Oil of… Olive!

I still remember the reaction I got when I first told my friends I threw away all my skin care products and soaps and started washing my face with Olive Oil.

“Are you crazy?”

“I’d be 1 giant pimple if I did that!”

“you can't be serious”

Well the truth is washing your face with oil is not a new practice. It is called oil cleansing and it has been around for centuries. So why did I ditch my mainstream skin care products? Many are loaded with toxic chemicals and are way over priced. After the first time I tired oil cleansing I was hooked! My skin felt amazing, so soft and my dryness and redness were gone. Mainstream skin care products strip the oil out of your skin, leaving it trying to repair itself by quickly replacing the stripped oil. This leaves us in a cycle of feeling tight and dry followed by a greasy mess. Each time we strip the oil away, our skin over-compensates for the lack of moisture by creating more oil. On top of the drying effects, these products are highly-scented. Added fragrance is one of the top skin irritants, and strangely enough, even the so-called “unscented” products usually contain some fragrance. See for yourself and check the labels.

Oil Cleansing operates on the premise that like attracts like and oil dissolves oil. Oil cleansing is best done in the evening prior to going to bed. In the morning, a quick wipe with a warm washcloth or a rinse in the shower is more than enough. All you need t

o Oil cleanse is a soft washcloth, your oil, and hot, running water. Pour a generous amount of oil into the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to warm the oil and smooth it over your dry face. Begin massaging the oil into your face. This will remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities, so there is no need to use a makeup remover or wash your face before the massage. Using slow, firm motions across the skin, massage the oil deeply into your pores. Take your time and focus on your problem areas and fine lines. Work the oil into your pores so that blackheads and impurities can be dissolved and steamed away. As you’re massaging, let your mind drift off and think of something calming and breathe deeply. Take this time to relax and release some of the stress from the day. Soak the washcloth in the steamy water. You want the water to be warm enough to soften your pores and remove the oil. Drape the washcloth over your face and allow it to stay until it cools. You will feel your pores softening and releasing the impurities. Gently Wipe the oil away and rinse the washcloth well in hot, running water. I rub any leftover oil on the back on my hands and down my neck and décolletage.

Perfect skin won’t happen overnight, and while it will take a few massages to achieve your goal, you should notice a considerable difference in your skin after the first oil cleansing massage. Give your skin a few days to adjust and adapt to being clean and clear of blockages; understand that the new oil coming from your skin is actually a good sign and will balance out very shortly. You’ll see redness and irritation subside. You’ll find your skin losing that congested, thick feeling.

There are several clean companies selling oil cleansing products that you can buy online and there are recipes online as well. For my Canadian friends I love Living Libations and my American friends Primally Pure and Primal Life Organics are both great. A good quality Olive oil works great for me if you want to start small! I will never go back to old way of washing my face. Cleansing with oil is the most efficient, effective way to cleanse, soothe, and balance your skin. Don’t just take my word for it, Try it!