Why am I always so late to the party?
I was still listening to Spice Girls in 2010. I may or may not still own a fanny pack on occasion. I still rock scrunchies and those stretch pants with the elastic strips on the bottom that fit under the arch of your foot.
I'm what you would call “behind the times”.
By the way, I was totally kidding on all of those things. Ahem. Sort of.
Anyway.
Maybe it's because I'm an old soul at heart, but I always seem to be about ten years behind. Sometime around my mid thirties, I'll finally start wearing chevron and leggings under my knee-high boots. But until then, I'll just have to accept my constant late-arrival to all things trendy and fashionable.
And while oil-cleaning (aka Oil Washing) may not be a trend that everyone has heard of, among us DIY-ers and crunchy ladies, it's all the buzz. At least, it was ten years ago. By now, most all have heard of, used, or at least tried this cleaning method. Except for yours truly – that was, until about a year ago.
You see, I've been reluctant to tell you about my oil-cleaning method. Mainly because I wanted to make sure that it worked. I mean really worked before sending it out in the world wide web as my chosen method. Secondly, I tried a variety of oils for months and months at a time so that I could really make an first-hand-experience statement about which oils did and didn't work for my face.
My face was the guinea pig. I was the determined and cheap homesteader who wanted an easy alternative to chemically-laden facial cleansers.
Even though I gave up face cleaners years ago when I first began my chemical-detox, my castile soap (at times) left my face a wee bit dull and lifeless. Squeaky clean, no doubt. And I still love castile soap for the rest of my body! But I desired something slightly more… lush.
Lush? I don't think that's the right word. Moist? Glowing? Succulent?
Never mind.
But wait a second, Shaye. What the heck is oil washing?
Aww, an inquisitive bunch – aren't ya? Good. I like people that are constantly wanting to learn. And frankly, it's quite simple, so I shan't make it more complicated than it needs to be. Oil washing is simple washing the face with an oil, instead of a face wash or soap. Oil dissolves oil. It also moisturizes the skin. It ain't rocket science – people have been washing themselves this way for centuries! So I guess that REALLY means I'm behind the times…
But what another second, Shaye. What kind of oils do you use for oil washing your skin?
Coconut Oil
I first began my oil-cleaning search with coconut oil – many naturalist's go-to oil. And I really liked it! At least… for the first few weeks. Coconut oil left my face wonderfully soft and worked wonders on makeup removal – bonus: it smells delicious! But after using coconut oil for a few weeks, I noticed that I was beginning to get small bumps on my face. Were they clogged pores? I'm not sure. But it seems as if the coconut oil was staying too heavily loaded on my face, even after using a wash cloth to remove it. I kept using it, just to be sure, and the bumps never went away. After that, I knew it was time for a different oil.
Coconut Oil Pros: Leaves skin soft, removes makeup easily, smells delicious
Coconut Oil Cons: Clogs pores in the long term
Olive Oil
My second go-to oil was olive oil because, welp, that's what I had on hand when I'd finally had enough of the coconut oil. I used an extra-virgin, cold-pressed, organic olive oil and really loved it. The oil was thinner than the coconut oil and helped to clear up some of the clogged pores that the coconut oil had left behind. It also worked well on makeup removal and left a wonderfully soft and subtle feeling to my skin. What I didn't like about the olive oil was that (somewhat like the coconut oil) it was a little difficult to remove from my skin, which make putting on makeup a bit difficult (since I use a powder based foundation). It also didn't entirely clear up the clogged pores like I'd hoped. I kept with the olive oil for over six months, just to make sure that it was the right oil for me. In the end, I decided to give one more popular oil a try.
Olive Oil Pros: Thinner than coconut oil, easily removes makeup (even mascara!), helps clear up clogged pores, leaves skin soft
Olive Oil Cons: Tends to stay on the skin's surface instead of soaking in, still can tend to slightly clog pores
Sweet Almond Oil
The last oil that I decided to try was almond oil – a very common and well-loved oil across the board for skin care. In almond oil, I found my true love. Not only did it leave my skin soft and easily remove makeup like the other oils, but it also cleared up the clogged pores entirely. On top of that, after washing, the oil soaked into my skin (as opposed to staying on the surface) which allowed me to easily apply makeup and kept me from feeling that “greasy” feeling that can become associated with oil washing. After five months with sweet almond oil, I can easily say (without a doubt, 101%) that this oil is my permanent go-to for oil washing. Shaye + sweet almond oil = true love forever. And ever and ever and ever. Even Stuart has started to wash his face with the almond oil because it “feels like heaven”.
True dat, my homestud.
Sweet Almond Oil Pros: Leaves skin soft, removes makeup, clears up clogged pores, soaks into skin, non-greasy
Sweet Almond Oil Cons: None. It's the cat's meow.
How to oil-wash
Oil washing only requires two “tools”: the oil that you will be using and a wash rag. You can handle that, right? I thought so. You seemed like the brightest crayon in the box to me.
Step One: Wet face with warm water.
Step Two: Massage a nickel-size dollop of oil into your skin. Spent a minute rubbing it in with your fingertips and massaging it into your pores.
Step Three: Wet the washrag with hot water and lay it over your face. Deeply breath in and out. (This is my favorite part. The hot rag on my face feels like rays of heaven on my face!).
Step Four: Use the rag to gently rub and massage the oil off of your skin. Wet it again and repeat a few times until your skin feels clean and all dirt and makeup has been removed. Be gentle.
See? I told you. It's pretty easy. And after the first few days, you'll really start to notice a difference. I love this method and even though I've battled with acne my whole life, it's been the best method I've found for keeping pesky breakouts at bay. Of course, switching to a whole-foods diet and eliminating all processed and refined food also helped greatly with that (as one would expect when garbage is removed from the diet). I've learned that skin care (for me) involves a few other important factors: good diet, lots of rest, and low-stress.
Attempting to control those other factors are much more difficult than oil-washing. Much, much more difficult.
So for Pete's sake, start with the oil and a wash cloth.
Mary
Hi Shaye! I’m so glad you posted this! I’ll definitely have to give the Sweet Almond Oil a try.. My experience has been with a mixture of coconut oil and pure aloe, about a 50/50 mixture, on my face in the morning after my shower (hot water, Dr. Bronner’s soap, and my fingers to open up the pores). My best friend turned me on to this almost a year ago. I used to have mild acne – on my neck of all places – and since beginning this regimen, my skin has cleared right up. I do notice the small bumps on my cheek bones that you mentioned, but they are so few that it hasn’t been that big of an issue. I also don’t wear any makeup (other than a little eyeliner/mascara once in a blue moon), so the oily feeling on my skin was tolerable for the first hour that it takes each day to really soak in. So technically, I’m not “washing” with it because I don’t rinse it off with a washcloth, but I’m wandering around with amazing, soft skin, and my pores are so tiny and don’t look gross and filled with – ahem – dirt, gunk, etc. Thanks again for sharing! I love reading your blog!!
Randi
LOVE this! I went through the same exact routine with the same oils & guess what? Almond Oil is the winner! Such a good feeling when you finally find something that works & isn’t harmful to your skin/body.
Maria
I currently use a mix of Olive and Hemp oils. I also add a drop or two of tea tree oil and a few drops of peppermint (feels Awesome in the morning). I will have to give Almond oil a try. But I have 1 question. How do you clean your wash cloths? Mine have an oily residue that just won’t come clean.
Shaye Elliott
I noticed a problem with that using olive oil, but haven’t had a problem with the almond oil coming out easily.
krista Odermann
I have been taking my eye makeup off with oils since I was a teen, before I even know it was a thing. It just worked, and nothing else did, or if it did, it burned too.
What are your thoughts on jojoba? And I use Apricot. I think its the best, beyond even almond. Check it.
Shaye Elliott
Good to know, Krista! I’ll give it a shot next time I see some around.
Carolyn B.
I used to use this method, too! I did the steamy towel part both before and after. I felt it opened my pores more so that the cleansing could begin faster. π
When I did it, I used a combination of jojoba, castor, and olive oils. Did it for about 6 months. I think I stopped because I moved away to school and then spent 18 hours a day in a jewelry studio. π
Definitely going to start this again though as winter has started to set in!
Krista
I have been doing the same routine and am in love! My blend is a mixture of castor oil and sweet almond oil. Azure Standard carries cute little amber glass bottles with dropper top. Also I use bumgenius bamboo baby wipes left over from clock diapering because they can stay wet and not get that funky smell. Love it!
Lindsey
How often do you find yourself going thru that 16 oz bottle?
Shaye Elliott
Maybe every two months or so?
Kay
Yeah, every two months for me too . π
Jessica
I have been using oils for a few years now on my face. I use a blend of jojoba and castor oil. Love it! A friend from high school developed a natural soap line and I buy the oil “serums” from her. It has helped my rosecea so much! I will only use bodygoodies serums on my face and the soaps on my body now…I have developed into quite a soap snob…haha
Gabriella
So glad you posted this. My skin is looking horrible, my chin is so broken out but it’s also still dry. Really looking forward to trying this. I did try it for the first time tonight and my skin feels good. Hopefully it will clear up too! I did add a couple of drops of GSE to help with the acne.
Melanie
I would love to start washing my face with oil. I currently only use castile soap to wash my face and sometimes some rose witch hazel after as a toner. However, I do use eye makeup remover to take off my mascara and eyeliner. So with the oil method, do you rub it on your eyes? I feel like I would be making a huge mess and look like a raccoon… Does it remove eye makeup ??
Leslie
Just came across your blog this week, so I’m catching up. I have tried olive, coconut, and castor oils for oil cleansing, but I’m very curious to try almond oil now! Isn’t it amazing how simple this method is, but how (IMHO) superior it is? Love the simplicity.
Hannah
Hey Shaye,
I found your blog last week when I was googling recipes for Lemon Curd with Honey and I’m glad I did. It’s great to read a bit of your adventures with homesteading. I’m sure I’ll read more in the days to come – thank you for sharing your stories here.
I love hearing about people who’ve successfully switched to the oil cleansing method. If I wasn’t totally happy with washing my face with honey (yes, really), this method would be one I would totally try.
Question: what do you do for washing your hair? I’m waffling between trying to go without shampoo or finding a more natural option. I’d love to hear your experiences.
Peace be with you.
Hannah
Shaye Elliott
Baking soda and water for shampoo – apple cider vinegar for conditioner!
Gina
Does this work for greasy hair and colored hair? Mine is greasy by the end of the day so I’m worried it will get greaser??
Shaye Elliott
Gina, this is for your face π
Syz
Gina, I had greasy skin and hair. After several months of oil washing my face I noticed, “hey! My hair isn’t great but the end of the day anymore!”
In fact I can now skip a day off I want. I still use regular shampoos and conditioners like before I began oil washing my face so I can only attribute it to an overall decrease in oil production.
Anonymous
I was shocked by how smooth my skin was after I tried oil washing! I’ve been doing it about a month now and my cheeks used to be really bumpy but the oil really helped. I only do it once a day though, my skin is kind of sensitive. Thank you so much for posting!
Also, does this make anyone else’s sink greasy? I noticed a little oily residue on mine recently.
Christy
Love, love your blog!! I have to ask about the apple cider vinegar for conditioner…does the smell linger in your hair?
Melinda
Not at all! The scent evaporates very quickly. I have a blast mixing it 1:3 ACV to water with a couple drops of lavender essential oil as a facial toner, as well.
Melissa
How often do you do the oil cleansing method and for the days you don’t wash your face with oil what do you do to wash your face? Also do you need to use any moisturizer after washing with the oil. I currently wash my face with Castillo soap and put a homemade coconut oil moisturizer on afterwards with essential oils in it. I feel like my pours are getting clogged though and would love to try the almond oil.
Shaye Elliott
I wash twice a day with the almond oil and don’t have a need for a moisturizer. I LOVE oil washing.
KaraL
Thank you for posting this!! I tried washing with olive oil (for almost a year) and I developed the same little bumps/clogged pores. I also used coconut oil as a sometimes moisturizer – so double bad for me. I’ll give almond oil a try – thank you!
Susan
Thoughts on sunscreen? I try to use a moisturizer with sunscreen every day (cursed pale complexion!), but I’m wondering if the oil washing plus sunscreen might be TOO much for acne prone skin.
Shaye Elliott
I just wear a giant hat and never worry about sunscreen.
Lindsey
Just curious what you use for a moisturizer Shaye?
Lindsey
Oops. Sorry. Just saw your previous response about not using one!
bobbi dougherty
Love this post. I will try the Almond oil. I usually use Castor oil though. I have some menopausal (sp, or is it a word even) acne and it really helps with that. I have never truly used it more than a few weeks though so I am not sure how it would work long term. It definitely helps with the breakouts and my skin is super smooth!
Andrea Wright
I have been using the Oil Cleansing Method for several months and my skin has never been better! I have always had problem skin. Hormonal breakouts and lots of sensitivity. Oily in the summer and dry in the winter. I use a mixture of olive oil and castor oil and love it. More castor oil when I am oily and less when I am dry. Castor oil is astringent and really helps! I also add Frankincense essential oil (Young Living or Do terra only) and sometimes tea tree depending on my skin. But honestly, since using this method I haven’t really had breakouts! If I do get a spot, it sort of heals itself quickly instead of hanging on for a week or more! I mix up a few tablespoons worth in a small jar and it lasts for a few weeks. It is easier than having to mix it up every night. When my skin is really dry in the dead of winter I follow up with a mixture of sweet almond oil, rose hip oil, jojoba oil and frankincense. It works overnight and I wake up with soft smooth skin! π
Susanne
I have used a baking soda/coconut oil blend as my face wash for years and continue to love it!
Kimberly smith
I am so glad I found this! I use the almond oil with so tea tree oil and my face has never been clearer or felt better!! I love your blog, thank you so much for taking the time to share your life with us! I am currently working on trying to grow/ raise most of our own food and you are such an inspiration! Thank you
monica
I use coconut oil on my face and body every single day. your pores were clogging because the oil was processed. it happened to me as well lol.. i bought the organic coconut oil from costco and i was like “wait this is not right, all the people i follow recommend it.” so I began asking all those i follow and sure enough i was using the wrong type of coconut oil. it must be raw coconut oil. i bought a bottle of artisan raw coconut oil, been using it for a yr and have not seen a bump once.
No Need for Mars
GREAT post! I really want to migrate over to oil-washing. Quick question: do you oil-wash daily or would that be too much for skin?
Shaye Elliott
I do it every day!
Dawn
Sorry if you’ve already been given this extremely important piece of info, I did not read through all the comments. I too love oil cleansing and what works for my oily, acne prone skin is a mixture of castor oil and hemp seed but the most important part is using a microfiber cloth instead of a wash cloth. They are so much more gentle on your skin and they really, I mean really do a bang up job of removing the oil. They works so well that I only oil cleanse every other day and just use a microfiber cloth and warm water on days in-between and it works like a charm! Even better, I just found a pack of 8 for 3.99 at Ross.
Adele Halsall
I use muslin cloths and they are lovely too π
Cassie
Hello! I am just now getting into this oil cleansing stuff. I have had acne for years now and I am sick of using drying chemicals on my face. Your article is awesome! However, I was wondering…. Can I use the sweet almond oil as a cleanser and moisturizer? In other words after I wash off the almond oil from my face during the oil cleanse……do I put on almond oil again after that to use as a moisturizer??
LeslieS
I have been oil washing and moisturizing for several years: generally a mix of castor and grapeseed for washing, jojoba for moisture. Living in south Texas, pushing 70, and my skin is healthy, smooth. I do use the washcloth method with no issues, but rinse off some of the oil by hand first. Organic coconut oil-raw sugar scrub for deep cleansing. Coconut oil/kosher salt with essential oil for fragrance (whatever I feel like when I make a batch) in the shower. Have not used soap or any other moisturizers since 2012. I, too, wear a big hat and long sleeves when outside, so no sunscreen.
Wish I had discovered it even earlier!
Lucia
My skin is glowing after using castor oil for a week.
Adele Halsall
I LOVE almond oil! I too started out with coconut oil to clean my face but found that after a while it clogged my pores. Then I tried grapeseed oil, which is supposed to be great for oily skin (which I have), but my skin didn’t like that either. In the end I fell back on almond oil – which I already use to moisturise and shave my legs with – and ta-da! No problems π
Glad others out there are enjoying it too π
Jane
What about scars from previous breakouts? Also can I use the clairsonic with oil washing?
Samantha
I just came across your article. Does the almond oil help with rosacea as well? I have acne too. Do I need to put another oil on after I wash my face to help with the rosacea?
Monique
Dear Shaye, thanks for the great tips. I can relate to your experience with the different oils. I was wondering…do you think oil-washing would work for the rest of the body too? Soaps most likely leave my skin very dry and I am considering starting to use natural oils in the shower.
Best, Monique
Amanda Schulz
L’Occitane makes an amazing oil cleansing shower oil, I came here looking for an alternative because its so pricey and I found out some not so desireable things about the company. Im currently searching for a budget friendly cleansing shower oil. Ive seen that Cetaphil makes a shower oil moisturizer that reviewers say cleanses too. Im going to try that.
Anonymous
My skin is really, REALLY sensitive & pale and I sunburn super easily; I make it a point of wearing sunscreen every day but I find that a lot of sunscreens irritate my skin. Do you know of any all-natural sunscreen recipes/brands that might be good for me?
Megan
What is your skin type ?
Ive been using argan oil to cleanse and almond to moisturize after. I have been thinking of just switching to almond completely.
Im thinking maybe too different oils is too much for my skinβ¦ π€·πΌββοΈ
I have dry acne prone skin.