does the work I need and keeps my skin sufficiently healthy. However, considering the fact that I can purchase oils relatively cheap from my local organic stores, I may be persuaded to take the plunge.
I have struggled with dry, acne prone skin for most of my life, but my skin is a million times better since switching to “oil” cleansers. After cleansing my face with oil, instead of my skin feeling dry and tight, my skin feels healthy and moisturized. Oil also does an amazing job of removing makeup, so I no longer need a separate makeup remover.
For my particular skin type, coconut oil seems to work the best. When I do get a pimple, I smother it in coconut oil before going to bed, and although it cannot completely remove a pimple, pimples are much smaller and less red by morning.